I would win an overall ( the whole show not a class win ) before I would even think of Nationals … other than that I agree you beat those other two guys (Nationals at least when I competed was full of guys that looked like “pros “, carried pro size …. In my class ( supers ) were guys that outweighed me by 40 pounds and were half my height! … and legs ( my worst body part) hams and calves were HUGE! It was an eye opener for sure! Best of luck whatever path you chose!
The guys who are winning our age group at Nationals would get crushed in the overall at the Charlotte Cup they are not winning the Charlotte Cup Open. You can absolutely win Nationals at 45+ and get a Pro Card easier than winning the Charlotte Cup Open. I am talking about doing classic at Nationals anyone who outweighs me is going to have to be taller like the guy at the cup I competed against who was 238lbs. I am as heavy as you are allowed to be at my height. Nationals also does 4 height classes so everyone will be within 3 inches and 10lbs. I can also still make gains this year and make the cut to 209lbs the limit for my height next summer. I did not cut water at all. I just didnt eat the day of weigh ins until after weigh ins.
Of course, the other option if I get too big this winter is to do the bodybuilding division but again over 40. I don't need to be able to win the Open division to do well at Master Nationals. The guys who won the Open Classic crush the guys who won Master Nationals Classic. But yeah I may do the Open next year as well but this year I wanted all my focus on winning my class which is what I did.
And maybe I do get beat at Nationals but isn't that the idea to find the best competition to see how you do?