But that’s not entirely fair when Jason Arntz is in the mix. The New Jersey native may not be the flashy kind, but comes in to every contest in the best of condition. He is basically an automatic top six in the 202 division and has certainly found a home competing in the lighter class.

“I don’t get too far out of shape,” said Arntz. “For me, walking around at 225 pounds, it’s not too heavy for me. I still got to get down to 202, but I’m a lean 225 pounds.”

That will get easier for Arntz and the rest of the division when it changes to 212 and under this fall. Sure, the other guys play by the same rules, but someone who comes in as dry and ripped as Arntz does will certainly benefit from the flexibility of adding some size.

With the loaded line-up in Las Vegas, Arntz persevered and placed sixth. It may be one place lower than the previous year, but Arntz has a lot to build on as the 202…we mean 212, is being held at more and more pro shows every calendar year.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Look for our Jason Arntz feature coming up in the Winter 2012 edition of MuscleSport Magazine

JASON ARNTZ COMPETITION 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

Samuel was set to compete in the upcoming Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa Pro and has yet to qualify for this year’s Mr. Olympia, a show that he makes an annual appearance at.

Known for competing in multiple contests per year, Samuel may have burnt himself out in doing so. In 2007, Samuel was on stage eight times and won the Europa Super Show. The following year, he cut it down to five and did the same in 2009. Samuel came out of the gate strong with an impressive win at the Iron Man Pro but finished out the calendar year by placing 11th at the O.

Perhaps all of the dieting, training and preparation needed at that level has taken its toll on Samuel. Putting your body through that once or twice a year is difficult enough, but more than doubling that can be downright hazardous. That appears to be the case here and Samuel is most likely done for the year and perhaps beyond that.

Prior to being felled by illness, Samuel did not have his contract renewed by either FLEX Magazine or MuscleTech. Perhaps they saw the handwriting on the wall and noticed that he was beginning to lose some of his qualities that have made him one of the regulars on the pro circuit, albeit one of the top second tier competitors. Samuel has been a highly regarded bodybuilder in the smaller shows, but has not had been able to break the top three in either the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia. With a mysterious malady, missing time and losing his sponsorships all in one fell swoop, that may be too much for even a warrior like Samuel to overcome.

It would surprise no one if Samuel decides to hang up the posing trunks. His health is paramount and once he recovers, he may not risk doing what he needs to do to become a top tier competitor. Samuel was a fringe player before this setback and what happens next remains to be seen.

But that all changed six weeks later when Yamagishi stood in the winner’s circle at the second annual Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, Florida. The native of Japan was looking much sharper than he did in Ohio and was rewarded by the judges. Marcus Haley and Evgeny “Eugene” Mishin – two bodybuilders that needed a strong show at this point in their careers – finished second and third, respectively.

Eduardo Correa Da Silva won the 202 class and was followed by Roc Shabazz and Jose Raymond. Erin Stern prevailed in the figure category, with Marcy Porter and Cheryl Brown next. In fitness, a few surprises occurred with Erin Riley and Nicole Duncan not even placing, while Camala Rodriguez was named the winner. Regiane Da Silva was the runner-up while Myriam Capes finished third. Nathalia Melo Moreira won the bikini division and Jamie Baird (second) and Missy Coles (third) right behind her.

Haley, 37, had his highest placing as a professional and also took home the Best Poser award. Last year, the Florida resident finished ninth at the Iron Man Pro, 13th at the Arnold, 10th at the Tampa Pro and 12th at the Europa Super Show. The Russian Mishin has always had the size at 6’2″ and 300 pounds, but had only one top-10 placing since his pro debut at the 2003 Night of the Champions. That came at his previous show, the 2009 New York Pro, at which he finished eighth.

By earning his first pro win, Yamagshi can finally let the three second place finishes behind him. He was the runner-up to Troy Alves at the inaugural Europa Show of Champions, Gustavo Badell at the 2009 Atlantic City Pro and Melvin Anthony in January’s Phoenix Pro.

How does Yamagishi get prepared for so many shows in a calendar year? “It doesn’t bother me because I am used to it from being an amateur,” Yamagishi said. With three shows already behind him in 2010, you have to figure that Yamagishi will compete at the Mr. Olympia. The top three in all the categories (minus bikini) at the April 17 show qualify to take the stage in Las Vegas come September.

And now when people talk about a stacked competitor list, Yamagishi will be amongst that group.

MEN’S BODYBUILDING

4th Place – Mike Kefalianos

5th Place – Constantinos Demetriou

MEN’S 202

4th Place – James Llewellin

5th Place – Michael Valentino

FIGURE

(Only the top three were placed.)

FITNESS

4th Place – Erin Reily

5th Place – Kristina Rojas

BIKINI

4th Place – Kira Rivera

5th Place – Janet Harding

Then there is that second tier, the type of bodybuilder who may sneak into the top six in Ohio or Las Vegas and fair better at the next level of shows, such as the New York Pro, Europa Super Show or Iron Man Pro. Silvio Samuel is a perfect example of this.

In 2009, he won the Iron Man in January then placed fifth at the Arnold. At the O, he fell all the way to 13th place. When the competitor list for the 2010 Arnold Classic was released recently, Samuel’s name appeared on it as usual. But in a report that was just posted on Flex Online, El Matador has pulled out.

“I will take a break to put on the size I need to put on,” Samuel said in the Flex article. “I wanted to do the Arnold Classic, but after more thought I do not believe that competing so soon after the Olympia  is in my best interest. In order to make the impact I want to make, I want to make some improvements this year.”

Silvio plans on waiting until July to compete in the Tampa Pro, a show that he will need to do well at just to qualify for the Olympia, which he intends to enter.

Realistically, it may be a good strategy because multiple shows every year is a difficult task for any bodybuilder. If Samuel can bulk up a little as he hopes to do, he can jump up multiple spots in the Olympia. With the line-up set for Ohio, Samuel was probably not going to do much damage there anyway.

At this point in his career, Samuel winning the Arnold or O would be considered a huge upset. Him bowing out will not change the serious competition that expects to take place in Columbus three months from now.

The giant from  Germany did not even place and finished tied for 16th with Troy Alves, Darrem Charles, Martin Kjellstrom, Bill Wilmore, Joel Stubbs, Michael Kefalianos and Ahmad Haidar. Perhaps the hernia injury and subsequent surgery that kept him out of the Arnold Classic had more of an effect on Wolf’s preparation than anyone knows.

He did not appear to be anywhere near contest shape and one has to wonder if the 5’11″, 270-pounder has missed out on his best opportunities already. Wolf switched to a low-carb diet in 2008 and came in looking flat, but still placed one higher than the previous year. This time around, he went back to a regular diet under the impression that he would fill out better. Unfortunately this was not the case.

Because his offseason was cut short by the injury and recovery period, Wolf did not have the same time frame to get himself ready for this show. Even if he had competed in March, Wolf would have been in better condition to bulk up and cut down by September.

Because he will now need to qualify for next year’s Olympia, Wolf must decide on what show he chooses to compete in to get there. It will not be an easy road back but he is going to be one of the biggest names at a show such as the Iron Man Pro or Europa. If he has any expectations on becoming a legitimate Olympia candidate again, he needs to dominate at one of these ‘second tier’ competitions and also place high at the Arnold.

As bodybuilding fans all know by now, Badell took home the winner’s purse of $18,000 at the AC and now has set himself up for another run at the Olympia, where he finished in the top 10 last year. “The Freakin’ Rican” was not a surprise and anyone who feels that he was did not do their homework.

Badell has 11 years experience on the pro circuit and has won two shows (2005 Iron Man Pro, 2006 San Francisco Pro). In 2008, he finished second at the Iron Man, sixth at the Arnold Classic and 10th at the Olympia. He came into this year’s Arnold a little off and placed 11th but had plenty of time to prepare for this contest and obviously used it well.

In case you need further convincing, this is a guy who placed third at two consecutive Olympias only five short years ago.

At 5’8″ and 240 pounds, Badell had the size to get more than noticed. He came in condition and took the top spot against some quality competition in Hidetada Yamagishi, Troy Alves, Melvin Anthony and Leo Ingram.

• 1991 Junior Caribbean Championships, overall winner
• 1997 Caribbean Championships, overall winner (received pro card)
• 1997 World Amateur Championships Heavyweight, 10th
• 1998 Grand Prix Germany, 9th
• 1999 Grand Prix England, 17th
• 1999 Night of Champions, Did Not Place
• 1999 [[World Pro Championships, 14th
• 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational, 18th
• 2000 Night of Champions, Did Not Place
• 2000 Toronto Pro Invitational, Did Not Place

• 2000 World Pro Championships, 11th
• 2001 Grand Prix England, Did Not Place
• 2001 Ironman Pro Invitational, 16th
• 2001 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 11th
• 2002 Ironman Pro Invitational, 13th
• 2002 Night of Champions, 10th
• 2002 Mr. Olympia, 24th
• 2002 Southwest Pro Cup, 6th
• 2002 Toronto Pro Invitational, 3rd
• 2004 Arnold Classic, 7th
• 2004 Ironman Pro Invitational, 3rd
• 2004 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 4th

• 2004 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 3rd
• 2004 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
• 2005 Arnold Classic, 3rd
• 2005 Ironman Pro Invitational, 1st
• 2005 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
• 2006 Arnold Classic, 4th
• 2006 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st
• 2006 Mr. Olympia, 6th
• 2007 Arnold Classic, 4th
• 2007 Mr. Olympia 8th
• 2008 Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd
• 2008 Arnold Classic, 6th
• 2008 Mr Olympia, 10th
• 2009 Arnold Classic, 11th
• 2009 Atlantic City Pro, 1st

In 2008, Badell, 36, finished second at the Iron Man Pro, sixth at the Arnold Classic and 10th at the Olympia. So far this year, he has only competed once and placed 11th at the Arnold. This is a man who won the Iron Man in ’05 and the San Francisco Pro in ’06. Badell has also finished third at the 2004 and 2005 Mr. Olympias, so he has done well against the big boys in his career.

In his 11th year competing, the 5’8″, 240-pound Badell may not have many chances left at winning quality shows such as the Atlantic City. His experience and size will be pluses for him against a line-up that he should be able to handle. He must come in to the contest in top condition and having since March to prepare, there is no excuse if he does not.

2009 Atlantic City Pro IFBB Championships
Friday & Saturday, September 11&12th
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Promoted by
Stokley Palmer & Ron Goldstein

Men’s Open

1 Almohsinawi, Khalid (Netherlands)

2 Anthony, Melvin (USA)

3 Apperson, Lee (USA)

6 Chacon, Marcos (SPAIN)

7 Cohen, Simon (UNITED KINGDOM)

8 Dexter, Oscar (Tahiti)

15 Ojex, Bola (Nigeria)

16 Pelletier, Jocelyn (Canada)

17 Piotrkowicz, Robert (Poland)

23 Alves, Troy

Stateside, Brown has placed 10th at the 2007 IFBB Montreal Pro Classic, 6th at the IFBB Santa Susanna Bodybuilding and Figure Contest, 17th at the 2008 IFBB Iron Man Pro and 17th at the 2008 IFBB Europa Super Show.