Last year's Olympia Showdown proved that you don't need to be 250 pounds or more to rock the stage at bodybuilding's biggest weekend as Dave "The Giant Killer" Henry and the rest of the 202 Showdown competitors demonstrated that they have more than enough firepower to set the Vegas night ablaze.
With seven 202-under shows (versus 4 last year) leading up to the big showdown in Vegas, this year's contest is sure to be loaded with even more drama and suspense. Will defending champ Henry make it two in a row or will Kevin English and Flex Lewis, who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively at the 2008 rendition, return to try and turn the tables on King David.
Rookie pro Peter Putnam will look to join his good friend Lewis onstage and battle it out for his chance at professional glory. Also, look for Richard Jones, another former 2004 Mr. Olympia competitor, to return and fulfill the promise he showed years ago.
But the biggest question mark - and possible threat - might come from the blonde Thunder from Down Under, Lee Priest, who should make his official return to the IFBB in 2009 since being reinstated late last year. Priest, who vowed he would never step on an Olympia stage again, may have to eat his words as this year all 202 competitors will be introduced to the audience Saturday night on the Mr. Olympia stage. Then the top 5 will posedown and receive their awards to determine who will stand atop the mountain peak and for a brief moment, prove to the world that when it comes to size, 202 is all that matters.
Contest rules:
- Eligibility: Top 3 placing at a 2009 IFBB Pro League 202-under contest
(Pittsburgh Pro, New York Pro, Atlantic City Pro, Jacksonville Pro, Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, Europa Super Show and Houston Pro) - Competitors eligible for both the Mr. Olympia and 202 Showdown may compete in one show only. No crossovers allowed
- Judging and individual posing to take place September 26, Saturday afternoon, at Olympia Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
- All competitors will be announced on stage Saturday night during the Mr. Olympia finals
- Top 5 posedown and awards ceremony Saturday night during Mr. Olympia finals
- Special applications will be considered
| Olympia 202 Showdown Qualified | COUNTRY |
| Arntz, Jason | USA |
| Correa Da Silva, Eduardo | Brazil |
| Devis, Clarence | Belgium |
| Dim, Kris | USA |
| Dixon, Charles | USA |
| Dugdale, Mark | USA |
| English, Kevin | USA |
| Gee, Daryl | USA |
| Henry, David | USA |
| Hodgson, John | United Kingdom |
| Jackson, Tricky | USA |
| Lewis, James | United Kingdom |
| McQuay, Stan | USA |
| Powell, Lee | United Kingdom |
| Raymond, Jose | USA |
For more information, please e-mail 202ShowDown@MrOlympia.com.