Now I understand why the judges have to comply with the system and this is probably quite awful for those involved. I have judged contests in the past and there is absolutely no way I would change my decision because others asked me to do so. Once integrity goes the whole show becomes a circus and that is what we are seeing. They don't want or select independent judges with integrity. They need officials that will be sensible and do what is best for the sport!
Our Ron has been given privileges to take photos at contests so mixes with a lot of people including organizers, promoters, officials, judges, photographers, publishers and competitors. He told us Branch was the best. He would have picked this up from what he saw and heard around the scene at the contest and backstage.
You have to feel sorry for the winners and the losers who should have won because everyone involved loses when the wrong person wins. Supplement companies wield a lot of power and for products that are probably not necessary for bodybuilders. What a sad situation that all this misinformation is perpetuated by the magazines who rely on advertising to exist.
