Fun and Fitness: Say hello to my little friend - Mr. Olympia
After a few weeks of brief disappointment, I can now share the story about what had caused my grief. Las Vegas was supposed to play host to some very important people over the September 29 — October 1st weekend. These special guests included friends of mine as well as my self. I swear to God I would have dropped two grand at the casinos and I'm the worst gambler ever. For that reason alone, I was probably better off not going as was originally planed. I guess I can thank my loser friends for not keeping their word as well as their whiney ass girlfriends who didn't want them to have fun. I realize there will be many other opportunities for Vegas. The real reason I'm disgruntled is because history was made that weekend in Vegas!
Las Vegas is the home stage for showcasing Joe Weider's Mr. Olympia Contest. The Mr. Olympia contest has been around since the sixties but this year's contest entailed something special. Ronnie Coleman, eight time Mr. Olympia was attempting to win his 9th consecutive record breaking title. Lee Haney had won it eight consecutive times and Arnold Schwarzenegger had notched in seven overall victories as well. Coleman came in this contest as big as ever and nearly closed in on the 300 pound mark! I'm pretty sure 300 pounds of man speaks for it self, but to put things further into perspective, Arnold used to win the Olympia contests weighing in at around 240 pounds! Needless to say, they just keep getting bigger.
His Arch Nemesis, Jay Cutler was trying yet again to upset Coleman. Cutler has been runner up to Coleman on four separate occasions. The closest he ever came to dethroning the Champ was in 2001 and even that contest was an obvious nod to Ronnie. 2006 proved to be more intriguing as Cutler took the stage with the great conditioning he had in 2001 as well as some added quality mass.
So there they stood side by side as they have on so many occasions. It was clear that everyone else was contending for 3rd place. The rest of the competitors nabbed their rightful standings as the crowd anxiously awaited the announcement of runner up which would determine the overall winner. As predicted, Coleman and Cutler placed first and second — but not respectively!
Jay Cutler made history by upsetting the man who was looking to get his ninth time record breaking title. Ronnie Coleman became significant for all the wrong reasons as no other Mr. Olympia had gone out in similar fashion. I've heard from several sources that the crowd was in a frenzy of applause as Jay Cutler earned what was rightfully his that night. Big Ron showed up well, but he wasn't at his peak in terms of conditioning. Jay on the other hand recaptured his best ever conditioning as well as an improved overall size and shape.
It was simply the fair and right decision that was given to the better man on that particular night. Will Ronnie Coleman come back next year hungrier than ever to take back his 9th and record breaking title? Will Jay Cutler successfully defend his first ever Olympia title? Only time will tell. I do know one thing that's for certain. Over 90 per cent of us here at Fanshawe have no desire to be as big and muscle bound as Jay Cutler, but over 90 per cent of us wish we consistently had the drive and determination that he possesses. Many people would bow out and lose their drive after so many runner-up finishes, but not Jay. He kept coming back for Ronnie until he finally got what he had been working so hard for over the years.
To think, I could have been a part of bodybuilding history. THAT is why I was upset. Yet, I'm very happy for one man. Congratulations to 2006 Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler!
Las Vegas is the home stage for showcasing Joe Weider's Mr. Olympia Contest. The Mr. Olympia contest has been around since the sixties but this year's contest entailed something special. Ronnie Coleman, eight time Mr. Olympia was attempting to win his 9th consecutive record breaking title. Lee Haney had won it eight consecutive times and Arnold Schwarzenegger had notched in seven overall victories as well. Coleman came in this contest as big as ever and nearly closed in on the 300 pound mark! I'm pretty sure 300 pounds of man speaks for it self, but to put things further into perspective, Arnold used to win the Olympia contests weighing in at around 240 pounds! Needless to say, they just keep getting bigger.
His Arch Nemesis, Jay Cutler was trying yet again to upset Coleman. Cutler has been runner up to Coleman on four separate occasions. The closest he ever came to dethroning the Champ was in 2001 and even that contest was an obvious nod to Ronnie. 2006 proved to be more intriguing as Cutler took the stage with the great conditioning he had in 2001 as well as some added quality mass.
So there they stood side by side as they have on so many occasions. It was clear that everyone else was contending for 3rd place. The rest of the competitors nabbed their rightful standings as the crowd anxiously awaited the announcement of runner up which would determine the overall winner. As predicted, Coleman and Cutler placed first and second — but not respectively!
Jay Cutler made history by upsetting the man who was looking to get his ninth time record breaking title. Ronnie Coleman became significant for all the wrong reasons as no other Mr. Olympia had gone out in similar fashion. I've heard from several sources that the crowd was in a frenzy of applause as Jay Cutler earned what was rightfully his that night. Big Ron showed up well, but he wasn't at his peak in terms of conditioning. Jay on the other hand recaptured his best ever conditioning as well as an improved overall size and shape.
It was simply the fair and right decision that was given to the better man on that particular night. Will Ronnie Coleman come back next year hungrier than ever to take back his 9th and record breaking title? Will Jay Cutler successfully defend his first ever Olympia title? Only time will tell. I do know one thing that's for certain. Over 90 per cent of us here at Fanshawe have no desire to be as big and muscle bound as Jay Cutler, but over 90 per cent of us wish we consistently had the drive and determination that he possesses. Many people would bow out and lose their drive after so many runner-up finishes, but not Jay. He kept coming back for Ronnie until he finally got what he had been working so hard for over the years.
To think, I could have been a part of bodybuilding history. THAT is why I was upset. Yet, I'm very happy for one man. Congratulations to 2006 Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler!
