Competing on this level and doing well has much to do with 'having paid dues' and aligning yourself, as a competitor, with people who have POWER in the sanctioning body. A head judge is a good friend to have, as that judge may very well suggest to the judging panel, behind closed doors, that a certain competitor or competitors, deserve a "very close look", and with the hierarchy being what it is a person who may not be deserving of good placing may very well be placed higher due to 'who they know, and what they've done'.
It takes a lot for a competitive athlete to bite their tongue and kiss the ass of certain people because that's the only way they have a chance of moving up the competitive ladder. We all know bodybuilders who have deserved to place better than they have, but don't due to the games that are played. Swallowing pride is not easily done, but some people are willing to do what it takes, regardless, to progress in a subjective contest.
A person who recently won their weight class at the state level asked the head judge, who happens to also be a well known NPC and IFBB judge, what he should do to improve. The reply was "Have XXXXXX XXXXX (an IFBB pro and 'trainer of champions who also happens to be 'like a brother' to the judge) do your prep for you (to the tune of $5K), do my show next year, and then we'll make sure you do real well the National stage."
The days of a Kevin Levrone walking out of nowhere to shock the bodybuilding world are gone. Competitiors are now groomed for success, whether deserved or not.
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