Category Archives: Announcements
UFC Fighter Thiago Silva Signs on with Team Ultimate Nutrition Full Combat
Farmington, CT August 31st, 2009 — To celebrate their 30th anniversary, Ultimate Nutrition announced today the signing of UFC Superstar, Thiago Silva to Team Ultimate Nutrition Full Combat.
Silva, who is held as a top 10 lightweight, knocked out Keith Jardine in 95 seconds on Saturday night during UFC Fight 102. “Thiago is an incredible athlete. He is at the top of his game and is a perfect match for Ultimate Nutrition‘s Full Combat product line,” said Brian Rubino, Vice President, Ultimate Nutrition. “Ultimate Nutrition has stood for quality and innovation for 30 years and Thiago will help solidify our position. The signing of Thiago is another great event of our 30th anniversary celebration.”
“I am an avid user of their products and I am excited to be a part of Team Ultimate Nutrition Full Combat,” said Silva “Their new MMA line is in a class of its own within the industry and I love taking the Pre Combat, Post Combat and Protein Combat Powders.”
About Ultimate Nutrition.
Since 1979, Ultimate Nutrition has been fueling bodies with the best nutritional supplements to achieve your goals, whatever they may be. With Ultimate Nutrition being one of the most tenured companies in the industry, we were among the first to have amino acid tablets, carbohydrate powders, fat burners, and whey protein powder. Today, Ultimate Nutrition is among the leading innovators in the supplement industry, with products that can enhance your life no matter what your goals are.
Ultimate Nutrition uses only the purest ingredients to produce nutritional supplements, with quality that never wavers. No matter what the product may be, Ultimate Nutrition promises a consistency other companies can only dream about. You can be sure that what you see on the label is what is in the bottle. That was Ultimate Nutrition‘s promise and commitment over 30 years ago, and still remains our promise and commitment to this very day.
http://www.ultimatenutrition.com
http://www.full-combat.com
Free tickets to NPC & IFBB Events Info
This Advisory Notice was issued by the IFBB Professional League & Jim Manion, Chairman of the IFBB Professional League.
TO: IFBB PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE ATHLETES & PROMOTERS
NPC NATIONAL PROMOTERSFROM: JIM MANIONSUBJECT: TICKETS TO EVENTS
Please note that, effective immediately, the policy for receiving free tickets to the IFBB Professional League contests and NPC national events is changed as a results of complaints from promoters that, among other things, IFBB professional athletes are demanding free tickets not only for themselves but also for their family and friends; and are requesting these tickets on the day of the contest or event without any consideration for the limited space available at some venues.
IFBB professional athletes will receive one (1) ticket to IFBB professional contests and NPC national events only if the request for such ticket is submitted to the IFBB Professional League or NPC national office before the contest or event. You must provide proof of current membership, which will be verified by the IFBB Professional League or NPC national office.
Additional tickets may be available at the sole discretion of the individual promoters.
Please govern yourself accordingly.
Jim Manion
Chairman
IFBB Professional League
2009 Mr. Olympia – Free tickets to the military
For the ninth consecutive year, the Weider Family, American Media Inc./Weider Publications and the IFBB Pro League, have authorized military personnel with a valid ID card to attend the Olympia Expo, Ms. Olympia Figure, Ms. Olympia, and Mr. Olympia competitions free of charge.
“Since 2001, it has been our privilege to have over 5000 military personnel attend the Olympia events as our special guest and we look forward to continuing this tradition and thanking them for all they do,” said Joe Weider. “We appreciate the tremendous sacrifices they make on our behalf and to show our respect, admiration and support, we are honored to provide these complimentary tickets,” added AMI Chairman, President and CEO David Pecker and IFBB Professional League Chairman, Jim Manion.
Active duty/retired members of all five branches of the military and the National Guard will be provided complimentary tickets for themselves and one guest. Signs indicating where to pick up the tickets will be located near the ticket center at the Orleans Hotel.
Free tickets are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis until the supply of free tickets is exhausted.
To reserve tickets, please e-mail Vincent and Melissa Mae Jackson at Mr.O_Jackson@live.com to have your name added to the authorization list.
This offer expires 17 September 2009.
Rick Collins to ‘Leap for Life’ for the American Cancer Society
Rick Collins has been in the bodybuilding industry for a long time, defending and advising many bodybuilders, supplement companies and various people on many subjects, including one of his specialties, performance enhancing substances. But on August 23rd, Rick is going to jump out of a plane for the first time, in the hopes of raising $13,500 for the American Cancer Society. Here is some information on it, and you can donate for this jump directly to the American Cancer Society by going to Leap for Life (www.leapforlife.org).
Rick Collins — a Long Island-based attorney, popular author and the nation’s foremost legal authority on performance-enhancing substances – has announced that he is “leaping” into new territory this summer. In honor of two close friends and a relative stricken with cancer, Collins has created Leap for Life (www.leapforlife.org) – and will be jumping from a plane for the very first time in his life in order to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society … while also making a statement about exercising personal liberties as he flies through the air in his first-ever skydiving venture.
In preparation for this unprecedented Leap for Life, Collins is seeking sponsors to help raise money for this worthy cause – with people encouraged to donate for each foot he falls. Collins, a partner at Collins, McDonald & Gann, P.C. (www.cmgesq.com) and a popular personality in the bodybuilding, health, fitness and nutrition communities, will be jumping from an altitude of 13,500 feet – and hopes to raise a total of $1 for each foot he falls, or $13,500, through his jump.
Collins will perform his Leap for Life on August 23rd at noon. The American Cancer Society has set up a page to secure sponsors for Rick’s exceptional fundraising effort – encouraging people to visit www.leapforlife.org to donate by the foot. Every tax-deductible dollar raised will go directly to the American Cancer Society’s mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Leap for Life will take place at Skydive Long Island (www.skydivelongisland.com), which offers the highest altitude for jumping on Long Island and is the only dropzone on L.I. flying to 13,500 feet. Collins will be taking off and landing at Calverton Enterprise Airpark – a 2900 acre airport and one of the largest landing areas in the U.S.
“I knew that I wanted to find a way to raise funds in the fight against cancer, and, as I recently celebrated a big birthday, I was also looking for an opportunity to push my limits and challenge myself,” says Collins, whose upcoming book Alpha Male Challenge (www.alphamalechallenge.com) focuses on helping men “re-claim their edge” through an innovative, 10-week transformation program. “In addition, as an attorney committed to preserving the rights of informed adults to safe dietary supplements, this jump is a great way for me to get people thinking generally about individual American freedoms and what the law says people can and can’t do. If an adult can lawfully get in an airplane and jump out in mid-air, why does the government seem so quick to ban nutritional supplements that have comparatively higher safety levels? From a consistency standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense.”
2009 NPC Teenage Overall winner is ineligible
Sunday, July 19, 2009
To: All Bodybuilding Press
From: Jim Manion, NPC National Office
Subject: Benjamin Loehrer
Due to age ineligibility Benjamin Loehrer has been declared ineligible as the 2009 NPC Teenage National Light-Heavyweight & Overall winner. Overall runner-up Uriah McGee will be awarded the Overall title & also the trip to Los Angeles for the Flex Magazine featured article & photo shoot. Also, all competitors in the Light-Heavyweight class will now move up a placing.
Jim Manion
NPC President
Men’s Bodybuilding Added to Sacramento Pro
Promoters John Tuman and Ted Williamson have stepped up and added Men’s Bodybuilding to their IFBB Sacramento Pro show. Three men will qualify for the 2010 Olympia on November 7, 2009. The show has $20,000 in prize money up for grabs. Visit IFBBpro.com for more info.
2009 Olympia T-Shirt Design Contest
On September 25-26, 2009, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia Weekend returns to the Orleans Arena and the Las Vegas Convention Center in sizzling Las Vegas, Nevada for what promises to be the most exciting event in the contest’s 44-year history.
The title will be battled out by current Olympia Champion Dexter Jackson, 2-Time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Dennis Wolf and many more strong and talented professionals looking to be crowned the 2009 Mr. Olympia Champion.
With the Olympia fast approaching we have created a way for you to be part of the Olympia Team. If you would like to take part in the design process of the merchandise that will be sold at the Olympia, please log on to www.MrOlympia.com and click on the t-shirt design contest.
You will have access to uploading up to six (6) exclusive designs for a chance to win tickets to the 2009 Olympia. Be there for all the fireworks as the most talented athletes in the world battle it out to determine who truly is the best in men’s and women’s bodybuilding, fitness and figure.
Champion Nutrition & TapouT Announce Licensing Agreement
I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more supplement companies looking to tap into the success of the MMA world. Champion Nutrition takes a bold step by teaming up with TapouT, one which no other supplement line has done to date. Good move? Only time will tell but if you were going to partner with a successful brand in MMA, TapouT is a logical choice. You’re sure to see a TapouT shirt or hat at any bodybuilding/fitness event and go to a MMA event you can’t blink without seeing the logo.
GRAND TERRACE, Calif., Apr 28, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — TapouT, the premier mixed-martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand, announced today a licensing agreement with Champion Nutrition to offer sports enthusiasts TapouT Sports Nutrition products. Under this relationship, Champion Nutrition will design, distribute and market the Tapout Sports Nutrition brand to all retailers in the United States and abroad. TapouT Sports Nutrition products will be available in mass-market retailers beginning this summer.
“TapouT is thrilled to be working with Champion Nutrition to offer our fans, fighters and every athlete premium sports nutrition products that will let them train harder and reach their goals,” said Punkass, TapouT Co-CEO and Co-Founder. “TapouT is about expressing your passion and attitude, and whether it’s through our clothing or nutritional products, we want our company to help take that emotion to the next level.”
TapouT Sports Nutrition products will feature premium sports supplements that will allow mixed-martial arts fighters, bodybuilders, and athletes-in-training to increase muscle size and strength. The products are competitively priced and engineered with research-tested ingredients, including highly absorbable forms of protein, creatine, hydration drink formulas and more, to deliver results for serious minded athletes and boost endurance for those pushing their physical limits.
“It’s an honor to develop a line of sports nutrition products under the TapouT name,” said Mark Post, President of Champion Nutrition. “Champion Nutrition has been developing sports nutrition products for athletes and champions in all sports for over 26 years. We look forward to working with TapouT to introduce our nutritional performance expertise to the mixed-martial arts community and all TapouT fans around the world.”
“TapouT has built a stellar reputation by supporting mixed-martial arts fighters in every facet of their career,” says TapouT Co-CEO and President Marc Kreiner. “We’re excited to team with Champion Nutrition to expand our support for these athletes by providing the supplements they need to maintain their training and take their game to the next level.”
About TapouT
TapouT is the world’s leading mixed-martial arts apparel, gear and lifestyle brand on the market today. TapouT started as a vision by Co-Founder Charles “Mask” Lewis Jr., and has since become a pioneer of the MMA movement and a $100 million empire. Representing some of the biggest MMA superstars including Chuck Liddell, Frank Shamrock, Thiago Alves and Anthony Johnson, TapouT produces the hottest apparel for men, women and children. Their distinctive, authentic logo graces everything from clothing, accessories, and gear, to nutrition products and a magazine. TapouT is also the exclusive apparel sponsor for Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” through 2011.
For millions of fans worldwide, the TapouT lifestyle inspires those to reach their goals and know that anything is possible if they “Simply Believe.”
About Champion Nutrition
Champion Nutrition is a Sunrise, FL based designer, marketer and manufacturer of performance-based sports nutrition products. Champion maintains its own 135,000 square foot GMP-certified manufacturing facility. Currently in their 26th year, Champion’s attention to product formulation for athletic performance is legendary and makes them one of the most well-respected sports nutrition companies in the industry. Champion Nutrition is the Official Sponsor and sports nutrition provider of world-class Mixed Martial Arts organization, American Top Team (ATT). This summer, Team Champion Nutrition Athletes Mike Thomas Brown and Thiago “Pitbull” Alves will be fighting in the biggest events in WEC and UFC history. Both televised events will be seen by over 2 million viewers, all watching Team Champion Athletes wearing the Champion Nutrition logo proudly.
75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach Venice
From Joe Wheatley, the promoter of Muscle Beach Venice.
It all started in 1934 when a group of health and fitness pioneers brought fame to Santa Monica Muscle Beach with their feats of weightlifting, strength and gymnastics. In 2009, Muscle Beach Venice marks the 75th Anniversary of the world renown home of bodybuilding.
This historic occasion will be celebrated on July 4th 2009 at the Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Competition. Icons from the industry including Hall of Fame Inductees will be on hand with City of Los Angels Officials to recognize this great history.
Bodybuilding.com, Muscletech and Ironman Magazine are three of the main sponsors of this event. More information coming soon…
AMI Special Edition Magazine to Commemorate UFC 100
UFC® JOINS WITH AMERICAN MEDIA INC. (AMI)
Las Vegas, Nev. (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) organization and American Media, Inc (AMI), today announced a partnership to publish a special UFC 100 commemorative edition magazine that will be available at newsstands across North America and in some international markets.
“The UFC 100 magazine will highlight the 15-year history of the UFC in a way that no other medium could,” said UFC President Dana White. “And with unrestricted access, this issue will truly capture this symbolic moment in our sport. We’re happy to do this special issue with AMI because they’ve believed in UFC’s potential since we bought the company in 2001. We’ve worked successfully with them in the past, and many of their best-selling issues have featured our fighters on the cover.”
The UFC 100 commemorative edition magazine will arrive at newsstands on June 29, 2009 and is timed to coincide with a pay-per-view event that is expected to be one of the biggest in UFC history on July 11. In the special issue, fans will get a preview at what’s ahead for this event, and it’s intended to be a keepsake that will provide a memorable look back at this UFC milestone.
“When you combine UFC, great stories about its fighters and put practical information about the sport of mixed martial arts into the readers’ hands, you have their undivided attention,” said AMI Chairman David J. Pecker. “These readers speak the language of UFC and this commemorative magazine will be about them and their relationship with the fastest-growing sport in America.”
AMI titles including Men’s Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness have featured top UFC fighters, as well as UFC President Dana White and UFC® All Access™ show host Rachelle Leah, on past covers and enjoyed a surge in newsstand sales, with several UFC covers breaking all-time sales records for AMI. “We’ve enjoyed working with Dana and his team and look forward to taking our association to the next level,” added Mr. Pecker.
With a diverse, loyal fan base of millions of customers in the United States and abroad, the UFC100 Special Commemorative Issue is expected to be an instant collector’s item and one of the most popular, best-selling titles of the year for AMI’s magazine unit.
For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com, UK.UFC.com, GERMANY.UFC.com or UFCespanol.com.
About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Viewers Choice, and WOWOW in Japan, and via the Internet worldwide on Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand
Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or ufcespanol.com.
Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.
About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. is the leading publisher of celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines in the U.S. These include Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and National Enquirer. In addition to print properties, AMI maintains web sites for all of its brands. AMI also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.
The 2009 Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo Is Back With a Bang
Boise, ID – March 18, 2009 – Bodybuilding.com, the Internet’s most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest retailer of nutritional supplements, will be holding its 8th Annual Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo April 3rd, 2009 from 6:00-10:00pm at the Knitting Factory Concert House. This fan-favorite event is held in celebration of fitness and health, and to spread the message of its benefits to as many people as possible. If you haven’t been before, be assured: this is more than your average fitness expo.
The BFE has the hottest stars and the fittest bodies, featuring: Kim Lyons (trainer from The Biggest Loser); Mr. Universe Gunter Schlierkamp (seen in Warner Bros. “Beerfest”); UFC World Welterweight Champ Georges St. Pierre and MMA Fighter Shane Carwin; Pro Bodybuilders “X-Man” Toney Freeman, Trey “Phenom” Brewer and Flex Lewis; 4x Super Bowl Champion Bill Romanowski; and many more!
Make sure to grab samples of the newest supplements provided by over 30 different manufacturers including: MuscleTech, BSN, Ultimate Nutrition, Scivation, Gaspari Nutrition, VPX, Universal Nutrition, EAS, Cytosport, TwinLab, ErgoPharm, Labrada, Champion Nutrition, iForce, MRM and others. Not to mention, you will receive fun Bodybuilding.com merchandise including a 2009 BFE T-shirt for the first 500 people in line.
There will be plenty of action on stage with The Miss Bikini BodySpace Contest with winners receiving over $1,000 in cash and prizes, The Mr. Puniverse Competition (where being puny is in), bodybuilding routines, exhibitions of strength, special guest presentation by wheelchair bodybuilder Nick Scott as well as other surprise acts. There is something for everyone!
Bodybuilding.com knows how to put on a show and the best part is…it’s ALL FREE! The expo attracts record crowds, with a line that wraps around the block, so we recommend you get there early! DON’T MISS OUT!!!
For more information go to: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2009fitexpo.htm
Bodybuilding.com offers more than 8,500 health and fitness supplements & accessories to help people achieve their fitness goals. They offer more than 25,000 pages of FREE bodybuilding & fitness information, including more than 12,000 articles (written by 525+ writers), video & audio segments, and new content added daily.
Weider Signs Moe El Moussawi
FLEXONLINE.com reports that Moe El Moussawi joins a short list of IFBB Pros with publication contracts. Look for Moe on stage this Saturday where he looks to redeem himself from the IRONMAN Pro.
Mo Elmoussawi signs contract with Weider Publications
Weider Publications is proud to announce the signing of IFBB Pro League athlete Mo Elmoussawi. Elmoussawi, 34, recently placed second at the 2009 Ironman Pro and ninth at the 2008 Olympia.“Being a Weider athlete mean’s I’m one of the top guys,” Elmoussawi said. “It gives me positive energy to go all the way to the top.”
Elmoussawi’s signing comes less than one week out from the Arnold Classic, which will be held this Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ohio. In Columbus, Elmoussawi will be looking to improve upon his performance at last year’s Arnold, when he placed 11th. Elmoussawi’s second-place finish at the Ironman was the highest finish of his five-year professional career.
El Moussawi joins a list of athletes that includes Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson, two-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Silvio Samuel, Melvin Anthony and Dennis James.
“As far as my career it’s more of a prize of what I’ve achieved lately,” El Moussawi said of signing with Weider.
Allan Donnelly Named Editor-In-Chief of FLEX Magazine
Congratulations to Allan Donnelly.
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ — David J. Pecker, Chairman, President and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), today announced that Allan Donnelly has been named the new Editor-in-Chief of FLEX magazine. Since joining FLEX in 2006, Mr. Donnelly has been involved in all aspects of the magazine and website, rising from Senior Editor to Online Editor and, most recently, Executive Editor. His involvement with AMI and Weider Publications dates back to 2001, when he began as an Editor at Men’s Fitness and a contributor to Muscle & Fitness.
Since its inception in 1982, FLEX magazine has been the world’s leading publication for bodybuilding enthusiasts. FLEX reaches over one million readers a month.
About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. is the leading publisher of celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines in the U.S. These include Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer. In addition to print properties, AMI manages 14 different web sites. The company also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.
SOURCE American Media, Inc.
2009 Arnold Classic Predictions
Rain, snow or shine, on March 6th, we will be heading to the 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic in downtown Columbus, Ohio. And as we do every year, many of us like to predict on how will win and who may not be the best at the contest. Of course this is just for fun, because in reality, none of us know how one is going to look in stage that day, but via rumors, reports and talk from follow competitors, fans and training and diet partners, the hype has begun. So who do I think will place well at the 2009 Arnold Classic. Here it goes, based on the 13 athletes that should be there.
1 – Victor Martinez. Yes, a knee injury sidelined Victor from competing in the 2008 Mr. Olympia, in which many thought, if he had been healthy, could have been the new king. Instead, Victor now has some doubts from his fans, and others around the globe, on whether Victor will be ready when he gets on that state. Yes, he upper body should look fantastic, but will his legs match his incredible physique??? I think it will, and at the end, Victor will be crowned in first place.
2 – Branch Warren. What? The man from Texas in second place? No way? Well, once again, we have a competitor who was injured going into the 2008 Mr. Olympia, and is very hungry on proving that he is on top of the bodybuilding world. Branch has been training very hard in Texas, and judging by fellow reports out there, he is ready to go, and will look his best at the Arnold. Branch should surprise the rest of the top competitors.
3 – Toney Freeman. I didn’t predict Toney would do well at the 2008 Mr. Olympia, and boy was I wrong. And Tony let me know it too! Toney backstage before he even went on at prejudging blasted me and said ‘I will prove you wrong’. And he did. But this is a new year, and it looks like Toney could of perfected his style and his physique in terms on final preparation. Toney will look good, and will impress all of us again.
4 – Kai Greene. Kai Greene was third last year at this contest, but also was injured soon afterwards. Kai is looking good now, and he may have a chance to be in the top two. However, reports of Kai being 292 pounds has worried some that he may not be able to shed all that weight and look 100% great for the Arnold in time. Thus, I am putting Kai in 4th place.
5 – Silvio Samuel. Silvio let me know it big time when I chose him in second place in my predictions for the 2009 IFBB Ironman Pro. Said how can I not predict him in first at that show. At the time, Moe El Moussawi looked great, but in the last few days, faltered in his preparations, in which Silvio handily won the 2009 Ironman. But the 2009 Arnold Classic is a much tougher competitor field. The top four above Silvio did not compete in the Ironman, and rumors are they will look great. Have we seen the best of Silvio at the Ironman? Or will Silvio step it up a little more and beat my prediction of 5th place.
6 - Dennis James. Two shows last year, the Tampa and the Europa, Dennis James came in second place, with Toney Freeman beating him. Dennis was not happy with those results, because Dennis looked real good. At the Olympia, Dennis was one spot behind Silvio, which means that Dennis is going to have to look spectacular in order to move up from 6th place here. Go Dennis Go!
7 – Moe El Moussawi. We had such high predictions for Moe for the 2009 Ironman, but Moe just wasn’t 100% there. In terms of getting ready, Moe gained 10+ pounds, but lost some of his shredded look. Moe has beat Silvio in the past, and if Moe can come back to his shredded look, and take his time in getting ready in the final days of the show, he may surprise us all, and place higher here. And if he doesn’t, then Ronny Rockel, Gustavo Badell and Johnnie Jackson just may pass him up.
8 – Ronny Rockel. Surprised us all at the 2009 Ironman, which many saying that he should of placed second there above Moe El Moussawi. So Ronny has something to prove, coming into the Arnold with a motivation to show others that he is better and will be more shredded at this show.
9 – Gutavo Badell. Gustavo was supposed to compete in the Ironman, but dropped out, due to family obligations. But with Gustavo, you never know how good or bad he will look on stage. I hope he looks good, and comes back to the overall shape he was at one time, but this year may be difficult. We will see.
10 – Johnnie Jackson. Johnnie entered into the 2009 Ironman at the last possible minute, and looked much worse than any of us predicted we will be. Johnnie could and should of looked much better than what he did, and I know he will improve coming into the Arnold Classic. The question is, with this tough lineup, can he do better than 10th place.
11 – Ahmad Haider. At the 2009 Ironman, Ahmad qualified for the Mr. Olympia by placing 5th. He looked good, but I am not sure how much more can Ahmad improve, giving his fellow competitors an edge. I may be wrong, but Ahmad by just place out of the top 10 here in Columbus.
12 – Marcus Haley. A tough lineup here, and his will be good experience for Marcus. Whereas Marcus will not crack the top 10, he does have a change to prove he is the best poser, with only perhaps Kai Greene, and maybe Toney Freeman challenging him for that. Have fun Marcus, the Arnold is one great contest.
13 – Sergey Shelestov. Wow – not sure why Sergey even wants to compete in this tough lineup, with almost no chance of not placing last, no matter how many people are in the lineup. A very interesting choice to be invited for the Arnold. Enjoy the show, and come in shape please!
