By: Topic Of The Week

TOPIC: Who Will Win The 2009 Australian Pro?

The Question:

Each year many of the best bodybuilders in the world converge on the great city of Melbourne, Australia for a grand one day event. This year there is an exciting lineup with some of the best bodybuilders in the world competing.

Give your opinion on what order the following athletes will end up in and give full details for why you believe it will go down that way.

2009 Australian Pro Competitors:

1. Ahmad Haidar
2. Beat Meschberger
3. Constantino Demetriou
4. Dennis James
5. Fadi Zaazaa
6. Grant Pieterse
7. Hidetada Yamagishi
8. Ivan Sadek
9. Kai Greene
10. Mike Kefalianos
11. Moe El Moussawi
12. Oliver Adzievski
13. Oscar Dexter
14. Ricky Welling
15. Ronny Rockel
16. Rusty Jeffers
17. Sergey Shelestov
18. Silvio Samuel
19. Toney Freeman

Bonus Question: Have you ever attended the Australian Pro? If so, what did you think of it and how was your experience? Was it what you thought it would be? How could it be made better?

Show off your knowledge to the world!

The Winners:

1. soundcheck129 View Profile
2. Translucency View Profile
3. History in Effect View Profile

Prizes:

1st place - 75 in store credit.
2nd place - 50 in store credit.
3rd place - 25 in store credit.

To use your credit, e-mail Justin @ justin.podzimek@bodybuilding.com for more info.

1st Place - soundcheck129
View This Author's BodySpace Here.

Who Will Win The 2009 Australian Pro?

Each year many of the best bodybuilders in the world converge on the great city of Melbourne, Australia for a grand one-day event. This year there is an exciting lineup with some of the best bodybuilders in the world competing.

The Arnold Classic may have come and gone, but the year in bodybuilding is just beginning! The land down under is about to be turned upside-down as a mass of muscle converges on Australia for the 2009 Australian Pro. Those who didn't place as well as they would have liked at the Arnold will have a chance to redeem themselves and everyone will be looking their best for the Southern Hemisphere's premier bodybuilding event.

1. Kai Greene

Greene silenced the critics with an outstanding showing at the Arnold Classic, taking first place by holding off an incredible field of determined competitors. Despite the tough competition, Greene rose above the crowd with his unbelievable physique - he was massive, shredded to the core and blissfully symmetrical.

Click To Enlarge.
Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Somehow, he managed to be bigger and yet more defined, with his impeccable posing giving the judges a clear view of the fruits of his labor. After seeing his enthusiasm and elite figure at the Arnold, I can't imagine anyone beating Greene anytime soon - he's at the top of his game.

2. Silvio Samuel

Can you remember what you were doing January 25? Well, it doesn't matter - what's important is whether Samuel can... and I bet he does, because he was kicking butt and taking names at the Iron Man Pro en route to a first place finish. And I have a feeling Samuel will be having a bit of deja-vu at the Australian Pro.

Click To Enlarge.
Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

He brought an impressive physique to the Arnold and managed to place 5th, which is great considering he received pro status just three short years ago. Samuel is improving with every appearance, and the Australian Pro is a great chance to continue this trend. I don't see him challenging Greene yet, but with his physique, personality and conditioning, the total package is coming together.

3. Toney Freeman

The X-Man looked very good at the Arnold, placing 4th, and I see him improving in the standings in Australia. Freeman is a mass monster but yet you can still see every individual muscle on his beastly frame. What I love about Freeman is his confidence - he steps onto the stage with an air of accomplishment, not arrogance, and seems to know that success is well within his reach.

Click To Enlarge.
Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Some point to X-Man's age as a liability, but I didn't see him being offered senior citizen discounts at the Arnold, and he should have no problem showing up even the younger guys as he heads Down Under.

4. Moe El Moussawi

El Moussawi was breathing down Samuel's neck with his 6th place finish at the Arnold and I see him following fairly closely again. Honestly, I did not expect him to come out looking as great as he did at the Arnold, but now that I've seen the light, I'm confident in this man.

Click To Enlarge.
Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

El Moussawi's somewhat lighter frame (240lbs) wasn't enough for a top 5 finish at the Arnold, but with a smaller field in the Australian Pro, it's time for him to shine. I get the impression that El Moussawi's passion for bodybuilding knows no limits, and I know he's working hard to improve the barely detectable flaws perceived by the judges. I think with a little more definition, El Moussawi will show the Australians he means business.

5. Ronny Rockel

After a 10th place finish at the Arnold, you'd better believe Rockel is going to be incredibly motivated to show what he's made of in Australia. While he doesn't have much time to tweak his physique, the adjustments needed should be rather minor. Rockel needs to kick the shred factor up a notch, and I believe he can do it.

Click To Enlarge.
Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

He's had a lot of experience and it was less than two months ago that he finished 3rd at the Iron Man Pro. Rockel is no stranger to adversity - if you check out his history, you'll see he has a habit of having an off show followed by several great performances, and the Australian Pro will find him back at the top of this cycle.

6. Ahmad Haidar

I'm still blown away that Haidar didn't place higher at the Arnold. I realize that it was a tough field but... Abzilla was incredibly ripped. He had symmetry, he had definition - the only thing lacking compared to the other competitors was size. Still, I don't feel it's fair to discount his accomplishments due to that.

Click To Enlarge.
Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Haidar packs a ton of muscle onto his small frame - how many other 5'7" guys do you know that weigh 220 and boast striations? That's right, none. Haidar also has a great personality and solid posing that brings out the best points of his physique.

7. Dennis James

James had a great showing at the Arnold, finishing 7th there, so it may be odd to predict another 7th place for him, but I stand by this prediction. At the Arnold, it seemed like the judges were very sensitive to size, and ranked some of the bigger competitors ahead of smaller, more shredded guys.

Click To Enlarge.
Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

While James' background and passion for soccer are a big boost to his conditioning, I feel like superior definition of competitors such as Ahmad Haidar will make a difficult day for James. Yes, his physique is impressive, as are his accomplishments, but I see James' stock dropping Down Under.

8. Hidetada Yamagishi

Japan hasn't produced that many professional bodybuilders of note, but no one told Yamagishi. He didn't compete at the Arnold, so I think people are going to be underestimating him, forgetting the 4th place finish at the Iron Man Pro in January. Since Yamagishi has come to the United States, he has stepped up his training and nutrition and his potential knows no bounds.

Click To Enlarge.
Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

He has flawless symmetry and great definition, along with boundless enthusiasm. Yamagishi's energy alone should impress the judges, but what will hold him down is his size. There are smaller competitors with more mass, and even though Yamagishi hasn't been seen in a while, I don't think he'll arrive in Australia totally transformed.

9. Sergey Shelestov

No, I didn't forget about Shelestov, and yes, I am aware that he dropped jaws and shattered expectations with his 8th place finish at the Arnold. I'm also aware of Shelestov's track record, and as impressive as the Arnold performance was, it is a bit of an anomaly.

Click To Enlarge.
Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

To be sure, Shelestov deserved the high scores he received at the Arnold, hitting the stage in great shape. The only problem is that I don't see Shelestov recreating that once-in-a-lifetime appearance. The Arnold was Shelestov's greatest showing at a very big show, and the shape he was in came down to precise timing; don't expect it to last all the way to the Australian Open. Midnight has struck for Cinderella.

10. Constantino Demetriou

Demetriou's name isn't known to that many bodybuilding enthusiasts, and his performance at the Australian Pro isn't likely to make it a household name. I see Demetriou rounding out the top ten in respectable fashion, earning the best finish of his short career.

Click To Enlarge.
Constantino Demetriou At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Constantino Demetriou At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

He's got a lot of symmetry and impressive cuts, but nothing that will propel him past the competition Down Under. Demetriou's major problem is his size. At 5'6", he has room for a lot more muscle on his frame, and I don't think that will escape the eyes of the judges unnoticed.

Have You Ever Attended The Australian Pro?

I haven't ever attended the Australian Pro, although I'd love to take any chance I could to go to Australia! The show looks to be an amazing experience for competitors and spectators alike.

The VIP package offers some unbelievable amenities, such as free workouts at a 24-hour gym during the contest weekend, photo ops and entry to an exclusive pro seminar and meet and greet. VIPs will also take home some fantastic souvenirs in addition to the great many memories from the show.

It would be nice to see some of the more well-known competitors at the Australian Pro, but I like the fact that there are shows at which some of the sport's underdogs can shine. There are a lot of talented bodybuilders in the world, and the lack of big names in competitions such as the Australian Pro allow the hard-working, under-appreciated guys to get some exposure and possibly be catapulted to stardom.

The other nice feature about a field free of the bigger names is that because the top 3 qualify for the Olympia, those few spots may go to competitors who otherwise wouldn't have a shot at appearing at the Olympia, whereas the well-known pros aren't likely to be shut out of the O.

All in all, the Australian Pro looks to be an amazing event - the land down under will have the best beach bodies to match the world's best beaches for a phenomenal weekend.

2nd Place - Translucency
View This Author's BodySpace Here.

Each year many of the best bodybuilders in the world converge on the great city of Melbourne, Australia for a grand one day event. This year there is an exciting lineup with some of the best bodybuilders in the world competing.

In 2009, in the wonderful city of Melbourne, Australia, which has been the host of many a great athlete, the Australian Pro will take place. Many of the best bodybuilders will travel "down under" to see which competitor will emerge, amidst the chaos, as the 2009 Australian Pro Champion.

The 2009 Australian Pro
What Is Going on This Year?

The top two finishers from the 2008 Australian Pro, Dexter Jackson (1st) and Melvin Anthony (2nd) will not be returning to compete in the competition this year.

Click To Enlarge.
Dexter Jackson And Melvin Anthony At The 2008 IFBB Australia Pro.
View More Pics Of Dexter Jackson At The 2008 IFBB Australia Pro.
View More Pics Of Melvin Anthony At The 2008 IFBB Australia Pro.

As a result, Moe El Moussawi will be the highest placing returning competitor - he finished third in this competition last year. However, he is not the only big name bodybuilder who will be returning to compete this year. Toney Freeman, who finished fourth last year, Ronny Rockel, the Australian native who finished sixth last year, and Sergey Shelestov, who finished seventh last year, will all be returning to compete once again in the 2009 Australian Pro.

There will be a fresh crop of competitors looking to take home the crown. Ahmad Haidar, Dennis James, Hidetada Yamagishi, Kai Greene, and Silvio Samuel will all be looking to have a major impact on this competition.

None of these competitors, be it new or old, are strangers to adversity. Obviously, this competition is chock full of strong competitors who know how to properly prepare for a competition. Thus, this will be one of the most entertaining and competitive competitions of the year. More simply, anyone can win.

The Favorite: Kai Greene

Kai Greene is fresh off of a win at the 2009 Arnold Classic where he bested Australian Pro competitors Toney Freeman (4th), Silvio Samuel (5th), Moe El Moussawi (6th), Dennis James (7th), Sergey Shelestov (8th), Ronny Rockel (10th), and Ahmad Haidar (12th).

Kai is easily one of the best bodybuilders currently in the IFBB. He has won three competitions (2009 Arnold Classic, 2008 New York Pro, and the 2007 Colorado Pro) in as many years. He manages to combine size with incredible definition for one of the most aesthetically pleasing physiques to ever grace the stage.

Click To Enlarge.
Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

He manages to electrify the judges and crowds alike with his posing routines and has yet to disappoint. If he can repeat his performance from past competitions, he will win this competition and as a result of recent placings, he is easily the favorite to win in Melbourne.

The Contenders: Toney Freeman and Silvio Samuel

Toney Freeman finished a controversial fourth at the 2009 Arnold Classic, where many felt he deserved a top three placing. Other recent placings include fifth at the 2008 Olympia, fourth at the 2008 Atlantic City Pro, and first in the 2008 Europa Super Show and the 2008 PBW Pro Show.

Click To Enlarge.
Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Since winning his first IFBB competition in 2006, the Europa Super Show, Toney Freeman has been rising in the ranks and has since become one of the best bodybuilders.

In the time since he won that first competition, he has one four shows. Toney manages to combine size and proportions with a streamlined physique. If he improves his conditioning a bit, which may have caused him to finish outside of the top three, he could win this competition if Kai Greene misses his mark.

Silvio Samuel finished fifth at the 2009 Arnold Classic and has already won one competition this year, the Iron Man, one of the largest competitions of the year. Silvio has burst on to the scene with a string of strong placings in recent years (7th at the 2008 Olympia, 1st at the 2008 Houston Pro, 5th at the 2008 Arnold Classic, 4th at the 2008 Iron Man Pro, and 7th at the 2007 Olympia, amongst others).

Click To Enlarge.
Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

He never ceases to impress with his conditioning and manages to bring definition to every inch of muscle he has. He will look to continue to impress in Australia and could threaten Kai Greene for the title.

The Best of the Rest: Dennis James and Moe El Moussawi

Dennis James finished seventh at the 2009 Arnold Classic. A string of disappointing performances have seen him drop in the placements. In recent years, he has sacrificed his mass, which was responsible for his quick rise to the top of the IFBB early in his career, to present a more streamlined and aesthetic physique.

Click To Enlarge.
Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Despite his recent placings, it stands that Dennis James is one of the most experienced competitors, not only in this competition, but in the entirety of the IFBB. Dennis can utilize his experience to, hopefully, conjure up a top five placing in the Australian Pro.

Moe El Moussawi has been impressive of late, proving that he is one of bodybuilding's best. He finished sixth at the 2009 Arnold Classic in an impressive field of competitors, many of whom who will be competing in Australia.

Click To Enlarge.
Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

In addition to that sixth place finish, he finished second in the 2009 Iron Man Pro and ninth, an impressive top-ten finish, at the 2008 Olympia. He will look to utilize his size and shape to continue his run in recent years and repeat his impressive third place finish here last year.

The Top Ten

1st - Kai Greene:
Kai Greene will continue his winning streak and will once again impress the crowd and judges. His muscle, definition, and electrifying posing routines will be too difficult to defeat and the additional time will only allow him to further improve. If he comes in as best as he can, he will not be beaten at this competition.

Click To Enlarge.
Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

2nd - Toney Freeman:
Toney Freeman is one of the largest bodybuilders in the IFBB. He manages to combine size with aesthetics and presents a balance with his physique that is rarely seen. He will continue to dial in his conditioning and will come in absolutely shredded in Australia. If he misses his mark, there will be plenty of competitors chomping at the bit, looking to take over his spot in the top two.

Click To Enlarge.
Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

3rd - Silvio Samuel:
Silvio Samuel is quickly rising to the top of the IFBB. He is one of the most renowned bodybuilders in the IFBB and has not ceased to impress. He manages to bring an impressive amount of muscle with rarely seen conditioning.

Click To Enlarge.
Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

It is to his advantage that he always comes to competition in shape and will likely never hurt himself in the placings. His posing routines are also only rivaled by few. If any of the competitors above him miss their mark, he could easily slide into their positions.

4th - Moe El Moussawi:

Moe El Moussawi has proven that he is one of the top bodybuilders in the IFBB and has continued to improve since entering it. He will look to improve upon his sixth place finish at the Arnold Classic which was no fault of his own. He was impressive in his own right. He came in shredded and muscular and will only improve with the given time.

Click To Enlarge.
Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

5th - Dennis James:
Dennis James finished seventh at the Arnold Classic and will look to improve here in Australia. He has been slipping in the bodybuilding ranks as of late and has sacrificed some of his mass to compete with those who have more streamlined physique.

Click To Enlarge.
Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Some of his appeal left with the additional muscle mass. However, he will look to improve upon his Arnold conditioning and will come into the Australian Pro in an impressive fashion. His experience will certainly be of great use to him. A top five finish in Melbourne seems correct for Dennis James.

6th - Sergey Shelestov:

Sergey Shelestov finished eighth at the 2009 Arnold Classic. Outside of that, he lacks any impressive finishes. Despite this, he has a great deal of size and is always one of the larger competitors on stage. He is growing in experience and confidence and will only continue to get better.

Click To Enlarge.
Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

He will be looking to make a name for himself here in Australia. Additionally, his conditioning will only continue to improve. If any of the other competitors miss their mark, he could slide into the top ten.

7th - Hidetada Yamagishi:

Hidetada Yamagishi finished fourth at the 2009 Iron Man and chose to sit out the Arnold Classic, likely to make improvements for this competition. His physique is impressive, as he has a great deal of size and symmetry. He has a zest for bodybuilding that is rare and has made great strides in recent years. Despite that, he will not be able to best some of the other competitors here.

Click To Enlarge.
Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

8th - Ahmad Haidar:
Ahmad Haidar finished outside of the top ten at the Arnold Classic (12th) and fifth at the Iron Man. He is easily one of the fan favorites of the IFBB, as he has one of the most aesthetically pleasing physiques to ever grace an IFBB stage.

Click To Enlarge.
Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

His abs are simply unrivaled. His conditioning is always impressive and he always comes in ripped to shreds. However, he lacks the size to compete with the other bodybuilders at this competition.

9th - Ronny Rockel:

Ronny Rockel finished tenth at the Arnold Classic and third at the Iron Man Pro. His placings are incredibly inconsistent, as he has yet to string together a number of impressive finishes. He can be very impressive or very disappointing - it all depends on which Ronny Rockel decides to bring to the stage.

Click To Enlarge.
Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

10th - Oscar Dexter:
Oscar Dexter is a little known competitor - this will be only his third competition. He finished tenth at the 2008 Australian Pro and eighth at the 2008 New Zealand Grand Elite Pro. He has an impressive amount of size and has looked great in recent photographs. Look for him to repeat last year's performance with a tenth place finish.

Click To Enlarge.
Oscar Dexter At The 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Elite Pro.
View More Pics Of Oscar Dexter At The 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Elite Pro.

Have You Ever Attended The Australian Pro?

I have never attended the Australian Pro. However, it seems to be one of the most appealing bodybuilding competitions because of the strong competitors and the location. The list of competitors this year is extremely impressive and some of the IFBB's best have made their way to Australia and if for nothing else, you can always enjoy the attractions and scenery Melbourne has to offer.

3rd Place - History in Effect
View This Author's BodySpace Here.

Who Will Win The 2009 Australian Pro?

"Good day, mate"... hope you are ready. The Land Down Under area is not just known for kangaroos and beautiful people, but also will be graced with the presence of some of the best bodybuilders in the world. The Iron Man and the Arnold Classic has provided the increasing drama for this weekend's upcoming Australian Pro. It should be AMAZING.

What follows is a detailed look at who will finish one through twelve in the luxurious city of Melbourne.

1. Kai Greene

I know you saw what this man did at the Arnold Classic. People were questioning if he had what it took to be at his best at a heavier weight. Kai showed up and showed out. There is no doubt that he is the best poser out of anybody, but what you saw at the Arnold Classic was magical. Kai came in proportioned and real big. Mr. Greene, time to collect your second trophy.

Click To Enlarge.
Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kai Greene At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

2. Toney Freeman

The X-Man finished fourth at the Arnold Classic. I was a little disappointed in his placing because I felt he would come in a little bigger. The X-man will come in strong at this event. Trust me... Freeman is getting better with age. He has a strong athletic build which translates into success for the stage. I'm rooting for the tall giant.

Click To Enlarge.
Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Toney Freeman At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

3. Silvio Samuel

Mr. Conditioned has been consistent as of recent finishing first at the Iron Man and 5th at the Arnold Classic. Samuel like Freeman is getting better. Samuel is getting better as the year goes which in this event means great things. His sharp conditioning will challenge Toney Freeman for a top 2 placing.

Click To Enlarge.
Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Silvio Samuel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

4. Moe El Moussawi

Moe finished 6th at the Arnold Classic and 3rd last year at this event behind Dexter "The Blade" Jackson and Melvin "Marvelous" Anthony. Moe always stand out on stage when I see him. He is big and muscular, but has to watch his waist.

Click To Enlarge.
Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Moe El Moussawi At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

The Arnold Classic showed Moe being in better shape as his weight appeared smaller. If Moe can continue to be big and bring the conditioning look out for Big Moe. The reality is that a Shredded Moe is better than a Bulky Moe.

5. Dennis "The Menace" James

Dennis finished seventh at the Arnold as he is trying to redefine himself with a streamlined physique. This is his year I feel that he needs to redefine himself once again to prevent a fall in bodybuilding status like Gustavo Badell. I prefer this a lot more than to him being a lot more muscular and bulky looking. Once he finds a balance, he will be able to place higher.

Click To Enlarge.
Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Dennis James At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

6. Sergey Shelestov

He finished 8th at the Arnold Classic... Wait are you serious? Yes, he finished in front of Johnnie Jackson, Gustavo Badell, and Ronny Rockel. There were pictures of him released one week before the show, but still Sergey caught me by surprise.

Click To Enlarge.
Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Sergey Shelestov At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

I know the pictures of him as rocky and grainy were the real deal. I saw the show and all I can say is wow. He was massive, shredded, symmetric, and hard as a rock. I just know to watch out for him... he is an underdog.

7. Ronny Rockel

Rockel finished behind Sergey which had to be a surprise to a lot of people. He is symmetric, but he has some weakness. His hamstrings are not as crisp as they should be especially when they tie-in with his glutes. Rockel was off a tad at the Arnold and he has to readjust for this contest. He has only a week and that is not enough time to pass Sergey. Sadly, he gets overlooked once again.

Click To Enlarge.
Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ronny Rockel At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

8. Ahmad Haidar

Abzilla finished 12th at Arnold and 5th at the Iron Man. His body is pleasing to the judges, but he needs more mass. His body is a throwback to the old times when bodybuilders were smaller and more visually pleasing to many people. Haidar will not finish higher than 8th sadly, but I give him my respect as his body would be one I want to imitate.

Click To Enlarge.
Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Ahmad Haidar At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

9. Hidetada Yamagishi

Hidetada came back with revenge and finished 4th at the Iron Man this year. He will continue to improve as the bodybuilding season goes on. This lineup is just too action packed for him to place higher than 8th. Haidar and him could flip places, but Yamagishi will not rise higher than this. He will surely bring an action packed routine and his loyal fans that have been seen at numerous shows.

Click To Enlarge.
Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Hidetada Yamagishi At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

10. Oscar Dexter

I had to add him before Constantino for the very fact that he placed in front of Constantino in both the New Zealand Pro(8th) and the Australian Grand Prix(10th). A top 10 placing is in his future for who I called the "Tahitian Wonder".

Click To Enlarge.
Oscar Dexter At The 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Elite Pro.
View More Pics Of Oscar Dexter At The 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Elite Pro.

11. Oliver Adzievski

Oliver's bodybuilding website states that: "he built his own gym because there was none in his area... using cans full of cement as weight." If that is not motivation, then what is.

Click To Enlarge.
Oliver Adzievski At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Oliver Adzievski At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

He finished 12th at the Iron Man in front of Constantino. He is taller and bigger than Constantino. Olivier has the right combination of size and mass that will put him ahead of Constantino. The real battle will be between Dexter and him.

12. Constantino Demetriou

You may not know who he is, but I know Australians do. Demetriou is one of the best bodybuilders to come out of Australian and he turned pro last year. I first saw him in MuscleMag magazine and loved his blend of mass and size. Demetriou finished 15th at the Iron Man. He weighs around 220 pounds, but he needs more mass and size sadly. For him to place higher, he needs to come in much harder and bigger.

Click To Enlarge.
Constantino Demetriou At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.
View More Pics Of Constantino Demetriou At The 2009 IFBB Iron Man Pro.

Dark Horse

Ivan Sadek
I don't know much about Ivan except that this is his pro debut, and I heard he is massive.

People I Wish Were Here

Branch Warren
Strong showing at Arnold Classic proved Branch is once again ready to take on the big boys.

Click To Enlarge.
Branch Warren At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Branch Warren At The 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic.

Dennis Wolf
Dennis still has much to prove to a lot of people who were disappointed at him for his Mr. Olympia placing.

Click To Enlarge.
Dennis Wolf At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.
View More Pics Of Dennis Wolf At The 2008 IFBB Olympia.

Rant

The top bodybuilders should be in more than just one or two shows. If they want to continue to build up interest in the sport, they need to be more involved in the show. I feel just doing guest appearances or showing up at events is not enough.

Tiger Woods plays more than just the four majors in golf and the same for Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in tennis. They show up and dominate bringing new viewers and fans into their respectable sports. The bodybuilding worlds needs the Dexter Jackson, Jay Cutler, Dennis Wolf, and others to be active and competing.

This show should be very entertaining. I sure wish Lee Priest could have represented for the Land Down Under. VIP tickets are only $299 dollars which includes a DVD, T-shirt, prejudging, finals, and free workouts at the Doherty gym for the weekend. Also, there is a meet and greet seminar to see the athletes following the contest on Sunday. If I had the funds, I would go for sure.

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