Canada Again

Just returned from the 2010 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships. This is not really a review of the show, but a review of my trip. I have been going to the show annually since around 2004. That was the first year I worked with Same Zebib. He took his class and somehow lost the overall. The guy I thought may beat him, also lost the overall. His name as something like Abeedee. Ok, it was Fouad Abiad who would go onto be a very good pro. A few things that always bother me about the Canada’s is that they do not give out enough pro cards. It’s a big country with fairly deep talent in terms of bodybuilding but to throw out just a single pro card a year (sometimes two), I believe, discourages bodybuilders from sticking with it year after year. How many class winners, not overall winners, from the USA and Nationals have gone onto place well in pro shows? Lots. I try to put my feet in the bodybuilder’s shoes. If you are a light heavy, middleweight or welterweight, I am sure there is a “drive” there and determination to do your best, but if you get to “turn Pro” and stand on the stage next to the likes of Fouad, Bill Wilmore and the crew, I would think that’s an unbelievable motivation which actually helps you shape your mind set as well as your body. On the flip side, what’s the harm in giving class winner pro cards? The bantamweight at the nationals in the US turns pro and yes he gets to mix it up on a pro stage regardless of his lack of size. The much bigger class winners at the Canada show I just went to, with far more mass then the bantam and lightweight winners at our shows are not allowed to go pro. Does not make sense to me.

Regardless, a few amazing strengths of the Canadian Nationals. 1) Its always incredibly well organized and held in very good theaters. 2) The audience just seems incredible vocal and supportive 3) The judges work the athletes into the ground. I got a call from Troy Alves who asked “How’s the show going” I told him I was watching it right now and the judges were trying to figure out who would be last second to last and third to last in the class. In other words, they took the time and effort to figure out who should be “where” in the placings from first to last. 4) The best part is the comraderie. I do not think I have ever seen anyone at these shows thinking he’s the next Mr O or that these guys are beneath him. Athletes are just plain and imply, very nice to each other. That sounds cheesey and cheekee but I like it. It’s what bodybuilding (or part of) should be about because on show day, its 100% out of the hands of the competitor and into those of the judges. Really bodybuilding shows are about opinions. I have been to shows with a person where “my bodybuilder” won even though I thought he got a gift and looking at the score sheets (opinions) that bodybuilders won with two 4th place votes. The score card comes out to be an “average” of opinions. And Troy I know you are reading so for the record, the “opinions” were wrong at the Atlantic City ! Here’s the 3 guys I worked with for the Canda Show.

Sam Zebib 199 pounds - 4th Place- Light Heavy weight

Sam has all the muscle and condition to win and brought a good package altho0ugh I love him insanely huge circa 2005. What pushed him to 4th (my opinion) was his shape. He does not have the V Taper that the first guy had . That’s just the way it is, but check out some pics and you can appreciate his overall look. ---

 

Patrick Bernard 187 Pounds- 1st Place- Middle weight

You may have seen procard nutrition ads with Patrick in them. He took his class (middles ). This is the 4th time I worked with him. He was second time he has won his class and brought a good package. I really think he will do fairly well in the 202’s as a pro and I learned Canada is having some type of 202 pro qualifier this year so that may happen.

Ron Partlow 256 pounds- 2nd Place Super Heavy weight

Ron’s been around the block so many times I think he knows the exact numbers to every home, apartment or duplex in the neighborhood. He came into the show in very good condition but this is bodybuilding and, really, to come out with straight firsts you just have to be super cut with size. I think if he had more size then the argument could be made that “no way” should he have lost. When you have any deficiency (and everyone except a few pros have deficiencies) then its easy to make the argument that he can’t win the show. That’s what happened here. He had first, second and 3rd place votes which puts him in second where the winner had first and seconds.