Great pics, Funk 51. There has been so much written about this particular competition, so many folks cannot understand how Sergio lost ---- BUT, you needed to be there to understand what went on. I was, all through the judging, and saw how things developed.
First let me say that I believe that there never was a fairer, more open and honest system of judging than that operated by the NABBA organisation at that time. I cant speak about now as I have not attended one of their shows for years. All athletes from any organisation were welcome to compete in the NABBA Universe, no one was barred simply because they were in the IFBB as it was then called, or any other organisation. Which is more than could be said of the IFBB then. NABBA was never a money making organisation, it had no "training principles ," to push by the head of the organisation, who, it appeared invented every know exercise known to mankind, no supplements to promote, it just cared about bodybuilding and the athletes.
NABBA was always about the athletes, and trying to do the best for them. Everyone was given a fair deal, and in all the NABBA Universes I witnessed, the judging process was painstaking, often taking many, many hours to complete. In those days, you could go and watch the judging the day before the show. The judging hall, if you could call it that, was quite small and you were very close to the athletes for many hours, enabling you to make an informed evaluation as to each athletes placing.
The judging was on the Friday before the Saturday show, and you got to the judging venue early to get a good seat as these were not reserved, so when the doors opened, you were in! sharpish. We always had breakfast and coffee in a cafe nearby, and that particular morning the place was crowded with bodybuilders, both competitors and spectators, helpers, judges, and even some normal people, the place was heaving. My mate and I were tucking into a full English breakfast, when in walks Bill Pearl and Leo Stern, who was his manager I believe. The whole place stopped, it was like God had just walked in, everyone was telling everyone else that Bill Pearl had just walked in. People who could not see him, stood up, every head was turned towards Pearl, some in that very British, reserved way, started to applaud him. Pearl was dressed in slacks and a loose fitting lumberjack type shirt, he looked huge, honest to God his legs sort of filled out his trouser legs so that his calves looked like they could burst the seems of his pants.
Deeply tanned, he smiled an almost shy, thank you smile, nodded to everyone around the cafe and then sat with Leo Stern at a table near us. You know, he was not just admired, he was loved, you could feel it, his aura sort of transcended the normal fan/star relationship, everyone in that cafe felt connected to Pearl. He ordered black coffee and talked to Stern.
I have just realised how much I have written, hope this is not boring as I have not mentioned the contest yet!
I think I will break it up into sections as some folks might find it hard going.