He wanted this one – bad. Last year, when Jay Cutler lost the Sandow to Dexter Jackson, it seemed that the rumors of his inability to dial it in for the big show – Cutler barely eked out a victory over Victor Martinez in 2007 – might be true after all. Twice now, he had failed to peak on the one night when a champion is expected to bring no less than his best. Increasing the odds of Cutler never regaining the top spot was the long list of former Mr. Olympia’s who lost the Sandow and failed to win it back. Until now.
Maybe it took losing what he already had to push Cutler further than even he thought possible, because on Saturday, September 26 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Cutler beat the odds – again – to become Joe Weider’s 2009 Mr. Olympia, the first man in the history of the sport to reclaim the title.
Big, hard and dry with the sickest front quads in the show, Cutler brought his best physique since winning the Olympia in 2006 (maybe even surpassing his 2001 Olympia form, where he finished runner-up to Ronnie Coleman) with superior size and crisp detail from every angle. They say shows are won from the back and it was certainly the case here as he sported striated glutes and a tight lower back, that, coupled with his width and thickness, shut the lights on the competition. Now tying Sergio Oliva and Frank Zane as a three-time Mr. Olympia, Cutler has succeeded where so many others have failed.
The biggest surprise of the show was fan favorite Branch Warren in second. Warren was bigger than ever with the same level of grainy hardness he displayed earlier in the year at the Arnold Classic.
Third place went to Jackson, who’s supreme condition, perfect symmetry, shape and proportion was not enough to put him in the company of two-time Mr. Olympia winners Larry Scott, Franco Columbu and Cutler.
Kai Greene, who improved the longer he stayed onstage at last night’s prejudging, finished fourth in his Olympia debut. If he can continue to make improvements and show up with this customary detail and striations, there’s no place to go but up.
In fifth place, in what must surely have been a disappointment, was “The Gift,” Phil Heath. Heath, who suffered a stomach virus hours before Friday night’s prejudging (at one point, EMT’s were called in) dropped about eight pounds before taking the stage last night, but managed to show up much fuller and tighter for the finals tonight. Despite this minor speed bump, the promise in this young athlete remains limitless and there’s no question that he will fulfill his potential.
Sixth place went to Victor Martinez and spots seven through ten in the deepest Mr. Olympia lineup ever went to Ronny Rockel, Toney Freeman, Hidetada Yamagishi and Moe El Moussawi, respectively.
