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On May 25, the New York Pro will be held. After the Olympia and Arnold Classic, this is one of the most prestigious titles in bodybuilding. For Roellie Winklaar, winning the New York Pro in 2010 marked his breakthrough among the pros after his victory in the amateurs at the Arnold Classic a year earlier. For Victor Martinez, it should mark the comeback of a big man in bodybuilding who has had to go through a deep valley in recent years.
“Dominican Dominator”
Victor Martinez was born on July 29, 1973, in San Francisco de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. At an early age, he moved with his family (seven sisters and two brothers) to New York, where they settled in the Washington Heights neighborhood. He never forgets his Dominican background, as evidenced by his nickname “Dominican Dominator.” As a typical American teenager, he played baseball, basketball, and American football. Like many bodybuilders, he began weight training to support the sports he practiced.
His training partner, Stephen Dickerson, saw potential in the young Vic and motivated him to prioritize weight training and bodybuilding. This led to 19-year-old Victor’s participation in his first bodybuilding competition held at Elmo’s Gym in the Bronx, NY. He immediately won first place. His second competition, a year later, was for the NPC (the association for amateurs aspiring to become pros). He found that the level here was much higher and placed 27th. However, he did not give up and returned three years later bigger and stronger, winning his first victories as an amateur.
The pros
His first appearance among the professionals was in 2001 when he participated in the Night of the Champions, where he placed 8th. In the following years, he stood on the biggest stages. He won the Arnold Classic in 2007 and finished second in the Mr. Olympia the same year (behind Jay Cutler). In 2005, Ronnie Coleman even called him his successor, but that prediction has not (yet?) come true.
In hindsight, 2007 may have been the best year for Victor because after this, things went downhill in many respects.
2008 Torn Patellar Tendon
In 2008, Victor tore his patellar tendon while doing lunges as a warm-up for his leg workout. He underwent surgery the same year but could not compete in the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia.
2009 Sister Murdered
2009 was a year of great personal tragedy for the Martinez family. Victor’s sister, Eridania Rodrígeuz, went missing after leaving her job as a cleaner in a skyscraper in New York. Four days later, she was found in the ventilation shaft on the floor where she worked. Maintenance worker Joseph Pabon was arrested in the building and convicted of murder on April 2, 2012.
Victor Martinez Arrested
In 2011, things seemed to be improving in terms of sports. Victor won the Arnold Classic Europe in Madrid. However, upon returning to JFK Airport on October 9, he was arrested for an expired green card. Due to a previous conviction for steroid trafficking in 2004, his residency permit was not renewed. He was sent to a detention center in New Jersey (Kearny, NJ County Correctional Facility) pending deportation proceedings to decide whether he would be sent back to the Dominican Republic. He remained there until the verdict on his case was announced on April 27, 2012. He was then released and allowed to stay in the U.S.
His time in prison cost him a lot. In prison, he could not eat as he was used to or train as he was used to. There was hardly any equipment, and he could only do exercises like pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups. He lost over 27 kilograms during his stay. He himself was the least worried about this. The worries were mainly about his family with four children and what would become of them if he indeed had to return to the Dominican Republic.
Victor was also a co-owner of a restaurant called “The Muscle Maker Grill” in New Jersey. He lost the business because he was convicted of immigration violations for more than six months.
Finally, he also lost his house during his imprisonment.
2012 Recovering Damage
In 2012, it was therefore not surprising that Victor did not participate in the Mr. Olympia for which he was qualified. He would have had only six months to repair the damage done, let alone improve his old form. He did not compete in competitions but focused entirely on 2013.
2013 No Arnold Classic, but New York Pro!
I had hoped that Victor would compete in the Arnold Classic this year in March. Perhaps this was still too early because he did not participate. However, he recently announced that he will compete in the New York Pro. After not being on stage for a year and a half, this is the opportunity to show that he is back and to qualify for the Mr. Olympia later this year.
Victor’s Chance Passed?
It remains to be seen how successful Victor will be on stage. He once came close to the coveted Sandow trophy when he finished second behind Jay Cutler. His physique seems to fit the type of figure that judges nowadays prefer to see rather than the mass monsters with protruding growth hormone bellies like Ronny Coleman in his time. But nowadays, there are several men who meet that image in terms of symmetry. Think of the current Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath, last year’s third-place finisher Shawn Rhoden, and relative newcomers like Cedric
McMilan who won the New York Pro last year and recently the competition held during the FIBO in Germany. And let’s not forget Kai Greene, who may not have the same symmetry and balance but has been vying for the title since 2009 and made it very difficult for Phil last year.
On the other hand, it is questionable to what extent Victor still has the highest ambitions. As mentioned, the time in prison has cost him much of what his career had earned him up to that point. So he will have to work hard again to provide for his family. Participation in competitions like the New York Pro and possible qualification for the Mr. Olympia at least ensures satisfied sponsors and associated income.
Expectations for New York Pro
Regarding New York, a Victor in Victor-form should be able to win against the names I have seen in the line-up so far.
For example, Jon Delarosa, a good friend of Victor’s and since last year competing among the pros (5th place New York Pro and 2nd at the Toronto Supershow).
Another competitor is Juan Morel, who won the IFBB Europa Battle of Champions Hartford last year and placed fourth at the New York Pro.
So it remains to be seen in what form Victor will be on stage in New York.
I have always been a big fan of Victor and his physique type, and I wish him all the success in his comeback!
Stats Victor Martinez
- Height: 1.75 m
- Competition weight: 120 kg
- Off-season weight: 138 kg
- Arms: 58 cm
- Chest: 59 150 cm
- Waist: 86 cm
- Thighs: 76 cm
- Calves: 51 cm
- Forearms: 46 cm
Update 16-6-2014
Since this article, some time has passed. Victor ultimately finished second at the New York Pro. He then won the Toronto Pro, qualifying for the 2013 Mr. Olympia, where he finished eleventh.
