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The Question: This year's Iron Man Pro will again be very exciting because the current champion, Lee Priest, will not be competing. This leaves it wide open for the other competitors who would love to win the first IFBB pro contest of the year. Will David "Giant Killer" Henry be able to come in and grab the title with so many high ranked pros competing? He came in second last year with a controversial win going to Lee Priest. The list of the competitors:
2. Jason Arntz 3. Eryk Bui 4. Kris Dim 5. Mark Dugdale 6. Moe Elmoussaoui 7. Aiman Faour 8. Toney Freeman 9. Ahmad Haidar 10. David Henry 11. Rusty Jeffers 12. Rod Ketchens 13. Martin Kjellstrom 14. Francesco Mazzotta 15. Silvio Samuel 16. Daniele Seccarecci 17. Roc Shabazz 18. Sergey Shelestov 19. Clifton Torres 20. Luke Wood 21. Hidetada Yamagishi 22. Fabrizio Zittucro Bonus Question: Have you ever attended the Iron Man Pro Show? 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:
2nd place - 50 in store credit. 3rd place - 25 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Will @ will@bodybuilding.com for more info.
This year's Iron Man Pro will again be very exciting because the current champion, Lee Priest, will not be competing. This leaves it wide open for the other competitors who would love to win the first IFBB pro contest of the year. The Iron Man Pro is one of the largest annual bodybuilding contests, behind only the Arnold Classic and the Olympia. It is the largest bodybuilding event on the West Coast and the only bodybuilding contest in the Mecca of bodybuilding, Los Angeles. It has evolved into a weekend full of entertainment. From strong man events to the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Competition to the fittest couple competition, there is sure to be something to please everyone. There has also been a major change in the format of the contest. Now, instead of the three top finishers receiving an Olympia bid, the top five finishers will receive a trip to the Olympia.
This year's contest is sure to please. The last three Iron Man Pro champions (Lee Priest, Gustavo Badell, Dexter Jackson) will not be competing. Thus, this year's field is truly wide open.
  Click Image To Enlarge. Past Three Iron Man Pro Champions. Lee Priest, Gustavo Badell & Dexter Jackson. Will David "Giant Killer" Henry be able to come in and grab the title with so many high ranked pros competing? He came in second last year with a controversial win going to Lee Priest. Last year's finish was highly disputed. There were many people who argued that David Henry could have, and should have, placed above Lee Priest. Without Lee Priest competing this year, many people like David Henry's chances of winning this competition. I, however, am not one of them.
Standing at 6'2" and weighing in at 290 pounds, Toney Freeman truly is a mass monster. When interviewed four weeks out from the competition, Toney said his preparation was going great and that he looks and feels better than ever. After his seventh place finish in the Mr. Olympia competition, Toney is truly motivated.
 Click Image To Enlarge. Toney Freeman: The Executioner. View More Pics From The 2006 Europa Super Show Here.
Look for him to bring an improved physique and an immense amount of intensity to the stage. He will come in shredded and massive. With his impressive, well-rounded physique and determination, I look for Toney Freeman to win this competition in an impressive manner.
David Henry has one of the best physiques in bodybuilding and is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. He brings an amazing package to the stage every competition and is sure to dial it in for the Iron Man. The conditioning he brings to the stage is unparalleled. Though his back isn't as large as some of the other competitors', it may be the best one on the stage at the Iron Man. I look for him to finish second. However, if Toney Freeman misses his conditioning, Henry could easily step up into the first place position.
 
 Click Image To Enlarge. David Henry At The 2006 Iron Man. View More Pics From The 2006 Iron Man Here.
Mark finished fifth in last year's Iron Man Pro and is surely looking to improve on that performance. I felt he deserved to place as high as 3rd last year, however, the judges did not see it the same way. Mark has the most aesthetically pleasing physique in the entire IFBB. His muscle bellies are full and his shape is amazing. I look for him to place 3rd this year.
Kris Dim finished fourth in last year's competition and I look for him to hold steady at fourth spot. His upper body is very impressive but he needs to add a bit more size to his legs. I have yet to see any pre-contest photographs of him but if he could accomplish this, he and Mark Dugdale could easily switch placings.
This will certainly be a surprise placing. Luke Wood has a massive upper body but needs to dial in his legs. He looks very impressive in pre-contest photos and if he dials it in, he can truly surprise some people, though I doubt he'd place higher than fifth.
 Click Image To Enlarge. Luke Wood, Five Weeks Out.
They could easily move into the top five. Erik placed 8th last year, while Ahmad placed 9th. Both of them are obviously looking to improve upon their previous year's finishes. Erik has an amazing physique, however, his height will certainly hold him back.
Ahmad has, undoubtedly, the best abs in the IFBB, though he lacks the size to place in the top five consistently. Be mindful of these two competitors. If any of the competitors in the top five miss their mark, they can easily slide down a few spots, allowing Erik and Ahmad, amongst others, to move up a few spots.
Those are my predictions for this year's Iron Man Pro. I hope you have enjoyed reading them and perhaps, you may have learned something. Good luck with your predictions and enjoy the show! Be sure to check out the webcast on Bodybuilding.com. Writer's Top Picks:
I have never had the pleasure of attending the Iron Man Pro. It would be very difficult and expensive for me to attend the competition, as I am on the East Coast, while the competition is on the West Coast.
These in my opinion are some world class physiques - so as long as they are not off then it looks like this.
I want mark Dugdale to win. His physique is very nice. Hopefully his arms made a catch up over the off season though.
Toney Freeman, at 6'2", 290lbs, small waist, and awesome symmetry is a force to be reckoned with. If he comes in dry I predict that he will take first place after a grueling battle with my second place pick David Henry. Henry has added a lot of mass and is still ripped as ever. Silvio Samuel also has great symmetry, but in my opinion doesn't have the striations or vascularity to take first or 2nd. If he does take third be sure that Mark Dugdale is right there nipping at his heels for 4th place. Ahmad Haidar will come in right behind Dugdale. Haidar's near perfect symmetry and chiseled granite abs should guarantee him at least a top five placing.
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