Two Huge Names to Grace the Columbus, Ohio Stage

One had to sit out because of an injury, the other finished a disappointing fourth. Two names that were being thrown around liberally before the most recent Mr. Olympia contest was Branch Warren and Dennis Wolf, and it won’t be long before they’re being spoken of in the same light again.

The difference this time will be that Wolf and Warren are going to be hitting the stage at the next Arnold Classic. For Wolf, this will be his first foray in Ohio, and Warren finished in second place at the 2006 Arnold. Continue Reading »

’82 Mr. Olympia Chris Dickerson Had a Great Mentor in Bill Pearl

Bodybuilding is different from many other sports. Winning a competition is a self-gratifying accomplishment, one that differs from team sports. There are no other players, coaching staff or front office to thank. But there are special people behind the scenes that are there with the athletes every step of the way, from that first workout in preparation to the night of the contest.

Chris Dickerson had someone that fit that description, and then some.

“My parents divorced when I was just a kid,” he said. “I’m one of triplets, so I never had an older brother. Bill Pearl was like a father, older brother and coach to me.”

Pearl, the legendary bodybuilder from the 1950s and ‘60s, was a mentor to a young Dickerson, who began training at the age of 23. “I emulated [Pearl] even with the big plaid shorts he wore,” said Dickerson. “He influenced me in many ways.

“Winning was for myself, but also to please him.” Continue Reading »

Long Island Native Finishes Second in 202 Showdown

Most athletes have the luxury of something called an ‘offseason.’ You know, the winter in baseball and the spring for football. A time of the year to recover from all the work that you put in. That is the case in most sports.

Not in bodybuilding, which is a 12 month, seven days a week commitment. To prepare for a competition, especially one with the magnitude of Mr. Olympia, there isn’t a day to waste. Kevin English has to get down approximately 70 pounds to his contest weight of a little over 200.

“Usually when people see me on stage they think that I’m about 20 pounds heavier,” the 5’4” Great Neck, New York native said. No wonder with the mass that he possesses.

In September, he was on bodybuilding’s largest stage at the 44th Mr. Olympia contest, which took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. It was English’s rookie ‘O,’ and he finished 16th out of 19 competitors. Earlier in the day, he was the first runner-up in the 202 Showdown, which pitted the smaller bodybuilders against one another. Continue Reading »

“Big Bad” Lucky to Finish in Fourth

Heading into the Mr. Olympia contest, the fan favorite to take the title away from Jay Cutler was none other than Dennis Wolf. The 5′11″ German had been spoken of as the most likely of the competitors to make the biggest jump from his fifth place finish in 2007.

While he did come in looking as if he trained intensely for the show, he did have enough flaws that his fourth place finish was questioned. Tony Freeman finished in fifth and appeared to be in much better condition than Wolf.

Wolf lacked in a few areas, including his hamstrings and calves. His obliques were not where they should have been, either. From some angles, he appeared to have ‘love handles.’ Definitely not a trait that you want on stage striving for the Sandow. Continue Reading »

Finishing Third in Maiden Olympia a Huge Accomplishment

Heading into the 2008 Mr. Olympia contest, the one name being tossed around as a wild card was Phil Heath. The man known as the Gift was making his first appearance on the Olympia stage, but has had a very productive year. Winning the IFBB Iron Man and finishing second to Dexter Jackson at the Arnold Classic had the 28 year-old in line for a good finish in Las Vegas.

Two days before the Olympia, Heath remained humble about his chances. “Any time that you have the opportunity to be mentioned like that, it is a privilege,” he said. “Especially being a rookie, with the build up, to be in my position (being picked as) in the top six going in, for me, it’s an honor and a privilege.” Continue Reading »

No Contest in Taking the Sandow from Jay Cutler

Las Vegas, NV - Although a good portion of time had passed, when Dexter Jackson arrived at the after party, the newly-crowned Mr. Olympia was still at a loss for words. Arriving fashionably late dressed in a dapper dark blue suit, the man known as ‘The Blade’ was introduced and spoke briefly to the gathering as he accepted his FLEX Magazine award for ‘Bodybuilder of the Year.’

“I still can’t believe it,” he stated more than once. But believe it, because it’s true. Once the top six competitors were down to two, there was no way that Jay Cutler was going to make it three straight.

Jackson had better symmetry than the defending champion and the rumors swirling around the Orleans Hotel that Jackson was ahead after the prejudging came true. Perhaps the only disappointing thing about Jackson’s presentation Saturday night was his posing routine, which did not flow and his transitions were a bit awkward. In comparison, Cutler’s routine was sharp and regal, but it was not enough to get him a third Sandow. Continue Reading »

As MuscleSport Mag Predicted, the Blade Unseats Jay Cutler

Las Vegas, NV - On Thursday night, Dexter Jackson took the high road when asked where he would finish in the Mr. Olympia competition. “No predictions,” the humble one said. But surely he had to have an opinion inside, one that was very high. Who could blame him after winning three contests in the calendar year.

Winning the Arnold Classic, Australian Pro and New Zealand Grand Prix were incredible accomplishments, but paled in comparison to latest triumph by the Blade. On Saturday night in at the Orleans Arena, Dexter Jackson was named the new Mr. Olympia.

It came down to two men, both who stood on the stage awaiting the announcement from host Bob Cicherillo. As his name was read, Jackson was visibly emotional and went down to one knee and bowed his head. By the time he was able to arise, tears of joy were flowing down his face while the crowd erupted even louder. Continue Reading »

The Blade Will Shred the Rest of the Board

Predictions are like opinions. Not everyone will agree with them, but that’s why we make them. Just for the hell of it, MuscleSport Mag has the Mr. Olympia board after witnessing the pre-judging as follows:

1- Dexter Jackson
2- Jay Cutler
3- Phil Heath
4- Dennis Wolf
5- Tony Freeman
6- Gustavo Badell

Badell is just a hunch. He came in looking good and has a great stage presence.

Pre-Judging for Mr. Olympia Title Complete

Call it reading into something. Or reading between the lines. It could be either or a combination of the two. But it certainly appeared on Saturday night during the pre-judging for the 2008 Mr. Olympia that reigning two-time champion Jay Cutler and Dennis Wolf are going to be in the forefront tonight at the finals.

Both received a raucous ovation when introduced, and even more so when they were placed next to one another during the comparison stages. That may have been what occurred when the two behemoths were performing the requested poses, but the interesting moments came as they stood off to the side while some of the other competitors were posing.

What they were doing wasn’t the issue, but rather what they were not doing. Camaraderie runs high between the bodybuilders, even during strict competition. Many of the men, including, Cutler, were congratulating each other when the head judge called their name. A small handshake, fist pump or backslap were common, but Wolf and Cutler stood next to each other for a good length of time on and off stage without nary eye contact, let alone an exchange of words. Continue Reading »