ace2013-cartel-front-01.jpg
ARNOLD CLASSIC EUROPE 2013
Phil Heath (USA)
Alexey Lesukov (Rusia)
Fred Smalls (USA)
Shawn Rhoden (USA)
Dennis Wolf (Germany)
Roelly Winklaar (Holland)
Tony Freeman (USA)
Víctor Martínez (Dominican Republic)
Robert Piotrkowicz (Poland)
Baitollah Abbaspour (Iran)
Brandon Curry (USA)
Lionel Beyeke (France)
Kai Greene (USA)
Clarence De Vis (Belgium)
Oleg Emelyanov (Russia)
Hunnington Glanville (United Kingdom)
Michael Kefalianos (Greece)
Martin Kjellstrom (Sweden)
Carlos Asensio (Spain)
Source: http://arnoldclassiceurope.es/wp/en/
My Top 6 is in black/bold.
My predictions - 3 Upsets.
Wolf2013.jpg
1. Dennis "The Hungry" Wolf*
2. Phil "The Gift" Heath
3. Kai "The Predator" Greene
4. Shawn "Flexatron" Rhoden
5. Roelly Winklaar*
6. Lionel Beyeke*
This is Europe - it's not Vegas, it's not Columbus; it's in close proximity to Germany & Austria, where legions of German-speaking fans will prolly fill the rafters and cheer for Dennis Wolf. And it just won't be native fans, I've had a week to speak to people from all over the world via facebook, youtube, & email. There's literally a split right down the middle of people that believe Dennis Wolf had Kai in the pre-judging (and beat him for that matter.
I must admit, I've compared shots of Wolf & Kai, and I find myself preferring Wolf in all but one, MAYBE two shots.
And, the difference between Phil & Kai is mainly subjective - it's really about what you like. I honestly don't think Phil bested Kai on conditioning (any takers?), certainly not on posing (that's funny), and although I didn't see their individual routines, I doubt that or the night show really amount to that much anyways. If Dennis can beat Kai, he could just as well beat Phil.
The Fallout: A Windfall for All
If Dennis won the Arnold Classic Europe, it wouldn't have the same punch as winning in Columbus (as this contest is still in it's nascent stages; however, it would be a great way to add cred to it, as well as mobilize the European base).
Another reason I think this contest is Dennis' for the taking is b/c Phil & Kai are not going to go through hell & back. Imo one is content and one is resigned [to the placings in Vegas].
Back in the day, the Mr. O almost always (don't know of a single exception) won the string of Grand Prix shows following the Olympia. But is no GP show; this has Arnold's name on it!
Historically, the Champ & Runner-up just generally go through the motions. The European tours were mainly an enhanced guest posing of all the world's best. It's been funny though when someone actually wants to upset the apple cart though! There was that one year Markus Ruhl took a GP very seriously, placed 3rd, and nearly beat both Jay & Ronnie!!
When Dennis broke that Top 3 and the way in which he did (leaving many to believe he should have won), you can be sure he's going to be the hungriest man up on stage. I just don't think this is defcon 3 for Phil or Kai. I think they're just going to go through the motions, yawn a bit here or there, and get their asses kicked by DENNIS "THE HUNGRY" WOLF :D
Comments? Predictions?
Attached Images
Wolf2013.jpg
(95.2 KB)
ace2013-cartel-front-01.jpg
(21.0 KB)