Aesthetic Dexter Jackson Unseats Jay Cutler for 2009 Mr. Olympia

The following article will appear in the November 2008 issue of New York Sportscene magazine.

Heading into the 2009 Mr. Olympia contest, the two names being thrown around were Jay Cutler, the two-time defending champion, and an up and coming Dennis Wolf. Three other names heard often were of the men who were to miss the show due to injury: Victor Martinez (the 2007 runner-up), Branch Warren and Kai Green.

Dexter Jackson kind of stayed under the radar, which was quite all right by him. While Cutler and Wolf trained all year for the show, Jackson was piling up first place trophies at the Arnold Classic, Australian Pro and New Zealand Grand Prix. When asked two days prior to the Olympia if dieting down and all of that preparation and travel would be a detriment to him, Jackson replied, “You just have to know how to pace yourself. It’s not going to affect me in any way. I’ll still be 110 percent on that stage.” Continue Reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Will Come Back in March from Injured Triceps; Will Compete in 2009 Mr. Olympia

Las Vegas, NV - Injuries are a part of the game. From football to bodybuilding. Just as Jeremy Shockey was forced to sit out Super Bowl XLII, Branch Warren is forced to watch from afar while the best bodybuilders in the world vie for the 2008 Mr. Olympia title.

While he rehabs his injured triceps, Warren will be here taking it all in. He was visibly disappointed when asked about missing the contest.

“Very much so,” he said during the ‘Meet the Olympians’ event on Thursday night. “I’ve been training very hard for the competition. I thought I would do very well, but things happen. But you have to keep the faith. I’ll be ready back at the Arnold Classic in March and I’ll be here next year.”

Judging by the size of the man, the rest of the competitors should heed the warnings.

Injuries to Many Top Contenders an Unexpected “Gift”

The bodybuilder known as “The Gift” may receive an unexpected one come September 27. Phil Heath was not being spoken about as a top three contender for the Mr. Olympia title, but after a few good men had to drop out due to injuries, his stock has risen.

Victor Martinez finished a controversial second to Jay Cutler at last year’s Olympia, but suffered a knee injury earlier in the year. Branch Warren tore a tricep and Kai Green is recovering from a hernia.

Heath did not compete in the ‘07 Olympia, but has had a productive year. He won the Iron Man contest and finished second to Dexter Jackson two weeks later at the Arnold Classic. The former University of Denver basketball star may make a statement at this show, even if it to finish ahead of Jackson.

Considering that this is his first time going for the Sandow, if Heath can finish in the top three, that would be a big step for the 28 year-old. A top-five is more likely.

Jay Looking to Three-Peat While Wolf, Jax Eye Upset

The photos of the top contenders have been making the rounds on the Internet, some legitimate, others not. While this makes the anticipation for the Mr. Olympia contest even more frenzied, it also puts either confidence or doubt in the minds of the fans. What their favorite bodybuilder actually looks like may not be ascertained until September 27 at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.

One of the names that has been repeated often as a wild card has been Dennis Wolf. The young German has even been called the ‘next Arnold.’ If that isn’t enough pressure to put on anyone, the photos of him three weeks out of the contest prove that he is headed in the right direction.

The biggest complaint heard in the ‘No Bull’ forum on Muscular Development’s website was that Wolf needed a tan! If that is the worst of it, then Wolf is doing exactly what he should be. He looks huge and shredded. A championship-worthy physique. Continue Reading »

“The Black Prince” Throws Barbs at Arnold and Weider, Steroids in Bodybuilding and Baseball

To be considered one of the pioneers and a legend in your sport is something that can never go away. Even if he never picked up a weight again, Robby Robinson would always be one of the elite bodybuilders of all time.

While most men at the age of 62 find more time to sit around than exercise and have a diet that make their doctors turn red, the man known as “The Black Prince” still busts it in the gym and has not ‘enjoyed’ as much as piece of pie in over 20 years.

Never one to not speak his mind during the ‘golden age of bodybuilding,’ Robinson still has that trait and it is part of what has made him so great while being understood in certain circles. He has his own opinion on some of the biggest names in his sport and others, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Weider, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Continue Reading »

“The Blade” is Coming Off Three Strong 2008 Victories

After finishing in third place in the 2007 Mr. Olympia, 38 year-old Dexter Jackson knows that the window of opportunity may be closing on him. In September, he will give it another go, this time coming off three consecutive first place finishes in the calendar year.

Earlier, Jackson won the Arnold Classic, IFBB Australian Grand Prix VIII and the IFBB New Zealand Grand Prix. While that is a nice accomplishment, the Mr. O is a whole different world. Continue Reading »

Two-Time Defending Mr. Olympia Guest Posing Shows Work to Be Done

The official flyer for the 2008 NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships shows a grimacing Jay Cutler busting out a chest pose at what appears to be last year’s Mr. Olympia contest. He is huge and shredded, but still was not an overwhelming winner.

Cutler headlined the Atlantic States qualifier contest as a guest poser, and took the stage in lower Manhattan on June 7, not looking quite as sharp as the advertisement. Don’t get me wrong. I know that the Mr. O is three and a half months away, and there is plenty of time to get in game shape. But Cutler didn’t look much different than he appeared during the Arnold Classic at the beginning of March. Shouldn’t he have tightened it up in the past four months? Continue Reading »