Big congrats to my friend Ben Pakulski 2nd place Arnold Classic!

[Praetorian]

Congrats Ben...2nd place and $75k.
P

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Nice. Congrats.
He also won the fan favorite award.

[cog]

Those wheels must look awesome up close.

[dngerfield]

Those wheels must look awesome up close.

they look massive!

[TT Eric]

Cool! And yes that guy has a low center of gravity! Dang!

Eric

[born2juice4ever]

Are you kidding me!! I can't stop from stairing at his legs --NO HOMO!!


Good for him, he is a leader without any doubts...and 75k is a very very good pay day IMO.


B2J

[Delt King]

Awesome! Such a nice guy too. Congratz on a well deserved placing

[tiramisu]

Just saw this. Thank goodness for prize money. Now he can afford to train. Not sure whether he can break top ten at the olympia but it would be nice to see a Canadian regularly breaking the top 10 and making a living. Congratulations!

[natenator]

Just saw this. Thank goodness for prize money. Now he can afford to train. Not sure whether he can break top ten at the olympia but it would be nice to see a Canadian regularly breaking the top 10 and making a living. Congratulations!



willing to bet some decent money he made 5-10 times more last year than the average person on these forums.

And yes, good job Ben. Still a shit back and arms but he is making improvements there and it was good to finally see him land his conditioning while no longer be considered as just a collection of mashed up bodyparts.

[natenator]

Awesome! Such a nice guy too. Congratz on a well deserved placing

ah no. He's an arrogant dick to the nth degree.

[Delt King]

ah no. He's an arrogant dick to the nth degree.
Perspective i guess. I bet ive been called that too.
The half dozen times i've seen him i was impressed by the way he interacted with regular joe bodybuilder...mind you i never spoke to him personally but kind of hung out near him as we we're all crammed into each other backstage at several shows for hours. Anyway he never came off as arrogant.

[Praetorian]

ah no. He's an arrogant dick to the nth degree.

I used to think this too until I got to know him...he's actually a nice guy!
P

[Nirus]

became a huge ben fan after he called branch out! anyone who has the balls to say what we're all thinking is ace in my books. and 21.5" calvs are you kidding me lol thats my thigh size damn! ben's looken better and better every show

[steve_d]

ah no. He's an arrogant dick to the nth degree.

At least he didn't ask (cry to) all his fans on facebook why he didn't place 1st. That's all I will say...

[natenator]

At least he didn't ask (cry to) all his fans on facebook why he didn't place 1st. That's all I will say...

who did that?

hmm assume you're talking about Fouad? His "This is 10th place at the Arnold's???" post on facebook? If you are, I am not exactly sure how you equate that to whining or asking about why he didn't place first. Looks to me he was asking nothing of the sort.

On that note, I've seen lots of people, even experienced competitors, on this forum whining/bitching about placings. Its human emotion. Heck, Freeman went on several rants last year about it while on video. But yeah, I can really see how asking "This is 10th place at the Arnold's???" is the same as crying about not placing first.

[natenator]

Perspective i guess. I bet ive been called that too.
The half dozen times i've seen him i was impressed by the way he interacted with regular joe bodybuilder...mind you i never spoke to him personally but kind of hung out near him as we we're all crammed into each other backstage at several shows for hours. Anyway he never came off as arrogant.

He's mellowed then over the past few years as I've been backstage with him at about 4 different shows (either him as a competitor, doing a guest posing or to see people he knew) and his actions showed arrogance as did his words when you could overhear him talking about other competitors.

Perhaps aging is a factor, I know it's been for me lol Btw, as a self-recognized arrogant dick in the past, I am fully qualified to recognize such behaviour and call it out when I see it hahaha

[steve_d]

who did that?.

No one did that... But since Ben came 2nd, I made reference to the fact that he didn't complain about his placings. In Ben's example, he could have complained about not winning.


who did that?

hmm assume you're talking about Fouad? His "This is 10th place at the Arnold's???" post on facebook? If you are, I am not exactly sure how you equate that to whining or asking about why he didn't place first. Looks to me he was asking nothing of the sort.

On that note, I've seen lots of people, even experienced competitors, on this forum whining/bitching about placings. Its human emotion. Heck, Freeman went on several rants last year about it while on video. But yeah, I can really see how asking "This is 10th place at the Arnold's???" is the same as crying about not placing first.


In keeping with the Fouad example, yes - that post was unprofessional. Ben had just as much right to question not coming first as Fouad did to not winning. I think if there can be an argument for Fouad, there can be an argument for Ben. Although, honestly, I think everyone placed pretty bang on. The one exception would be cedric. He came 6th, I had him 4th.

Posting on facebook is only asking for fans to blow smoke up ass. I read through and most people who commented didn't even know who won. So their opinions of him coming first, or '3rd at worst' are pretty invalid. Personally, when an amateur whines about his placings, I am the first to point out the simple fact of 'get over it' life goes on. Subjective sport, you win some you lose some. Bodybuilding is less subjective and political than bikini, and for that reason most men will place very close to where they deserve. I felt cedric deserved higher - when he received a house full of boos, how did he react? Very professional if you ask me (mind you, its not like ANYONE on the professional stage would throw there trophy or prize money to show their disgust.... well, I shouldn't say anyone - it still happens). In my mind, complaining about your placing is the 2nd worst thing to do after that.

In Fouads defence, he said this was a career for him. So sure, his placings do in fact mean more than a simple 'win some lose some'... However, I would also call out someone on facebook who complains about their boss, or whatever in the hopes that ... well, I am not sure what they hope. I just personally feel complaining about ones placing, and even more so as a pro, comes off as attention seeking. I've always given Fouad the benefit of the doubt as I really thought he was a total class act. I just scratch my head at the post that was made. A few people called him out on it, but probably a few more would if they dared.

Do I think he was ripped off? Maybe a place or 2... Does it affect his carreer...perhaps, as just like any of these divisions, all it takes is a bad showing/placing for the judges to make up their mind in the future about how they place. It seems clear that the judges have decided Ben is the canadian pro to talk about. I think Fouad had and still has a great career ahead of him. I don't think he will ever place top 5 in a big show like that anymore.

In the end, my point is that social media has changed the world and they way people are perceived. While its a great place for the average joe to complain about work and throw a pic or two up, I think when you are followed by thousands of fans, and it is your career, you don't say "this is 10th place at arnolds ???". He may mean nothing by it, but its easy to perceive it in a negative way. At first I thought he just meant "wow, this is 10th place, there are amazing competitors in the arnold show for this to be 10th", where it was more along the lines of "WTF do the judges think... I was totally ripped off"

/ end rant.

Congrats to Ben!!

[ironwill]

Dexter looked reallly good, as did Toney freeman. Go older guys, i love seeing that.
Fouad, no-one will remember him tomorrow or next week unfortunately. Don't get me wrong, he looks good, but in that line up, which imo was far from high caliber, not so good...When no one from top five olympia show up, it is not a high caliber show. Not sure why as Arnold is a big show normally. Everyone wants Heath i guess.
Pakman, is a top ten guy for Arnold, Maybe Olympia if he can bring his back up, keep his midsection more under control.
Lots of guys had a lucky night.
Cedric i had in 4th position. He is going to be amazing if he gets real serious about his career as a bber.
I like his lines more so than anyone else out there in pro bb world right now. His frigging bis fill in the whole area between his forearm and shoulder. VBack is getting colemanesque. Tiny waist, good legs for a tall fellow. He is the future.

[steve_d]

Cedric i had in 4th position. He is going to be amazing if he gets real serious about his career as a bber.
I like his lines more so than anyone else out there in pro bb world right now. His frigging bis fill in the whole area between his forearm and shoulder. VBack is getting colemanesque. Tiny waist, good legs for a tall fellow. He is the future.

Exactly what I thought as soon as I saw him. His other flaws is he almost walks around too casually. Some guys can get away with this, but his whole body changes SOOO much when he poses, that he should learn to never let his body look relaxed... Hard to do, but still, just need to learn how to work with what you have. Also - don't like his twisty leg poses when doing bicep shot, etc... Its too 'fitness modelly'. Sure its more 'classic' but bodybuilding isn't about the 'classic' poses anymore

[fmrdh]

Good for him. I also read that he was sick and was unable to eat any solid food.

[ironwill]

Exactly what I thought as soon as I saw him. His other flaws is he almost walks around too casually. Some guys can get away with this, but his whole body changes SOOO much when he poses, that he should learn to never let his body look relaxed... Hard to do, but still, just need to learn how to work with what you have. Also - don't like his twisty leg poses when doing bicep shot, etc... Its too 'fitness modelly'. Sure its more 'classic' but bodybuilding isn't about the 'classic' poses anymore

Yeah, Arnold was similar in that respect...Standing, he looked good, but get him twisting and posing, and he frign popped. I think He tries to emulate Arnold when he poses...
Too much twisty , i definitely agree..I told CC the same thing as soon as it started..
I bet he gets a good coach soon, as someone will grab him up, and hopefully they teach him some stage presence..

[natenator]

Yeah, Arnold was similar in that respect...Standing, he looked good, but get him twisting and posing, and he frign popped. I think He tries to emulate Arnold when he poses...
Too much twisty , i definitely agree..I told CC the same thing as soon as it started..
I bet he gets a good coach soon, as someone will grab him up, and hopefully they teach him some stage presence..

Ced works with Aceto for prep coach but he'd do well to hire Chris Cormier as a posing coach. Cormier was a standout poser.

[Hosehead]

What is the story behind Ben calling Branch out ? For the record , Branch seems by all accounts to be a nice fella andalthough I respect his dedication and style of training I think his build is awful and not at all championship worthy.

[BigGuns21]

Lol, I think Nate secretly has a crush on Ben, that's why he hates so much :P Nate obviously knows I'm a personal friend of Ben's and could be biased on some levels, but I've never seen him unapproachable in public and have actually seen him take a minute to correct form and offer advice to someone he's never seen before to prevent them from hurting themselves or better their form. He's the only IFBB pro that does videos and tells you why he's doing what he's doing, down to a biomechanical level, not just a "it's good for the upper pecs" comment. Over the last couple years he's been a mentor to me and the biggest influence on my life since my father. He speaks his mind, there is no doubt about that, but it's never meant in a hurtful way, he just doesn't sugar coat anything and I know this to some people would come off as arrogant and brash, but I can say it's truly not his nature. It was amazing to be there with him to celebrate the best finish of a Canadian pro at the big two ever, although most don't know he was sick as a dog from friday right through to even today. He had food poisoning all weekend and barely at a damn thing from Friday to Sunday and still looked insane!
And as much as there is this tension between Fouad and Ben, it was not created by them, it was created by everyone else. I can speak highly of Fouad too. He's always been super nice every time we've talked, evening knowing I'm with Ben. No attitude experience ever with him. They couldn't be more two different people, but both are awesome in their own right. I can say the same for Branch too. There is definitely tension between Branch and Ben now, lol, they literally gave each other the head nod on the way the celebration dinner Saturday night and that was it, but Branch has always been awesome to talk to as well.
Now to touch on Cedric quickly. I was 4 rows back center Saturday morning. Cedric's tan was HORRIBLE and he was THE worst conditioned guy on that stage at pre-judge, hands down. Now, I've never seen someone make such a drastic physique change in 4hrs, but it still isn't enough, he has no one to blame but himself, I guarantee you 6th was a gift because he wasn't even that high after pre-judge and definitely moved up in the night show. This guy has gifts from heaven with his physique and is too lazy to dial it in, period, that's all it is. I know this for fact, I was lazy for Provincials and busted my ass for Nat's and the difference was dramatic. When he decides to get off his ass and put 200% into his prep and be willing to suffer for it, he will hand Phil Heath his ass. Oh and I don't care that Ced is one of the few pro's that works full time and has kids. Some of the top pro's in the world have kids and their appearance and travel shcedule is so crazy it's worse than a full time job. It's laziness and non-willing to suffer that prevents him from destroying people on stage.

[Blitz-Test]

I think it's super exciting that he got 2nd, love seeing Canadians do well..

However, I was very surprised... When I was watching the finals, I said to myself that I felt bad for him because he did so well last year and I'd be surprised if he broke top 8 this year, then what do you know he was 2nd...

[Blitz-Test]

What is the story behind Ben calling Branch out ? For the record , Branch seems by all accounts to be a nice fella andalthough I respect his dedication and style of training I think his build is awful and not at all championship worthy.

Both are known for their legs so just a natural rivalry to begin with, then Branch did so well at last years Arnold getting overall, most muscular, and best poser, and Ben thought he was better on the day.. Called him out leading up to the Olympia and at the Olympia, mostly non aggressively imo, just to stir up hype right... You want people googling and youtubeing your name one of the best ways is to stir up hype... Branch is considered the Peoples Champ everyone loves him, call him out it'll stir a lot up, makes Ben's name bigger than it actually is, good marketing imo.

[Andre Gregoire]

I met Ben at a seminar he gave in Ottawa and talked to him one on one I have to say he's the most knowledgeable pro that I have talked to. He's a smart guy, hires prep coaches, learns from them and then moves on to others to learn more. He has a degree in exercise physiology and reads studies which is better than most high level guys.

Now he's working with Dr. Layne Norton & Dr. Jake Wilson going in to Dr. Wilson's lab for various studies on muscle protein synthesis, the guys smart and determined and I have a lot of respect for that.

He's got the best legs in bodybuilding and a freaky physique, obviously upper body needs to catch up some.

I didn't find him arrogant in person but I did on Facebook with respect to the way he answers messages from his followers.

[ironwill]

Ced works with Aceto for prep coach but he'd do well to hire Chris Cormier as a posing coach. Cormier was a standout poser.Yes, cormier was good for sure...I hope he does something..Either way it is fun seeing a guy that is going to do well if he pulls it together..