The weather is very nice here the week before the 2009 Ironman in Los Angeles.  For the last week, we have had 80 degree weather, and it is going to be that way also until Thursday, the weekend of the contest, where the forecasts call for rain.  Rain, in Los Angeles. Yes, it looks like that we may have a raincloud or two trying to wet itself on the convention center, where the 2009 Ironman and Fit Expo will be held.

This is the 20th year at the Ironman Pro Men’s bodybuilding contest, and it looks like the lineup is going to be a good one. Never mind the naysayers, who complain that some big names are not in this show. This lineup is just as good as in past years, and I, for one, am excited to see which names and surprises are going to be thrown at us this year.  You never know, but that does not stop me from making predictions. After all, I am taken away the title from Lonnie Teper from the past two years on making this predictions on the pro show (he will disagree with me, of course), and after a nice relaxing few weeks of holidays spirit, I am ready for the year. The top 5 here at this show are qualified to compete in the 2009 Olympia.

So who do we have competing this year. Here is the list that has been brought to our attention. It looks like 14 countries are being represented here. They are, in alphabetical order.

Eddie Abbew (England)
Troy Alves (USA)
Oliver Adzievski (Sweden)
Mohammad Bannout (Lebanon)
Thomas Bengali (Italy)
AD Cherry (USA)
Omar Deckard (USA)
Constantinos Demetriou (Australia)
Mark Dugdale (USA)
Tamer El-Shahat (Egypt)
Moe El Moussawi (New Zealand)
Oleg Emelyanov (Russia)
Aiman Faour (Lebanon)
DeShaun Grimez (USA)
Ahmad Haidar (Lebanon)
Marcus Haley (USA)
Johnnie Jackson (USA)
Martin Kjellstrom (Sweden)
Marc LaVoie (Canada)
Don Long (USA)
Daron Lytle (USA)
Caesar Mendible (Venezuela)
Evgeny Mishin (Russia)
Ronny Rockel (Germany)
Silvio Samuel (Spain)
Daniele Seccarecci (Italy), and
Hidetada Yamagishi (Japan)

So here goes, my top ten predictions.

1)   Moe El Moussawi.   Now Silvio is the man, the favorite in this contest, and some say that he will come in and win this show easily. I am not so sure.  Last year, Moe stunned the Ironman crowd by defeating Silvio here, causing Silvio to shake his head.  Silvio did come back and beat him at the Olympia, but this is a new year, and the question is, which one of these competitors can withstand the holiday season, and come back three weeks into January looking better than the other.  I have seen some pictures of Moe. He is ten pounds heavier than last year, and looks shredded. He is determined. He just may pull it off, and defeat Silvio here again, like last year. Only this time, there is no Phil Heath to block is path to the prize. Moe is flying in from New Zealand a week before the contest and will be ready.

2)   Silvio Samuel.   Silvio is amazing. No question about it. This guy enters contest after contest and never looks like he is out of shape. I think when I talk to people, Silvio is the one that they say will beat everyone who has entered this contest. Even in the offseason, Silvio looks great, so why is he in second. I don’t know. I just have this feeling that Moe might take it, and look for shredded.  Silvio, pound for pound, is bigger, stronger and more muscular, but in terms of being shredded, well… it is going to be a battle.

3)   Hidetada Yamagishi – Hide is hungry, coupled off the firestorm last year that derailed his career, and had him lose his contract and much more, in terms of respect from the Japanese people.  He was a Japanese hero, and his arrest was too much for some. Never the less, this is a new year, and he is determined to show everyone that he is in shape, that he can compete in the rank, and will qualify for the 2009 Olympia on the first contest of the year. After all, he is not currently competing at the 2009 Arnold, so this is his big change to show what he has.

4)   Johnnie Jackson –  Agreeing to compete on the last day of the deadline, Johnnie never looks bad, and is the strongest bodybuilder on stage. He knows he is in shape, his muscular and will not bore us as he should earn a trip to the 2009 Olympia.

5)   Troy Alves – Back look great, chest looks great, legs look good, but the hamstring and glutes. This is where placings are made, and will Troy be ready in terms of bringing the overall package this year. I think he will.  I spoke to Troy earlier this week, and he seem like he was spot on, and is excited to be competing again at the 2009 Ironman.

6)   Ronnie Rockel – Ronnie always comes in shape, and I know think this year won’t be different.  Muscular, conditioned and just a good overall physique will catapult him in the top 10, but will he be able to get into the top 5 . I am not so sure, judging by the deep lineup we have now.

7)   Mark Dugdale – For some reason, I feel that Mark, to me, as some of the deepest respect in bodybuilding. A full time job, married with three little girls, great family values, how do you get in shape for a contest. Still, it has to be tough, and Mark usually is in that spot between being a smaller bodybuilder or trying to pack on size and lose some symmetry by being a heavier bodybuilder. I hope Mark does well here, he is one of the nicest competitors out there.

8)   Eddie Abbew – We always forget about Eddie, but somehow, Eddie likes the early shows, and usually comes out in the best shape of the year at them. He placed 3rd at the Ironman a few years back, so I don’t doubt Eddie will be in the top 10.

9)   AD Cherry – He looked great when he won his pro card two years ago, but has not been able to look as good as he did. Still, I think this show AD will crack the top ten, and keep getting better and better.

10)   Marcus Haley – Marcus is going to surprise us, and get into the top 10 in the 27 man lineup. He is a small competitor, but the way I feel, his physique is going to make the judges happy, and they will reward him.

There are others who can make the top 10, including Ahmad Haidar, Omar Deckard, and DeShaun Grimez, and of course, anyone else who worked hard during the holidays, and will surprise us here. It always happens. See you at the 2009 Ironman!