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 By: Myron Mielke
With Lee Priest's jump to the PDI, there will be no defending champ in this year's Iron Man, which means the field is wide open for a new Iron Man winner in 2007. As in previous years, the first IFBB pro show of the season again has a variety of athletes at many levels of development. As of January 17, here is a list of athletes scheduled to appear:
I'm going to give you my top-ten predictions right away, which will save you the effort of scrolling down and skipping the first part of the article anyway. (In fact, I'll save you even more scrolling time and let you know now that my predictions make up the whole article.) Predictions for the smaller shows are usually more difficult than the Olympia or Arnold Classic. Except for Sergey and Toney, there aren't any real mass monsters in this show. Many of these guys are so close in development that it will come down to, as it does it in all shows, the conditioning factor. Based on previous showings, my memory of these guys' past conditions, and some downright guessing, here's the way I'll call it this year.
Somebody's gotta be tenth, so why not Kris? If he comes in tight he'll prove me wrong and move up a few places.
Like Dennis James, Wood looks astounding according to all the photos he posts on message boards a few weeks out from the show. And like James he usually comes in a bit smooth. If he does find a way to dry out, he could place much higher in every show he enters.
  Click Image To Enlarge. Luke Wood.
Moe has a good physique but has come in a tad smooth and not quite big enough. Perhaps this year things will be different. He claims to have added more size. We'll have to wait and see.
Last year at the Iron Man, Bui was in tremendous shape. Even if he comes in that condition I can't see him placing higher than sixth in this line-up.
Silvio might sneak into the top five, but I think the Olympia qualification will elude him this time.
I'm looking forward to seeing this guy. After a strong showing in the European Grand Prix last fall, Sergey has caused quite a stir with his enormous size. Drop the Dream Tan, though, Sergey. Give Pro Tan and Dye-O-Derm a try.
 Click Image To Enlarge. Sergey Shelestov.
The only negative things you can say about Dugdale is his arms are a little small and overall he needs more size. He improved from 2005 to 2006 and he's had a year off so look for some added size this time out. Dugdale will qualify for his first Olympia.
Haidar has been away from the stage for a little while and I think the rest will do him good. I think he'll come in dry and garner a third-place spot. And one more thing, Ahmad, please do not use the theme from "Chariots of Fire" again. Perform the same routine if you want, but do try and use another song this time out.
After a disappointing finish at the 2006 Mr. Olympia last fall, I'm sure Henry is looking to start this season off with a win at the Iron Man. Although it'll be David vs. Goliath when he goes up against Freeman, Henry will push Freeman until the last callout. Freeman had better be prepared or David might knock out the giant with his slingshot.
 
 Click Image To Enlarge. David Henry At The 2006 Iron Man. View More Pics From The 2006 Iron Man Here.
I don't think this prediction is a surprise. After his strong seventh-place finish at his first Mr. Olympia, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the Iron Man keeping him away from the title.
 
 Click Image To Enlarge. Toney Freeman At The 2006 Iron Man. View More Pics From The 2006 Iron Man Here. The title's Toney's if he comes in the same condition as he did at the Olympia. If he comes in holding a little water, then he'll have to settle for a lower placing.
Rusty Jeffers made a big impression on a lot of dudes on the message boards last year after the Masters World. Rusty has an incredible physique but needs to be come in with more detail. If he comes in drier than last year's showing, then he'll break into the top ten.
 Click Image To Enlarge. Rusty Jeffers.
Roc Shabazz and Jason Arntz will place around twelfth.
Clifton Torres will finish last if Jocelyn or Kenny do not show up this year.
There you have it - the 2007 Iron Man predictions. As luck would have it, of course, there might be a few late arrivals and change my whole placement scheme. That's okay, though. I'd love to see things change because of a last-minute entry of someone like Gary Strydom or perhaps another legend from the past.
See for yourself if I'm right this year and attend the show in person. Bodybuilding.com has discounted tickets for the event and maybe, just maybe, it won't be raining in Pasadena the day of the competition this year.
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