With Friday comes Random Thoughts Of The Week, and this week I want to focus on one thing in particular and that is the Sacramento Pro 2009.

I would like to preface this by saying that these are my opinions and they are made from looking at photos online and not from being at the show.

With that said, let’s go.

First up is the winner Toney Freeman.

I’ve said it before about Toney, but this is the guy I would put front and center if I wanted to push bodybuilding into the big time.

The guy has it all, in my opinion, he is tall; he has a small waist, and wide shoulders.

What more could you possibly want?

Yea, some people would say, well he has his flaws, yes, but show me a pro that does not have a flaw.

Anyway, this would be the guy that I would make my showman.

Up next,

It was nice to see Pavol Jablonicky back on stage.

Yes, Mr. Jablonicky did not make the top ten, but that does not matter, because he has been around for a long time, and it was nice to see him back.

Also, I have to echo what I read on a popular forum, what happened to Darrem Charles?

The guy really has not come in great shape in a bit.

Good for Craig Richardson, he has been doing it for a while and to grab second, that is good.

Lastly, about the Sacramento Pro, I like Mark Dugdale and even though he didn’t make the top ten, he like Toney, if I was in charge, would be pushed more.

The guy has a physique that is not overpowering, one which can be seen by the general public as something to shoot for.

O.K

I am off my soap box

And that is all for this week.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK

KEEP WORKING

Right off the bat I must admit that I was wrong about Jay Cutler, the guy did what no other bodybuilder in history has or could ever do—he came back and won the Mr. Olympia after losing as the defending champion.

The guys back was up against the wall—and you know what—he nailed it.

You have to hand it to him.

O.K.

But what about the rest of the field.

Well the biggest shock to me was Dennis Wolf, the guy finished in sixteenth place!

Which I believe from looking at the score card is just another way of saying that he was tied for last place.

What a disaster for Dennis, I mean the guy came out like a house-of-fire and took the bodybuilding world by storm and now this.

Second biggest shock to me was Branch Warren.

To finish in second—in a lineup as loaded as this—that speaks volumes about the Mr. Warren’s work ethic and dedication.

I really like Ronny Rockel and I am glad he managed seventh—he should be very happy with that.

And it shows that the judges don’t automatically ignore smaller guys—or guys that don’t get massive exposure either on line or in the magazines.

Also, Melvin Anthony he slipped out of the top ten, but I still like that guy’s physique.

I was disappointed to see that Troy Alves finished tied for last place (at least I am assuming that what sixteenth place is) because Troy has a nice physique and nice lines, but maybe he will get them next year.

CONCLUSION

The Mr. Olympia is the biggest bodybuilding contest in the world and once again you have to give it to Jay Cutler.

The guys back was to-the-wall and he did what he needed to do.

And won the whole show.

Congrats.

Jay.

Until Next Time

KEEP WORKING

With the Mr. Olympia contest less than a week a way I wanted to express all of the respect I have for each and every contestant—from the guy who will win—to the guy who will finish last—they are all winners in my book.

I mean I love to train, I love bodybuilding, but, I could NEVER imagine standing up on stage—basically naked—I mean I KNOW they have posing trunks on—but come on!

That would basically freak me out completely.

Of course, I realize that most of the people competing in this years contest have been competing for a number of years—especially guys like Dexter Jackson and Jay Cutler—but still I would be too freaked out to even try it.

While I feel that the Mr. Olympia is fantastic, I feel sorry for the guys that no one talks about—I mean they bust their buts just as much as the top guys—and deserve some time in the spotlight for all of their work and effort.

That leads me to my next point—people can say what they want about bodybuilding—but you don’t stand up on THAT stage unless you have put in some serious time in the gym and have worked your but off—for a long time.

And here is the thing, you’ve got one shot—if you blow it, all the work you put in for months and months could be wasted.

That’s why you have to feel for Dennis Wolf—he lost a lot of muscle shortly before last years contest—I cannot imagine standing up there—knowing in my heart that I looked so much better a few weeks out—that had to be seriously tough..

Also, looked what happened to Jay Cutler last year—yes he dropped a ton of weight in between the two days of the contest—but even for him it was not enough—he ended up taking second which is great for most people, but when you are the defending champion—you might as well have taken last—because anything less than a win just won’t cut it.

Finally, I will say this, it is going to be interesting to see if we stay on this new path—with guys like Dexter (who have better shape and conditioning) winning continually or are we going to see a return of the mass monsters—guys like Dorian (whom I must admit is my favorite Mr. O of all time) and Ronnie.

We will see.

CONCLUSION

The Mr. Olympia Contest is the biggest and best bodybuilding contest in the whole world and really when you consider all of the greats who have competed in the contest over the years—it really has to be an honor just to be up there competing in the contest.

And for me personally, anyone who competes in the show is a winner—as I cannot imagine having to diet for months and do everything else that needs to be done to compete.

To me you guys are all winners.

Try and relax and enjoy your time on stage.

You’ve Earned It

Until Next Time

KEEP DREAMING