Author Topic: Did Branch deserve 4th at the recent arnold? (Read 3402 times)

HowieW · « **on:** March 20, 2008, 07:30:34 PM »

I saw both the PJ and night show finals , live and in person at the recent Arnold. Branch Warren won the most muscular and got the biggest crowd response of the show. he ended up in 4th overall.
I would have had him 1st or 2nd myself. The man was by far the most muscular and he had a taper with no bloat to his midsection. His lowerbody was incredible and he had an impressive taper in front and back lat. His back was thick and wide this time out. What do you think?
Howard

calmus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:32:23 PM »

No.

240 is Back · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:35:58 PM »

Maybe.

Smokincrazy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:36:43 PM »

top 2

HowieW · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:37:50 PM »

wow, some in depth physique critique and analysis here. You sure you guys are not sports journalists? hehe

chaos · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:38:57 PM »

Quote from: HowieW on March 20, 2008, 07:37:50 PM

wow, some in depth physique critique and analysis here. You sure you guys are not sports journalists? hehe

We were talking about bodybuilding, not sports.

Thealmightyronald · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:41:05 PM »

He was the most muscular, probably first or second best condition(just as good as phil), vascular as all hell, proportioned, good presentation, and got 4th? I had him 1st or 2nd. Now that he's proportioned(upper half and lower half), I like his physique more than Dex's high skinny lats and no calves physique.

240 is Back · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:42:48 PM »

Quote from: Smokincrazy on March 20, 2008, 07:36:43 PM

top 2

Perhaps.

HowieW · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:44:48 PM »

Quote from: Thealmightyronald on March 20, 2008, 07:41:05 PM

He was the most muscular, probably first or second best condition(just as good as phil), vascular as all hell, proportioned, good presentation, and got 4th? I had him 1st or 2nd. Now that he's proportioned(upper half and lower half), I like his physique more than Dex's high skinny lats and no calves physique.

I agree and feel he is better balnced now then a lot of other pros that get placed higher due to better symmetry?
I think they place him lower as his physique is not as "pretty" and more freaky muscular.

Matt C · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:46:41 PM »

Quote from: HowieW on March 20, 2008, 07:30:34 PM

I saw both the PJ and night show finals , live and in person at the recent Arnold. Branch Warren won the most muscular and got the biggest crowd response of the show. he ended up in 4th overall.
I would have had him 1st or 2nd myself. The man was by far the most muscular and he had a taper with no bloat to his midsection. His lowerbody was incredible and he had an impressive taper in front and back lat. His back was thick and wide this time out. What do you think?
Howard

Definitely. I could have seen him winning the whole show. He was the biggest and most shredded bodybuilder on stage. Granted, his symmetry is lacking compared to Dexter's, but that is in part due to being much bigger. So it is not simply a structural issue. If Dexter weight 20 pounds more, his symmetry would suffer also.

Branch looked about as good this year as he did in 2006 when he came second and beat Victor Martinez (who looked incredible at the same show):

http://www.bodybuildingpro.com/2006arnoldclassicpumproomdvdreview.html

Just sick:

webcake · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:47:26 PM »

All i know is that Branch looked awesome and presented a really good routine. No dancing or pop locking, just heavy metal and a lot of most musculars. Cool routine.

Luinitari · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:52:26 PM »

While a 4th place finish may not seem to match in our minds to the physique Branch brought (certainly his best ever), but! this is the Arnold guys.. and there are a couple kids named Phil Heath and Dexter Jackson that definitely had Branch beat. Phil lacked Branch's conditioning(very close tho), but had him on symmetry and proportion. Dexter matched Branches conditioning while also besting Branch in the same areas as Phil. What about Kai then? This is where I the placings were not correct- I had Kai 4th with Branch up in 3rd.

Disgusted · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:53:41 PM »

His back has too much fat on it.

DeketheCreep · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:54:24 PM »

Branch looks sick here

Thealmightyronald · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:54:55 PM »

Quote from: HowieW on March 20, 2008, 07:44:48 PM

I agree and feel he is better balnced now then a lot of other pros that get placed higher due to better symmetry?
I think they place him lower as his physique is not as "pretty" and more freaky muscular.

Yep. Shredded conditioning and striationville all over too.

Can I see some pics of this "back fat", "Disgusted"?

Luinitari · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:56:13 PM »

Quote from: Thealmightyronald on March 20, 2008, 07:54:55 PM

Can I see some pics of this "back fat", "Disgusted"?

I would also like Disgusted to provide said evidence.

Disgusted · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2008, 07:59:59 PM »

Too lazy. Just post a pic to prove my point.

Disgusted · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:03:55 PM »

Quote from: Luinitari on March 20, 2008, 07:56:13 PM

I would also like Disgusted to provide said evidence.

BTW, don't you EVER roll your eyes at me again Mister.

Luinitari · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:07:30 PM »

But that's not fair, all the other kids get to do it

Luinitari · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:13:44 PM »

Quote from: Disgusted on March 20, 2008, 07:59:59 PM

Too lazy. Just post a pic to prove my point.

I tried, but sadly I'm afraid I've failed you, oh fearless leader

Disgusted · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:16:02 PM »

Quote from: Luinitari on March 20, 2008, 08:07:30 PM

But that's not fair, all the other kids get to do it

Sorry I was mean to you. Here is something to make up for it.

Luinitari · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:18:14 PM »

Quote from: Disgusted on March 20, 2008, 08:16:02 PM

Sorry I was mean to you. Here is something to make up for it.

Is that your proof of back fat?

Disgusted · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:20:15 PM »

Quote from: Luinitari on March 20, 2008, 08:13:44 PM

I tried, but sadly I'm afraid I've failed you, oh fearless leader

Really? that pic seems to prove my point. Branch is much leaner all over the rest of his body than his back. Not a put down just fact. I will admit that this pic and pose is one of the better back shots of Branch.

Disgusted · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:21:04 PM »

Quote from: Luinitari on March 20, 2008, 08:18:14 PM

Is that your proof of back fat?

LOL Yes it is.

HowieW · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:23:50 PM »

Quote from: Disgusted on March 20, 2008, 08:20:15 PM

Really? that pic seems to prove my point. Branch is much leaner all over the rest of his body than his back. Not a put down just fact. I will admit that this pic and pose is one of the better back shots of Branch.

He was shedded from the back from head to toe. That is a transiation pose and he is sqeezing his back in prep for the actual pose. What are you smoking to think his back looked fat???