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May 23, 2003 This year’s Mr. Olympia contest is going to be a wild one – a must see event. For the first time in many years, the current titleholder will be challenged by more than one significant opponent. The Mr. Olympia title is the top event for the bodybuilding world, the holy grail of physique world. It is the Super Bowl of bodybuilding and only one Sandow (the physique trophy) is given each year. Generally the title is held by one person for several years. Arnold Schwarzenneger won the title 7 times; Lee Haney (Evander Holyfield’s physique trainer) won the title a record 8 times in a row. In fact since its inception in the late 1960’s, only a handful of men have held the prestigious title. The current title holder, Ronnie Coleman, has multiple titles under his belt (five straight to date), yet this year faces what may be a usurpation of his throne. The two serious threats will be Jay Cutler and Gunter Schlierkamp. Cutler recently won one of bodybuilding’s noteworthy contests, the Arnold Classic (including the $100,000 first prize, a Rolex watch, and a Hummer vehicle, presented by none other than the Terminator himself, Mr. Schwarzenegger), the second time in a row he has won this title and the second time he has driven home a hummer. Furthermore in his favor is the fact that many thought that Cutler actually defeated Coleman at the 2002 Olympia. Cutler will be back looking for revenge this fall when the big event is held in Las Vegas, and looking to prove his point once and for all. Schlierkamp is a true monster (well over 6 foot, he plans to get up to the 340 pound range in the preparation for the title, cutting down to around 300 pounds for the final week) who has the distinction of having beaten the current Mr. Olympia in a non-Olympia event earlier this year. Schlierkamp has teamed up with top-rated trainer Charles Glass to bring new life to his training and vault his physique to another level. Either Cutler or Schlierkamp could take the trophy away from Coleman. It will be a classic battle of heavyweight champs unseen since the early 90’s battle of Lee Haney and Dorian Yates, or reminiscent of the clashes between Sergio Olivia and Arnold. Fans will get more than their money’s worth watching these behmoths battle it out for the world’s best physique title. Neither Cutler or Schlierkamp is intimidated by Coleman, and Coleman is big enough to put forth his own argument for retaining his title. Cutler is planning on riding the momentum from his recent victory into the Olympia event. The wild-card in the event will be big Markus Ruhl, who came in 3rd to Cutler at the Arnold Classic, where many believed he should have garnered the second place position. Ruhl has an incredible physique himself, going well over 300 pounds in the off-season and competing at 275 pounds. Ruhl’s huge legs and back are an awesome sight. In bodybuilding the top few competitors can sometimes be close enough so that a significant improvement by one can give him the edge in the final verdict and just a slight upgrade by Ruhl could give him the top ranking. As in heavyweight boxing, in bodybuilding the reigning champ has to be decisively defeated for his crown to be taken from him. This year there is sufficient evidence that such an event could happen. Schlierkamp’s victory at the GNC Show of Strength had to shake up Coleman to the core. Cutler, Schlierkamp, and Ruhl will provide a tremendous challenge to Ronnie Coleman. Each is aware of it, and these champions are in the gym right now pushing through nasty workouts designed to push the muscles to the absolute limit of human physical attainment. Cutler believes he can take his physique even further than its current mind- boggling condition (5’10”, 260 pounds with something like 2-3% bodyfat). Many of the other competitors are well-built but much smaller than the top few ranked Olympia contenders and will probably disappear in the wave of muscle presented by the really big guys. Consider checking out this heavyweight battle of the titans as this year a true showdown on the strip will be enacted. Mr. Olympia 2003 is shaping up to be one of the historic events for the sport. This year’s Mr. Olympia will be held in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas on October 25th. ------------ About the author: Dwayne Hines currently has 12 books selling in major bookstores and writes for major magazines such as Physical and FitnessRX. Email Dwayne Hines: dhines@3dinet.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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