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The Question: The Olympia is getting closer. Bodybuilding fans having been waiting all year, and are now going crazy. It's that time again... time to make some picks! Who do you think will win the 2008 Mr. Olympia? Why? There is still one more qualifying event (Atlantic City Pro) - Who do you think will win that show and will they be able to break the top ten? What do you think the top 10 will look like? Why do you put them in this order? Who do you believe will make the biggest improvement? Who do you think is the most under-rated competitor that could surprise people this year? 2008 Olympia Qualified Athletes:
2. Anthony, Jr. Melvin - USA 3. Badell, Gustavo - Puerto Rico 4. Coleman, Ronnie - USA (*Not Competing) 5. Cutler, Jay - USA 6. Elmoussawi, Moe - New Zealand 7. English, Kevin - USA 8. Freeman, Toney - USA 9. Greene, Kai - USA (*Not Competing) 10. Heath, Phil - USA 11. Henry, David - USA 12. Ingram, Leo - USA 13. Jackson, Dexter - USA 14. Jackson, Johnnie - USA 15. James, Dennis - Germany 16. Martinez, Victor - USA (*Not Competing) 17. Richardson, Craig - USA 18. Rockel, Ronny - Germany 19. Samuel, Silvio - Spain 20. Shelestov, Sergey - Russia 21. Warren, Branch - USA (*Not Competing) 22. Wolf, Dennis - Germany Bonus Question: How do you feel about the Mr. Olympia contest? Do you get excited for this time of year, like football fans when the Super Bowl comes around, or do you not really care? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners:
2nd place - 50 in store credit. 3rd place - 25 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Justin @ justin.podzimek@bodybuilding.com for more info.
Mr. Jay Cutler will win because he is the full package. He is the mass monster of the event and has some gigantic sculpted legs along with the best lats out of anybody in my opinion. You see those lats from the back and the contest is over. Last year, he was not as sharp. All he has to do is to remember his first win at the 2006 Mr. Olympia and replicate that conditioning. The show will be a piece of cake if he does that.
Toney Freeman has won the last two shows he entered in showdowns with Dennis James. The X-Man has come back from his disappointing Arnold Classic performance to show the world he is ready. He is huge and if his conditioning is like that of Europa the show is OVER. Freeman will break the top ten certainly this year and allow him to forget his disappointing 14th place finish at last year's Olympia. With his conditioning, the X-Man might even push for a top 5.
This man is the mass monster and look for him to replicate his 2006 super conditioned form. He knows the feeling of winning and last year's victory almost escaped him. Cutler will win because he wants the world to know he is the Best. I just can't pick against Cutler. His legs are out of this world. Complete package and his waist will be streamlined this year.
The talk has been about Jay vs. Dex and for good reason. Dexter - aka Mr. Blade - showed last year he can compete with the big boys and trust me he will push Jay to the limits. Blade is shredded from head to toe with superior abs. He doesn't have as much muscle which gives the nod to Cutler unless Cutler lacks conditioning.
Phil has been working hard to gain mass on his frame and the second place finish at the Arnold Classic showed that. It is important to note that since he finished behind Dexter Jackson. The Gift has the best triceps, but he lacks the experience to get any higher than third. Look for the next year to be his chance to complete for a top 2 position.
The question has been - Where has Mr. Wolf been? Mr. Wolf has been training hard bringing up his weaknesses like his calves and hamstrings. He is youthful in appearance, but last year shocked plenty with his 5th place finish at the Mr. Olympia. Germany's finest with his amazing shoulder to slim waist ratio will again test the Mr. Olympia waters, but he will finish fourth at best.
X-man been killing this year ever since the horrible performance at the Arnold Classic earlier in the year. He won the Tampa Pro and Europa Show with his killer shoulders and legs. 14th place last year was disappointing, but he is motivated this year. If he keeps the size and cuts we seen this year, 5th place will be his for the taking.
  Click To Enlarge. Toney Freeman At The 2008 Europa Super Show. View More Pics Of Toney Freeman Here.
James this year has been challenging Toney Freeman and has made the sport more competitive besides the talk being about Jay vs. Dex. This dude looks huge on stage. He owns most muscular poses, but for him to place this high he needs to work on his abs. They leave more to be desired. If he can go back in time to 2003 and remember his fourth place finish, watch out folks.
One of the few guys who can compete with the big boys on any day. Always ripped and peeled to the bone. This year is a little tough for him to get a better placing. His lack of size hinders him getting any higher than this position. I would rather see him destroy the 202 open class, but he's in the Olympia. More size needed to compete with the big boys.
Gustavo Badell deserves consideration for this spot. Badell is huge folks, but cannot overcome his out of control waist. He has made improvements to it, but he still has a long way to go. Don't count the veteran out though, since Badell has finished third twice.
9. Melvin Anthony: I have no clue what happened to him at the Arnold this year, but he poses great. More conditioning needed in his lower section (especially his hamstrings).
There has to be no doubt that Abiad is the underdog in this show to place in the top 10. I watched the Europa and was impressed with his showing. The Canadian phenom showed at the Europa he can compete with his friends across the border. His conditioning will determine where he places. If not in top shape, you can expect a Houston Pro like performance. If the conditioning is sharp, watch out for Abiad.
Biggest improvement will come from Toney Freeman who placed 14th last year. The X-Man will be at his best shape for all the reasons mentioned before. Most under-rated man is also Toney Freeman. Don't count the X-Man out. 14th place last year will not happen again. Freeman is back ladies and gentleman. The old vet is ready.
The more I read about Jay vs. Dex and James vs. Freeman just adds to the excitement of the Mr. Olympia. I read every bodybuilding magazines that I can get my hands on and read many websites. I'm addicted to the sport and like the Super Bowl has interesting storylines. One day I will go to Mr. Olympia and experience it in full effect. Some may say these are not athletes, but these physiques prove otherwise. I also like seeing the Figure and Fitness contests too. The whole experience to learn more about training, nutrition, and mental fortitude keeps me smiling every day as I try to attain the best body I can.
I firmly believe that Jay Cutler will defend his title and win his third consecutive Mr. Olympia. In this current age of bodybuilding, the aspect of the physique that matters most is clearly muscle mass. And Jay, bar none is the biggest competitor. Last year he came in with poor conditioning and still won, proving that size is the most important quality for an Olympia-caliber body. After seeing recent pictures of Jay, he looks hard, defined and well conditioned. Combine that with his brutal size and he cannot lose.
Toney Freeman will win. As long as he brings the top conditioning that has helped him win his most recent competitions. He should also be able to finish in the top 10 at the O. I think he'll finish around 6th-7th.
This mass monster will not lose unless he comes in off. His size blows away the competition. A third Sandow awaits Jay.
The blade will bring a great package to the stage in Vegas. He will have great symmetry and proportion to go along with his fantastic definition. However, due to Jay's size advantage, Dexter will have to settle for second.
After a great 2nd place finish at this year's Arnold, Phil is poised to take the Olympia by storm. After working hard to add about sixteen pounds to his frame, look to Heath for a strong third place finish.
Dennis had a great showing at the '07 Olympia with a 5th place finish. I haven't seen any pictures of Big Bad Wolf lately, but if he comes in on top like last year, he has the opportunity to move up a place and finish 4th. Provided that Dennis worked on bringing up his weak points (legs, lower back), he should have another good show.
Toney has really been on top of his game for his last couple of competitions. I expect this trend to continue all the way through the Olympia. Hopefully, Toney can live up to some big expectations will a 5th place finish.
 Click To Enlarge. Toney Freeman At The 2008 Europa Super Show. View More Pics Of Toney Freeman Here.
Silvio brought a great package to the Houston Pro. He's smaller than the big guys out there, but like Dexter, he has a lot of definition. Silvio doesn't have the mass, unfortunately, to finish any higher than 6th.
Melvin Anthony has a very well balance and aesthetic physique. I think he'll come in good enough for 7th.
After watching the episode on Gustavo Badell in Bodybuilding.com's 2008 Olympia coverage videos, I was impressed. If his conditioning is good, 8th place should be his.
After competing with Toney Freeman in some previous competitions, I look for Dennis to finish 9th. He has size to compete with the big guys, but not the overall package.
Fouad is very under-estimated. He will sneak into the top ten in his first Olympia.
Seeing that Phil Heath didn't compete in the Olympia last year, I would say that going from not competing to a most likely top 5 is quite an improvement. Also, look for Fouad Abiad. Toney Freeman will probably make up for finishing 14th with a top 5 finish according to my predictions.
The question should be "how can you not care?" Any self-respecting bodybuilding fan should be excited for the Olympia. Although it is somewhat of a shame today, how the classical proportions of the golden age of bodybuilding have been lost. Even though bodybuilding is not in its "golden age" the competition is still great and it's exciting to see the outcome of the biggest competition that bodybuilding hosts.
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