Clash of the Titans Three: Dennis Wolf vs Gunter Schlierkamp
By Dave Lee
September 11, 2009
FLEXONLINE.COM
The 2009 Mr. Olympia on September 25-26 is shaping up to be the most competitive in history. Loaded with star power that hasn’t been seen since the explosion of talent that populated the lineups of the nineties and into the new millennium, it sparks the timeless debate: Who was better, the champions of yesterday or the champions of today? To answer that, we’ve pitted the class of ’09 against legendary names from the past, each in a one on one battle to determine once and for all, who will reign supreme.
The third in our Olympia Clash of the Titans series is a battle of the German Giants: Dennis Wolf versus Gunter Schlierkamp. Each man broke through to the inner sanctum of the sport with star-making performances at the Olympia, Wolf in 2007 and Schlierkamp in 2002. With both Goliaths at the upper limits in terms of size and stature, this battle may be determined by other factors.
NAME:Dennis Wolf HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 270 pounds OLYMPIA HISTORY: 2006, did not place; 2007, 5th; 2008, 4th
NAME: Gunter Schlierkamp HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 300 pounds OLYMPIA HISTORY: 1994, did not place; 1998, did not place; 2000, 12th; 2001, 15th; 2002, 5th; 2003, fifth; 2004, 6th; 2005, 4th; 2006, 10th
SCOUTING REPORT: WOLF Size and aesthetics. It’s a rare combination, but when it occurs in nature, the effect is dramatic and nowhere is this more evident than with Wolf. He leads the pack when it comes to sheer shoulder to waist differential, giving him one of the sport’s best X-frames. He’s got good thickness throughout with deep separation and definition.
SCOUTING REPORT: SCHLIERKAMP It wasn’t until well into his professional career that Schlierkamp was able to build enough mass to fill out his super-sized frame, bringing his upper body into balance with his gargantuan quads. For a big man, his conditioning was surprisingly good.
FRONT VIEW: Schlierkamp will look good standing relaxed from the front, with his huge quads and wide, full pecs. However, Wolf’s tiny waist exaggerates both the width of his clavicles and the sweep of his outer quads.
SIDE VIEW: From the side, both have comparable thickness, with the edge in chest going to Schlierkamp while Wolf takes triceps and delts. Hams and quads from this angle are even.
REAR VIEW: Wolf’s got the width in the rear lat spread but high lats and lack of middle and lower back mass in the rear double biceps – combined with Schlierkamp’s meatier hams and glutes – turn the tide in favor of the latter.
THE WINNER: WOLF The crowd will be split down the middle for these two fan favorites. Schlierkamp has the size and stature, but Wolf’s smaller joints and fuller, rounder muscle bellies make Schlierkamp appear blocky by comparison. Wolf’s front lat spread, abs and thigh and most-muscular are untouchable as he triumphs over his fellow countryman with superior aesthetic qualities that set off his uber-mass.
