Peter McGough on Dorian at the 1997 Mr Olympia
Yates and El Sonbaty represented the battle for first place , and many observers were surprised to learn that Dorian took straight firsts throughout the contest. They thought Nasser had won or at least had forced a closer finish. The consternation can perhaps be explained by one simple fact : From the front , Nasser looks better than Dorian , and when the duo was not involved in comparisons and was just standing in line , Nasser was constantly presenting his best side , while Dorian wasn't .
Compounding this state of affairs was the reality that the reigning Mr Olympia didn't help his case by relaxing his midsection when he was back in line. His midsection , compared to Nasser's clear-cut eight-pack , couldn't help but incite unfavorable observation . The bottom line was that for the better part of two hours Nasser faces the audience showing his physique to its best advantage , while the reverse was true for Dorian.
When the two were compared , Nasser took the front double biceps and abs-and-thighs poses , but as soon as they turned to the side , Dorian's greater development , thickness and detail overshadowed Nasser , and when the champion's back came into play , it was all over. But Yates' overall superiority was only apparent in six comparisons ( three in the relaxed round , and three in the muscularity round ) that he and El Sonbaty were involved in , which accounted for about eight minutes of the two-hour prejudging. Head-to-toe , and when all the angles had been considered , Yates was the clear winner
I personally don't think Dorian should have won , but the judges and even Peter McGough said that Dorian was the clear winner
