IFBB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 BAHRAIN - RESULTS

[Complex Carbs]

Bahrain is a very safe country … safer than the US … everyone got VIP treatment here … they were blocking the roads so the athletes buses could drive through non stop … and all the top guys were running around with “secret service” like police

I think the other countries just cant handle the drug testing issue + what you see here are the top genetic in the world … yes they take drugs … but everything is stopped so early that most of the pros couldn’t even reach this level with such low doses of drugs and stopped so early put from a show

Diesel skin block?

[Complex Carbs]

fuck off ive had enough.

[chris faildo]

IFBB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS- can you say unreal?  Yes, this is by far the hardest show to win. I've knocked on the door a few times only to get my ass handed to me in Korea 07'. Ask Jose Raymond, Skip La Cour, Mike Lockett how huge this contest is. They got some crazy bodybuilding freaks walking around and we are not talking about the guys from the US.  Just getting on the Team to represent the United States is an unreal task but stepping on stage at the World Championships is a different story all together. I was fortunate enough to witness Ron (Alcatraz) Coleman and Yhonnie Shamburger win a Gold Medal back in the day. I still get goose bumps thinking about that night when the stepped on the podium receiving those medals and listening to the National Anthem. Can you say UNREAL?

[timfogarty]

They got some crazy bodybuilding freaks walking around and we are not talking about the guys from the US.  Just getting on the Team to represent the United States is an unreal task but stepping on stage at the World Championships is a different story all together.

the problem is that our top bodybuilders are just trying to get a pro card at the Nationals and aren't willing to enter a drug tested Team Universe.

If we were to make the Nationals drug tested then our top bodybuilders would learn how to get around those tests sooner and we'd be on more of a level playing field with those Asian countries.

[aliamini]

Chris:  you have been against one of the toughest line ups last year … and this year it was even tougher … Igor Kocis … who to me has a perfect symmetry for bodybuilding … got 2nd this year against one of my country man “Hussein Jassim” who was packed up with sick amount of muscles … he looked even bigger than the 85KG winner …



And I am sure you realized the difference between the early 90s and late 2000s in quality of bodybuilders … they are really getting better … well most of them … and they can show up much better at the pro circuit … but they prefer to stay with their local federations to get endorsement and sponsorship for their shows and preps … for most of them (over 90%) their federation pays their trip and stay fees … I know that Bahrain gets the most allowance for preparing … yet the rewarding system varies

And I will agree with Tim … Americans just want to get a pro card

[Mobil]

the real question is....how many fa(gay) dollars did it take to make him win??? oh i forgot he has  a legitmate job. more power to him.... i see drug abuse or suicide in his future.

[steveg]

I have tro agree with Ali. I was part of the UK Team, which in theory would have the same security risks as that of the US Team.

We were treated like VIPs, full police escorts to and from all events (accrediation, weigh-in, semi-finals, finals, and banquet), The hotels were stunning and the food was perfect, exactly what we needed before the competition and very tasty afterwards. The local people were very hospitable and could not do enough for us.

Even upon entering the country at the airport we were fast tracked through security by the organising federation. I am now looking forward to Dubai next year! I must commend the Bahrain Federation and the Bahrain Government for putting on a great championships for all us athletes.

Stephen Graham (UK- U80kg)

[musclecenter]

the problem is that our top bodybuilders are just trying to get a pro card at the Nationals and aren't willing to enter a drug tested Team Universe.

If we were to make the Nationals drug tested then our top bodybuilders would learn how to get around those tests sooner and we'd be on more of a level playing field with those Asian countries.

agree
hopefully US team can reclaim the honour like 1980s .

[chris faildo]

Chris:  you have been against one of the toughest line ups last year … and this year it was even tougher … Igor Kocis … who to me has a perfect symmetry for bodybuilding … got 2nd this year against one of my country man “Hussein Jassim” who was packed up with sick amount of muscles … he looked even bigger than the 85KG winner …



And I am sure you realized the difference between the early 90s and late 2000s in quality of bodybuilders … they are really getting better … well most of them … and they can show up much better at the pro circuit … but they prefer to stay with their local federations to get endorsement and sponsorship for their shows and preps … for most of them (over 90%) their federation pays their trip and stay fees … I know that Bahrain gets the most allowance for preparing … yet the rewarding system varies

And I will agree with Tim … Americans just want to get a pro card

Hussein Jassim looks fantastic and deserves the Gold.  I know Igor Kocis must be very proud to have taken a Sliver with such a heavy line up.  I am just in awe as how well developed these welterweights look.  I must agree, the bodybuilders today are so much more advanced then what it was like in the early 90's. I still feel that the World Championships is where I belong.  The only problem is going through the requalification process at the Team Universe.  I would not want to do that again since I've won the Overall.

[timfogarty]

And I will agree with Tim … Americans just want to get a pro card

the athletes from these Asian countries are already pros, in that they get paid by their governments to train and compete.  they probably have a higher standard of living than most 2nd and 3rd tier IFBB pros. 

however, my original comments were really about the state of drug testing.  All these guys at the Worlds are on massive amounts of PEDs.   The IFBB does random testing of the the top 5 of each class, and always some fail.  but we don't know how many are tested.   we don't know if anyone ever passes the test. 

if the IFBB really wants a drug free Worlds (which they don't) then they need to do year round random tests.  Or just drop all pretense that these athletes are drug free.

[newhouse]

SteveG,
I mentioned to our (NPC) Prez just what you said.  Still not sure of the fear.  Is British Nationals drug tested or do you have a separate contest to qualify for Worlds like US?   How was the atmosphere with other competitors?  did you talk to athletes from other countries?  Did you get to tour Bahrain at all after the contest?  thanks.

[musclecenter]

the athletes from these Asian countries are already pros, in that they get paid by their governments to train and compete.  they probably have a higher standard of living than most 2nd and 3rd tier IFBB pros. 

however, my original comments were really about the state of drug testing.  All these guys at the Worlds are on massive amounts of PEDs.   The IFBB does random testing of the the top 5 of each class, and always some fail.  but we don't know how many are tested.   we don't know if anyone ever passes the test. 

if the IFBB really wants a drug free Worlds (which they don't) then they need to do year round random tests.  Or just drop all pretense that these athletes are drug free.

Agree

The Change We Need!!

[steveg]

we do have a qualifying for team UK in april at our AGM. The testers are present at this and anyone deemed worthy of representing UK will be tested on that day. Qualifying may also be at the British Championships in October.  While at this years World Championships i was given a new booklet informing about the IFBB's new plans to test athletes, this includes  "out of competition testing" where they have the right to test at any time of the year. It is my understanding that all nations will do this and report their results back to IFBB.This i beleive will start in 2009.

At our European Championships in May this year we had a welterweight that placed 4th, and was selected for testing, passing it.

All the other athletes from all the other teams were friendly and courteous with us and i actually have friends in the Quatar team.

[steveg]

The championships were over on the thursday night, and unfortunately we we flying out agin at 10am the following morning so we didnt get to see much. I dont think there were any organised tours though.

[aliamini]

The earliest who left was the polish people … they left with at 3 AM … and I met then in the airport before they leave … so from the after party I took Ali Tabrizi to his hotel and then to the air port to say good bye to the polish team

Some stayed till Saturday and had some time to go around

Steve:  how did you see the judging as  some people complained about it … in your weight category … I thought sitti should have done better … 2nd IMO …. Baitolla was good for the win … hands down

[steveg]

I actually had the first two places the same. Baitollah looked awesome and IMO was unlucky not to lift the overall title. I had Sitthi in 4th too. When up close to him, he wasnt carrying the condition that the others had, i actually had David Idowu in 3rd, but it couldve gone anyway. I think my main arguement with the top 6, was Hristov. I think he was lucky to make top 6. When standing beside him, he was really smooth and there were guys in the top 10 i wouldve placed higher.

[aliamini]

Baitoalla won from day 1 … after semifinals his team manager and federation president told him to be harder the next day or sitti will win … as sitti was 2nd in semi final … that the next day the Egyptian who was 4th in the semi advanced to 2nd … and sitti got 3rd by trailing 1 point

The 1st pic is baitolla in green after his weight class talking to his team
2nd pic is at the after party discussing the score sheet

Sitti looked hard in the weigh in … and even in the semi and finals … I still think the judges get fools buy the oil and glow in the bodies .. casue they cant tell the difference between muscle fiber and skin fold …

One of my friends who is a “Young” judge told me that Pawel … the judging committee chairman … did a sort od assessment for the judges … or lets call it a refresher cause they were not scored for it … in that he explained the judging criteria and how they should judge … but as my fried told Pawel after that … that most of the judges are old and they cant even see the number of the Bodybuilder … so how do expect them to see the definition and details … my friend was asked in several occasions about the number of a certain athlete while judging … so the judge next to him didn’t see well … they should retire and allow new blood in the judging panel

[turnerg31]

Chris:  you have been against one of the toughest line ups last year … and this year it was even tougher … Igor Kocis … who to me has a perfect symmetry for bodybuilding … got 2nd this year against one of my country man “Hussein Jassim” who was packed up with sick amount of muscles … he looked even bigger than the 85KG winner …

I had the opportunity to see Hussein Jassim compete in Kuwait on a couple of occasions. The last time I saw him take the overall in a competition sponsored by the now famous Oxygen Gym Kuwait.  I will definitely agree with you that he does seem a lot bigger in person.  Awesome physique.  I also got to see Sami Haddad guest pose at the same competition.  I really wish their were more American bodybuilders interested in competing abroad.  There's something special about International competitions at this level.   Good luck Chris. Hope to see you mix it up at the Worlds again.

Pat

[chris faildo]

I had the opportunity to see Hussein Jassim compete in Kuwait on a couple of occasions. The last time I saw him take the overall in a competition sponsored by the now famous Oxygen Gym Kuwait.  I will definitely agree with you that he does seem a lot bigger in person.  Awesome physique.  I also got to see Sami Haddad guest pose at the same competition.  I really wish their were more American bodybuilders interested in competing abroad.  There's something special about International competitions at this level.   Good luck Chris. Hope to see you mix it up at the Worlds again.

Pat

Going back to the IFBB World Championships would be awesome but I think it's time to move on. I'm going to be a father in two months and will lifting baby bottles instead of weights for a while. But please, don't count me out!

[a_joker10]

Ali,
Why did Tabrzi switch countries to Iran this year.
I thought that he would be competing for Qatar.
I noticed that quite a few athletes did this.

[timfogarty]

have a name for this guy?

[steveg]

Thats a good photo of sitti. I do think that the dreamtan is a problem. It does cover an awful lot of conditioning, and that is the reason that i prefer jantana. Last year in Jeju, i spoke to Pawel about it and he did agree that dreamtan masked condition a bit. Apparently next year, they said that they will be enforcing the rule on NO INSTANT TAN at the venue, which will rule out the use of dreamtan backstage.

The judging scores are zero'ed after the semi's, and everyone starts afresh for the finals. This alot of the time really shakes up the placings and can leave some people wondering how athletes placed higher or lower than they shoudve.

Congratulations Chris mate, it was a pleasure meeting you and all your family last year in Jeju!

[aliamini]

have a name for this guy?

This is Sitthi Charoenrith from Thailand … world champing in 05 and 06 in the Light-MiddleWeight

Ali,
Why did Tabrzi switch countries to Iran this year.
I thought that he would be competing for Qatar.
I noticed that quite a few athletes did this.

Ali was a part of the Qatar team since 03 ... he won his first gold medal in 01 for Iran at the Asian championship … then golds for for Qatar in 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 … and the world title in 05 & 06 (overall)

He was ready at Korea and would have won the overall easily … but they banned him cause the whole Qatar team was banned … so he made the call to go back to his motherland … where he won the Asian Championship + world overall in 08 for them

Thats a good photo of sitti. I do think that the dreamtan is a problem. It does cover an awful lot of conditioning, and that is the reason that i prefer jantana. Last year in Jeju, i spoke to Pawel about it and he did agree that dreamtan masked condition a bit. Apparently next year, they said that they will be enforcing the rule on NO INSTANT TAN at the venue, which will rule out the use of dreamtan backstage.

The judging scores are zero'ed after the semi's, and everyone starts afresh for the finals. This alot of the time really shakes up the placings and can leave some people wondering how athletes placed higher or lower than they shoudve.

Congratulations Chris mate, it was a pleasure meeting you and all your family last year in Jeju!

Robert didn’t use dream tan … nor did some of the Europeans … they are catching up very slowly … I think it should be enforced by the judging committee … though the rule book says excessive oil of color are not allowed or will be marked down (cant remember) but they don’t follow that … not sure if they will do it next year or not … but I hope they do

I know what happens after the semi … there is a new judging … but what I am pointing out is what actually happens to the athletes in a day … Ali Tabrizi was 2nd in the semi … but he ended up taking overall … but still a lot of the athletes don’t understand that or maybe they dont knwo how teh new judging system is carried out … the semi’s score are optimal for knowing where everyone stood the day before the show and what changed the next day … I even heard from some of the judges that next year they might changed the judges of each category the next day at the finals so they don’t get influnced by what they saw in the semis

And that is y it not called prejudging anymore

[turnerg31]

Going back to the IFBB World Championships would be awesome but I think it's time to move on. I'm going to be a father in two months and will lifting baby bottles instead of weights for a while. But please, don't count me out!

Hey, I know what you mean. I realize how much time and dedication it mus take to prepare and compete at that level.  Congratulations on becoming a father. It's one of the greatest things you'll ever experience. IMO   I'm not counting you out though.  You still have plenty good years left to do some damage.  Look at Esmat Sadek. 60+. 

[Atlantic]

Is it just me or others have realized that all the winners are muslims?!?!?!
7 Arabs 2 Persians

I heard a lot of complains from the Europeans and a lot of them don’t want to do the show next year cause it will be in another Arab muslin country