I'm sure the attendance of the Elite competition for the men will improve over time. Apparently, some of the guys chose not to do it because they weren't given enough notice for prep.
Usually the span between the fitness figure, bikini nationals isn't that far apart from bodybuilding Nationals so there may be more men in attendance next year if nationals are in their usual place, at the end of August rather then in October.
Congrats to all the athletes! Was great to be a spectator and cheer on all the Alberta and other provinces! Deffinetly a long show and great turn-out, some interesting call-outs and results as always! Great to see everyone!
Leah
I still question the point of having this show. Yes there would be more competitors had it been a week or two from nationals, but what is the difference of the show? Just that you have to have placed? Why not wait until nationals?....and then if its tip give more cards, then why not award one at nationals to the best under 202 and best over 202 there too?Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria
The real reason is to bring more sponsors/interest in the figure nationals.i just don't think its the best way, and more of a random guess to do something different just for the fun of it....if they want to do something different, why not combine the nationals together on a weekend, make am expo out of it.thee would be just as much interest in that as the toronto pro show they had.
Steve you are correct...the only reason for the Elite show is to increase ticket sales...it draws an audience...figure, fitness and bikini does NOT...and year over year attendance is down...its the same reason they put the Masters Nationals in with the Fitness, Figure and Bikini in 2010.
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Too bad you didn't show up bro. We wouldn't be having this discussion now, would we? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by loutfi
Is there three, or 4 shows in the US each year where procards are handed out? I don't see what the problem is with having two shows here where cards are handed out... Heck of a lot more cards handed out per each of those national shows in the USA also, isnt there? just about every class winner gets one it seemsQuote:
Originally Posted by steve_d
Yes, another totally random way of trying to 'fix' the problem. let's combine masters and junior bodybuilding - that will help. But again, another not too popular decision where guys who would have competed in multiple divisions had to go to two different provinces to compete (at least they weren't months apart). And now the elite showdown thing. Next they'll have a pushup & chinup contest with the figure/ bikini girls. I understand how it can help having the elite show - especially when the shows are close together. It just sucks for competitors having to do lots of travelling in order to compete back to back. And yeah, if there is a pro card at stake, sure, the really good ones who have a shot won't mind as much. But all they are doing is feeding off the bodybuilders who are likely already ripped and ready - kinda like using them as a 'guest poser' to draw a crowd. But my point is, if they are using them in that way, why not use them in the ultimate way and lump both shows together as they did at the pro supershow. Have some prejudging friday night for say figure and bikini, and then bodybuilding saturday, and finals at night (or something like that)...I think more people in canada would get excited for an event like that compared to a pro show in toronto sharing a provincial show.Quote:
Originally Posted by Praetorian
Ya, the only problem is the population in the states are 10 fold of here, so if we hand out 2 a year, they should be handing out 20 a year to even it out. In canada I think a good number would be 2 a year. 1 for an under 202 and 1 for an over 202... (or 212 as of november this year). And perhaps a master just because, although masters pro cards are another story. If you obtain a pro card as a master you should have to compete as a masters pro. I don't think its really fair that a 35 year old woman or 40 year old man can obtain a pro card and compete as a "non-masters" pro seeing as how those same individuals often fail to even place in top 3 or top 5 in the same show in the open class. Sure, if there is a division made for them as a pro "ex. masters figure, masters bikini, masters bodybuilding" etc...(which I think there is, but 99% of the card winners will simply ccompete as a pro, meanwhile the other canadians that beat them at the same event basically never get the card.Quote:
Originally Posted by Prisoner#22
I've always associate being an IFBB pro as being beyond elite. As in, only the best of the best of the best will get it. When I see 4-5 figure girls getting it per year, and 3-4 bikini girls, it sort of loses its prestige. 10% of national level competitors end up turning pro every year! Bodybuilding is not as bad. I think its fine the way it is now, giving a couple per year. Adds way more prestige to it, not too mention it limits the number of people getting the card yet can't place in the top 15 at a pro show in their career. But the other events are starting to remind me of FAME/WNSO, where everyone is getting a 'pro status' behind their name. It also gives the idea to newcomers that "yep, I am going pro in a year or 2" and the silly part is, it is practically true!
Sorry for the negativity, I just really have respect for those that spend their entire lives chasing the pro card, and when they get it, it means that much more. Rather than handing it to the next 8 girls in line. Hopefully they keep it roughly the way it is. Next thing you know, the world qualifier men winner will be handed a card.
Great points Steve. First, like you say, run the show for 2 days like the Emerald Cup in Seattle and get the figure etc in all day Friday and the BB on Sat with the same type of fair etc for displays, sales etc over both days. if you are making a claim the show is "elite" ensure it is and the competitors fit that title.
As for the pro cards, when you start handing them out like jujubes, are they that "elite". We do have to remember that the BB pros are in a diff class than the other "athletes" and do compete at diff levels. I like how the BB cards are done in Canada through CBBA...check the other federations like WBFF and you see there are pros there and they can't even win their class at Provincials so that tells you how much credence to hang on those cards....as usual, you make some great points.
It will prob never be perfect but when there is something obviously "wrong" or "off", efforts should be made to fix it to ensure the future of the sport.
The pics are now up on MuscleInsider...and I would have to agree....Patrick rightfully deserved the win...overall his physique was slightly better than Marks IMO...he wins on legs easily..much better sweeps and size as well as arms. Mark was definitely harder especially from the back...his glutes were in...but he lacks back width..thickness and detail is good but there is little width as compared to Patrick. Patricks upper back is good but from mid back down its very weak...so both had issues from the back...I had Patrick in front based on winning most body parts and a better more x framed look...he could have been in better condition for sure but I think it was enough to win.Quote:
Originally Posted by loutfi
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Completely agree...the amount of Figure, Fitness, and Bikini IFBB pro cards handed out year after year really waters down the status...plus the value a Pro card brings to these "athletes" is pretty low...look at the prize money for an IFBB Pro contest for any of these women..its pathetic...and you have hundreds of women competing for peanuts. There is a huge difference between IFBB Pro BB and Figure/Fitness/Bikini...I really think they need to separate them and tighten up on how cards are handed out to raise the "elite" level status.Quote:
Originally Posted by steve_d
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