Listen – I personally have no problem whatsoever looking at women barely dressed cavorting on a stage and not feeling guilty about it, but for the sake of the sports world, bodybuilding differs greatly from the other three. As a man, staring intently at someone like Heather Mae French and calling it work is a great thing. But when I put on my sportswriter’s hat, it just doesn’t cut the mustard.

Interviewing Dennis Wolf or Iris Kyle is the other end of the spectrum. No knock against the smaller, svelte figures out there, but it’s similar to comparing an offensive lineman and a tennis player. Both are professional athletes, but prepare for their jobs completely different.

Surely, the marketing strategy has been to separate the women’s bodybuilding from the men’s so that ticket sales would be equally distributed both nights. But in the past few years, women’s bodybuilding has become less popular and only followed by a niche group of fans that seems to shrink more and more. The three other categories have grown in popularity and surely can handle the headliner spot now without suffering at the box office.

Using this strategy, the more mainstream audience would have their own night and the old school will not have to sit around for hours on end waiting for the completion of a contest. The best of both worlds, if you will.

There is certainly a place for fitness, figure and bikini. But just not on the same stage, same night as bodybuilding.

Starting with ‘Meet the Olympians’ on Thursday evening, to the finals on both Friday and Saturday, up to the after party, The Orleans will be the place to be. An added plus is that many of the competitors also stay here, so we will be bringing you some behind the scenes material, as well, as we run into the men and women who will be on the big stage.

Photo by Francisco Pillari

No rest for the weary, as we will be spending the daytime hours at the Expo promoting MSM and grabbing some pros for interviews that will become segments on MuscleSport TV. Be sure to check our website frequently throughout the big weekend for the latest news and articles and brand new episodes of MuscleSport TV.

BE ON MUSCLE SPORT TV!!!

Here is your chance – the bodybuilding fan – to be seen and heard. Find us all weekend long to be filmed for MuscleSport TV giving your predictions, reactions, etc. We’ll be at The Orleans, Expo, Meet the Olympians, Finals, After Party, etc.

Be sure to come up to us and say hello! We want your opinion!

We all know what happened, with Cutler besting Branch Warren to reclaim what was once his. Jackson fell to third, with Greene and Heath following. Wolf did not even place and has been quiet of late. With such unexpected results then, who knows what is going to occur this time?

The men who have qualified so far are Cutler, Jackson, Warren, Greene, Heath, Wolf, Melvin Anthony, Erik Frankhouser, Toney Freeman, Marcus Haley, Victor Martinez, Evengy Mishin, Robert Piotrkowicz, Craig Richardson, Ronny Rockel, Roelly Winklaar and Hidetada Yamagishi.

People are very curious about Winklaar, who has been very impressive so far in his rookie professional campaign. He has not officially announced if he will in fact compete a the Olympia. Greene, who took his second consecutive Arnold in March (albeit a controversial decision as far as this writer is concerned), is looking to add his names to the list of bodybuilding greatness by capturing a Sandow.

Cutler is still the favorite going in until proven otherwise and he can assure himself of another victory even by coming in the same as he did last year. It will be hard to beat him if he does but because it is so wide open after that, anyone can jump into the top six and possibly do some damage. But if Cutler comes in a bit off – which is possible for anyone – then a guy like Heath (who deserved this year’s Arnold) can jump up.

There is always a wildcard once we reach Olympia weekend. Looking for one this year? Keep your eye on Rockel, who looked to be in superb condition at the Arnold Classic. If he an add some size and not lose any of his symmetry, he may just be the one we are talking about.

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

Wilcox had his most productive campaign in 2006 when he started six of the 14 games that he played in and had 20 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Last season, he had five catches and two scores for a Ravens team that defeated Miami 27-9 in the wild card round and the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round. Baltimore was ousted by the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 23-14.

DANIEL WILCOX CAREER STATS

2001 – New York Jets (1 game)

2002 – Tampa Bay Buccanneers (0 games)

2003 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2 games)

2004 – Baltimore Ravens (16 games, 5 starts, 25 receptions, 219 yards, 8.8 average, 1 touchdown)

Rhein Fire (20 catches, 208 yards, 3 touchdowns)

2005 – Baltimore Ravens (13 games, 3 starts, 20 receptions, 154 yards, 7.7 average, 1 touchdown)

2006 – Baltimore Ravens (14 games, 6 starts, 20 receptions, 166 yards, 8.3 average, 3 touchdowns)

2007 – Baltimore Ravens (5 games, 2 starts, 6 receptions, 18 yards, 3.0 average, 1 touchdown)

2008 – Baltimore Ravens (13 games, 1 start, 5 receptions, 19 yards, 3.8 average, 2 touchdowns)

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time onwww.blogtalkradio.comand all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

On this episode, we will also recap the incredible Olympia weekend that included Jay Cutler making history by becoming the first bodybuilder to reclaim the title after being defeated. Iris Kyle made it four consecutive Ms. Olympia titles but Heather Armbrust is breathing down her neck for the top spot.

UPCOMING GUESTS

Tuesday, October 6 - FAME World Tour/BodyProud President and Founder Jeffrey Kippel will join us and we will be discussing MuscleSport Mag’s new strategic partnership with his organization.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski and more.

Photo courtesy of Destined for Success Management, LLC

Friday kicks off the Olympia Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Two days full of visiting booths and getting free supplement samples may sound like a lot, but is only window dressing for what takes place there, as well.

The pre-judging of the Ms. Olympia, Fitness and Figure Olympia take place at the main stage here, as does the main portion of the 202 Showdown. Add in the FLEX Bikini Model Search and the Olympia’s Strongest Man contests and you can get your fill in this building alone.

But you wouldn’t dare miss the rest of the weekend’s activities, would you? At The Orleans Arena, the finals of the Ms. Olympia, Fitness and Figure Olympia and 202 Showdown take place. And if you’re lucky enough to get yourself into the after party, it gets going at 11 PM at The Orleans.

NY Metropolitan Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships Took on New Meaning in ‘09 - The chatter began in the area of the judge’s table and photographer’s pit as soon as he walked on the stage.

“Where is this guy from again?”

“He looks real good.”

There was definitely a buzz in the air when the overall winner of the men’s bodybuilding class made his appearance, fittingly the last one to hit the spotlight. Audrius Jegelevicius was clearly the star of the show at the 2009 Steve Stone New York Metropolitan Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships and deservingly took home the top trophy of the night, which he proudly held as he made his way home via the Number 1 train headed uptown from the Chambers Street stop.

The 37-year-old Lithuanian also won the Super Heavyweight Division and beat out a well-conditioned Shaun Young (Heavyweight Division and Masters Overall, 35+ Over 176.25 winner) for the overall title on an evening that was about remembering a great man who dedicated his life to the sport that he loved.

The contest was renamed to pay homage to Steve Stone, who passed away during Olympia weekend last year. A moment of silence was done in his honor with a special moment between his widow and Bev Francis, the former great female bodybuilder who emceed the event.

Jegelevicius, who has been training for a quarter century, won his second show in the United States following his victory at the 2007 Eastern USA Championships. He is looking to do more damage in this country and plans on becoming a United States citizen. When asked if he will compete in the Nationals in November and have a chance to earn his pro card, he said there is a “90 percent chance” of that happening.

What began with a 12-year-old boy experimenting with a set of dumbbells back in Lithuania transformed into the shredded, 242-pound bodybuilder that had his hand held up in Manhattan. “The highest I was this year was 282,” he said, commenting on the mass he puts on in the offseason. He definitely brought the entire package to this show.

Perhaps the most entertaining portion of the card was the Pro Fitness competition, which was won by Shannon Meteraud. Trish Warren – who was being cheered on by her pro bodybuilder husband Branch and pro fitness competitor Jenny Lynn seated together in the first row – finished as the runner-up. Tina Durkin was the third place winner.

The others standing in the winner’s circle were Jermaine Morgan (Men’s Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight); Michael DePalma (Men’s Bodybuilding Middleweight, Masters 35+); Mike Grezzo (Men’s Bodybuilding Lightweight and Novice); John Kioskerides (Men’s Bodybuilding Bantamweight); Jeff Beckham (Men’s Bodybuilding Overall and Heavyweight); Frank Ruiz (Men’s Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight); Mario Valenzuela (Men’s Bodybuilding Novice Middleweight); Michael Dagro (Men’s Bodybuilding Novice Bantamweight); James Bocina (Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 45+); Calvin Myers (Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 55+); Michael Soltus (Men’s Bodybuilding Teen Overall and A); Nick Paladino (Men’s Bodybuilding Teen A); Marie Rita Penteado (Female Bodybuilding Overall); Melissa Stocker-Betz (Figure Overall, Class A and Masters 35+); Natalie Benjamin (Figure Class B); Kristen Nagrani (Fitness Class C); Stacey Curcio (Fitness); Blythe Alberg (Bikini Overall and Short Class) and Elise Firestone (Bikini Tall Class).

The variety that this show offered was definitely one of its plusses. Everything from “young” divisions to “old” was on the plate and the people in attendance at the Tribecca Performing Arts at BMCC certainly let their loud applause do the talking for them.

Hopefully they will recharge their batteries because just over a month after the show comes the IFBB New York Pro, an annual event held at the same venue also promoted by Francis and Steve Weinberger.