aww.. BAyGBM is going to like this one.... the shot of Rusty .
People may be overestimating the importance of this contest. And in many ways, Bob Chick will be long forgotten as a foot note in history as the winner of the contest in which RUSTY JEFFERS got royally screwed over....
Rusty should make all attempts to capitalize on his non-win in much the same way that Tom Platz made huge inroads in his non win of the 81 Olympia. Platz actually finished 3rd. Columbu's win is barely mentioned. People think Platz finished second- not third and anyway, it doesn't matter: the publicity generated by the obvious shaft given to Platz more than compensated for his placement. He still would rather have won the show. The Olympia is far more important in bb that whatever the hell this specific show is called.
Just as in that earlier contest, neither of the winners ( Chick or Columbu ) had anything to do with the judges although both were rather friendly with all of them. Its a small world in the upper echelons of bodybuilding. There may be a case for some sort of collusion with Chick's win vis-a-vis athletes' rep etc but it hardly matters.
It isn't that Chick won: it's that the judging was a joke if not completley horrible for the rest of the placements.
Most people ( except 240 and perhaps a few others) can accept Bob's win. He did look pretty good!
It is the fact that a man who was a clear third and perhaps 2nd ( Jeffers ) was placed 8th!!?? And he wasn't even compared to the top guy?
It is clear arrogance on the part of the judges to just assume that no one will question their choices. Just for the sake of posterity, some side by side, pose for pose comparisons should have been done so that no one can say that the option wasn't available.
If that were to have been done, and Bob Chick still won, then okay, people could justifiably be upset or cool with it. There are always upsets and choices made in bodybuilding that are not always agreed upon. And the audience doesn't always agree with them.
But to have not even attempted to make the comparisons..... holy smokes.... what were they smoking???
Rusty- start charging big bucks for your guest appearances, AND APPEAR IN GREAT SHAPE when you do them. Your future is assured if you can capitalize on this fiasco.
Bob- a good win. congratulations.
