by Craig Titus
2014 Mr. Olympia Preview
Wow, only about a month until the 50th Mr. Olympia takes place. It seems like only yesterday when Phil Heath took his third Olympia title and Jay Cutler dropped down to a respectable 6th place ending Cutler’s reign. Coming up already September 18th a record breaking $1.1 million dollars in prize money is up for grabs. Those running the IFBB should be thinking me I came up with the idea of physique divisions proving to generate enough money to offer $1.1 million in prize money at this year’s Olympia.
But credit must be given to whoever decided to make wearing a bikini a profession. On average there are more bikini division competitors then all other divisions and that adds up to a whole lotta money. Not to mention strip club owners all over America should be thanking the NPC and IFBB as well. That said; let me give you my 2014 Mr. Olympia preview. Firs, what I found to be a bit amusing back when I competed in the Olympia (2001-2002) was listening to other Pro’s sport off about how they planned to beat Ronnie Coleman. I found it amusing because back during Coleman’s dynasty, no one and I mean no one had a chance in hell of taking his title. For eight consecutive years it was a mighty battle for second place. Which brings me to this year’s Olympia…. And the Sandon goes to Phil Heath….period!!! Go ahead and cut the check now. Phil’s 3-D appearance and superb conditioning cannot and will not be matched. His full muscle bellies, muscle separation, small joints and outrageous detail are fucking ridiculous. One can clearly see why he’s called “the gift” because we’ve never seen a physique possessing that level of detail. It’s almost as if there’s no skin covering his muscle. Whatever combination of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Performance Enhancing drugs heath’s implementing is working perfectly for him. The only competitor Phil is competing against is himself. Unless heath decides to completely stop training and start eating pizza the last month into the show, no one and I mean no one stands a chance in hell of taking his title….. Circa Ronnie Coleman. This is the aspect of bodybuilding I find amusing. We all know it’s a foregone conclusion, especially amongst the judges that Phil Heath will win his fourth Olympia title. But regardless of reality, the other top six competitors are training with the hope and aspiration of somehow beating “the gift.” Hoping so badly he’ll slip up in his contest prep appearing on stage holding excessive water or come in severely flat. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still fun to watch, in fact this year’s battle for second place will be spectacular! That brings me to Kai Greene. Before I predict his placing let me first break down Kai and the other competitors ending with my placing predictions. Believe me when I say second thru sixth place it totally up for grabs. Like I’ve already stated, Phil Heath winning the Olympia is most definitely a foregone conclusion. So I think it’s safe to say we all know Kia Greene is a fucking beast! At 5’8 and weighing 260 lbs. in contest day shows he’s a deserving Olympia contender with plenty of muscle to spare. I can only hope he’s decided to cut off that ridiculous looking bun or horse tail or whatever that ill though out distracting piece of hair is on the back of his dome! Hopefully one of his friends has informed Kia as to how absurd it truly looks. That said, Kai Greene’s physique is extremely massive with full muscle bellies and no weak body parts to speak of. Even at 5’8 with as much muscle he possesses, Kai still displays a beautiful v-teper and excellent muscle separation. Kai still needs to find the correct AAS / PED formula to aid him in presenting a much dryer and conditioned package come contest day. Sadly, even if Kai’s spot on perfect he still doesn’t have the ability to beat Phil Heath. After all, Kai has the mass but Phil has “the gift” Dennis Wolf leaves me totally impressed with the improvements he’s made over the last couple of years. Wolf’s Arnold Classic’s win puts him in the judge’s minds making him a front runner for placing well this September. Dennis has packed on much needed mass to his lats, over all back and hamstrings however his calves are dismal in comparison to the rest of his physique possibly causing some athletes to look like 212 competitors. Wolf wills core high with both his front lat spread and front double bicep poses with a superb x-frame presentation. It also appears as though he’s changed up his AAS/PED formula giving him the ability to show case a much dryer physique while maintaining full muscle bellies. No doubt in my mind Dennis Wolf will be in the top six. Then you have the protégé of Dennis James, Mamdough Elssbiay is the proverbial x-factor of the 2014 Olympia. “Big Ramy” as he’s so appropriately called is going to introduce an entirely new dynamic into the Mr. Olympia race. If I know Dennis James, and I definitely do, Elssbiay will show up in the 280’s and more shredded then he’s ever been. Honestly, Big Ramy is going to crush some hopes and dreams this year. I know I said I would make my predictions at the end of my preview, but the truth be told Mamdough Elssbiay is my pick for second place! His unmatched size and muscle mass is something we haven’t seen since big Ronnie Coleman’s dynasty. Fact is Elssbiany is a freak with beautiful lines which hasn’t happened since Ronnie! And just like Phil Heath, Big Ramy’s AAS/PED implementation is spot on and working perfectly for his body. No one can argue Dennis James is an expert in regard to his knowledge and applications with steroids and other PED’s Mamdough choosing to train with DJ two months prior to the Olympia is going to pay off big time for the “big ramy.” His potential to become Mr. Olympia is blaintly obvious however it will not happen in 2014. Another pick for top six is Shawn Rhoden. Many Pro’s would argue Shawn doesn’t possess the necessary muscle mass to compete for the top spot. However, no one can argue Rhoden’s physique is beautiful! He has gorgeous symmetry and displays a ripped physique with excellent conditioning. Being that Rhoden is 40 years of age, as long as he doesn’t use diuretics as part of his AAS/PED program he’ll remain full and separated keeping the water within his muscle fiber. Shawn Rhoden may not ever become Mr. Olympia but truth be told he has one of the most beautiful physiques currently in the IFBB. Then you have the most consistent bodybuilder competing today with his trade mark spot on conditioning, Dexter “the blade” Jackson. Dexter will no doubt be well conditioned and graining looking, displaying full round muscle bellies with ridiculous insertions. His ability to achieve his perfect contest from time after time is second to no other bodybuilder and it’s utterly mind boggling. I’ve been told Dexter is bigger and put on muscle mass this year while working with Charles Glass. He continues to astonish fans and no doubt will once again leave an everlasting bad taste in the mouths of other Olympia competitors. His AAS/PED cycle have been working well for him over the years but now that he’s in his forties, Dexter may need to tweak his dosages of testosterone, HGH and other androgens to spike an increase in muscle mass. If I had to guess, that’s precisely the course of action took while preparing for this Olympia. Regardless, Dexter will be in the top six. Last but certainly not least is Victor Martinez. Assuming that Victor is competing in the Olympia after winning the Toronto Pro Show this year, he should place well. I’ve noticed Victor’s been slightly off with his conditioning in his last few competitions. Keep in mind placing fourth at the Arnold Classic is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. However Martinez is a warrior, he’s a serious competitor giving me the distinct feeling he’ll be the best Victor Martinez possible this September. I also agree his decision to pass on competing in the Arnold Brazil and N.Y Pro Show will be very beneficial to his Olympia presentation. As in the case with Dexter Jackson, because Victor’s 40 years old, he should be increasing his testosterone and other androgen dosages while staying away from heavy diuretics and insulin applications. Victor will place in the top seven with his full round muscle bellies, excellent separation and no weak body parts to point out.
Conditioning will be his deciding factor, here are my 2014 Mr. Olympia predictions:
1st- Phil Heath
2nd- Mamdough Elssbiay
3rd- Kai Greene
4th- Dennis Wolf
5th- Dexter Jackson
6th- Shawn Rhoden
7th- Victor Martinez
I believe 7th thru 10th place is a crap shoot with Martinez, Juan Morel, Steve Kuclo, and Johnnie Jackson.
If you have a question for Craig Titus please send an email via our contact form.
Craig Michael Titus was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on Jan 14, 1967. The eldest of Michael and Sandra Titus’ three children. In high school, Craig wrestled for his school team at 132lbs. After graduation, decided to put on some muscle via weight training. When Craig graduated from high school he was 5’6″ and 140lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5’9″ and 185lbs. Once he started weight training and seeing results, he was hooked. Craig’s first bodybuilding show was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships in which he won the Men’s Open middleweight class and the overall title.
Competitive Record
2002 Mr. Olympia – 11th
2002 Night of Champions XIV – 5th
2002 Southwest Pro – 7th
2001 British Grand Prix – 9th
2001 Mr. Olympia – 12th
2001 Arnold Classic – 6th
2001 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 2nd
2001 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 5th
2000 Toronto Pro – 1st
2000 Arnold Classic – 10th
2000 Night of Champions – 11th
2000 Ironman Pro Invitational – 8th
1996 NPC USA Championships — 1st Heavyweight and Overall
1995 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC National Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1993 NPC USA Championships — 4th Heavyweight
1991 NPC Ironman/Ironmaiden — Overall
1990 NPC Tournament of Champions — 3rd Heavyweight
1990 NPC Western Cup — Overall
1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships — Overall
