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A new light has dawned upon a world where muscle has been the forefront of evolution, sometimes at the expense of symmetry, balance and beauty. Maybe this light will now shine upon our youngsters to once again introduce our dying teenage division with the inspiration of attainable size and shape. A fresh breeze now wafts the air, but who knows where it will take us. Only time knows the answer to this common question, so be patient my Iron Warriors, be patient.
Leading into the 2008 Mr. Olympia, it was thought that the outcome would be as predictable as a Steven Siegel movie - explosions, action but pretty much the same conclusion. Today couldn't have been more different because the birth of a new era in our beloved sport arrived. Cutler had to prove a point in 2008 after his controversial win in 2007 to convince us that he has the formula to get in winning condition which had been MIA as of late. The Olympia line up had more depth than the Titanic and showed all signs of a battle of placement but unfortunately for some there was simply not enough real estate for the amount of residents.
10th place was Gustavo's date with destiny as soon as he stepped on stage. He was all over soft in comparison to the sharp shards of sinew we have come to expect from Badell. It was apparent that he had sharpened his tools by the Saturday night finals but by this time the fat lady had already sung, and that was "good night sweetheart, its time to go." A professional he is, Gustavo will be back better and badder next year.    Click Image To Enlarge.Gustavo Baddell At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Gustavo Baddell At The 2008 Olympia. View Gustavo Baddell's Posing Routine Here.
I will be picky (because I can) and mention that his clavicles are rather short which is as useful in bodybuilding as a one legged man in an @ss kicking contest. They slightly hinder the flow away from his waist and thigh sweep, but when you watch the twitch of his thin skinned muscle fibers wave distractive signs in your direction; you tend to forget the bad memories for the good. Great Olympia debut from the New Zealander.   Click Image To Enlarge.Moe Elmoussawi At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Moe Elmoussawi At The 2008 Olympia. View Moe Elmoussawi's Posing Routine Here.
James's upper body muscle protruded thick slices and cuts, but unfortunately it was nestled onto a pair of legs resembling a monster truck with wheels borrowed from a Paralympic football player. OK, I am by exaggerating slightly here, but his thigh definitely needs more sweep to fully carry the width of his shoulders and lats to justify their monstrosity.   Click Image To Enlarge.Dennis James At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2008 Olympia. View Dennis James's Posing Routine Here.
Back to reality, Silvio was so peeled he appeared to have less on him than a nudist. His increased leg size and separation almost took the attention away from his impressive upper body, particularly in the front double bicep pose where his lats look as straight as a piece of celery. Apart from this pose his only downfall is his size which I am sure will continue to improve in time.   Click Image To Enlarge.Silvio Samuel At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2008 Olympia. View Silvio Samuel's Posing Routine Here.
I am very fond of Melvin and his physique (personally and professionally); I just get frustrated to see the amount of potential sitting upon his flawless frame only to be thrown to 6th place. Given, Melvin was harder, throughout his legs in particular but added hardness to those pesky glutes and fullness to his chest and delts would benefit his impact immensely.   Click Image To Enlarge.Melvin Anthony At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Melvin Anthony At The 2008 Olympia. View Melvin Anthony's Posing Routine Here.
He was dry all over and the muscles in his back ran deep and full from the insertions in his neck to the origins in his lumbar, the only thing that could've held him back was the fullness presented in his upper body. I spoke with Toney in the early hours of the Bodybuilding.com/BSN after party only to find that he is still without a supplement contract. So, any companies out there looking for a pro to sponsor, how can you look any further?   Click Image To Enlarge.Toney Freeman At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2008 Olympia. View Toney Freeman's Posing Routine Here.
Wolf's gut had started to relax a little in certain poses onstage showing signs of desperation on improving on last years 5th place finish. I hope he doesn't relegate to so much toxicity that the mosquito that bites him has to check into the Betty Ford clinic. His symmetry and tiny waist is still quite unique for a Caucasian bodybuilder, however I am not sure he should follow up in 2009 with anymore size, only refinement.   Click Image To Enlarge.Dennis Wolf At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Dennis Wolf At The 2008 Olympia. View Dennis Wolf's Posing Routine Here.
Another 5 lbs heavier in weight but dryer than Bodybuilding.com's food budget (I eat a lot OK). It seems ironic that Cutler introduced Heath to bodybuilding, and later his Weider contract only now find him breathing down his neck vying for that Olympia crown. To Cutler it must've been like owning a bear for a pet, I mean it would be cool, until it pulls your head off. From the side Heath muscles hanging from his legs like a horny Labrador and his arms have to be the largest in the world at this moment. The only slight downfall I see is his chest width and thickness but this could well be of the fact that everything else has cartoon characteristics and dimension. This appearance alone has to put Heath on top of the favorite list the 2009 Mr. Olympia.   Click Image To Enlarge.Phil Heath At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Phil Heath At The 2008 Olympia. View Phil Heath's Posing Routine Here.
Cutler repeated 2007 by arriving so big that if you hitched a trailer from him, you would have to apply for a freight train license upon requesting a piggy back, only repeated his condition along the way. He may have been a couple of hairs leaner on the Friday, and maybe three hairs leaner on the Saturday, it wasn't convincing enough to avoid another controversial decision. Maybe this relegation will be enough to bring back the best of Cutler in 2009, especially with Coleman speaking the words of his Olympia return.   Click Image To Enlarge.Jay Cutler At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Jay Cutler At The 2008 Olympia. View Jay Cutler's Posing Routine Here.
How right he was. Jackson's crystal ball was as reliable as a Volvo in a head on collision. His fullness and condition replicated the shape of the 2008's Arnold Classic and snatched the Sandow from the hands of Cutler. The lightest and most symmetrical bodybuilder in over 20 years is now our bodybuilding champion. Is this a new dawn for our beloved sport? If so, where will this place the mass monsters of the past? Will they become extinct? And will this open our window of opportunity to reach out to the younger generation, the outside public and our diehard followers. I guess we'll have to wait and see.   Click Image To Enlarge.Dexter Jackson At The 2008 Olympia. View More Pics Of Dexter Jackson At The 2008 Olympia. View Dexter Jackson's Posing Routine Here.
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