Every year since 1989 the Arnold Classic has held the honor of being the one contest that sets the tone for the competitive season. Winners top “who to watch” lists heading into the Big O in September. This year, perhaps more than in others, that may be doubly true as none of last year’s Mr. Olympia top five are competing. For all the challengers looking to be “that guy,” there is still one man in the lineup that will no doubt steal the lion’s share of attention: Kai Greene.
Greene famously sat out the 2015 Mr. Olympia, but all the drama aside, he has been the undisputed second-best bodybuilder in the world from 2012–14. One missed opportunity will not erase that fact, and fans are eager to see the Predator back on a bodybuilding stage.
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY: 2014–15: 5th; 2012: 3rd; 2011: 4th
Ox has been in somewhat of a competitive slump, placing fifth at the Arnold the past two years. If he can show greater depth in his torso and more meat to his wheels, he has the structure and grainy density to challenge for the top spot.
After making the top five in his first pro shows, Charles broke through last year with a win at the Tampa Pro. He’s got the chest, delts, and arms to stand with everybody else in the lineup, but he’ll need more back and leg thickness to make it past his more complete foes.
With his spectacular X-frame, humongous guns, and deep, separated quads and hamstrings, Compton’s got that rare combination of size and aesthetics. He’s on the rise, and, if he can come in with crisp muscularity, he has a real shot at winning the biggest early show of the year.
The X-Man’s legs have faded slightly, but he’s still a threat with his expansive upper body. Freeman is proof that in bodybuilding, elder statesmen can still battle the youngsters.
It will be interesting to see which Kai Greene he chooses to unveil here. Will he be the ultra-sharp, detailed incarnation or the bigger-than-a-house version? This Arnold Classic will certainly set up plenty of talk for what could happen later this year.
Jackson has always had the upper body beef to hold his own against the best in the world. However, less than spectacular legs have hampered him in big shows. Still, the 2010 Olympia World’s Strongest Bodybuilder could crack the top six.
JOSH LENARTOWICZ
BIRTH DATE: 4/5/83
HEIGHT: 5'8"
WEIGHT: 260 pounds
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY: Rookie
Lenartowicz was the hit of the late 2015 season, scoring back-to-back wins at the San Marino Pro and Ferrigno Legacy Pro. He has the size to stand with the taller, bigger men here. If he can improve on the separation and detail he showed in 2015, an upset could be in the making.
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY: 2015: 4th; 2014: 3rd; 2013: 6th
Big Mac has won four shows but has been unable to put it together for the majors. With the size and shape combination reminiscent of the great Lee Haney’s, McMillan has the potential to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of this generation—if he can dial it in.
Montgomery hit the record books as the youngest overall winner of a pro qualifying contest when the then-20-year-old nabbed the 2015 USAs. With quality size, he can make a splash in his pro debut.
Big Diesel has been eager to wash out the bad taste of a poor showing in the latter half of the 2015 season. Morel tipped the scales at an off-season high of 280 pounds, and, if a good deal of that weight translates to his lower half, he has the height and upper body to be in the running.
Warren has relied on grainy density to carry him to nine pro wins, including the Arnold in 2011–12. He packs plenty of muscle, and you can bet that if he’s on, he will be in the fight for a possible third Arnold title.
Last year’s Arnold Amateur super heavyweight and overall winner will be making his pro debut. He has the overall mass, but competing against men who also combine superior shape will be a tall order for the rookie pro. We’ll see how he stacks up against this talented field. – FLEX
