As the wide world of fitness descended upon Las Vegas in late September for the 2008 Olympia Weekend, there were a number of questions surrounding the competitions. Could Jay Cutler win a third straight Mr. O, or would Dexter Jackson and Phil Heath unseat the champ? What would happen in the new 202-pound bodybuilding division? Would Jen Hendershott finally convince the judges she was once again worthy of the Fitness Olympia crown? Would the always-impressive Jenny Lynn keep up her streak of wins at the Figure O? And in women's bodybuilding, was there anyone who could pose a serious threat to the constantly-improving Iris Kyle?
All of these questions – and the eventual answers – made for another whey-fueled, well-muscled Olympia Weekend. Here's the Cliffs Notes.
Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson had been knocking on the door of bodybuilding's top prize, the Mr. Olympia title, for nearly a decade, and finally that door opened just enough to let him walk right in. Two-time Mr. O Jay Cutler brought his usual shredded, huge physique to the stage, but this time he just wasn't as crisp as in previous Olympias. Jackson, on the other hand, was as good as ever, beating Cutler handily in rounds 1 and 2 (prejudging Friday night, September 26) and fending off the champ in the Saturday night finals.
Other impressive showings came courtesy of Olympia rookie Phil Heath, who finished 3rd. Heath now projects as a future Olympia winner if he can build off the improvements he's made to his physique in the last year and a half or so. Dennis Wolf finished 4th, and in 5th place was Toney Freeman, who looked better than ever and could have easily finished higher. Melvin Anthony rounded out the top 6.
Mr. Olympia Results September 27, 2008 Orleans Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
202 Showdown In a new IFBB division – made up of bodybuilders 202 pounds and under – the favorite going in, David Henry, claimed the unofficial title of "best small bodybuilder in the world." Henry brought to the stage his usual well-conditioned, symmetrical physique in beating the likes of Kevin English (runner up) and James "Flex" Lewis (3rd place), both of whom looked great as well.
202 Showdown Results September 27, 2008 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada
Fitness Olympia After a 3rd place finish last year, Jen Hendershott matched her 2005 performance by winning the Fitness Olympia. Her Playboy bunny inspired routine was enough to outlast Tracey Greenwood and Kim Klein (2nd and 3rd place, respectively). Hendershott, who continues to cement her legacy as one of the best fitness competitors of all time, hasn't finished out of the top 5 at the Olympia since 2001, where she finished 6th.
Fitness Olympia Results September 26, 2008 Orleans Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
Figure Olympia Jenny Lynn, Mary Elizabeth Lado and Gina Aliotti may have been the biggest names going into the Figure O, but it was one of the field's smallest competitors, Jennifer Gates, who took home top prize. Gates, all of 5'1" and 110 pounds, brought a superior blend of leanness, shape and aesthetic appeal to emerge as a major force in the sport of figure. At age 31, she's actually a year older than Lado, yet Gates has a promising career ahead of her.
Figure Olympia Results September 27, 2008 Orleans Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
Ms. Olympia Defending Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle won her fourth Olympia title overall. As usual, fierce competition came from Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, but this time Betty Adkins pushed her the most in finishing as a surprise runner-up.
Ms. Olympia Results September 26, 2008 Orleans Arena Las Vegas, Nevada
