MR. OLYMPIA SHOW: FINAL WORDS
Plus: Cormier Responds to Rumors
FINAL WORDS: OLYMPIA COMPETITORS SOUND OFF
Team FLEX worked the phones the last few days and recorded the final thoughts of most of the Mr. Olympia competitors. Here's what they said before the Big Dance, along with their projected bodyweights.
Art Atwood: "Top five is what I'm shooting for and that's what I expect to get. The contest is wide open and I plan to make a huge impression in my Mr. Olympia debut." Projected bodyweight: 267-270 pounds.
Orville Burke: "I will come into the show bigger and in better condition than last year. I will not predict my placing. My goal is to finally get the respect that I deserve." Projected bodyweight: 260 pounds.
Bob Cicherillo: "After 16 years waiting for this, I'm ready to rock the house. I'll give people something to look at: a combination of symmetry, mass, everything. I'll be 250-255, dry as a bone."
Ronnie Coleman: "I will be in the best condition of my career. Every year I get close to hitting my target and something goes wrong. Last year, I did a photo shoot the day before the contest and that prevented me from peaking. This time I will save all my energy and conditioning for the stage." Projected bodyweight: 260 pounds.
Chris Cormier: "I'm looking at coming into the contest with a little bit more mass than I've previously shown. I'm looking forward to being able to compete with Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman." Projected bodyweight: 258 pounds.
Nasser El Sonbaty: "I want to be back in the top six. I will come in carrying my usual mass. Previous results don't matter; so I don't want to talk too much. I'd rather put all my effort into my preparation for this year's contest. I don't have a target weight. My goal is to come in big."
Dexter Jackson: "I plan to finish in the top five-period." Projected bodyweight: 218 pounds
Dennis James: "I'm already tighter than I was last year. Shawn Ray's predicting me for top six, possibly top four. My waist is tighter. I have more back detail, and my quads are more separated than they've ever been. I look my best ever." Projected bodyweight: 250 pounds.
King Kamali: "I'm going to get anywhere between second and fourth place. That's my goal. Anything else would be a disappointment. I was 249 pounds last year; I'll be 257 this year, with 10% sharper conditioning than last time."
Kevin Levrone: "I don't know what bodyweight I'll be at. I make no predictions, just that the Kevin Levrone you're going to see will be a very entertaining experience. I've finally put my mind where my body is and linked the two together and become one. I feel good, man."
Lee Priest: "I don't have any last thoughts, except I am very hungry for food not for the title. I am just going in and do my best, that's all I can do. I know the top six will be crowded, as I see 20 guys are saying they are going to be in it, so who the hell knows." Projected bodyweight: 200-205 pounds.
Gunter Schlierkamp "I definitely think that I can make top 10. I would like to get a callout with Ronnie Coleman because I have more size this year. That would be interesting to me." Projected bodyweight: 300 pounds.
Ernie Taylor: "I'm the best I've ever been. I think I can be top 10." Projected bodyweight: 238 pounds.
Tommi Thorvildsen: "I go for number one, but I don't make any predictions. I think I can compete with the best guys. I have a few more tricks now." Projected bodyweight: 255 pounds.
Craig Titus: "I'm right on track and pretty f-king big! I'll be full, round and hard. I will not have any weak bodyparts. And, of course, I plan to put King Kamali in my rearview mirror and place ahead of him once and for all." Projected Bodyweight: 245 pounds.