2010 Canadian National Figure, Fitness & Masters Championships OFFICAL THREAD

[Praetorian]

Ok, maybe whining was a strong word. I take it back. The point of my post was for people reading this thread who weren't at the show to not get the idea that it was a poorly judged show. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and every judge is also entitled to their opinion...that is why they have 7 judges - hopefully the biases balance out to get the winner(s) - which I think they got.

Bodybuilding is judged on different criteria then figure. When it comes to bodybuilding its about consistency and in this show in both the men's and women's classes there was none...so yes for those who were not at the show the bodybuilding was very poorly judged...as for the fitness and figure it may have been spot on but I cannot comment on it because I did not see the results. This is not only my opinion it comes from many who watched the prejudging including provincial level qualified judges, IFBB Professional Bodybuilders, other competitors, promoters, and vendors.
I am the last guy to complain when it comes to placings....Ive competed for 14 years and haven't even voiced my opinion until now...but I just couldn't sit idly by when things get so far out of hand like this. I know every show someone got robbed blah blah blah...we have all heard it a million times...that's why I tend to leave things be and just work harder and improve. The problem here was that no matter what I would have done nothing would have changed...because they did not follow the criteria necessary where I did. That is the only reason I spoke up...I couldn't care less if i was 4th or 5th who gives a shit...I went to win and get a Pro card...unfortunately there is only one card and Chris was the better bodybuilder that night and I applaud him for it..well done.
P

[ScorpioChiq]

After X number of hours judging figure/fitness/bikini (let's face it, it was a HUGE show), it seemed to me that the judges had a hard time switching to bodybuilding and ended up going for abs and shoulders (and by default, size) more than conditioning. I would be so curious to see what would happen if we brought in a brand new panel of judges. IF the criteria is tight then it would reveal a similar placing. Regardless, you have two choices: give up and throw in the towel or put everything into coming bigger, better, harder and leaner next year. We choose the latter - and it will be at the NA's ;-)

I'm proud of Prae - he looked even 100 times better than his last competition and next year he will look even 100 times better than this year. Not to mention, six months ago he tore his bicep tendon off the bone and had to have surgery, rehabbed it and went on to compete on a national stage. Can't keep this baby down ;-)

[steve_d]

After X number of hours judging figure/fitness/bikini (let's face it, it was a HUGE show), it seemed to me that the judges had a hard time switching to bodybuilding and ended up going for abs and shoulders (and by default, size) more than conditioning. I would be so curious to see what would happen if we brought in a brand new panel of judges. IF the criteria is tight then it would reveal a similar placing. Regardless, you have two choices: give up and throw in the towel or put everything into coming bigger, better, harder and leaner next year. We choose the latter - and it will be at the NA's ;-)

I'm proud of Prae - he looked even 100 times better than his last competition and next year he will look even 100 times better than this year. Not to mention, six months ago he tore his bicep tendon off the bone and had to have surgery, rehabbed it and went on to compete on a national stage. Can't keep this baby down ;-)

GOOD POST. 100% agree about size of shows vs. judging becoming tedious. After 8 hours, writing down numbers can become boring. Although, the sad fact is that if that is true (which it likely is), they should not be judges. Judging is almost as fun as competing, and I think they should take pride in getting things as good as they possibly can. And that is to make sure each person gets the right place (not just the top 2). In my opinion, the judging was not as perfect as local/smaller shows because of 1 reason alone - the size of the show. They didn't have time to get it right. they had to go by initial impressions alone, and if you weren't in the call out, you weren't placing in those top spots even if deserved. This happened in a number of classes I watched. Where the top guy/girl of the 2nd call out was better than the lowest in the first call out. But with the size of the show, this was likely the only way they could do it.

I still have my opinions about judging in general and I really think I could implement a system that would eliminate bias almost completely, and give better results overall (the shows would take only slightly longer which is why they would not ever implement it).

It's easy as a judge to be swayed by where they position the athletes as well as the call outs...there should be no patterns. The judges should not have the slightest clue about what the other judges are thinking. It matters more than you'd think. Especially when things go by so quickly.

Also, good mentality, use it to fuel you for the next time. make it so that it isn't even a question next time.

[CC79]

Just wanted to say congrats to all of you who where at nationals, I had the pleasure of going with 69C and got a chance to meet a few of you and but a face to the name . You all should be proud of yourselves for all the hard work and effort you put into this .
I think you all rocked and did awesome !!

[fitnessbyzara]

I'm gonna chime in for the Bikini Short line-up, since I may be the only Bikini Competitor commenting on this thread.

I have one major disagreement with the Finals show for the Bikini competitors...they only had the top 3 come out instead of the top 5 like they did for every other category in the show. The standard 5 out for the night show, especially for Bikini, where overall presentation scoring is major in the category, should have happened. But it didn't and I don't know why they chose to do this only for Bikini?

I would have loved to come back out with the top 5. I placed 4th and my friends and family who came to watch the finals felt $50 wasn't worth it. I mean, usually if you're in first call outs only, then you pretty much sure that you'll be in the top 5 at night show finals...but apparently not for, and ONLY not for, the Bikini classes?!!?

Congrats to all the New Pros! NA's are next this weekend

[tiramisu]

Personally I'm more annoyed that they've lumped masters bodybuilding with fitness,figure, and bikin. I'm sorry if it seems rude but if I'm going to the nationals for bodybuilding I want to hang out with the bodybuilders if I ever get to go either as a spectator or god forbid a competitor.

A judging panel that was focused on bodybuilding rather than fitness/figure/bikini would be an added bonus but that's just crazy talk.

[ScorpioChiq]

A judging panel that was focused on bodybuilding rather than fitness/figure/bikini would be an added bonus but that's just crazy talk.

I agree - two completely separate judging panels, or ideally two separate events. Fitness/figure/bikini is definitely a large enough show for it to run solo.

[Prisoner#22]

From the pics I saw, Leon Eastman didn't deserve to make the top 5. He had visable abdominal fat that you could hold between your thumb and forefinger quite easily. Anybody who comes to a national show that out of shape should not be rewarded in anyway by the judges whatsoever.

[Praetorian]

From the pics I saw, Leon Eastman didn't deserve to make the top 5. He had visable abdominal fat that you could hold between your thumb and forefinger quite easily. Anybody who comes to a national show that out of shape should not be rewarded in anyway by the judges whatsoever.

100% agree...I could have been in the same shape and walked on at 245lbs...now that would have been fun!
Good luck this weekend at the NA brother!
P

[fitnessbyzara]

I agree - two completely separate judging panels, or ideally two separate events. Fitness/figure/bikini is definitely a large enough show for it to run solo.

Totally Agree with you on this!! Also, I wrote this in response to someone on another thread here that I wanted to share regarding my thoughts on Bikini judging in the CBBF/IFBB


Quote:
Originally Posted by steve_d
that is the problem with a subjective sport, it is almost impossible for judges to all come to a consensus of what is best. In figure, fitness, bikini, I don't think there will ever be a set in stone judging criteria. One judge will always favor 1 thing compared to another. Not only that, it is a sport where 1 body type may look better lean, while another may look better softer. Depending on how you hold your fat, how much muscle you carry, etc etc. The girls need to simply come in the way they want to look, not the way they think the judge may favor - because you never know which judge will show up, and you'll never know what will be "favored"...Besides, most will look best leaner. The problem is coming in to dry (ie dehydrted, not carbed up properly). In fitness, figure, and bikini, you can be shredded yet learn to stand properly to not show that extreme muscularity. Some of the pros could hit a bodybuilding pose and blow your minds, yet they stand a certain way and look soft and feminine.

So True and well said. I trained and competed in figure (since 2002-winning 2nd at the Ontario's in 2003 and other regional top 3 placings since) long before I switched and started competing in Bikini at the Ontario Naturals '09 to placing 2nd at National Naturals, Laval 2010...

I agree that the basis on the Bikini Category judging criteria should still stem from a physique standpoint first (much to the same aesthetically/xfactor - athletic, with full sculpted athletic muscle and tight yet softer (not ripped) skin texture. Second would be the facial beauty and overall presentation and confidence on stage. I think that its important to let the Bikini class have good stage time to show their personality on stage. Their Bikini walk/presentation is like their routine, and it usually only takes 45 secs to let each girl do a T-Walk to show off their physique in their own way, just as other athletes get routine time. 45sec is fair in comparison, I believe.

This is how I envision judging should be for Bikini.