Phall
Master
Tonight is the 2013 Olympia judging. This competition is considered the top bodybuilding contest in the world, having kickstarted the mainstream careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. It's being broadcasted online for free by its sponsor at this link:
http://streaming.bodybuilding.com/2013-olympia-webcast/
Bodybuilding shows usually follow the formula of Friday night judging and Saturday "finals", meaning that the decisions are largely made before the last round of pageantry and the contestants are free to break their fasts. All nineteen guys will get to prance and preen on stage tomorrow, but the final six are probably already selected at that point. Those last guys will have the opportunity to square off next to each other and compare: I think there is still some room for the judges to flip-flop here, for example I think Jay Cutler's lats drove Ronnie Coleman into retirement in 2006.
There is racial backstory in play, as usual. Jay Cutler will be the biggest guy on stage, but he was robbed of his title in 2011, which was awarded to the inflatable Phil Heath. Jay tore a muscle last year and could not compete, so Heath won a second Olympia and the hype machine grew. I am anticipating a triumphant return, but it's up to the judges.
Last year's top four finishers were all black, which is the first time that's happened since Jay's been competing, or maybe ever. Branch Warren is renowned for having the best legs in the world, but I personally don't think he's balloon-ish enough to ever steal a victory here. Dennis Wolf has the frame to eventually reach Jay's status but has yet to come in both big and dry.
The "real" Jay Cutler
Branch Warren and his wheels of steel
Dennis Wolf, Hollywood villain
This Olympia will boil down to the showdown between Cutler and Heath, the two guys on the promotional banner. I would be very surprised if they do not place 1-2, since this is not entirely an objective exercise. Basically, it's a decision over who is more marketable going forward. The Arnold Classic, the penultimate bodybuilding show, is a little more non-partisan and often has a unique finishing order.
http://streaming.bodybuilding.com/2013-olympia-webcast/
Bodybuilding shows usually follow the formula of Friday night judging and Saturday "finals", meaning that the decisions are largely made before the last round of pageantry and the contestants are free to break their fasts. All nineteen guys will get to prance and preen on stage tomorrow, but the final six are probably already selected at that point. Those last guys will have the opportunity to square off next to each other and compare: I think there is still some room for the judges to flip-flop here, for example I think Jay Cutler's lats drove Ronnie Coleman into retirement in 2006.
There is racial backstory in play, as usual. Jay Cutler will be the biggest guy on stage, but he was robbed of his title in 2011, which was awarded to the inflatable Phil Heath. Jay tore a muscle last year and could not compete, so Heath won a second Olympia and the hype machine grew. I am anticipating a triumphant return, but it's up to the judges.
Last year's top four finishers were all black, which is the first time that's happened since Jay's been competing, or maybe ever. Branch Warren is renowned for having the best legs in the world, but I personally don't think he's balloon-ish enough to ever steal a victory here. Dennis Wolf has the frame to eventually reach Jay's status but has yet to come in both big and dry.
The "real" Jay Cutler
Branch Warren and his wheels of steel
Dennis Wolf, Hollywood villain
This Olympia will boil down to the showdown between Cutler and Heath, the two guys on the promotional banner. I would be very surprised if they do not place 1-2, since this is not entirely an objective exercise. Basically, it's a decision over who is more marketable going forward. The Arnold Classic, the penultimate bodybuilding show, is a little more non-partisan and often has a unique finishing order.