Heath worth backing to claim third straight Mr Olympia crown
Published:Sergio Oliva, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Lee Haney, Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman. These are not only former winners of Mr Olympia, but bodybuilders to have triumphed in the contest at least three times in succession.
Phil Heath has the chance to add his name to this illustrious list with victory at the Orleans Arena and is the 4/9 favourite in the Mr Olympia betting to secure a third straight success.
It is in his conditioning where Heath tends to hold a slight advantage, while his muscle density may give him a slight edge.
However, his competition is certainly rife against a stacked field, with four-time champion Jay Cutler returning for another crack at the crown, alongside 2008 winner Dexter Jackson.
Cutler is 8/1 to win Mr Olympia for a fifth time, with his previous victories coming in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010, but he has been troubled by injuries in the past and it is a big ask to gain another triumph, especially at the age of 40.
The biggest challenge is liable to come from last year’s runner-up Kai Greene, although whether he can improve on the physique he brought to that competition is debateable.
This is Greene’s fifth attempt to win Mr Olympia and he has finished fourth, third and second in the past. If he is to improve on these results, conditioning will be key to go alongside his vast amount of muscle. Greene is 5/2 for victory.
If there is to be a surprise winner of Mr Olympia, Mamdouh Elssbiay seems the most likely candidate at 33/1.
He was largely unknown when winning the New York Pro earlier this year, where his sheer size and imposing nature gained him plenty of plaudits. Elssbiay can trump the field in size again in Las Vegas and this makes him a major player.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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