Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: hpac on March 09, 2009, 08:41:34 PM
-
YIPPY KAI YAY
2009 ARNOLD CLASSIC
by Hollis Lance Liebman
And so it is already a year filled with drama, comebacks, last chances, breakout performances and further ascension up the pro ranks. Like a wise game of chess some chose to sit this one out and save all their proverbial eggs for one Mr. Olympia held later in the year. Were our current Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson to lose here at the 21st rendition of the Arnold Classic to say pre-contest favorite Victor Martinez, it could prove none too well come Olympia time.
Although recognized as second in stature on the annual bodybuilding calendar next to the Mr. Olympia, the Arnold is universally regarded as bodybuilding at its finest both as a first class show for the fans as well as its star treatment of its athletes.
Most interesting to note regarding this year’s rendition was the return of the eventual top three finishers, all coming back from varying injuries incurred during last year’s contest season. What follows are the players in the order they were judged and ultimately placed and how this reporter saw them.
1. Kai Greene – Relegated to tears that could be felt throughout the Veterans Memorial, one Kai Greene of Brooklyn, NY has done a complete 180 the likes of which the bodybuilding world has not seen before. Recovering from hernia surgery in late 2008, concerning Kai, this contest was almost a no-contest as just 24 hours prior to Kai taking the stage credible rumors reported that he was indeed out. The word had spread that he was too heavy to come down in time to be truly competitive at this level and had a falling out with west coast trainer Charles Glass. One need only take a gander at Kai’s frequent video blog updates to feel the grueling suffering this marvelous athlete had endured en route to Columbus. But then, when finally stripped down, Kai was indeed on. Perhaps a shade off his previous best and some structural flaws notwithstanding, Kai showcased near shredded condition and what looked like additional arm size. But it was his posing that sealed the deal. With flips aplenty, head balance and moves galore, a do not try this at home warning should have preceded his routine. Kai is living, breathing physique art. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Kai is a major player now and was also awarded best posing routine which was a foregone conclusion following his appearance no matter who was to be next. It may have taken Kai a minute to get up to speed, but he may be the closest athlete since Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates before him to truly show us the limits of their genetics and possibly raise the bar entire.
2. Victor Martinez – The return of the Dominican Dominator was a critical factor in this year’s lineup and one that lead to much speculation. Returning to lay claim to the title he captured in 2007, Victor was the favorite upon entering this contest. Sidelined due to a tear in his left patellar tendon, an in shape Victor with a fully recovered leg would have taken the whole shebang no contest. Alas, upon closer inspection, the left leg showed signs of atrophy and was not up to its usual best in terms of size and separation. This Victor was very good, after all how many athletes of his caliber can return after such an injury? But for some continual reason, Vic is unable to bring his “A” game in regards to conditioning to the Arnold Classic but always delivers come Olympia time. This would seem the opposite of four time Arnold champion Flex Wheeler who quite often was peeled at the Arnold and less so at the Olympia. Regardless, the score sheets indicate he won the first two rounds over Kai and was indeed sharper at night but would eventually lose to the Brooklynite. Possessing the best natural frame of anyone on stage all Victor needs is to fully dial it in. He is still in contention for an Olympia title come September. Welcome back champ.
3. Branch Warren – In years past the winner of the most muscular trophy would equate to an Arnold victory as well. One Branch Warren, the exception, would go home with his third most muscular trophy yet no title. Marking his highly anticipated return to the posing dais after suffering a triceps tear last year sustained not from training but rather a plummet down a flight of stairs. Fortunately, there were no signs of his previous triceps injury. The videos of pre-contest Branch were the epitome of hardcore. No-one trains harder than Branch, no one. Sporting his best ever shape, Branch was absolutely packed with muscle and very finely conditioned. Many wanted him to win but some feel his lack of true aesthetics and perhaps excessive vascularity and somewhat compact structure may prevent him from super high placings at the bigger shows. A class act, gracious in defeat, Branch did all he could do here in attaining a win. If heart replaced genetic shortcomings, Branch would have a slew of Arnold tittles to complement his most muscular trophies.
4. Toney Freeman – Toney, when first revealed backstage prior to prejudging was a world beater. Having glanced at Victor and then Toney, one might suspect an upset. However, the big consensus coming in was that this version of Toney was impeccable in his conditioning but flat throughout the show. At 42 and 6 foot 2, Toney does seem to get better with age. Finding a balance between fullness and cuts, I personally had this humble and charismatic champion higher. The X man is definitely gunning for the Olympia and is assured to find the delicate balance between fullness and conditioning.
5. Silvio Samuel – One of the most consistently conditioned athletes in the business today, the 2009 Pro Ironman winner was indeed tighter than his season opener win some 6 weeks ago. The previous thighs that overshadowed his upper body seem now more in proportion. His only glaring weakness is his lack of calves, which at this stage is less reliant on work ethic and more so on genetics. Make no mistake, Silvio is very close to complete and a near master at nailing his conditioning. At the moment of his placement the champion signaled displeasure to the judges and promptly removed his medal. This less than sportsmanlike conduct was immediately reversed when a stage official whispered to the champion to rethink said moment and so Silvio donned the medal but stood scowling.
6. Moe El Moussawi – Mo has indeed come a long way from a third tier bodybuilder in recent seasons and has perhaps at this point packed on as much muscle as his frame can handle while maintaining its aesthetics and conditioning. Although a bit too orange in coloring, Mo brings back the classic physique of yesteryear while showcasing the shredded conditioning of today. Here he was very good and bested only by a very tough lineup.
7. Dennis James – The Menace makes his first appearance at this event since 2002. Long touted as possessing a Mr. Olympia physique in the gym and then losing something from the transition between the gym and the stage, Dennis’ best competitive years may be past him. It was perhaps the physique that first turned him professional at the 1998 USA that may have carried him further than what he began sporting at the 2000 Ironman; a much heavier big man’s physique high on muscle but perhaps less so on classical symmetry. Regardless, Dennis was in good shape for this one and has excellent stage presence. Having battled through the years with both high and low contest weights, ever-present flaws such as high lat insertions and stomach distension, he may need a good year off to regain his physique of old. It is worth mentioning that many play the size game once in the professional ranks at the cost of true contest conditioning. Those that continue to come in dialed as opposed to big and blurry are usually the frontrunners. Dennis has always been and continues to be an excellent bodybuilder and is still to be regarded as one of the best in the world.
8. Sergey Shelestov – It is perhaps Sergey’s lack of name recognition that most holds him back from higher placings. He’s big, complete and capable of whipping himself into very good shape. A candidate for most improved athlete, following more exposure, which he’ll get as a result of his showing here, the heaviest man in this show will do major damage. The Moscow native has mega size coupled with quality and is impressively capable of a full split.
9. Johnnie Jackson – Another athlete who seems to have taken his physique as far as it will go. Johnnie was in better condition here than at the Ironman. His biggest weakness lies in bringing his legs into contention (especially his calves) with that enormous upper body. One of the thickest athletes in the sport today and probably it’s strongest, Johnnie will return.
10. Ronny Rockel – Ronny’s greatest strength lies in his symmetry. He’s very complete from top to bottom and looks heavier than he is – even against some of the bigger athletes. He needs to be harder, especially from the rear.
11. Gustavo Badell – More than any other athlete slipping in the ranks from former glory, Gustavo needs at least a season off to give his body a rest. The time to give his joints and receptors a break might just help him to re-ascend the bodybuilding heights he had previously achieved. His legs have faded some in years past and he no longer achieves his once prominent rock-hard conditioning. Gustavo draws a nice balance between size vs. shape. Take a temporary break, champ. By all rights he should be up in the mix for title contention but off from his best for this level.
12. Ahmad Haidar – Not a contender for the title but another friendly reminder of the classical physique of yesteryear. Great conditioning. Backstage Ahmad looked very sharp but was simply out massed amongst today’s heavier breed of competition. Not one male in the audience wouldn’t wish to possess a build of such magnificence and proportions with ab separation that runs deepest.
13. Marcus Haley – Marcus was quite simply a good bodybuilder amongst great bodybuilders. He always sports a very entertaining routine but showcased an odd distension to his stomach and needs more leg mass and overall tighter conditioning to place higher. He won best poser at the 2007 Arnold.
The annual pilgrimage to Columbus, Ohio was once again well worth the trek as abnormally warm weather and an always first class event brought smiles to the hundreds of thousands passing through its expo doors. Governor Schwarzenegger and more specifically longtime business partner and father figure Jim Lorimer start literally the day after the show in preparing for the following year’s rendition – every year. This year saw further expansion to the sports festival as the booths went from a previous high of 650 to 700 as well as the addition of a bikini competition to an already stellar lineup of competitive events for its female athletes. It’s worth mentioning that those that continue to doubt the appearance of the governor at his own contest, relax, he is at heart one of us and will always be back.
Additional highlights of the weekend included two-time Mr. Olympia Dr. Franco Columbu as the recipient of the lifetime achievement award, the inclusion of a strongman competition and as always the finest in worldly entertainment and emcees.
Many argue the sport of bodybuilding was at its competitive peak in the 90’s when one athlete held a near permanent lock on the title for a number of years, but heading into this year’s Mr. Olympia any one of a number of athletes could very well lay claim to the title and it is in this uncertainty that makes for a truly exciting contest. Will the real Victor show up in September? Will the momentum of his first Arnold win carry Kai into the winner’s circle in Vegas? Will Phil Heath and Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson make the most of their extended off-seasons? Will Jay Cutler be the first Mr. Olympia to regain his lost title? Stay tuned.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Matthew Lorz of Lorz Communications, Inc. for once again granting this reporter press access to this beloved weekend and the fruits of his organization’s hard labor. Additional thanks to Ray at the Chemically Engineered booth and Kevin J. Kearns of Burn with Kearns for their kindness and support.
-
Kai:
"feel the grueling suffering this marvelous athlete had endured"
that speaks to me, man.
All around, a good review as always!
-
240 thanks very much!
-
Hpac had a great weekend too 3 for 3 with the ladies
-
are you counting the trannies?
:)
-
Nice report... thanks...
-
He needs to be harder, especially from the rear.
:-X :-X
ps
good report, well written
-
Thanks guys!
Ron, good seeing you as always.
This was a spectacular show and a terrific ending - any fan of the sport can and should be proud and happy for Kai.
-
Some backstage pics:
-
by Hollis
Epic name
-
A few more:
-
: