Arnold 2023

[1fst400]

I don’t think his midsection is any “blockier” than Jay’s was…

Jay had much better proportions, muscle density, symmetry, and better chest to trunk ratio. No contest.

 

[Biggerp73]

The two guys in the open lineup who have a chance to one day be something truly special are Andrew Jacked and Patrick Moore.

In classic, Ramon is already special, and imo should have already been a real threat to Bumstead, but the judges for some reason don't see it quite that way.

 

[Fleezy]

Can you guys imagine Nick pulling a vacuum like Lunsford?

Man.. that would be something to behold

 

[slesh]

Jay had much better proportions, muscle density, symmetry, and better chest to trunk ratio. No contest.

I’m not saying they 100% apples to apples - just that Jay was also blocky. Most white guys are. That’s just historical genetics.

 

[Biggerp73]

Just so I'm clear, I don't hate Nick. The guys arms are among the best in the history of the sport. As far as walking-around-in-a-tanktop physiques go, his is awesome AF. Sick thickness and roundness. And his side chest is one of the best in the business to be sure.

 

[1fst400]

I’m not saying they 100% apples to apples - just that Jay was also blocky. Most white guys are. That’s just historical genetics.

Lol, what?

 

[slesh]

Lol, what?

I knew this would be taken the wrong way. This isn’t racist. African Americans traditionally have thinner waistlines than caucasians.

 

[1fst400]

I knew this would be taken the wrong way. This isn’t racist. African Americans traditionally have thinner waistlines than caucasians.

I didn’t take it as racist. I just don’t understand the phrase, “that’s just historical genetics.” What is “historical genetics.” You don’t sound racist, you just sound silly.

 

[slesh]

I didn’t take it as racist. I just don’t understand the phrase, “that’s just historical genetics.” What is “historical genetics.” You don’t sound racist, you just sound silly.

Silly? There are a of bunch studies you can read online about West African genetics. And just anecdotally look at Jay, Dorian, Nick compared to Ronnie, Flex, Shawn Rhoden, Andrew Jacked…

Black men with a high degree of West African genetic ancestry tended to have a lower waist circumference and waist-hip ratio, indicating they have less central adiposity or abdominal fat than did black men with a lower degree of West African genetic ancestry.

Study shows that black men with more West African genes have lower risk of obesity

Among black men, those with a high degree of West African genetic ancestry have less abdominal fat than those with a lower degree.

www.uab.edu

Abdominal adiposity values associated with established body mass indexes in white, black and hispanic Americans. A study from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey - PubMed

The lack of higher WC values in blacks (particularly women) and hispanics at the same levels of BMI for whites challenges previously held assumptions regarding the role of abdominal adiposity in cardiovascular disease experienced by non-whites. Defining the anthropometric variables that...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[emeric delczeg]

Looks like Nick Walker got the message that he was too blocky and tried to work on it, but instead of making his X frame more dramatic by doing vacuums all day and working on his posing, he just reduced his calories and is going to come in a smaller version of his self without having improved his aesthetics to a significant degree.



View attachment 171683View attachment 171685View attachment 171684

Smart decision.

 

[TrippplePPP]

I would say Nick really listens to criticism as aims to correct. He really has been consistent.

 

[slesh]

Gaspari just posted stage shots. Top 3 Nick, Andrew and Sampson.

 

[frygator]

Watched the live stream-top 3 in no particular order is Nick, Samson, Andrew. The final callout was just those three, and they each got a turn in the middle.

 

[Biggerp73]

I would say Nick really listens to criticism as aims to correct. He really has been consistent.

But he didn't actually correct his fault. Midsection is as wide and big as ever.

Andrew Jacked looks the best out of the top 3. He should get the win.

 

[1fst400]

But he didn't actually correct his fault. Midsection is as wide and big as ever.

Andrew Jacked looks the best out of the top 3. He should get the win.

Agreed. Nick sucks and not worthy of being called a champion. He needs to just go away.

 

[slesh]

Don’t want to be hyperbolic but I think over the next year or two Andrew has a chance to obtain a physique somewhere between Ronnie and Flex

 

[Fleezy]

Don’t want to be hyperbolic but I think over the next year or two Andrew has a chance to obtain a physique somewhere between Ronnie and Flex

He’s already better than flex imo

 

[Biggerp73]

Don’t want to be hyperbolic but I think over the next year or two Andrew has a chance to obtain a physique somewhere between Ronnie and Flex

I agree. Dude has crazy potential. Just needs to maintain that waist. His obliques could easily pop out if he isn't careful.

He’s already better than flex imo

Not yet .

 

[TheOtherOne55]

My 2 cents:

Nick is the hardest and most conditioned. But he downsized slightly and his quad sweep is hurting him. Makes his waist look even bigger. He wins all the back and side shots tho.

Samson is the most complete but I feel like he was slightly fading toward the end. If he can dial his condition in this next year one more notch I think he’s the best BBer on the planet.

Andrew takes all front shots and made insane improvements working with Aceto and Psycho (his trainer here in LA). Way better back now and the most overall pleasing physique to the eye. Got harder during prejudging too.

And honestly, I feel like Ramy is getting slightly shafted. They needed to put him next to Andrew and Samson. He’s bigger and better than the O and cleaned himself up. I’ve heard from several people that he missed the mandatory guest posing and Manion was pisseddd. They put him in unfavorable comparisons and if I were him, I’d be pissed.

 

[Biggerp73]

My 2 cents:

Nick is the hardest and most conditioned. But he downsized slightly and his quad sweep is hurting him. Makes his waist look even bigger. He wins all the back and side shots tho.

Samson is the most complete but I feel like he was slightly fading toward the end. If he can dial his condition in this next year one more notch I think he’s the best BBer on the planet.

Andrew takes all front shots and made insane improvements working with Aceto and Psycho (his trainer here in LA). Way better back now and the most overall pleasing physique to the eye. Got harder during prejudging too.

And honestly, I feel like Ramy is getting slightly shafted. They needed to put him next to Andrew and Samson. He’s bigger and better than the O and cleaned himself up. I’ve heard from several people that he missed the mandatory guest posing and Manion was pisseddd. They put him in unfavorable comparisons and if I were him, I’d be pissed.

Good call. I agree with all of this except for Samson, who I think lacks the potential to be truly great. Something is off about his aesthetics, and he won't be able to make significant improvements in size without seriously messing with his shape.

With regard to Ramy, I think that may be indicative of a new change in judging. We saw at the Olympia a very different approach from what we are used to, with shape taking precedent over size.

Perhaps what we are seeing with Ramy might be a clue to how they will judge the top 3 as well. I can't see them shafting Ramy while awarding Walker. Both of them represent size at the expense of shape, so it wouldn't make a ton of sense imo.