Sergio already looked like something else when he started out
True! I remember when he was doing, what, the Junior Nationals and other lower level contests, maybe around eight or so years ago, and he looked much different.
Whether or not he can go one step higher will be the ultimate test of his genetics. Assuming his dad's genes are dominant, he may well be able to get to that level. Consider that according to Sergio Jr., Sergio Sr., may have been born around 1936 [earlier than the stated claim, as good records from Cuba were not obtained by US officials when he came here]. If the 1936 [or earlier] birth date is accurate, it would mean that Sergio Sr. himself was maxing out around the same age Sergio Jr. is this year - 33.
Also, I strongly encourage everyone to listen to some of the interviews with Sergio Jr. online. It is pretty clear that his father had a lot of jealousy towards him and knew early on that Junior had his genetics, and wanted to do everything he could to stop him from becoming involved in bodybuilding - either due to jealousy, or due to feeling screwed over in the industry, or both. I think everyone - and ESPECIALLY bodybuilders - not just women in Hollywood, need to know that we have an expiry date! Not only in our lives, but in individual activities - bodybuilding in particular, is extremely fleeting. Everyone should know this and be prepared to deal with when they fall off the wagon. Obviously Sergio Sr. was only ever the king of the jungle, and was not prepared to cede rank and power - even to his own son. It's kind of a sad story. Maybe not quite like King Lear, but I'm sure there is some Shakespearean play that covers this.
But anyway, if you can listen to some of Sergio Jr.'s longer interviews [not the post-contest ones], where he talks about his relationship with his father, I would highly recommend it. Shawn Ray did a good one for MD, where he asked him a question Junior already answered a few minutes earlier
, but it was good interview, and I recommend it - as well as the Skype interview that Dave Palumbo did with him.
