Martinez Leads 2009 Arnold Classic Field

Victor Martinez will make his comeback debut on the stage where he scored his last victory as he leads the 13-man field at the 2009 Arnold Classic. Martinez stopped Dexter Jackson’s win streak at two in Columbus in 2007, then followed that up with a second place finish to Jay Cutler at the Mr. Olympia the same year. The 5’9″, 240-pounder from New York sat out last season after undergoing knee surgery around the first of the year.
In looking at the just-announced line-up, Victor will be entering the show as the favorite—but this will not be an automatic victory, to say the least. Kai Greene, the 2008 New York Pro champ and third place finisher at the 08 Arnold, is also making a comeback of sorts. Greene decided to sit out last year’s Olympia, so he will be well rested. The fellow New Yorker, at 5’8″ and 235 pounds, carries plenty of well-conditioned beef on his frame.
Then there’s Toney Freeman, who bounced back after a second place finish at the Atlantic City Pro (after winning the Tampa and Europa events) with a strong fifth place (and highly disputed) landing at the Olympia. IRON MAN Publisher John Balik said he would have had no problem if the 6’2″, 275-pound Freeman actually won the Olympia; IM photog Merv echoed the same sentiments.
Yet another comeback takes place with the announcement that Branch Warren will be on stage in Columbus. Warren, fourth last year in Ohio and twice the winner of the “Most Muscular” award at the ASC, has rebounded well from triceps surgery last year and says he’ll be at his all-time best.
Other notables in the field: Silveo Samuel, Dennis James and Moe Elmoussawi. And, remember, Jim Lorimer always picks one competitor not on the original list that shines bright at the IRON MAN.
Below is the entire list of competitors, sent out by Lorimer’s office this morning:

Gustavo Badell
Moe El Moussawi
Toney Freeman
Kai Green
Ahmad Haider
Marcus Haley
Johnnie Jackson
Dennis James
Victor Martinez
Ronny Rockel
Silvio Samuel
Sergey Shelestov
Branch Warren