Thirteen of the world’s best bodybuilders will take the stage in Columbus, Ohio this weekend for the 25th Anniversary edition of the Arnold Classic.
Go here to see the complete Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding lineup!
A rejuvenated Dexter Jackson, seeking his record-tying fourth Arnold Classic win, enters as the man to beat after vaulting himself back among the sport’s elite with two blast-from-the-past outings to finish the 2013 season. The last time Jackson won in Columbus was in 2008, the same year he won his first and only Mr. Olympia title. Since then, Jackson’s career seemed to be on the decline – until last September’s Olympia, when Jackson placed fourth in what many believed to be his best condition since his Olympia win. Jackson solidified that outing with another stellar showing at the Masters Olympia in December to show that his best days are far from over.
Jackson’s toughest challenges should come in the form of two other over-40 standouts and an Arnold rookie looking to prove he has what it takes to stand out in a world-class lineup.
Toney Freeman and Johnnie Jackson both turned in impressive 2012 seasons. Freeman, 46, competed in a jaw-dropping eight contests last year while the 42-year-old Jackson, who competed in seven, wasn’t far behind. Jackson won the FIBO Power contest in Germany and placed second in three others while Freeman placed in the top three five times and finished seventh at the Olympia.
But the biggest threat to Dexter Jackson’s run at history could come from a 35-year-old Arnold rookie who has yet to prove himself at the highest level. Cedric McMillan has competed only four times in the IFBB since winning the Overall at the 2009 NPC Nationals, and only once in the last year and a half. But that one – a win at the always competitive New York Pro – was enough to convince some of McMillan’s enormous potential. If McMillan can live up to that in Columbus, he could join Rich Gaspari, Mike Ashley, Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone and Mike Francois as the sixth man to take home and Arnold Classic title in his first try.
Here, IFBB Judge Steve Weinberger breaks down the Men’s Bodybuilding Lineup.
Dexter Jackson “If this was the horse races Dexter would be the favorite. He’s the guy to beat because of his last showing in Florida. He was in great condition, his shape was great, and he was big again. He was the Dexter of old.”
Cedric McMillan “Dexter is the favorite, but the most dangerous one in the lineup would be Cedric. He has as all the potential in the world to beat Dexter Jackson – amazing shape, amazing size. If he comes in condition, he could very well win this show. If he’s on, Dexter has his hands full.
Johnnie Jackson “If Johnnie’s legs ever come close to his upper body everybody better run for cover. His upper body is flawless. If Dexter is a little bit off and Cedric is soft, Johnnie could pull this off.”
Toney Freeman “Toney looked great in Florida [at the Masters Olympia]. He was right next to Dexter. You can’t count him out either. He’s got great size, he still comes in great condition and he is always a threat. You can never count him out.”
Hide Yamagishi “Hide always comes in shape and he’s always dangerous. Always. He broke his wrist but that injury – if he can still pump his arms it shouldn’t be that muc of a factor. It depends on how bad he broke it. Two weeks out it’s mostly just diet and posing – you’ve already done the work.”
Ronnie Rockel, Michael Kefalianos, Ben Pakulski, Fouad Abiad “The next tier, you’re looking at Ronnie Rockel, Mike Kefalianos, Ben Pakulski, Fouad, Hide and Ed Nunn.
Ben has great legs. If his upper body great just a little bit he’s gonna be very dangerous. He could be right there. He could be the shock of the show. Fouad is another dangerous guy if he’s on, but last time he missed his peak. Ronnie and Michael, both of those guys try to get too big and it throws their bodies off. If they can stop worrying about that, they could be up there in the top four or five. And Ed Nunn came out of nowhere last year and did really well.”
The Field Fred Smalls, the last couple of shows he wasn’t in condition. Marcus Haley, you never really know what to expect out of him. That’s what’s going to make this show interesting. You think Dexter should win, but if Dexter isn’t on … this is why we do it. Come Saturday anything could happen. Those top five spots are gonna be very hard. These guys are all unpredictable.”
