Team AMI/Weider experts Dennis James, Chad Nicholls, and Fakhri Mubarak give us their take on whom to watch and who might surprise us all before the night is over at the 2013 Arnold Classic.
Spring is here and for the bodybuilding world that can mean only one thing, the Arnold baby! The spring classic is the fi rst contest on the IFBB Pro League’s 2013 calendar, and it’s fi tting for two reasons: 1) it’s the Arnold Classic’s 25th anniversary and, 2) with defending champion Branch Warren and others sitting out, it’s a wide-open race for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
Yes, believe it or not, it was way back in 1989 when bodybuilding’s prodigal son, Arnold Schwarzenegger, teamed up with promoter extraordinaire Jim Lorimer to bring his namesake contest to life. The inaugural winner was Rich “the Dragonslayer” Gaspari and through the years, from Flex Wheeler’s stunning 1993 physique, to Ronnie Coleman’s win in 2001 (the first Mr. Olympia to hold the sport’s two biggest titles in the same calendar year), to Jay Cutler’s three-year reign from 2002–04 and the ascension of Kai Greene in 2009, the Arnold Classic has contributed more than its fair share of memorable moments to the annals of the sport. And the Arnold Fitness Expo, jam-packed with vendors, a variety of sports competitions, and an ocean of fans, makes the entire Arnold Sports Festival Weekend one of the industry’s premier events.
This year, a host of challengers will try to join the list of past champions. One of the front-runners, based on his stellar year-ending 2012 performance (fourth place at the Mr. Olympia and a win at the Masters Olympia), is veteran Dexter Jackson. The 43-year-old has defied the laws of physics and turned back the clock with a physique reminiscent of his banner year in 2008, when he won the Arnold Classic (his third) and the Mr. Olympia. A fourth win here will tie Jackson with Flex Wheeler for most Arnold titles. Last year’s New York Pro winner Cedric McMillan (in his AC debut) is generating plenty of pre-contest buzz and, if he comes in shape, could present a host of problems for the lineup. Two other veterans, Toney Freeman and Johnnie Jackson, rejuvenated their careers last year as well and will be looking to carry that momentum into 2013. Canadian giants Ben Pakulski and Fouad Abiad are hungrier than ever, and a major win will catapult them to the next level. Add Ed Nunn, Hidetada Yamagishi, and others and you have a major league opener for 2013.
Team AMI/Weider experts Dennis James, Chad Nicholls, and Fakhri Mubarak give us their take on whom to watch and who might surprise us all before the night is over at the 2013 Arnold Classic.
Fouad Abiad ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2011, 12th; 2012, 11th
JAMES: Other than needing a little more size here and there, he’s got a good physique. He could be in the mix. It’s really matter of who he stands next to because the top guys have ways of exposing flaws. He needs to find the combo between being hard and being full. We all try to achieve that balance. He can be full two days out and come into the show fl at. If he comes in the way he can, I definitely see him as a top six contender. He took a lot of time off so if he shows the judges improvements, he can make a solid impact here.
MUBARAK: Fouad carries a lot of muscle on his frame. He’s a thick dude with good overall structure and balance. He comes in with low body fat but seems a little fl at. When you are a little fl at it looks like your conditioning is off but his isn’t. He needs to come in fuller and make sure he pops on stage. If he accomplishes this, he can surprise a lot of people.
NICHOLLS: There is a big group of really great guys in this lineup and they all have a shot of making a huge impact if they take things to the next level and hit their potential, but they are all kind of right on the bubble. The first guy I see in this predicament is Fouad. He just doesn’t quite have enough muscle. He possesses enough size to do some damage, but in his past few off-seasons he focused too much on staying lean for appearances and not on growing and maturing his muscle to set him up for the top spots. Whether he’s put on size or not, he needs to be shredded get noticed.
JAMES: He looked phenomenal at the Masters Olympia last year. If he brings the same condition, or is even better for the Arnold, he will get a better look because there aren’t as many competitors and that makes it easier for the judges to see people. Top six will be very tough for him unless some of the guys come in off. The best plan for Darrem is to come in shredded and dry because that’s how he consistently beat bigger guys all through his career.
MUBARAK: I think he should have placed a little higher than he did at the Masters Olympia. We all know Darrem has great symmetry and lines and good muscularity. He’s not a mass monster, but he never was and still kicked a lot of butt on that IFBB pro stage. If he tightens up a bit more and matches his best condition ever, he can break the top six. Let’s not forget his off-the-chain-posing. I’m looking forward to seeing that!
NICHOLLS: I was really glad to see Darrem back in action at the 2012 Masters Olympia. I thought he could have placed a bit higher. It’s going to be tough for anyone who has sat out a while to really come back in and jump into one of the Arnold top spots, but one thing for certain is that Darrem will be in shape. He’ll be one of the best performers and will demonstrate some of the most polished stage presence in the entire show.
Toney Freeman
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2005, 10th; 2006, 9th; 2007, 3rd; 2008, 7th; 2009, 4th; 2010, 5th; 2011, 9th
JAMES: He means business because he’s finally realized that he really has what it takes. Everything is there for Toney, he just needs to nail his condition and, this is very important, he needs to stay full. He’s a tall man with a wide frame, so if he flattens out, he loses all that impact. One thing that’s been lacking in his career are striated glutes and that’s what he needs to bring to really put himself over the top. This is what the judges want to see, that you’re showing them something more than before and there’s not much more he can improve on because he already has a great physique. So it’s all about the fine points now, like greater detail, and in his case, that means striated glutes. He’s definitely top three, but to be totally honest, I have Toney and Cedric McMillan fighting for one and two.
MUBARAK: The X–Man is always a threat. He has great symmetry and a small waist. When Toney is in the mid-270s to low-280s and conditioned, he can stand next to anyone in the world. A Toney Freeman with glutes will be a hard-to-beat competitor. I could see Toney finishing top three if he’s on. He’s beaten everyone in this lineup pretty much at one point or another. Toney had a very good 2012, but then again, he is one of the best in the world.
NICHOLLS: Freeman has great overall structure that shows well onstage with his height, and he carries a lot of muscle. His consistent downfall is lack of conditioning from the back. He continues to hang in there, but in order to crack one of the top spots, he really needs to show us his best conditioning in years—especially from the back. I see him placing anywhere between fourth through sixth at his best.
Marcus Haley
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2007, 12th; 2009, 13th
JAMES: He’s put on some weight and you know he can get in condition, but he tends to flatten out. Again, it’s that tightrope bodybuilders are always walking between being bone dry and full. But Marcus has a shot at doing well here. He can compare favorably with guys who are fighting to get into the top six. It’s wide open and that favors some of the guys who maybe haven’t done that well in the past. If they can put it together, it’s their chance to sneak in and move up a few spots.
MUBARAK: Marcus is a true warrior. The man keeps going against many odds. He’s a good dude, and I’m always rooting for him. Marcus is coming back from an injury, and I know he’s been training hard since he was cleared. He needs to come in drier and a bit tighter. He has worked hard to reach this level, and I hope he puts it together in Ohio.
NICHOLLS: Another athlete who really needs to put everything together. I’ve seen pics of Marcus at three to four weeks out looking spectacular, and from that point, everything seems to go south. He’s got to play things safe and simple and focus on the basics of coming in shredded. He has all the tools to do well. He needs to focus on not making mistakes the final week or so before the show.
JAMES: Everybody is saying that this is Dexter’s show to lose, but I’m not so sure. He’s going up against two extremely great physiques in Toney and Cedric. If those guys bring it, they present a lot of problems with their size, shape, and symmetry. Dexter looked very good at the Masters Olympia and before that, at the Mr. Olympia. But was that his best or close to his best? He was the best I’ve seen him in the past couple of years, but I’ve seen Dexter better. Dexter built his career being “on” at every single show. But the past couple of years he’s been off. So compared with when he was off, he’s shown improvement and the judges rewarded him for that. Dexter is the highest-ranking competitor in the lineup and, being a three-time champion not to mention a former Mr. Olympia, he doesn’t need to do anything but be Dexter Jackson. Everyone is chasing him.
MUBARAK: Dexter is coming off his best performance since he won the Mr. Olympia in 2008. When I saw him in Miami for the Masters I was very much impressed. I actually saw him backstage, and I knew he was on. If Dexter comes in at 90% of that for the Arnold, he will win his fourth Arnold and tie Flex Wheeler. Dexter has little bones, big muscle bellies, great symmetry, and muscularity.
NICHOLLS: The odds-on favorite for the top spot. Dexter made a great comeback during the 2012 season, yet the question still remains: Does Dexter have enough in the tank for one more big show only a couple of months after his incredible Masters Olympia win? It has become commonplace to see Dexter have a rocky start at the beginning of a season only to gain momentum and dazzle us come Olympia time. It took him some time, but Dexter figured out that what worked for him in his 20s and 30s couldn’t carry him through his 40s. Although Dexter appears to have found his stride and has made the adjustments to dieting harder and doing extra work, how many times in a row can his body handle a more severe diet and training regimen? I think we are seeing a Dexter who is showing us he is still at the top of his game and that he’s finding his niche. This year’s Arnold will be a great test for Dexter, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings to the stage.
Johnnie Jackson
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2006, 13th; 2008, 9th; 2009, 9th; 2010, 12th; 2011, 7th
JAMES: Johnnie had a phenomenal 2012. He did seven shows and looked great at every one of them. He will surprise people here. He has all the tools when he comes in shape. I don’t think there’s a better upper body out there. That’s a Mr. Olympia upper body. The round muscle bellies, the sheer thickness, and all the details. His legs are a little bit behind, but he’s always working on adding a little more sweep. Johnnie doesn’t need to concern himself with coming in heavy because he’s got such dense muscle that he looks twice as heavy as he really is. He can be lighter than the other guys and still outsize them. The first thing you see when somebody comes out is the shoulder width and the midsection, and Johnnie has both of those qualities. He’s gonna be dangerous.
MUBARAK: Johnny had a very good 2012. He shocked a lot of people. Johnny is a tank and when he’s conditioned, he looks like a cartoon. He’s not too tall but the amount of muscle he holds is ridiculous. If you had to find a fl aw in him it would be that his upper body carries more mass than his lower body. When he’s peeled, it doesn’t matter that much.
NICHOLLS: It’s a tough call, but I’m going with Johnnie Jackson, Toney Freeman, and Ed Nunn for my second group to round out the top six. All three athletes are structurally good. Ed and Toney are both big, taller guys who carry the “wow” factor when they first step onstage, but Johnnie exhibits a tremendous amount of mature thickness and he’s found an in between point of fullness combined with conditioning without going too much to one side or the other. This combination has paid off in his placements and could definitely put him into the top spots.
Michael Kefalianos
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2012, DNP
JAMES: He’s always in shape. He just has some structural flaws and those will be magnified by the guys who are ahead of him with better genetics. But he has all the body parts, so if he can put it together, he can continue doing well. You never know who will be on or a bit off so if Michael is on, he might have a shot at moving ahead of a couple of guys.
MUBARAK: Michael has come a long way. He has steadily climbed the ladder and had a few really good showings in 2012. I think he’s getting better and as always, he will show up giving it all he’s got at the Arnold. Michael needs to keep tight when he’s onstage and make sure he hits all his poses correctly to be considered in the first two callouts.
NICHOLLS: This could be a really good show for Michael. Though he is structurally lacking in this lineup, he is always in shape and hard as nails, a deadly combination in a lineup of competitors where many need to prove themselves in the conditioning department. Michael definitely has the potential to do very well but it will depend on him fully nailing it. And others will need to miss the mark. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Cedric McMillan
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY Rookie
JAMES: He has everything and then some to be the champion. He has the height, the width, the muscle size, the small waist, and flaring quads. He’s got the perfect body for a taller man. This could be a big man’s show. You have Cedric, Toney, and Ed Nunn. All three are very tall with crazy width and small waists. If these guys are on, it could change the whole dynamic of the contest. He’s working with Chris Aceto who brings his guys in conditioned. If he can keep the fullness, he can easily win. But he has to be spot on because with his height, if he’s off, everything is magnified. When he won the New York Pro last year, he was in pretty good condition. If he could come in a little drier than that, he’s gonna be unbeatable. He can win this, and I can see him being a future Mr. Olympia.
MUBARAK: Cedric is my dark horse. He has great overall balance and a good physique. He could go into Ohio and do some damage. I could see Cedric finishing as high as third or fourth, but I could also see him falling to second-round callouts. He hasn’t been consistent during his career so far. He needs to put on a little more size and that, along with condition, would put him over the top.
NICHOLLS: My final pick for the top three. He has not proven to me that he truly deserves that high of a placement in the Arnold lineup yet, but based on his genetics and potential, if he brings his A game, he could definitely be a force and even win if the cards stack in his favor. He possesses great overall structure, but the one downfall is his lack of conditioning. Cedric has improved with each show he competes in and he is consistently climbing the ladder to success. But to become not only a top contender but also an Arnold Classic champion, he will need to pull out all the stops and give us that type of next-level conditioning demonstrated by the top names in the sport.
Ben Pakulski
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2011, 10th; 2012, 4th
JAMES: Condition is everything for Ben. He doesn’t have the kind of physique that can carry him if he’s off just a little bit. He’s got overall size, there’s no question about that. But he has to be crazy conditioned to pull off the freak factor appeal and move ahead of the top guys. He needs to improve his back and arms. If he can match those quads, that will be a scary sight. He’s aggressive onstage and plays to the crowd, but if he’s not 100%, he runs the risk of not making the top six.
MUBARAK: Ben has freaky size. His legs are among the best in the world. Ben is a presence when he’s onstage. He’s confident and works the crowd. He comes in in pretty good condition but he needs to be peeled for his physique to make an impact. His lower body is a little more dominant, and once he brings up his upper body, he will fight for that No. 1 spot.
NICHOLLS: Ben has the potential to do some serious damage. From the waist down he’s simply unbeatable, and from the waist up in front shots he is definitely competitive with the best in the sport. His weakness has always been in his back shots. However, in this lineup, the truth is that he could lose the back shots and still win the show. What Ben has shown us at each contest is that he is getting better and better, and he is slowly but surely putting on size in the right spots. You have to think he is going to continue to improve. The key is conditioning. We saw a glimpse of what he is capable of at last year’s Arnold. If he brings that same conditioning or better, along with 5–10% more size in the back, he could be extremely tough to beat. In terms of sheer size, Ben will probably be the biggest guy in this lineup, so if he puts the combination of conditioning and size together as I know he can, I would not be surprised to see him win the show. But regardless, I have him in the top three.
Ed Nunn
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY Rookie
JAMES: The most overlooked guy of 2012. I’ve never seen him better than he was at the Sheru Classic and the Arnold Europe. He was so hard and dry, but didn’t get the callouts. But this guy is very dangerous; great structure with beautiful lines. His legs and arms are already there. If he can add a little more torso thickness, especially in the side poses, he’s gonna be crazy. If he can bring the condition he had last year and maybe a little more fullness, he won’t be overlooked. I really want to see him compared with Toney and Cedric. Talk about a battle of the big men! If these three guys are 100%, they can turn this show around.
MUBARAK: Ed is another tall bodybuilder with good symmetry and a small waist like Toney Freeman. Ed’s waist might be a little smaller, which is crazy. Ed has good size but I feel he needs to be a little bigger to fi ll out his physique. I don’t believe we’ve seen the best Ed Nunn yet. If he nails his condition he could break the top six.
NICHOLLS: I thought he should have placed higher at the Masters Olympia. He looked good, though he could have had better overall conditioning, but he also has a great structure that carries him in any lineup. If he could push his conditioning to the next level and keep things in check since the Masters Olympia and re-peak for this show, I see him as high as fourth place, but realistically fourth through sixth.
Ronny Rockel
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2007, 8th; 2008, 13th; 2009, 10th; 2010, 6th; 2011, 6th
JAMES: He competed a lot at the end of last year, and I think his body needs a break. The funny thing is that he took the first part of the year off, but it didn’t do him any good. Sometimes time off can be good for you, and sometimes it can hurt you. His back was just as soft as it has been the past couple of years, and we didn’t see any improvement as far as added size. Ronny is very symmetrical but he needs to be all the way dry because he’s not gonna blow anybody away with size or spectacular body parts.
MUBARAK: Ronny is a beast. I believe he is 5'6", and the amount of muscle he holds is crazy. Ronnie has no apparent weaknesses as far as body parts. He’s always been a good bodybuilder but when he comes in dry and peeled, he’s one of the best IFBB pros in the world. Ronnie could easily break the top six if he’s 90% on.
NICHOLLS: Ronny is another guy who has always been right on the bubble. He is a good athlete and very well balanced. Nothing jumps out at you, but in this lineup, he will need to bring his conditioning up to the wow factor level to put himself in the mix, otherwise, it will be easy for him to fall down the ladder. Sharp, dry conditioning pulls his physique together and is the tool he will need in his arsenal to make a play for a top spot.
Fred Smalls
ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY Rookie
JAMES: He’s got a solid physique, but like Ronny, nothing stands out. When you’re going up against the likes of Dexter or bigger men like Toney and Cedric, you need that extra something to draw the judges’ eyes. At this stage of his career, I’m not seeing that from Fred. We’ll have to see what he brings when it’s time.
MUBARAK: Fred has yet to reach his potential. He’s pretty complete everywhere. He has good lines with a small waist. He has to be a lot drier and harder to place well at this show. He’s a great poser, and when he does place well it’s because of his physique and how he’s built. But we need you harder Mr. Smalls! I know you can shock a lot of people, Biggie!
NICHOLLS: Fred has good structure and round muscle and this will be a good lineup for him. But if he doesn’t overcome his biggest flaw (conditioning), he will find himself on the outside looking in. He possesses all the tools to really do some damage in the sport, but he needs to change up whatever dietary plan seems to be consistently failing him in the conditioning department if he wants to make his mark.
Hidetada Yamagishi ARNOLD CLASSIC HISTORY 2007, 13th; 2010, 8th
JAMES: Two years ago, he wasn’t as conditioned as he was this past year, but he placed better. Last year, he was one of the hardest guys onstage but he didn’t get any love. At the Arnold, it is gonna be very hard for him to crack the top six because everybody is bigger than him.
MUBARAK: Hide has been top 10 in the world and has placed top two a few times with one win in 2010. When he’s on he looks freaky. He poses to his advantage and knows how to hide any flaws, not that there are many anyway. He’s not a huge bodybuilder, but he holds his own on that stage next to the bigger guys. Hide’s main thing are his glutes. When his glutes are striated, he can stand up there with anyone.
NICHOLLS: Hide is a great athlete, but knowing exactly where he will fi t in could be tough as there are quite a few tall and thickly muscled guys in the lineup who could give him problems. Even when Hide is spot on, he has a tendency to get overlooked because he doesn’t display the type of freaky muscle size and thickness of others in the lineup. For him to move up to the top six or seven spots, he’s really going to need to step over some guys with incredible conditioning. This lineup contains athletes who have “missed it” in the past, and if they miss it here, it could pave the way for several others to move up. Hide usually comes into shows in very good shape. He’s consistent, but I see him needing to show us something really spectacular to overcome some of the bigger and taller athletes.
