I was there at the '97 O - when yates turned around to show his back it was over - done. clear winner.
I agree. I have watched the 1997 video several times, and I disagree with NarcissisticDeity here. I do think that Dorian deserved to win, because his left arm, the torn one, didn't look torn at all for whatever reasons and he was clearly the most muscular and conditioned bodybuilder at that contest. Undisputably.
I was at the 1996 Olympia, and a strong case could be made that Nasser defeated Dorian in overral muscularity that year, since he was 30 lbs heavier. Dorian still deserved to win, though, because he had less bodyparts missing than Nasser and his conditioning was simply ridiculous.
At the 1997 Olympia, though, Dorian made Nasser look small at the same bodyweight. Also, Nasser's frame is bigger and he was softer, so Dorian was obviously packing far more muscle.
Dorian might have lost the side and front relaxed rounds due to his distended midsection and horrible thick waist, but his side mandatories were not affected. He overwhelmingly dominated the rear and front lat spread and back double biceps; his side triceps was arguably the most muscular ever and would have been perfect if not for the gut. His abs-and-thighs was not as spectacular as in the previous year, because his waist was thicker and his abdominals less defined, but it was incredible for a 270 lbs guy.
A strong case could be made that he lost the symmetry round, because his distended gut was visible from the side and his taper was atrocious from the front. Yet, he was so far ahead of the rest in muscularity that it was ridiculous. Only 280 lbs Fux came close, and he looked like marschmellow next to Diesel. I think that Dorian won the 97 O, but I accept the opinion of those who think he should have lost, because it truly was a very, very hard call - despite the straight-firsts scores from all the judges across the board.
SUCKMYMUSCLE
