“The Experts” View Arnold Classic ’09

Okay, less than two weeks to go ‘til the 2009 Arnold Classic, “The Experts” are revved up and ready to go with how things will turn out at the show.

Now, let me make it perfectly clear, just in case my selections don’t end up as precise as I view them at this point in time – I haven’t seen any of the competitors and, for that matter, neither have Isaac (Lifter) Hinds and Ron (Yogi) Avidan. And, since three of the top contenders – Victor Martinez, Kai Greene and Branch Warren – are coming off surgeries, that clouds the picture even more.

But, considering our eye-catching insight of the competitive side of the industry, I guess it would actually be too much of an advantage if we did get a peak at the fellas before the March 7 encounter in Columbus, Ohio.

Both Yogi and I are going with Martinez to rebound from knee surgery 14 months ago to regain the ASC crown he captured in 2007. Hinds, coming off a strong 2008, where I was forced to name him “Expert of the Year” after Freeman placed a strong fifth at the Olympia, insists there are too many question marks surrounding the rehabilitative success of both Martinez and Greene. So, he predicts the X-Man will again be the biggest surprise on stage and walk away with the $150,000 first place check.

Another physique freak coming back after triceps surgery, Branch Warren, has placed as high as second in the event. And, remember, he won the “Most Muscular” award the last TWO times he competed on the Vets Memorial stage. Oh, yeah, defending three-time champ Dexter Jackson isn’t doing the contest. Phil Heath will be watching from the stands. Ditto for Jay Cutler. Now, that’s another story for another time, regarding the pros and cons of the current re-qualification process.

Okay, drum roll, please. As the record says, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

LT:
1. Victor Martinez
2. Kai Greene
3. Toney Freeman
4. Silveo Samuel
5. Branch Warren
6. Dennis James
7. Moe El Moussawi
8. Gustavo Badell
9. Ronny Rockell
10. Ahmad Haidar

ISSAC:
1. Toney Freeman
2. Kai Greene
3. Victor Martinez
4. Branch Warren
5. Silveo Samuel
6. Dennis James
7. Moe El-Moussawi
8. Gustavo Badell
9. Ronny Rockel
10. Ahmad Haidar

YOGI:
1. Victor Martinez
2. Branch Warren
3. Toney Freeman
4. Kai Greene
5. Silveo Samuel
6. Dennis James
7. Moe El-Moussawi
8. Ronny Rockel
9. Gustavo Badell
10. Johnnie Jackson