Damn Stubbs is looking good... and HUGE! Seeing him up close and in person is impressive... Realistically though, top 10 would be a big accomplishment for either Hide or Joel in this competitive line-up.
My top 6 (in order):
6-Dennis Wolf
5-Victor
4-Jay
3-Dex
2-Phil
1-Kai
Message that I was sending was AS ALWAYS:
I am fighting FOR athletes and for the SPORT...
Let the games begin...and the best man win...was Olympic spirit for over a century...
POLITICS...and especially bodybuilding (read: beyond subjective) politics is what I want to focus on...
These 6 above mentioned IFBB pros are just SPECTACULAR...Each guy could very easily be holding Sandow statue less than two weeks from now...as the winner of the most prestigious contest in the world.
But, there are so many more that have earned their right to COMPETE at the Mr. Olympia...and some are considered here just to be "stage decoration" so to speak...Guys that would never be called out and compared, simply as they don't belong to politically recognized ELITE group...
But, look at guys that are top 6 material...and realize that just few years back - there were NEVER considered to be ELITE...until they showed up "jacked and ready to rock and roll"...
Well, there are few
others that would only ask for one thing: chance to compete...Comparisons...
That is SPORTING part of otherwise entertaining-type of the event, pro bodybuilding shows have become...
EVERYONE WANTS to see comparisons, athletes, fans, media, photographers...ATHLETES, FANS...IFBB PRO ATHLETES - oh, I already said that...
So, why don't we have MORE of that SPORTING part of the show...where athletes and the audience could ENJOY COMPETITION...
Guys going pose for pose against each other...?
I am sure above mentioned 6 athletes would NOT MIND giving chance to every qualified Olympia competitor to have a shot at them...
They are confident in their abilities...and
IF better they would have just MORE opportunities to prove their superiority...
Are we going to hear AGAIN - oh so believable explanation that: the reason why we didn't have more comparisons was - we were running out of time....

Jesus...Christ...

Give EVERY competitor chance to show the world how they "measure up" next to ELITE group...that's all...
After all Mr. Olympia is qualifying event...and these athletes have pleased those same judges earlier in the year - to earn their right to compete...so are they going to have a chance...or...some rumors about certain political decisions would "just happen"....
For example - guy that is NOT on any top six list will surprise everyone and somehow make the finals...Now, how would I know that...?
I am member of IFBB politically informed individuals...as I just like to stick my nose where does belong...
Can M.R. make top 6....?
Don't bet against it...