There is truth here but you also have to factor in the iffb politics. There are multiple times where the best bodybuilder didn't win the show, despite what everyone will tell you otherwise (case in point Yates won an Olympia with one arm).
totally agree on political - it is a beauty contest/popularity contest. that is why I used to say Calum would have become classic Mr O or top #3.... the IFBB wants handsome men who have "it" factor be on top..
so many lazy bbers have genetics, access to diet coaches, PEDs, gyms are on every corner, can spend 30 minutes day posing but they do not actually do the work. execution is everything.
and the low self worth/mindset of a champion. one of my old training partners - amazing bber but he didnt believe in himself, low self worth and just sort of hung up the posing trunks due to his mindset over anything else.
Jay Cutler always believed in himself and he knew he was a champion so he would train like he was the champ, eat like he was the champ and not some chump. Jay was handsome too which helped but he had the edge with the mind game.
I learned about the mind game from a professional tennis coach a few years back and it finally "sunk in"