ANB Newcastle Overview and Olympia Predictions

ANB Newcastle Overview

Before I go into my 2015 Olympia predictions I would like to go over the ANB Newcastle Classic show which was held last weekend (Sunday the 6th).

Firstly I want to congratulate the ANB on a well run event. The venue had enough space for competitors to tan/prepare/pump up. The officials made sure that ample time and warning was given for competitors ie when exactly they should be back stage preparing etc. For the most part I think the judging was of high quality also. As a coach it is always good to have your clients enter shows that are run smoothly and efficiently because it just makes things easier for me and for my clients that way.

I had two clients entering the show - Aaron who is a personal trainer at North Sydney Fitness First and Jonathon who runs a fitness oriented, healthy meal service called My Fitness Kitchn. Both of them were competing for the first time.

Aaron entered the Novice Short and under 70 kg divisions. Unfortunately he didn't place largely just because he lacked in size compared to others in his classes. However he did display some good conditioning and his presentation, posing and colour were all on point. Aaron will now be rounding out his season by competing in the INBA NSW in two weeks time which we are trying to come in harder and more conditioned for.

Aaron on stage hitting a rear double bicep

With Aaron backstage

My other client Jonathon went in the under 90 kg and Novice Tall classes. The under 90 kg division was the first up for him and perhaps the most competitive class he was in but he ended up coming out on top. He won the Novice Tall class fairly easily. Jonathon also managed to come away with the overall title. Needless to say I was very happy with the result considering it was Jonathon's first ever show and considering we were really just treating it as a warm up for shows later in the season. 

Jonathon in the overall line up
 

With Jonathon backstage

At the end of the day both boys put their all into their prep for this (and upcoming shows). So a big congratulations to them both.

Jonathon (left) and Aaron (right)

Olympia Predictions

With the Olympia just days away I think I will make my predictions for the top five (open bodybuilding). It can be really hard to predict who will place where because people can come in off, others can come in improved. Small changes in physiques can make a big difference at that level. So without further ado here we go:

5th Place

This one has probably been the hardest one to pick since numerous guys could jump in and take this spot - Ramy, Juan, Victor, Branch, Roelly. I think there is a chance that Branch will take this position because he will come in good condition. Ramy has a chance too but he has to be in good condition and we just haven't seen that high standard of conditioning from him yet. I think Roelly tends to struggle with condition and his gut and Victor can be very hit and miss. Despite his freaky upper body I just don't think Juan has the completeness in his lower body in particular to make it into the top five at this stage. So I'd say the most likely candidates for fifth are probably Branch and Ramy. As much as I'd like to see Ramy sneak in there I just don't think he's going to nail the condition so I'm going to go with Branch because we know he will be very hard and for the judges I think that might be enough to bypass his treestump reminiscent proportions.

4th Place

Dexter Jackson - We all know Dexter looks phenomenal. With the exception of maybe the 2011 Arnold Classic he has always compared really well in top line ups. The 2008 Mr Olympia won the Arnold Classic this year, setting the record for most Arnold Classic wins (five). So he's going into this show with a lot of momentum behind him. Whilst I predict that he will be fourth I can see him challenging for second or third place.

3rd Place

Shawn Rhoden  - I have Shawn in third because he has a great physique which compares quite well in a line up. However he never really seems to change much. He's kind of like Dexter Jackson, he just looks good every year but he never gets bigger and seems to get out-massed to a degree by some of the bigger guys. I think if he's on he could be as high as second (and I think he will be battling for that place) but I think more likely he'll be third. He's unlikely to be a danger for first place because he has no freaky wow factor.

2nd Place

 Kai very upset that he is unable to compete

A recent photo of Kai that gained a lot of hype a few weeks back

Originally I had Kai as my pick for second place. However as you may or may not know Kai has announced that he is officially out of the 2015 Olympia. As for the reason, in a video he posted on Facebook today he said "there's more going on than I'm able to say". But it looks like he didn't sign the contract to compete by the due date. So my pick for second place is....

Dennis Wolf - Dennis has been placing consistently well the last few years. He appears to have found the formula for nailing his condition which had been a bit off and on in the past. Of course his main weaknesses are his calves and also his high lats. However with his huge frame he really compares well with the top guys, especially when he is on. He is one of the only guys left with the size and potential condition to be comparable with that of Phil Heath. So I'm hoping that will be the case this year and so I am putting Dennis in second.

1st Place
 

Phil Heath - Phil may be called a lot of things cocky, arrogant, an asshole etc. But whether or not that is true is irrelevant because bodybuilding is not a personality contest. As you might be able to tell from the name "body-building" is about who has the best BODY. And it's quite clear that Phil currently has the best physique of everyone - freaky, popping muscle bellies, fullness, condition, proportionate, symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It's all there. 

Phil was a bit off last year (a mistake I don't think he will make this year) and he was still the clear winner. I just don't see anyone beating him unless he's very off and someone else is looking exceptional. But the way things have been going I doubt anyone is really going to challenge him for the top spot. Especially now that Kai is out of the race Phil is set to win without a doubt. He would have to come in soft and bloated to not win.

There has been some speculation that Phil won't place well because he said in a comment on social media that Arnold had small legs. I don't think that Arnold really cares since he is one of the most successful people in the world. He probably hasn't even read the comments because he has better things to do with his time. Even if he has what is he going to do? Walk up the Olympia judges and say "excuse me please make sure Phil Heath doesn't win because he said mean things about my legs on facebook"? Sorry Arnold isn't much of a girly man and that's just not going to happen in this lifetime.

So Phil Heath number one, that is what I expect to happen this year!

Those are my predictions for the top five. Let me know if you agree or disagree and why in the comments below or on social media. Either way we will find out for sure by the end of this week!

Thanks for reading. I will catch you guys again soon.

Coaching/Contest Prep

For those who are looking to get lean for Summer now is your last chance if you want to be ready in time. Also those who are competing in seasons A and B of 2016 I urge you to contact me soon as places for contest prep coaching are limited and will be filling fast.

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- Evan