The 2008 Arnold Classic Starts Today…

Today marks the start of arguably the second most important bodybuilding event in the world-The Arnold Classic.

While the exercise has grown into a multi-discipline athletic festival highlighting everything from aerobic fitness to martial arts, and the name has changed to The Arnold Sports Festival, the thing that got it going still puts The Arnold on the map-bodybuilding.

The Arnold provides a counterpoint to the Mr. Olympia contest, which has grown to focus on definition within mass. The Arnold seems to focus more on pure form, regardless of how big the contestant is.

This year’s field is:

Melvin Anthony
Gustavo Badell
Adorthus Cherry
Toney Freeman
Kai Greene
Deshaun Grimez
Phil Heath
David Henry
Dexter Jackson
Johnnie Jackson
Desmond Miller
Ronny Rockel
Silvio Samuel
Branch Warren

In looking at this field, I am curious about three things:

1. Why did Dennis Wolf not participate? Is he so fired up for the 2008 Olympia after his “fan favorite” Fifth Place in 2007 that he is completely focused on running the table in Las Vegas?

2. How will Phil Heath do? Heath stunned the world with twin victories upon coming a professional bodybuilder, but had to put on more bulk to compete with the big boys. He is fresh off a win at the IFBB Ironman Pro, and many pick him as the favorite.

3. Branch Warren-what’s the story? Will his hyper developed granularity be able to carry the day? His 2006 Olympia finish (12th) was a disappointment, and he pulled from the 2007 event. While he was second at the 2006 Arnold, he fell to 7th in 2007. Is 2008 the year of atonement and resurgence? We shall see!

Good Luck to all!

Cutler survives, Martinez shines: Olympia 2007

The votes are in, and Jay Cutler held onto the title of Mr. Olympia for another year by holding off a hard charging Victor Martinez. Dexter “The Blade” Jackson came back from a disappointing performance at The Arnold competition last spring to finish third.

Ronnie Coleman, despite my earlier prediction, came in 4th.

The big surge came from german competitor Dennis Wolf, who moved from 16th in 2006 to 5th in 2007, and was the clear crowd favorite.

The complete Top Ten…the top six earn an automatic invite to the 2008 edition of the Olympia competition

1- Jay Cutler
2- Victor Martinez
3- Dexter Jackson
4- Ronnie Coleman
5- Dennis Wolf
6- Melvin Anthony
7- Silvio Samuel
8- Gustavo Badell
9- Johnnie Jackson
10- David Henry

Now it is out to finish yard work…and in the days ahead we will return you to the regular rotation of topics-such as the Hoot’s apparent inability to capably debate…

Cutler, Coleman…and Martinez: Olympia 2007

Flexonline reportsthat it is all up for grabs in Las Vegas…and indirectly that my Coleman prediction may not bear fruit.

Cutler came through prejudging as the biggest guy, but Victor Martinez apparently is in exceptional shape. Coleman is not in the shape of past years, and while he may be a near lock for the top five but may not pose a real threat to win the whole shooting match.

Flexonline.com has some podcasts available for downloads.

Cutler v. Coleman-Olympia 2007

As noted in other posts, I am a fan of many sports/games that are somewhat outside the mainstream.  One of them is bodybuilding. It is a sport that requires exceptional work and dedication.  While I lift, I am nowhere in the shape of some of these guys, although I have lost 27 lbs since may 23, and no longer am a shoo-in to win my audition to play the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man in the next Ghostbusters Movie…

There is a stunning resemblance…but I smile and I don’t own a sailors hat…

But this weekend Las Vegas will host Olympia 2007, the Super Bowl of bodybuilding.  Preliminary judging is on Friday, with the finals on Saturday.  This year will be a showdown between reigning champion Jay Cutler and 8-time winner Ronnie Coleman.  Cutler defeated Coleman in 2006, and plans to do it again.  Coleman intends to be the first man to lose and then regain the Olympia title.  Doing will give him the career record for Olympia wins at nine, pushing him ahead of Lee Haney (8).  Both are ahead of Arnold Schwarzenegger (7).

Muscle and Fitness offers analysis and handicapping, and if reflects the uncertainty surrounding the event. Cutler won in an upset last year after four second place finishes behind Coleman…will Cutler get the Champ’s benefit of the doubt from the judges, or will there be a sentiment to send Ronnie out a winner? Coleman announced his retirement from competitive bodybuilding earlier this month. On the other hand, Coleman has said he thought he was robbed last year, and that the triceps injuries cited for the loss were not major problems.

My thoughts? My prediction? Coleman wins.

Why? Keep in mind this is a sport based on subjective judging. Bodybuilding is in constant need of someone or something to keep the sport alive and pumping, and keep folks buying equipment, supplements, etc. Some still say that need is why Weider backed Schwarzenegger over Oliva in 1970, and again why he wanted Arnold to win in 1980 to overcome the fitness theories propounded by Mike Metzger.

The sport needs some controversy to fire up talk, participation, excitement and the commitment purchase of goods, services, and supplements. If Cutler wins, then the status quo reigns.  If Coleman wins, you have short term publicity plus the range of stories about which supplements, equipment, techniques he used to regain the title.  This leads to Olympia 2008, where you will have an “empty stage” with no reigning champion following Coleman’s retirement…and no matter who wins gives you the same increase in short term publicity about supplements, equipment, etc.

Plus, a lot of folks will want Coleman to go out on top…

Obviously, this is not a sure shot.  Coleman is 43, and if he is not over the hill then he can certainly see the peak from where he stands.  He wants to go out on top, not on second.  Cutler, having already finished behind Coleman four times, wants to start his own string.

I just have a hunch that the two of them are going to be r-e-a-a-a-a-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-y-y-y close in the judging, and for the reasons listed above I think the subjective judging will nudge over to Coleman.

We shall see!