CREDIT: CHARLES LOWTHIAN
Phil Heath (left) and Kai Greene flex for victory.

Las Vegas played host yet again to another exciting Mr. Olympia contest. The end of September competition included several individuals who really brought their Agame in terms of overall size AND conditioning.

Many felt this year's contest was diluted because the four-time winner, Jay Cutler, had to back out due to an injury. However, Phil Heath beat out Cutler for the 2011 title and many believed Kai Greene would prove to be Heath's true obstacle to repeating in 2012.

The history of the Mr. Olympia contest is rather interesting. In a sport where judges determine the winner, you are always going to have fans in disagreement. But you also get people who believe in conspiracy theories, which is a common controversy in boxing. However, bodybuilding is a rare sport in which age actually plays in the athlete's favour. With years of consistent training comes significant gains in strength, size, detail and overall quality. The Olympia contest began in 1965, and there have only been 13 winners in its 47-year existence! This fact alone proves that the winners typically get better and better as the years go on, making them even more difficult to beat.

Heath was looking to repeat for his second title and Greene was hoping to become the 14th ever Mr. Olympia. Canada's Big Ben Pakulski from Toronto qualified for this year's Olympia after finishing with several high placings throughout 2012's earlier body building contests. Although he looked absolutely fantastic and brought his incredible trademark legs and shoulders, he wasn't able to break into the top five. Sure enough, the final two individuals battling for the top spot were Heath and Greene.

I think it's safe to say most spectators would agree that the right man won. Greene looked absolutely fantastic during the Friday prejudging and seemed to even edge out Heath. But during the finals on Saturday, Heath's body seemed to peak at just the right moment and although Greene was absolutely awesome in his solo posing routine, differences were clear when the two of them stood side by side.

Heath's overall back thickness and detail was enough to put him over the edge, and his undeniable shoulder and arm mass sealed the deal. Greene also seemed to lose energy and steam near the end when it really mattered, and in a contest this close, every bit of your presentation counts in the eyes of the judges.

Heath went on to win his second Sandow trophy. I don't think too many people would have scratched their heads if Greene pulled off the victory, considering the great quality he brought to stage. But Heath has this appealing quality in the roundness of his muscle bellies. It gives him a distinct image akin to a cartoon character or superhero that we have all grown accustomed to since we were little kids.

Next year will be an exciting one when a healthy and hungry Cutler returns to the mix. In the meantime, congratulations, Phil Heath! It was a truly deserved win and the rightful man has been crowned Mr. Olympia.