“I’m going home,” he tweeted on December 29. “Cosmetic surgery was a huge success. I’ll be back on stage in a couple of weeks.”

Coleman further tweeted that he had the operation to add more size to his already massive frame. “It never hurts to get bigger.”

The 5’11″, 330-pound former champion has not competed since placing fourth at the 2007 Olympia but has never officially announced his retirement and seems to enjoy frequent rumors of his impending return. Coleman has kept himself busy with guest posing appearances in the years following his record-tying Sandow run (1998 to 2005), as recent as December’s IFBB Pro  World Masters.

RON COLEMAN CONTEST HISTORY

• 1990 Mr. Texas (Heavyweight & Overall)
• 1991 World Amateur Championships (Heavyweight)
• 1995 Canada Pro Cup
• 1996 Canada Pro Cup
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia
• 1998 Night of Champions
• 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational
• 1998 Mr. Olympia
• 1998 Grand Prix Finland
• 1998 Grand Prix Germany
• 1999 Mr. Olympia
• 1999 World Pro Championships
• 1999 Grand Prix England
• 2000 Mr. Brody Langley
• 2000 Grand Prix England
• 2000 World Pro Championships
• 2000 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
• 2001 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
• 2002 Mr. Olympia
• 2002 Grand Prix Holland
• 2003 Mr. Olympia
• 2003 Grand Prix Russia
• 2004 Mr. Olympia
• 2004 Grand Prix England
• 2004 Grand Prix Holland
• 2004 Grand Prix Russia
• 2005 Mr. Olympia
• 2006 Grand Prix Austria – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Grand Prix Romania – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
• 2007 Olympia – IFBB, 4th

So when it came down to make the same decision this year, Greene didn’t have to give it too much of a thought judging by his – and his fellow competitor’s –  recent history. Both Phil Heath and Jay Cutler (the last two Mr. Olympia winners, respectively) prepared solely for the O and stayed away from competing until September.

Greene had a lot to prove in 2011 after a lackluster seventh place finish at his maiden Olympia voyage the previous year. He came back strong and dominated the big city stage at the New York Pro, which put him right back into the mix for a top three placing at the Olympia.

That is exactly what happened and Greene is once again in the conversation of dominating bodybuilders. He has already proven himself in Columbus on more than one occasion and he is more than ready to take it a step further.

KAI GREENE – CONTEST HISTORY

“I’m excited that I found someone that believed in me,” he said last September. “I truly feel that I can get into the top 10.”

Although he did not fare as well as he liked at the O (15th), Alves was still on the map and a threat against a line-up that didn’t include the Jay Cutlers and Phil Heaths of the world. He proved that he still has what it takes by winning July’s Europa Show of Champions and tasted victory again this past weekend at the Phoenix Pro.

Alves, 43, was able to hold off a top-heavy line-up that included Hidetada Yamagishi (second), Ed Nunn (third) and Marcus Haley (fourth) and celebrate a key win in his home town.

After turning pro in 2002, Alves has competed in multiple shows each year. In 2003, he donned the posing trunks on 10 separate occasions and although he hasn’t kept that pace up, Alves is a regular at all of the top IFBB contests. In his rookie campaign, he finished in the top 10 at both the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia.

Now the real test comes for Alves to see if he can maintain the proper conditioning to have an impact in Las Vegas in two weeks. He has proven that he can rise to the top in that second tier-level contest, but he’ll need something extra to do that at The Orleans Arena.

TROY ALVES CONTEST HISTORY

It was last March in Columbus, Ohio that Heath finished as the runner-up to ‘The Predator’ in a contest that Heath deserved to win. And then he took second in the Mr. Olympia show to his good friend Jay Cutler. If someone was ever poised to win their first major show, it is Heath.

Not that it will be an easy task. Greene will be looking to make up for his weak showing at the O and hold onto his title and Dennis Wolf, who finished fifth in Las Vegas, is on a comeback trail that may be hard to stop. Factor in Branch Warren and Dexter Jackson and the line-up will be a tough one as usual.

Heath looked superb at both shows in 2010 and may be the next great bodybuilder. He is on the cusp of it right now and winning an Arnold will be the first step towards making that a reality. The chances are better than good that he will do it in March.

PHIL HEATH CONTEST HISTORY

2006 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro                       1st

2006 New York Pro                                            1st

2007 Arnold Classic                                          5th

2008 Iron Man Pro                                           1st

2008 Arnold Classic                                         2nd

2008 Mr. Olympia                                            3rd

2009 Mr. Olympia                                             5th

2010 Arnold Classic                                          2nd

2010 Mr. Olympia                                              2nd

But no one expected him to not even place.

Now Wolf has his sights set on getting back to respectability at the New York Pro. He has a new trainer in former IFBB pro Patrick Tour and their plan is to use a heavy duty training style, which Wolf likened to the same that Dorian Yates used in his prime. But training and size has never been the issue with the massive German. His nutrition and contest preparation timing became the focus of his failure last year.

In a new video posted on Flex Online, Wolf stated that his nutritionalist decided to not cut his carbs and then he carb-loaded three days out. Wolf immediately felt that something was wrong and it showed on stage. He had no striations and appeared soft and puffy.

With his next show six weeks away, Wolf appeared to be massive on the video clip but is he going to have enough time to cut down? This is as important a contest for him as any other he has competed in. To come on stage in anything but peak condition will be a risky endeavor, indeed. A once-promising career that has been sidetracked can become completely derailed if Wolf has a bad showing in the Big Apple.

DENNIS WOLF CONTEST HISTORY

2006 Europa Super Show – 7th

2006 Mr. Olympia – 16th

2007 New York Pro – 3rd

2007 Keystone Pro Classic – 1st

2007 Mr. Olympia – 5th

2008 Mr. Olympia – 4th

2009 Mr. Olympia – 16th

He said that his “good” arm measure 21 inches and his “bad” arm – his left, which he had recent surgery on – is 21 inches. Not too bad for a guy who stands at 5’4″. On a video on MD.com, Priest commented that the 202 is all about conditioning and that he had won shows in the past at 199 and 198 pounds.

He also called himself a “rebel” and a “loose cannon,” as well as a “guy who speaks his mind.” That is the Priest that bodybuilding fans have come to love and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“With Infinite Labs an MD behind me, you’re  going to see on hell of a comeback,” Priest commented on the video clip.

Priest, when in condition, is one of the most impressive bodybuilders on the circuit. Because of his short stature, he appears huge and should be the widest person on stage in the 202. The mass that he possesses is amazing and he also has a small waist to give him a great look.

You can view the long layoff in two ways: that it will be too long for him to get back into the swing of things or that his body is well rested from not having to go through the dieting process for what is going to be eight years. Figure on a little bit of each being reality and Priest may need a few contests to reach his full potential once again.

Here’s a vote of confidence that by the third time out, Priest, 38, will dominate the 202 class. Hopefully he competes in a show or two as a warm-up and qualify for the Olympia, where he may just have enough to dethrone English and take his place at the top.

LEE PRIEST CONTEST HISTORY:

2006 PDI Night of Champions Britain, 8th

2006 PDI Night of Champions, 9th

2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 2nd

2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 6th

2006 IFBB Ironman Pro, 1st

2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational, 2nd

2005 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th

2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 7th

2004 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd

2004 IFBB Ironman Pro, 2nd

2003 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 15th

• 2002 Mr. Olympia – 6th
• 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational – 1st
• 2002 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 1st
• 2002 IFBB Arnold Classic – 4th
• 2002 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 2nd
• 2001 Ironman 7th, after bad virus

• 2000 Mr. Olympia 6th Place
• 2000 Night of Champions 5th Place Night of Fixes
• 1999 Ironman 6th Place
• 1999 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 9th
• 1999 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1998 Olympia – IFBB, 7th
• 1997 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1997 Olympia – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
• 1997 Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 5th
• 1997 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1996 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 South Beach Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
• 1995 Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 9th
• 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 7th

• 1994 Night of Champions – IFBB, 12th
• 1994 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1994 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1993 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, LightWeight,4th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, 4th
• 1990 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner
• 1989 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner

English followed up on his victory at the New York Pro 202 by defeating a deeper line-up in Las Vegas. Henry – who finished in third place in New York – was the runner-up while Eduardo Correia took third in only his second pro show. Mark Dugdale and Flex Lewis rounded out the rest of the top five.

Since the 202 began at last year’s Olympia, English and Henry have been the top dogs. That has intensified in the year since then and the Long Islander views that as a positive. “For me, David motivates me to be a better bodybuilder,” said English.

Heading into the O, the confidence level that English showed was apparent. He did so with good reason and looked tremendous at a guest posing appearance two months before the show. Although he knew that the competition would be difficult, nothing would stop him.  “At this point it doesn’t matter,” he quickly quipped. “I’m so immensely focused and pumped up for the show…anybody can go in. It’s my show.”

Now that he has beaten his rival in consecutive competitions, English will have more people gunning for him the next time out. He surely will not overlook Henry, either. Both have found a home in the 202s and should continue to go at it for a long time to come.

KEVIN ENGLISH CONTEST HISTORY

*1996 Atlantic States Championships – 2nd Place

*1998 NPC Nationals – 1st Place

*2000 IFBB Night of the Champions – 14th Place

*2006 IFBB New York Pro – 17th Place

*2008 IFBB New York Pro – 2nd Place

*2008 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

*2008 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 16th Place

*2008 Olympia Showdown 202 – 2nd Place

*2009 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

*2009 Olympia Showdown 202 – 1st Place

After four days of giving her elbow a rest, LeFrancois wrote that she was only “able to bend it 90 degrees but no strength.” X-rays were negative but she was still experiencing pain and swelling in the joint. Days became weeks and on August 26 LeFrancois had to succumb to the obvious.

“Maybe it’s not my time,” she wrote. Truth is Olympia isn’t going anywhere and neither am I,” and “So I tell you this, my fans – I am going to WIN the Arnold Classic bigger and better and stronger and next year I will take [the] Olympia.”

LeFrancois, although bitterly disappointed, seems to be in good spirits. She is still not able to bend her elbow beyond a 90-degree angle. She cannot even raise her arm high enough to perform tasks such as washing her hair or open a jar. Needless to say this untimely injury has impacted her Olympia preparation beyond repair.

Although there is no bone damage, LeFrancois, 38, has yet to have an MRI performed on the elbow. She speculated that it may be tendon or ligament damage. Once the swelling goes down, that will in all likelihood be her next move.

CONTEST HISTORY

2009 NY Pro – 1st Place

2009 Arnold Classic – 8th Place

2008 Ms. Olympia – 6th Place

2008 NY Pro – 1st Place

2008 Arnold Classic – 6th Place

2007 Sacramento Pro – 2nd Place

2006 Atlantic City Pro – 9th Place

2006 California Pro Figure – 12th place

2006 Pittsburgh Pro Figure – 13th Place

2005 Sacramento Pro Fitness – 16th Place

2005 Tournament of Champions Pro Figure – 14th Place

2005 Europa Super Show – NP

2005 California Pro – Figure – 17th Place

2003 Ms. Olympia – 4th Place

2003 Arnold Classic – 1st Place

2002 GNC Show of Strength – 2nd Place

2002 Arnold Classic – 4th Place

2001 Arnold Classic – 4th Place

2000 Ms. Olympia – 4th Place

2000 Arnold Classic – 3rd Place

1999 Women’s Pro Extravaganza – 5th Place

1999 Jan Tana Pro – 8th Place

1999 Arnold Classic – 19th Place

1996 Jan Tana Pro – 8th Place

1996 Arnold Classic – 14th Place

1995 Canada Cup – 1st Place

A Look at the Life and Times of Professional Bodybuilder Dena Westerfield - 

For IFBB professional bodybuilder Dena Westerfield the seeds of a career in health and fitness were planted when, at the tender age of 4 years old, she became involved in gymnastics. By the time she was 8 she traded gymnastics for distance running and then, during her senior year at high school, Dena took a weight training class…and her life as a bodybuilder began.

On leaving high school, Dena continued her education at the University of Florida and, while working on a Bachelor of Science degree, used what spare time she had working as a personal trainer in addition to conducting spinning, kickboxing and strength/conditioning classes.

With her eyes firmly focused on a career in health and fitness she then became a neuromuscular therapist at the Humanities Center in Pinellas Park Florida.

Her contest history began in 2000 when she placed third in the Women’s Tri-Fitness show. She followed this up with a heavyweight and overall title at the NPC USA Coastal championships in 2001. By the time 2002 rolled around, Dena moved to St. Louis to attend Logan Chiropractic College where she graduated in April 2004 and went on to open her own practice – Westerfield Health Center. In between this she managed to secure the overall title in the Junior Nationals as a middleweight and then, moving up to the USA Championships she gained a 7^th place in the middleweight section.

As if opening her own health practice wasn’t time consuming enough, Dena managed to fit the 2004 Nationals into her calendar, placing fourth in the light heavy weight section. However, it was on November 21, 2005 that her bodybuilding career really turned a corner, when she won the light-heavyweight class at the Nationals and won her IFBB Pro card. Her pro debut quickly followed, with a second place in a hotly contested open class in the Europa Super Show, which in turn qualified her for the Ms Olympia.

More contests and more successful placings followed, taking us right up to the present day where Dena is now in her final weeks of preparation for the 2009 Arnold Classic (March 6-8).

Sponsored by SPECIES NUTRITION (the brainchild of Dave Palumbo and Colette Nelson), Dena makes full use of their range of state-of-the-art supplements in her contest diet and is currently using ‘Isolyze’, ‘Omegalyze’, ‘Fibrolyze’, ‘Lipolyze’ and ‘Somalyze’ from their range.

Talking to me recently about her pre-contest training and diet Dena seemed pretty happy with the way things are going and is setting her sights on entering the show at 140lbs of lean, compact muscle.

Given her past history and achievements I have no doubt that she will achieve this goal and, in so doing, will pose a serious threat to her competition. In the meantime, Dena will be making a guest appearance on Musclesportmag.com radio. Stay tuned for more details!

N.B. You can find out more about Dena by visiting www.denawesterfield.com and to learn more about the supplements mentioned in this article go to www.speciesnutrition.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.