Joe Weider’s 47^th Mr. Olympia is coming up this weekend so I found it fitting to make this week’s blog post a preview of bodybuilding’s biggest competition. I am one of the few people who actually follows professional bodybuilding somewhat closely, so I am aware of who the top ten or fifteen bodybuilders in the world are and how they usually stack up against each other.

First off I want to say a big Congratulation to Newfoundland’s only pro bodybuilder, Frank Mcgrath, who will be competing in this years Olympia. Frank qualified for the Olympia by placing 3^rd at the Tampa Bay Pro on June 25^th of this year.

Frank McGrath

All athletes have had to overcome adversity along their journey and Frank is no exception. Frank suffered a severe right triceps tear in 2008 which left his right triceps visibly different from his left. He came back from this injury and competed in the 2009 Tampa Bay Pro bringing his most shredded condition up to that point and placing 9^th. If this were not enough to have to overcome, in early 2010 Frank was badly injured in a car accident. Frank was driving in his car and got T-boned. His arm went through the windshield leaving a large gash on his arm. His spleen had also been ruptured and it had to be removed. The accident left Frank in the ICU for a period of time.

Frank McGrath's back

The 2011 Mr. Olympia has 30 competitors qualified. This means that Frank is among the top 30 bodybuilders on the planet. To recover from such an accident and make it to the Olympia stage the very next year is an incredible feat and shows Frank’s strong character. Congrats to Frank, I cannot wait for him to represent Newfoundland on the big stage!

I was able to attend last years Olympia and I have to say it was quite the humbling experience. Not so much seeing the competitors; yes they are all freaks, but to see some of the fans walking around 300(+)lbs, under 6’ tall, in decent offseason shape. It makes you really begin to realize that there are some freaking huge guys out there. After an experience such as that you really change your perception of what “big” (as in muscular) really is. The people you considered big before, really aren’t that big after seeing such huge humans out there.

So here is my Top 5 prediction for this year’s Olympia:

#5 : Dexter Jackson

Dexter Jackson started competing  in the NPC as a shredded  lightweight. The lightweight  division in NPC competitions is  from 143.25-154.25 lbs. He now  competes at a shredded 230 lbs. He  is a seasoned competitor. He has  won multiple shows, even beating  Jay Cutler in 2008 for the title of  Mr. Olympia. In 2008, Jay Cutler’s  condition was off and Dexter was on  point and shredded as always. The reason I have placed Dexter  5^th and not higher is because in  this past year he hasn’t shown his  trademark conditioning. He is not  the biggest bodybuilder out there,  but when some of the bigger guys  come in a bit softer he beats them  on conditioning and symmetry.

Dennis Wolf

# 4: Dennis Wolf

In real life Dennis Wolf is a freaking huge guy. He has a big wide frame and is always criticized for not filling out his frame enough. He placed 5^th in 2007 and 2010 and 4^th in 2008 at the Olympia. I have him placing 4^th this year and not 5^th because Branch Warren, who I would have predicted to take 4^th place, is out with an injury and will not be competing this year. So as a result I have moved everyone up a placing.

#3: Kai Greene

Kai Greene

Kai Greene is one of the only people on the planet who carries enough width and thickness to give Jay Cutler a run for his money if he shows up in shape. His back is the best of the top pros. It is super wide with lats that insert at the glute. His legs pretty much match Branch Warrens who is known for having the best wheels in the sport when they stand side-by-side. Kai’s placing at the last two Mr. Olympia’s has been disappointing as he has shown up far from his best. I think he will fix whatever mistakes he has been making in the past and show up on point this year.

Phil Heath at the 2010 Olympia

#2: Phil Heath

One of the craziest things I have ever experienced is when Phil Heath walked out on stage at the 2010 Mr. Olympia night show. The thousands of people in attendance exploded in applause when this unhuman-looking beast walked out from behind the Olympia sign. Phil looked like a man with football equipment on, except it was muscle. Phil placed a very close 2^nd behind Jay Cutler in 2010. Many people thought that he should have placed ahead of Jay Cutler and won the show. In my opinion I agree with last year’s results. When Phil was on stage by himself he looks like Mr. Olympia, and he probably did have the best “physique” on stage that day. But when you see Phil and Jay side-by-side you can see that Jay has a bigger, wider frame, especially across the shoulders and this is what, I believe, gives Jay the advantage against all the other competitors. Jay is just too damn wide.

#1: Jay Cutler

Mr. Olympia 2010 Jay Cutler

If Jay Cutler comes in at his best I think he is too big and wide for any of the other competitors to beat him. He may not have the prettiest physique, but his overall size and thickness gives him the edge on everyone. If he is slightly off and either Phil or Kai are on fire he can definitely be beaten. But these predictions are only based on what I think may happen if everyone comes in on point, which rarely ever happens. Jay placed last at his first Olympiaand worked his way up through the ranks relentlessly placing 2^nd behind Ronnie Coleman for years before finally beating Ronnie for the title in 2006. If he wins again this year it will be his 5^th Mr. Olympia title.

For more info and to keep up-to-date with the 2011 Olympia check out http://www.mrolympia.com/2011/index.html

JP