The 20^th Anniversary of the Ironman Pro, promoted by John Balik and M.C.'d by Lonnie Teper, went off without a hitch at the L.A. Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles, California.  With most of the previous year's champions in attendance (and a special appearance by 6x Ms. Olympia Cory Everson), the night proved to as nostalgic as it was history making. 

1. SILVIO SAMUEL :  On the 20^th Anniversary of the Ironman Pro, Silvio Samuel avenged his 4^th place finish at the 2008 Ironman with a rather convincing win over Moe Elmoussawi (2^nd).  In doing so, Silvio added his name to the prestigious list of previous winners that included the likes of Flex Wheeler, Chris Cormier, Shawn Ray, Dexter Jackson, and Jay Cutler.   While Moe had Silvio beat in the mass department, it was Silvio's trademark striated glutes and diminutive waist that helped him secure his 4^th career pro victory.

2. MOE ELMOUSSAWI :  Despite some disagreement among those in attendance, in my mind Moe Elmoussawi brought a package good enough to secure 2^nd place over a much-improved Ronnie Rockel (3^rd).  While Moe may not have had the ridiculously shredded conditioning that he brandished last year, he still displayed a superior level of conditioning over the crowd favorite and slightly softer (from behind) Rockel.

3. RONNIE ROCKEL :  Ronnie Rockel surprised the entire line-up by bringing a look that was reminiscent of when he beat Lee Priest at the 2006 Australian Grand Prix.  Having said that, it must be noted that we still have yet to see the symmetrical German show up shredded from the front to back.  Rockel's glutes and ham conditioning still appear to be the one kink is his virtually invulnerable coat.

4. HIDETADA YAMAGISHI :  After a year of extreme misfortune, Hidetada Yamagishi bounced back in his first appearance of 2009 to snag one of coveted Mr. Olympia qualifications with his 4^th place finish.  While Hide was a tad bit smaller than last year, his waist looked to be about 2 inches smaller.  It was this symmetrical advantage in a line-up of bodybuilders that all seemed to be around the same weight that catapulted the Japanese sensation into the top 5.

5. AHMAD HAIDER :  Ahmad Haider didn't find himself in the first call-out; however, slowly but surely he worked his way up throughout the lengthy prejudging to surpass the insanely shredded Mo Bannout (7^th)and the much taller and thicker Eddie Abbew (6^th) by the time the night show had come and gone.  Despite being one of the smaller competitors onstage, his surreal abdominal development and superior conditioning swayed the judges in his favor on this California night.

6. EDDIE ABBEW

7. MOHAMED BANNOUT

8. MARK DUGDALE

9. MARCUS HALEY

10. JOHNNY JACKSON

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