Arnold Classic Lineup Announced

[tooncesthecat]

I found this on flex.com:

Invitations to the Arnold Classic, Fitness International, Figure International and Ms. International have been announced, and the lists reveal some great matchups in all four shows. The event, in its 20th year, will be held February 29-March 2 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio.

In all, 64 athletes were invited to compete in the four, with all but one of last year's winners, two-time figure winner Mary Lado (2006-2007), returning to defend their titles. (Lado has chosen not to enter this year.)

On the men’s side, the entire top six returns from a year ago, led by returning champ Victor Martinez. Martinez, the runner-up at the 2007 Olympia, returns hoping for a repeat performance of last year, when he edged past two-time winner Dexter Jackson (2005-2006). On the women’s side, three-time champion Iris Kyle leads the list of invitees, while first-time winner Kim Klein and three-time champ Jenny Hendershott headline the fitness invitees.

Arnold Classic
Melvin Anthony
Gustavo Badell
Adorthus Cherry
Toney Freeman
Kai Greene
Deshaun Grimez
Phil Heath
David Henry
Dexter Jackson
Johnnie Jackson
Victor Martinez
Desmond Miller
Ronny Rockel
Silvio Samuel
Branch Warren

Ms. International
Lisa Aukland
Tracy Beckham
Dayana Cadeau
Tazzie Columb
Iris Floyd Kyle
Kristy Hawkins
Rosemary Jennings
Debi Laszewski
Mah-Ann Mendoza
Colette Nelson
Yaxeni Oriquen
Betty Pariso
Brenda Raganot
Annie Rivieccio
Antoinette Thompson
Betty Viana-Adkins

Fitness International
Regiane Da Silva
Tina Durkin
Bethany Gainey
Tracey Greenwood
Oksana Grishina
Jen Hendershott
Kimberly Klein
Julie Lohre
Tanya Merryman
Mindi O’Brien
Julie Palmer
Stacy Simons

Figure International
Sonia Adcock
Gina Aliotti
Paola Almerico
Catherine Andersen
Natalie Benson
Monica Brant-Peckham
Amy Fry
Bernadette Galvan
Jennifer Gates
Deborah Leung
Juliana Malacarne
Kristal Richardson
Chastity Slone
Brenda Marie Smith
Briana Tindall
Valerie Waugaman
Latisha Wilder
Nicole Wilkins

[Insex]

My Prediction for the Arnold Classic 2008 (Men's Bodybuilding):

1. Victor Martinez
2. Toney Freeman
3. Dexter Jackson
4. Melvin Anthony
5. Jonnie Jackson
6. Silvio Samuel
7. Gustavo Badell
8. Branch Warren
9. David Henry
10. Phil Heath
11. Deshaun Grimez
12. Kai Green
13. Ronny Rockel
14. Desmond Miller
15. Adorthus Cherry

I pick Victor Martinez to win it in 2008, mainly because he won it the previous time in 2007. However, I expect it to be an extremely close match-up between Victor Martinez and Toney Freeman. What say the rest of you?

For women's figure, I'm rooting for Gina Aliotti, since she was a former classmate of mine.

[Italianangel]

so how to they base the gals they invite to the fitness?

[tooncesthecat]

Originally Posted by Italianangel

so how to they base the gals they invite to the fitness?

That's a good question. I looked around the official website and couldn't find an answer. If you really want to know, I found this contact information:

Our office is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern, 614-431-2600.

I don't know if they'll be able to answer either or they might just be a front office for the venue.

Anyway, I am looking forward to attending the event. It's probably the only time of the year I am thankful to live in Dayton, OH!

[tooncesthecat]

My humble predictions:

Victor Martinez
Dexter Jackson
Toney Freeman
Phil Heath
Silvio Samuel
Melvin Anthony
Johnnie Jackson
David Henry
Branch Warren
Gustavo Badell
Ronnie Rockel
Kai Greene
???

[buttafli]

Is anyone attending this year?

[tooncesthecat]

I'll probably be there. I'm thinking of going up Friday for the expo and back on Saturday for the men's finals and maybe a bit more expo. I live a little over an hour away, so I'm pretty lucky.

[KMKfan]

I believe Teresa Baggett will also be there...not sure which category she competes in. I think fitness, but not positive.

[buttafli]

If I can find a petsitter, I will be there Thursday evening.

[falconfootball]

Originally Posted by tooncesthecat

I found this on flex.com:

Invitations to the Arnold Classic, Fitness International, Figure International and Ms. International have been announced, and the lists reveal some great matchups in all four shows. The event, in its 20th year, will be held February 29-March 2 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio.

In all, 64 athletes were invited to compete in the four, with all but one of last year's winners, two-time figure winner Mary Lado (2006-2007), returning to defend their titles. (Lado has chosen not to enter this year.)

On the men’s side, the entire top six returns from a year ago, led by returning champ Victor Martinez. Martinez, the runner-up at the 2007 Olympia, returns hoping for a repeat performance of last year, when he edged past two-time winner Dexter Jackson (2005-2006). On the women’s side, three-time champion Iris Kyle leads the list of invitees, while first-time winner Kim Klein and three-time champ Jenny Hendershott headline the fitness invitees.

Arnold Classic
Melvin Anthony
Gustavo Badell
Adorthus Cherry
Toney Freeman
Kai Greene
Deshaun Grimez
Phil Heath
David Henry
Dexter Jackson
Johnnie Jackson
Victor Martinez
Desmond Miller
Ronny Rockel
Silvio Samuel
Branch Warren

What the hell? I got left off the invite list AGAIN????

[tooncesthecat]

Originally Posted by falconfootball

What the hell? I got left off the invite this AGAIN????

If you shave your head, maybe you can convince them you're Vic Martinez. Just tell them you didn't need the knee surgery after all!

[tooncesthecat]

Originally Posted by buttafli

If I can find a petsitter, I will be there Thursday evening.

Where are you coming from?

[buttafli]

Atlanta, GA

[tooncesthecat]

Anybody else going to Columbus? Also, any other predictions about who might take the first place trophy?

[falconfootball]

Originally Posted by tooncesthecat

If you shave your head, maybe you can convince them you're Vic Martinez. Just tell them you didn't need the knee surgery after all!

I think my skin tone would raise a few eyebrows. Unless Vic suddenly turned into a pale Irish guy!

[Hans_Rachid]

Originally Posted by falconfootball

I think my skin tone would raise a few eyebrows. Unless Vic suddenly turned into a pale Irish guy!

With enough tanning lotion you should go unnoticed

[tooncesthecat]

Originally Posted by falconfootball

I think my skin tone would raise a few eyebrows. Unless Vic suddenly turned into a pale Irish guy!

Ava Cowan is working at the Dream Tan booth. I'm sure she'll hook you up!