Dennis James Could Be a Top-6 Olympia Wild Card
by Joe Pietaro

All of the names being spoken about as favorites to win or place high at the 2009 Mr. Olympia contest have made the rounds. No one is disputing that Dexter Jackson, Jay Cutler, Dennis Wolf, Phil Heath, Kai Greene and Victor Martinez will have something to say come September, but there’s one man who has been overlooked.

Dennis James may have just celebrated his 40th birthday, but has kept himself in top condition by competing in numerous contests every year since 2000. That year, he did six shows. DJ has only won one professional show (’01 IFBB Grand Prix Hungary), but done well enough to qualify for the Mr. Olympia nearly every year. His best finish came in 2003 when he took fourth place. Last year, James finished eighth.

Just last month, he finished as Evan Centopani’s runner-up in the New York Pro. His physique was outstanding but he lost out to the Trumbull, Connecticut native in his inaugural pro show.

Under the radar? That may be just the edge that James needs to sneak up on the competition and find himself in the $30,000 and over prize money range. He may not have what it takes to bring home the Sandow, but a top six placing against a line-up as deep as this one is going to be would be quite an accomplishment.