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"To prepare everyone for the 2009 Olympia!"
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Archive for the 'Gossip' Category
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
Your week–or perhaps month– is now complete. "The Experts" Mr. Olympia predictions video is up on www.ironmanmagazine.com. And, just putting this project together was much more difficult than trying to figure out who the top six will be at this year’s version of the ‘0, now less than two weeks away.
The weekend of the Europa Supershow (August 10-12) would be the last time that the “The Experts”–yours truly, Ron (Yogi) Avidan and Isaac Hinds–would be together at the same place before the Olympia Weekend; thus, we had to get the taping done prior to heading back home.
At that time it was seven weeks out from the Big Dance and, although we saw defending champ Jay Cutler at the USA and knew he was in great shape, we didn’t have much else to go on regarding Mr. Olympia’s major contenders. Still, with our unmatched reputations on the line, we were not going to let that stand in our way.
It was a long, hard weekend in Texas for all of us involved in the project–the above mentioned “Experts” and our main man with the video camera, Strollin’ Roland Balik. I emceed five–count ‘em–five contests over the weekend (four pro shows on Friday night and the huge NPC Europa on Saturday night) and hosted all video wrap-ups on the contests. Additionally, I did several video interviews taped for Bodybuilding.com by both Yogi and Isaac.
Yogi and Isaac shot all weekend–both pictures and video’s–for Bodybuilding.com and the NPC News, and worked around the clock. Roland’s trip began on a sour note, with bad weather forcing him to drive from his Delaware abode to the airport in Philadelphia in order to make the weekend festivities. But, that didn’t deter him for shooting all four pro shows and manning the camera on all the videos.
Refugees on a Rooftop:
We ended up shooting the Olympia predictions video on Sunday morning on the rooftop of the host hotel, the Hyatt. It was well over 100 degrees, and the humidity had reached at least 90%. The three of us in front of the camera were dead tired, hungry and thirsty–on the brink of passing out, actually, actually– since we only had about 10 hours sleep total during our Texas frolly and didn’t have time to eat breakfast before shooting the final video. As you can see, the subtitle for this video is “Refugees on a Rooftop” and this isn’t a joke, for once.
Take that into consideration when you see where Lift Studios left Victor Martinez out of his top six, perhaps the worst prediction of all time. But, when Isaac was refreshed and fed (two weeks earlier, in his blog on BB.com), he did get the top five, in exact order, for the Men’s finals in Texas. And, I had to buy him dinner when Silvio Samuel made weight in the 210 and under class. Isaac cheated, of course, having inside info, but I paid up like the class act I am. Why I had to pay for Yogi’s meal, as well (along with the five other people who made their way to our table) is another matter.
Roland seemed fairly refreshed in the beginning, but was weakening by the minute after carting around all the camera equipment before we as we eventually made our way to the top of the mountain, er, the hotel. And, after putting up with our antics and warped humor the previous two nights during our round-up tapings, John Balik’s son deserves a Purple Heart for just showing up Sunday morning.
But, our job is to bring you the action, period, and to tell you how it’s gonna be before it even happens. As usual, my picks will probably be the most accurate. Yogi says the Swami’s hat should be sitting on his head after the strong ‘07 season he’s had with his prognostications; Hinds has been on a tear of late and probably did deserve the crown before he came up with his off kilter pics for this one.
View the video (our aim is to entertain), and tell us what you think. Amazing how amazing we still are even with such horrific distractions, eh gang?
LT
Post by:
Posted in Olympia, Predictions, Gossip, Mr. Olympia, Video/Webcast
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, After Party
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, After Party
Thursday, September 20th, 2007
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, After Party
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007
If you’ll be at this year’s Olympia, leave a comment here and let the world know you’ll be attending this historic event - the last Olympia at which Ronnie Coleman will compete!! It’ll be nice to see a huge BodySpace turn out at the O this year - if I see you, I’ll get you on camera!! 
For those staying home, don’t feel left out - we need some help that can only be done from someone sitting at a desk watching our webcasts*. And as always, we’re still looking for a little extra help with some Olympia blogging right here on this blog… Leave a comment if you’d like to help.
*It’s some top-secret webcast help. Details to be released in the very near future… 
Post by:
bbcom_developer
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, Random
Tuesday, September 11th, 2007
Just listened to the 87th episode of Dan Solomon’s and Bob Cicherillo’s fantastic Pro Bodybuilding Weekly. Was disappointed to hear that Chris Cormier has not yet qualified for the Mr. Olympia. Never fear as he’ll apparently be competing in Atlantic City Pro this weekend for that coveted berth in the Olympia lineup.
Cormier is someone I’d love to see put things together for another run at the Olympia. He’s battled it out in ten Mr. Olympia competitions, placing as high as 3rd.
1994 Mr. Olympia, 6th
1995 Mr. Olympia, 6th
1996 Mr. Olympia, 7th
1997 Mr. Olympia, 8th
1998 Mr. Olympia, 6th
1999 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
2001 Mr. Olympia, 5th
2002 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
2004 Mr. Olympia, 7th
2005 Mr. Olympia, 13th
Here’s a competitor and legitimate contender for the Olympia crown who began training with weights as a 120-pounder at age 12 to catch up with his older football teammates so far as weight was concerned. Cormier now tips 300 lbs. in the off season at age 40. Whuzzat? From 120 lbs. to 300 lbs. in less than 30 years? I couldn’t do that in 300 years.
Cormier has an extensive background in wrestling (like former Olympia competitor Mike Mentzer’s younger brother, Ray Mentzer, who was a member of the 30 pin club on the Ephrata High School wrestling team) and is obviously a disciplined athlete as a result of his youthful sports experience. With 20 years of bodybuilding competition experience this could be Cormier’s time.
While Las Vegas is out of the question for me, the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort is definitely within striking distance for this Pennsylvania native.
Will Chris qualify in Atlantic City? Will you be there to see him compete?
Stay tuned to Bodybuilding.com and PBW for the results of the last qualifier for this year’s Mr. Olympia competition!
Update :
Johnnie O. Jackson and Lisa Aukland took first place in the bodybuilding portion of the contest! Chris Cormier, unfortunately failed to qualify for the Olympia but he seemed to take the loss with a good attitude. Shawn Ray was the evening’s emcee. A great show well worth six hours on the road today.
Post by:
curt_james
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, Mr. Olympia
Tuesday, September 11th, 2007
Quote:
“This is it for me at the Olympia, and September 29th will be the last time I step on a Mr. Olympia stage. I want to thank God, my family, my friends, all the great fans who have supported me over the years, Weider and especially BSN. I don’t take anything for granted and appreciate all the support from the bottom of my heart. I’ll see you all at the Olympia!”
- Ronnie Coleman
http://bsnonline.net/misc/news_expanded.php?id=58
Post by:
deserusan
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, Mr. Olympia
Thursday, August 16th, 2007
Hey! It’s Tracey! I asked some friendly faces of bodybuilding and fitness to make some Olympia predictions. Check out their opinion and then leave a comment with your picks for Olympia 2007!
Let’s start off with IFBB Pro and CEO of AHN, FAKHRI MUBARAK:
www.advancehealthnutrition.com
www.myspace.com/fakhrimubarak
“This year Mr. O is going to be very interesting. I’m going to name my top five and then hopefully make a pick, lol. Ronnie lost last year for the first time since 1998. We all know that Ronnie has been training his ass off all year long to regain that title. That man is not human. He’s from another planet. He took the sport to a completely new level and has forced everyone else who wants to follow him to do the same. I’m scared to see what he will look like this year when his space ship lands in Vegas and he walks on stage.
On the other hand Jay is not going to want to lose the title after so many years in second place. Jay has always been the ultimate professional in this sport. Every year he has improved to eventually becoming Mr O last year. That’s the dream of every bodybuilder, to be Mr. O. Now that he has achieved that he isn’t about to relinquish the title of the world’s greatest bodybuilder.
Next up is my boy from N.Y, this years Arnold Classic winner Victor Martinez. I’ve seen Big Vic compete since he was an amateur. I was there in N.Y to see him get he’s pro card in 2000 and now he’s one of the top 3 or 4 best bodybuilders in the world. Victor is a great guy and deserves all the success. Even Mr. Ronnie Coleman said that one-day Vic would be Mr. O. Man that’s some pressure but Victor can handle it!
You can’t name a top 5 in the Olympia without including my homeboy Dexter Action Jackson. Dexter just brings it each and every time. The man has also worked very hard to achieve what he has. Dexter just enjoys being a bodybuilder. He brings that small jointed round muscle belly look that just pops out at you and makes you say WOW!
Rounding out my top five is the X MAN. BIG Tony Freeman. A few years ago my friend and I were talking about who we thought would be the next bodybuilder to make the type of leap Ronnie Coleman did around 1996/1997. We both said it would be Mr. Freeman. He always had the X look but just not the freaky size. He’s a tall big man and needed to fill in. Let me tell you something over the last 2 years he has put on that crazy freak look it takes to be considered the best of the best.
Okay so my predication for the 2007 Mr. Olympia is. Drum roll please…………….I’m going with Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman in a tie. Yeah Yeah Yeah I know I punked out but honestly it’s a toss up. Who ever brings that nasty grainy sliced dry hard look we all desire, as bodybuilders will win the 2007 Mr. Olympia. Good Luck guys!!!!!!!!!!”
The beautiful AVA COWAN gives her picks:
“My top 5 pick for Mr. Olympia if everyone is at their best:
1. Ronnie Coleman
2. Jay Cutler
3. Victor Martinez
4. Melvin Anthony
5. Darrem Charles”
Here is ROB CARBO, a contributing writer here at bodybuilding.com:
rob carbo- Carbonics Training Co.
The King is dead long live the King!!!
www.realgainz.com/RobCarbo
“Olympia 2007 prediction. Hmmmm!! Jay Cutler upset the applecart last year by becoming the 13th winner in the 42 yr history of the Mr Olympia. I think that can be a good thing. It opens things up again for the likes of Jay, Ronnie, Victor Martinez, Dexter Jackson, Melvin Anthony etc.
We can possibly see a re-occurance of the yrs between 1979 and 1984 when for the only time in O history there was a different winner each year for 5 years running. I think this is going to be very exciting and I am looking forward to it. I will be there, Tracey, to see the new King crowned. With that being said, I think the winnerrrr and newwww 2007 Mr Olympia will be……………………RONNIE COLEMAN !!! Heck I’m a powerlifter and the man is strong as hell, I’ve alway’s been a Muhhamed Ali fan You know- The Greatest of alllll time !!”
Next up is MONICA STARR, fitness model:
www.monicastarr.net
“Once again, the amazing Olympia is here! This is one heck of a show that draws in some awesome competitors! I have my favorites, just like everyone else. All the competitors work hard to meet their goals so that they are the best ones up on that stage. They diet. They workout. They focus. They strive for the best! There are so many wonderful people competing this year and trying to predict will be difficult. But with that said…Here are my picks:
Mr. O — Ronnie Coleman
Ms. O — Iris Kyle
Fitness O — Jenny Hendershott
Figure O — Jenny Lynn”
RON STONE, fitness model, makes his prediction:
www.ronstone.net
“I would have to go with Jay Cutler. He always looks awesome and deserves it. Super nice guy too. I’m a big fan.”
ARMOND SCIPIONE, fitness model, says:
www.ArmondScipione.com
www.Bodyspace.com/ArmondScipione
“Assuming everyone shows up in shape, here are my top 5:
1. Ronnie Coleman
2. Jay Cutler
3. Victor Martinez
4. Dexter Jackson
5. Melvin Anthony”
Rob Kreider, trainer and model, predicts:
www.robkreider.com
“RONNIE COLEMAN will WIN….fo sure….If Ronnie dials it in smaller..he will win. Jay is blocky and will probably think he needs to be even bigger this year and get even blockier….nuff said… if ronnie dials it in smaller/tighter as he did when he won the arnold classic…its a done deal…if he plays the size game like last year….he will be hanging up his posing trunks.”
So, bodybuiding fans, what say you!? Who will win in the Olympia 2007!? Leave a comment and make your predictions for Fitness, Figure and/or Bodybuilding!!
Post by:
arieseyes
Posted in Olympia, Predictions, Gossip, Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, Figure, Fitness
Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
Here’s an updated (but pre-Europa) list of athletes qualified to compete at the 2007 Olympia. (Qualified doesn’t mean that they will compete, only that they can if they choose to.)
2007 Olympia Qualified Athletes:
MR. OLYMPIA
1. Eddie Abbew United Kingdom
2. Melvin Anthony USA
3. Gustavo Badell Puerto Rico
4. Darrem Charles Trinidad
5. Ronnie Coleman USA
6. Jay Cutler USA
7. Mark Dugdale USA
8. Toney Freeman USA
9. Kai Greene USA
10. Marcus Haley USA
11. Phil Heath USA
12. Dexter Jackson USA
13. Dennis James Germany
14. Victor Martinez Dominican Republic
15. Desmond Miller USA
16. Ronny Rockel Germany
17. Markus Ruhl Germany
18. Silvio Samuel Saviour Spain
19. Sergey Shelestov Russia
20. Vince Taylor USA
21. Branch Warren USA
22. Dennis Wolf Germany
23. Hidetada Yamagishi Japan
MS. OLYMPIA
1. Lisa Aukland USA
2. Dayana Cadeau Canada
3. Valentina Chepiga Ukraine
4. Sarah Dunlap USA
5. Stephanie Kessler USA
6. Iris Kyle USA
7. Antoinette Norman USA
8. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia Venezuela
9. Betty Pariso USA
10. Heather Armbrust USA
11. Bonny Priest USA
12. Annie Riviecco USA
FITNESS OLYMPIA
1. Regiane Silva Germany
2. Heidi Fletcher USA
3. Adela Garcia-Friedmansky USA
4. Tracey Greenwood USA
5. Jenny Hendershott USA
6. Amy Huber USA
7. Tanji Johnson USA
8. Kim Klein USA
9. Julie Lohre USA
10. Angela Monteleone-Semsch USA
11. Julie Palmer USA
12. Julie Shipley-Childs USA
13. Stacy Simons USA
FIGURE OLYMPIA
1. Sonia Adcock USA
2. Gina Aliotti USA
3. Suzanne Bock Germany
4. Monica Brant USA
5. Gina Camacho USA
6. Chandra Coffey USA
7. Mary Jo Cooke-Elliott USA
8. Jeanette Freed USA
9. Amy Fry USA
10. Bernadette Galvan USA
11. Adela Garcia-Friedmansky USA
12. Jennifer Gates USA
13. Celeste Gonzalez Spain
14. Danielle Hollanshade USA
15. Mary Elizabeth Lado USA
16. Amber Littlejohn USA
17. Jenny Lynn USA
18. Shannon Meteraud USA
19. Inga Neverauskaite Lithuania
20. Nicole Pitcher-Scott United Kingdom
21. Christine Pomponio-Pate USA
22. Zivile Raudoniene Lithuania
23. Felicia Romero USA
24. Amanda Savell USA
25. Tara Scotti USA
26. Valerie Waugaman USA
27. Latisha Wilder USA
Note: Lists last updated 8/8/2007.
Post by:
bbcom_developer
Posted in Olympia, Gossip
Thursday, May 17th, 2007
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, Supplements, Random
Friday, October 20th, 2006
 Four “I Do’s” and two marriages happened in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Sunday, October 1st at Caesar’s Palace, right after the 2006 Olympia…
Our very own Masters World Champion, Bob Cicherillo married his wonderful fiancé, Tocha, and just a few short hours later, Figure Pro Jessica Paxson married bodybuilding rising star, Peter Putnam!
Caesar’s Palace is one amazing place to get married. All at once it is elegant, comfortable and huge, well fitted to marriages in the bodybuilding world. And you can always find a few extra special guests to add the right theme to the day.
Now, I truly don’t know how Bob was able to get on with the day. He had just spent a late night with post-Olympia business and my makeup artist and second photographer arrived at his suite at 7 AM to start getting the things going. So while the women were getting makeup and hair done, Bob and the guys, friends and family and myself, met downstairs for breakfast.
I was surprised to see most of Bob’s family already in tuxedos, but they were a pretty excited bunch and having a lot of fun. And not to be missed was Bob’s best buddy, Tom Prince.
It wasn’t too long in the restaurant, when we saw Jessica Paxson come in joining her family for breakfast. Jess was amazingly beautiful and, considering the weekend, really well composed! She had just been on stage competing and now she was going to be a bride in a few hours. Someone is going to have to check the record books and see if two competitor weddings have ever happened before on an Olympia weekend.
Time was getting close now - Bob & Tocha were due to get married at 12:30, so off to finish getting ready we went. Outside the entrance to the Terrazza Garden, it was my luck that I walked into the big three. No, not Jay, Ronnie and Victor…
The really big three - of BodyBuilding.com! Ryan, Jeremy and Russ DeLuca. Yes, these are the guys behind it and their wives. And a nicer bunch of people you will not meet.
BodyBuilding.com might be pretty big company, but it is a bunch of regular people behind it and that is one reason I like doing business with them and I hope all of you do, too.
As we all gathered in the garden, time moved forward (as it always does), the music played and a big smile crossed Tocha’s face as she walked down the aisle. I could also see a glint in the big guy’s eyes - Bob tends to be a very confident person, and I could see that he knew that this was the right woman and the right time. And before you knew it, Pastor Mike announced the new Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Tocha Cicherillo!
Everybody probably has some kind of idea as to who would be at a bodybuilder’s wedding as guests. But just like the rest of us, it is obviously a lot of family and friends. Bob has been a big name in bodybuilding for a long time, so we did find some other big names in the business at the ceremony and reception, which also was at Caesars.
I hope I don’t miss too many people, but we saw Peter McGough, editorial director for the Flex - Muscle & Fitness - AMI etc, Shawn Perine, senior writer for Flex and bodybuilding historian, Joe Antouri, founder of The Private Trainers Association and a man with always a kind word and smile, Mac McCabe, President of Egg Whites and Bob’s better in the game of golf, the always energetic Travis Chapman from The Fit Show.
Then there was this guy on his cell phone… Also having spent the night as co-emcee with Bob for the Olympia, Shawn Ray was present and accounted for, looking very fit. You might be wondering why Shawn is grinning and has his eyes closed. Well, finding Shawn on his cell phone is not that hard to do but I always seem to be there to take a photo when he is.
While Bob’s day was winding down, Jessica Paxson and Peter Putnam started their new life together. With family and friends from around the country, they were married only three hours after Bob & Tocha. This is a good looking couple with a great deal in common. And I must tell you that their families just seemed like one big family already.
We were all taken away by limousines to their reception where you could not have found a bunch of people having more fun. This is the type of thing that makes being the wedding photographer just great, you get to share with people one of the most important times of their lives. And I can’t tell you how much I enjoy Jessica and Peter and their familes.
Looking back on it, this was one very special Olympia - a lot happened. I was there in Las Vegas for six very big days and nights covering everything, a lot more than most people got to see. And I can tell you that everyone who came away from this Olympia felt it’s impact.
The Olympia changed for the better, regardless of how you feel about who won or lost. The show went great, records were broken, new winners were crowned, and the sport got a big boost. And two wonderful couples got married. Now, how are we going to top this for next year? Thanks!
Posted in Olympia, Experiences, Gossip, Live Coverage, Post-Show
Saturday, September 30th, 2006
I happened to arrive at the Orleans Arena right behind Ronnie getting out of his limo. So he and I walked down the hallway together and without anyone around. It was kind of interesting because you just don’t see the big guy by himself anymore.
Anyway it was me carrying all of my camera gear and Ronnie carrying his gym bag of stuff. Ronnie and I have talked before over the last few years and this time I asked him some questions and I said I would keep it between us. Nothing that couldn’t be repeated but that is what I said.
But I will say this, Ronnie did tell me without question that he will win. What do you think? You will be able to check out photos from tonight right here on Bodybuilding.com by about the time you finish reading this blog entry.
Posted in Olympia, Gossip, Mr. Olympia, Live Coverage, Contests, Men
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