2017 Olympia - 20 years since the 1997 robbery, another robbery!

[pellius]

Jay was definitely off that year. Poor Vicky. His one shot at greatness gone forever. Sucks.

But hats off to Jay for what he brought in 2009. Someone mentioned on another thread how at that level they're all maxed out and there is very little change from year to year. But Jay definitely shocked the bbing world in 2009 when he came out looking like he was photo shopped live. Even Coleman to some extent came in renewed in 2003. But for the most part they look the same before they start to deteriorate like Heath is right now.

[Matt]

Nasser should've had a better back if he wanted the Sandow so bad.

Ramy didn't have enough thigh separation or back detail to win on Saturday.

I also think back thickness is an issue with Big Ramy.  If those things are improved upon, or if even Phil Heath comes in a little off, I think the door can be opened for Big Ramy.

Another thing to consider: Phil Heath began bodybuilding in 2002, right around his 23rd birthday.  He currently has around 15 years of training under his belt [and told me he would take improvement shots each week, which was later going to release, but I'm not sure if he ever did].

Big Ramy started training in 2010 I believe, as he hit the scene in 2012, and I recall hearing that he had only been training for two years at the time.  That would mean that Big Ramy started training at age 26.  So Big Ramy only has seven years of training experience.  Meaning that Phil has about 7-8 years more training experience than Big Ramy.

There will be a period of time - even if it is in five years - that Big Ramy will no longer need to worry about Phil.  That is, assuming that no one else rises up to Ramy's level, and that Ramy is still alive.    I hate to say it, but with an off-season weight of something like 338-lb, it's hard to say how long a human being can sustain that.

Likewise, Phil Heath mentioned Dexter on Olympia night in terms of longevity, but Dexter has never take bodybuilding to the same level that Phil did, so I think Phil will burnout earlier.  At the same time - and my last point, for real  - Phil Heath has only competed in 12 contests this decade.    I think the lack of competing is the reason why Phil is still able to show up so crisp and shredded and 3D.  It's one thing to compete in the contests near the Olympia, but peaking multiple times in the year is another matter.

Consider that only twice this decade Phil has peaked twice during the year - once in 2010, and once in 2013 - both for the Arnold Classic, where he placed 2nd in 2010, and 1st in 2013.

[calfzilla]

Do they still have all those small Grand Prix shows right after the Olympia? I remember Ronnie would take the Sandow then go clean up at those small shows after the Olympia.

[pellius]

I also think back thickness is an issue with Big Ramy.  If those things are improved upon, or if even Phil Heath comes in a little off, I think the door can be opened for Big Ramy.

Another thing to consider: Phil Heath began bodybuilding in 2002, right around his 23rd birthday.  He currently has around 15 years of training under his belt [and told me he would take improvement shots each week, which was later going to release, but I'm not sure if he ever did].

Big Ramy started training in 2010 I believe, as he hit the scene in 2012, and I recall hearing that he had only been training for two years at the time.  That would mean that Big Ramy started training at age 26.  So Big Ramy only has seven years of training experience.  Meaning that Phil has about 7-8 years more training experience than Big Ramy.

There will be a period of time - even if it is in five years - that Big Ramy will no longer need to worry about Phil.  That is, assuming that no one else rises up to Ramy's level, and that Ramy is still alive.    I hate to say it, but with an off-season weight of something like 338-lb, it's hard to say how long a human being can sustain that.

Likewise, Phil Heath mentioned Dexter on Olympia night in terms of longevity, but Dexter has never take bodybuilding to the same level that Phil did, so I think Phil will burnout earlier.  At the same time - and my last point, for real  - Phil Heath has only competed in 12 contests this decade.    I think the lack of competing is the reason why Phil is still able to show up so crisp and shredded and 3D.  It's one thing to compete in the contests near the Olympia, but peaking multiple times in the year is another matter.

Consider that only twice this decade Phil has peaked twice during the year - once in 2010, and once in 2013 - both for the Arnold Classic, where he placed 2nd in 2010, and 1st in 2013.

True, Phil has the back thickness that Ramy does not. But that's it.

And how do you know Ramy only started training in 2010?

And what on earth do you mean that Dex hasn't taken bbing to the same level as Phil? Dex is top of the top and has been so forever. To get to his level you have to be obsessed with bbing and will do whatever it takes.

I think you are making some unjustified and unsupported assumptions.

And you keep talking about Phil's conditioning. The guy has that glazed poofy look. Phil had a tad more cuts to his quads but Ramy was harder all around. Phil's abs are all but glazed over.

Ramy, at 300+ still has a flat, small waist and abs show even when relaxed.