2018 Olympia - Shawn Rhoden's back might be his downfall

[SF1900]

could bring up his back, he would definitely win. However, I suspect, that his subpar back will be his downfall.  

[Tarantula157]

Chris Bumstead's subpar back didn't prevent him from beating Pierre Ano...

[Wiggs]

There's nothing wrong with Rhodes back. Phill just has thicker back. Phils gut destroys his physique.

[Kwon]

[falco]

Phil should not win just because he has a good back, and loses in everyother pose to Shawn.

[The Scott]

Phil should not win just because he has a good back, and loses in everyother pose to Shawn.

This ^.

[Wiggs]

Phil Rhoden and Shawn Heath. Iron warriors.

[SF1900]

Chris Bumstead's subpar back didn't prevent him from beating Pierre Ano...

Yeah, but that is not the mens open. Seems like they have different standards or some crap. 

[SF1900]

There's nothing wrong with Rhodes back. Phill just has thicker back. Phils gut destroys his physique.

True, there is nothing wrong with Rhodens back, however, Phils back is thicker (as you stated) and I believe, is more defined.

Nonetheless, Rhoden has a more complete package.

[Wiggs]

Yeah, but that is not the mens open. Seems like they have different standards or some crap. 

As they should. It's CLASSIC.

[SF1900]

Phil should not win just because he has a good back, and loses in everyother pose to Shawn.

Agreed 100%.

They always use the lame excuse that the Mr. O is "won from the back." It's such a trite comment to keep one person winning just because of one bodypart. I am not too sure why the back became the "end all, be all" of a show. Why the back and not the calves or the arms? Strange.

These are the questions that even the greatest minds continue to ponder.

[Tarantula157]

As they should. It's CLASSIC.

So in the open the back is important and in the classic not?

[Royalty]

In the pics above... if you look at Phil’s front double bicep, you will notice that he tore is left pec. Look at the pec/delt tie-in.

[SF1900]

As they should. It's CLASSIC.

That makes no sense. So back development is more important in the mens open, when compared to the classic division?   

There may be individual differences in standards between divisions, but the one standard should be a complete package, which is why Rhoden should win.

[Tarantula157]

Yeah, but that is not the mens open. Seems like they have different standards or some crap. 

They just have inconsistent judging and place whoever they want as a winner.

[Tarantula157]

In the pics above... if you look at Phil’s front double bicep, you will notice that he tore is left pec. Look at the pec/delt tie-in.

Yes,it looks torn. He just kept it secret hoping it would go unnoticed...

[The Scott]

Agreed 100%.

They always use the lame excuse that the Mr. O is "won from the back." It's such a trite comment to keep one person winning just because of one bodypart. I am not too sure why the back became the "end all, be all" of a show. Why the back and not the calves or the arms? Strange.

These are the questions that even the greatest minds continue to ponder.

Maybe it's because that's what the "judges" prefer?  Either that or judges are without merit and honor.  At this level, it's pretty much subjective unless it's painfully obvious someone's better.  It's painfully obvious that Sleepy looks better than Phildo.  

Little Flex Lewis probably looks a lot better too and that from any angle.  I think he would deserve a victory over Phil.  The size game is just that.  There is little, if any, balance to Phil's physique.  Rhoden is a bit better in that department and Lewis is (likely) better still.

[Explorerspl]

Not just rhoden's back. His arms are pretty piss poor if he's going for the O

[oldschoolfan]

i cant stand phil, but the only think shawn has on him is abs, phil beats him everywhere else, if this is the two best bb's in the world, the sport has sunk to a all time low in quality. and ramy as always looks like a glazed donut, all his pics he posts going into a show are photo shopped

[Coach is Back!]

Heard Phil had surgery this year to fix his umbilical hernia. Phil beats Shawn in a rear double bicep (Shawn lacks arms compared to Phil). Shawn has Phil on symmetry but then again Shawn beats everyone on symmetry. At least for the pre-judging, Phil looks like he over dieted and lost his roundness and conditioning seems a bit off and lacks the leg separation of Shawn. Overall conditioning and if the finals were last night, Shawn wins. If Phil fills out and dials in his conditioning, Phil wins. A lot can happen in 24 hrs.

[Mothballs]

Never forget!

[SF1900]

Heard Phil had surgery this year to fix his umbilical hernia. Phil beats Shawn in a rear double bicep (Shawn lacks arms compared to Phil). Shawn has Phil on symmetry but then again Shawn beats everyone on symmetry. At least for the pre-judging, Phil looks like he over dieted and lost his roundness and conditioning seems a bit off and lacks the leg separation of Shawn. Overall conditioning and if the finals were last night, Shawn wins. If Phil fills out and dials in his conditioning, Phil wins. A lot can happen in 24 hrs.

If we are going with a complete package, its clearly shawn. He has enough size for an IFBB pro, coupled with better conditioning and symmetry. He really has the more complete package. Everything flows better.

Phil is a mish mash of bodyparts. That should never be rewarded just based on size alone.

[SOMEPARTS]

could bring up his back, he would definitely win. However, I suspect, that his subpar back will be his downfall.  

Anyone arguing that what Rhoden lacks from the back is worse than those front shots on Heath is just nuts.

[SF1900]

Anyone arguing that what Rhoden lacks from the back is worse than those front shots on Heath is just nuts.

That's what the judges (or others) always say about winning the Mr. O. 

[Kwon]

Better lines on Rodan/Eyeore than Phillippe Keith.