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 By: Brian Bullman
2009 marks the 21st anniversary of the Arnold Classic, the second longest running professional show on the IFBB circuit. It is second only to the Mr. Olympia, not only in age, but also in prestige, fan attendance and prize money. Held annually in Columbus, Ohio since 1989, the Arnold classic has grown from a professional male bodybuilding contest, to include women's bodybuilding, fitness and figure, and holds the largest fitness expo there is. Also part of this event is a sport festival with sports including powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman, MMA, gymnastics and wrestling to name but a few. In a nut shell, the Arnold is so big it boasts more athletes than the Olympic Games, and has an attendance of more than 250,000 fans. Not bad eh? The inaugural Arnold Classic was won by the CEO and founder of Gaspari Nutrition, Rich Gaspari, a former Mr. Universe and a Mr. Olympia runner up. He was followed into the winners circle by fellow Mr. Olympia bridesmaids Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, Nasser El Sonbaty and Victor Martinez as well as two future Mr. Olympia's, Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson.
  Click To Enlarge. Dexter Jackson At The 2008 Arnold Classic. View More Pics Of Dexter Jackson At The 2008 Arnold Classic. The only reigning Mr. Olympia to enter the show was Ronnie Coleman, who won in 2001. So, as you can see, this is no average pro event. This, in tennis terms would be a grand Slam event; you win this, you've got it made!
This year's event is without the defending champion and now reigning Mr. Olympia, Dexter Jackson, and also last year's runner up, Phil 'The Gift' Heath, leaving the door open for a new Champion to be crowned. So will there be some new blood taking home the Arnold trophy or will the 2007 Champion make the comeback of the decade and cement his place as a future Mr. Olympia? Whatever happens it is certain to be a great contest as this year's competitors list looks a VIP list of who's who in the bodybuilding world and makes for a very tense and interesting competition. Competitors include:
Of that list only one man has taken this title before, and that is Victor Martinez. After finishing 2007 with a disputed second place at the Mr. Olympia, many feel he should have beaten Jay Cutler. Martinez was injured and sat out all of 2008 and is making his comeback right here at the Arnold. Ok so lets take a look at the athletes and their past performances at the Arnold, and how I expect them to do at this years event. Their previous placing is given with their most recent being first:
Not the Gustavo we have seen as of late I know, but after sitting out the Ironman we are sure to see him fight to regain his status as a top tier pro. I don't think he will make the top 6, but could be as high as 7th.   Click To Enlarge. Gustavo Badell At The 2008 IFBB Olympia. View More Pics Of Gustavo Badell At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.
He has added some mass compared to last year but at the expense of conditioning. Will he have what it takes to make an impact in the placing? I have him fighting for a place in the top 10.   Click To Enlarge. Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
But, providing everyone turns up with their A game, I have Toney placing as high as 2nd but going on past performance, who knows what Toney Freeman will turn up. I have him finishing 4th   Click To Enlarge. Toney Freeman At The 2008 IFBB Olympia. View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.
But Victor Martinez is back from injury too, so it should be a great battle between both men. I have Kai Green finishing as high as 2nd this year.   Click To Enlarge. Kai Greene At The 2008 IFBB New York Mens Pro. View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2008 IFBB New York Mens Pro.
He brings a very symmetrical physique to the stage and his conditioning is top notch, but I think with the calibre of athlete competing at the Arnold, he will be battling it out for a spot in the lower echelon of the top 10.   Click To Enlarge. Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
  Click To Enlarge. Marcus Haley At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Marcus Haley At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
One of the bigger men in the contest, Jackson brings great balance and lines in his upper body, but light in the leg department so he will have difficulty breaking the top 6. I have him placing as high as 7th or 8th.   Click To Enlarge. Johnnie Jackson At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Johnnie Jackson At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
He finished 2nd twice last year to Toney Freeman and could place as high as 6th this year.   Click To Enlarge. Dennis James At The 2008 IFBB Olympia. View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.
He has been keeping his legs under wraps since the injury. If his upper body is anything to go by he is better than ever; mass, symmetry and conditioning. If his legs are up to scratch he will be taking home another trophy and check!   Click To Enlarge. Victor Martinez At The 2007 IFBB Olympia. View More Pics Of Victor Martinez At The 2007 IFBB Olympia.
Many felt he should have been 2nd in LA at the Ironman, and with better condition could have even won the show. But then again, if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle! I have him finishing just outside the top 6.   Click To Enlarge. Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
  Click To Enlarge. Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro. View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
His conditioning is his weak point but if he can bring that in then it maybe lights out for a few big names. However, I have yet to see a glimmer of that. I have him finishing outside the top 10.   Click To Enlarge. Sergey Shelestov At The 2008 IFBB Olympia. View More Pics Of Sergey Shelestov At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.
This year however, he is back bigger and better than ever, he was seen last week in Gold's Venice banging out some shoulders and thick grainy muscle like that has not been seen since the days or Dorian. Warren displays, freakish mass, with great balance, and unparalleled conditioning, I have him making the top 6 for sure, he has the potential to win this show, so watch out.   Click To Enlarge. Branch Warren At The 2008 IFBB Arnold Classic. View More Pics Of Branch Warren At The 2008 IFBB Arnold Classic.
Ok, right about now most bodybuilding pundits will give you their top 3 predictions. I am going to go out on a limb and try predict all the placings at the 2009 Arnold Classic, so here goes:
Of course, there are a few athletes that can trade places, and most likely will. However, going on past performance, and everybody being in shape this is how I see it. Only a couple more weeks until the 21st Annual Arnold Sports Festival kicks off, and we are presented with a new champion and new threat to the Olympia Crown. See you all in Columbus.
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