By: David Robson

With Kai Greene, Toney Freeman, Moe El Moussawi, and Silvio Samuel battling it out for the top three spots, along with the inclusion of several lesser known professionals, the 2009 Australian Pro Grand Prix will offer something for die hard followers of the sport and those wishing to see who the new breakthrough athlete could be.

New Australian pros Ivan Sadek, Beat Meschberger and Mike Kefalianos, showing for the first time what they have against the more established elite, will prove an interesting addition and, of these three, we could have a potential future contender for major the titles. By all accounts these men are super ripped and ready to present their all-time best physiques.

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Beat Meschberger At The 2007 Atlantic City Pro.
View More Pics Of Beat Meschberger At The 2007 Atlantic City Pro.

Another Australian, Con Demetriou, has proven his worth with a top ten placement at the 2008 New Zealand Pro and a respectable showing against tough competition at the 2009 Ironman Pro.

He is ready to take his accomplishments to the next level. And let's not forget Hamilton New Zealand's top physique champion, and new pro, Grant Pieterse, who promises to be at his best with his well-portioned physique and fresh look.

One of the Australian Pro Show's high points is its bringing together of bodybuilding champions from all corners of the world to prove their worth and add potential impressive placements to their resume. For the fans, it is always good to new blood coming through and there are always sufficient top-line established competitors to ensure it's standing as a contest attracting major star power.

The 2009 Australian Pro Grand Prix proves to be one of the best yet. Despite perennial frontrunner Lee Priest out due to biceps surgery and the non-inclusion of Victor Martinez and Dexter Jackson, the show is stacked with phenomenal talent and, once again, shapes to be a pro bodybuilding highlight. But who will win it?

With his recent Arnold Classic victory, Kai Greene is the obvious candidate at this point, but one should never count out the X-Man, Toney Freeman, as he is also quite capable of pulling off a win whenever he competes. Then we have Silvio Samuel looking for revenge after what was, to his mind, a disappointing placement at the recent Arnold Classic.

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Kai Greene Is The Obvious
Candidate At This Point.

Though it is likely he will do extremely well, it is unlikely he will go all the way. With the ever-determined Moe Moussawi closing in on all three with his improved physique the contest should be a close one that will throw up more than a few surprises.

My Top 5 Predictions

Fifth: Sergey Shelestov

The massive Russian owned the Arnold Classic stage one week ago with his sheer size and the impact it made. Growing in confidence over recent years, Sergey has the physical traits necessary to do major damage in the pro leagues, but needs to work more on his overall presentation and posing to claw his way further up the rankings.

From the back, Sergey presents one of the thickest and most imposing physiques around - complete with ripped glutes and unreal hamstring development. His overall width is also one of his major strengths. Lacking very little save for the stunning aesthetics of a Victor Martinez or Dexter Jackson, Sergey appears to be overlooked in a way reminiscent of Toney Freeman a few years back.

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Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 Arnold Classic.

Perhaps a lack of name recognition and media exposure is responsible for this. Though always in great shape each time he competes, the Moscow native Sergey could probably be a little tighter, especially when up against perpetually shredded men such as Silvio Samuel and Kai Greene. Should he bring his best package to date, Sergey will easily fall inside the top six.

Fourth: Moe El Moussawi

One of today's hardest working and most determined pros is Moe El Moussawi. Never more than a third tier pro and well out of the running for a top six placement much less the big win, Moe has worked to pack on the quality muscle needed to excel at the pro level and he is now regarded as a legitimate top ranked competitor.

His recent 2009 outings - second at the Ironman Pro and sixth at the Arnold Classic - have seen him at his competitive best with additional mass and in the best shape of his life. Right now, winning his first pro title appears to be a waiting game for Moe. A little more back and shoulder width will give him greater standing against the Toney Freeman's and Kai Greene's of this world.

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Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 Arnold Classic.

In Australia he will continue to impress with his phenomenal conditioning and great shape and should certainly place within the top four. Should any of the big names come off their game then he could replicate his third place showing of 2008.

Third: Silvio Samuel

If Silvio's onstage behavior and sportsmanship of recent times paralleled his bodybuilding accomplishments he would be one of bodybuilding's most respected men and an outstanding ambassador for the sport.

Alas, his recent tantrums - most notably the removal of his badge at the 2009 Arnold Classic after placing fifth - have served to undermine his reputation as one of bodybuilding's nice guys. Backstage after his Arnold Classic "disappointment" he announced his retirement, said that he was out of the sport he has contributed so much to (as far as his physical achievements go).

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Silvio Samuel At The 2009 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 Arnold Classic.

Well, Silvio, alive and well, will be competing at the Australian Pro Grand Prix. What a difference a few days of reflection, along with the fresh perspective this brings, can make. Physically Silvio lacks little and regularly brings the most shredded physique onstage, so conditioning should not be an issue in Australia.

Down on size compared with his closest competition (Kai, Dexter, Victor, Branch and Toney) he more than compensates through the sheer quality of muscle he presents: thick, round, full development from all angles with his only apparent structural weakness being smaller calves and slightly high lat muscles.

Improvement and subsequent higher placements for Silvio will probably mean bringing something different. Judges are used to seeing the same great Silvio and after a while such repetition could become too predictable. In saying that, should Silvio present his usual phenomenal development, he should have no trouble making the top three at the 2009 Australian Pro Grand Prix.

Second: Toney Freeman

The X-Man will be a definitely favourite to place high in this show should he arrive at his best. With probably the best V-Taper currently seen on a pro competitor and flaring, sweeping muscle development in all areas Toney indeed has the total package.

A good case could be made for him winning an Olympia title at some point if he can fill out his frame with additional quality muscle just that little bit more.

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Toney Freeman At The 2009 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2009 Arnold Classic.

To counter competitors blessed with extra-round muscle development - such as Victor Martinez, Dexter Jackson, Phil Heath and Kai Greene - Toney, the tallest amongst such company, could do with a touch more mass to compete on an equal footing.

In terms of aesthetics and conditioning (when he nails it - something has proven erratic doing), when he is on few can touch him, a fact his many pro wins can attest to. Look for Toney to stand head and shoulders above his nearest competition in Australia. He will truly be in the mix for a win at this show.

First: Kai Greene

If the total bodybuilding package (surely the most overused cliché in the iron game (another cliché)) comprises a ripped to shreds (yet another) physique coupled with full, round muscular development (another) and phenomenal presentation skills and a winning attitude then Kai Greene has it.

He also has an aura of mystery that has fans and insiders guessing as to what he might do next. Lately he has been presenting the best physique on the planet as underscored with his first Arnold win last weekend.

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Kai Greene At The 2009 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2009 Arnold Classic.

The Predator, with his offbeat posing presentation and imposing physique (I would be surprised if he could fit any more muscle onto his 257 pound contest shape physique), is the current favorite to win the Australian Pro Grand Prix and should he present what he did in Columbus, at the Oak's show, he will do just that.

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