In case you haven't heard, Dexter Jackson won the Mr. Olympia title and there was a stunned hush throughout the land.
Followed by wild applause.
The stunning news was that Jay Cutler (the defending champion) showed up to his second Mr. Olympia in a row in less than stellar shape, leaving some to wonder if his best days of competing are behind him. His soft appearance at the Friday pre-judging left the judges with no choice but to select Jackson as a winner, lest they risk losing all credibility with the fan base.
In the end however the judges got it right, an oddity for the show, and there's a remarkably small amount of carping about the results in opposition to prior years.
If, like me, you are looking forward to next years' competitive season with anticipation instead of dread it could be because there's been a glimmer of hope in the judging this year, where the best physique has been rewarded with placings instead of the usual political decisions.
Good job to AMI and the IFBB for putting on a good show.
Other winners:
Ms. Olympia - Iris Kyle: After her Ms. International debacle (7th place after almost being disqualified for "boils" on her glutes) Iris needed a good showing here. When she's on she's the best in the land. She was on.
Fitness Olympia - Jenn Henderschott: I thought she retired? Guess not.
Figure Olympia - Jennifer Gates: Um...ok. Congrats. It's figure.
