2011 OPA Ontario Natural Championships Results

[A.C.P.]

Wow.That is what i consider a very poor turnout for the men's divisions.

I agree with you as well but it is a tested show so you have to take that into consideration as well. Some competitors don't want to test postitive whether it is for "helpers" builing or cutting agents not to mention recreational drugs.

The downfall to this is it is going to discourage others to compete in these shows. You pay more money to compete at a chance that you might be tested and then only compete against 1 other guy or a few if you are lucky.

I think that instead of doing these shows I personally am going to go in a show that I am not guarenteed a trophy for 1st or second place. I would rather come in my best against 5 or 6 other guys and place lower but knowing that I have improved from the contest before and actually had some competition.

It may be beneficial to look into the type of testing they use. I don't use recreational drugs due to work however, this could be a factor in the number of competitors.

[XCompetitor]

I agree with you as well but it is a tested show so you have to take that into consideration as well. Some competitors don't want to test postitive whether it is for "helpers" builing or cutting agents not to mention recreational drugs.

The downfall to this is it is going to discourage others to compete in these shows. You pay more money to compete at a chance that you might be tested and then only compete against 1 other guy or a few if you are lucky.

I think that instead of doing these shows I personally am going to go in a show that I am not guarenteed a trophy for 1st or second place. I would rather come in my best against 5 or 6 other guys and place lower but knowing that I have improved from the contest before and actually had some competition.

It may be beneficial to look into the type of testing they use. I don't use recreational drugs due to work however, this could be a factor in the number of competitors.

My thoughts exactly on everything you have stated here. Another thing i was thinking about also is the fact that people go to all the trouble to qualify and then don't show up at the Provincials. Only one guy in 5 different mens divisions and no more than 3 in the other mens divisions!!? In my mind if you qualify then you almost have a responsibility to show up and support the promoters and the OPA ect.

[steve_d]

perhaps the qualification runs for more than the same season. Bodybuilding is a sport that the less you compete, the more you can actually improve. Especially so for natural athletes. How are these guys going to get any bigger if they spend each year competing and dieiting. Once they do provincials, then the next step is the WQ...but that show is in april...so again, not much time for an offseason.

the true fix to all this is have regional, provincial, and WQ all within a month...WQ being the last show. I bet you tuns more people would have showed up if the provincial show was back in june, near the qualifying shows.

[XCompetitor]

I see your point.But on the other side of the coin it's not easy holding your conditioning for a month either! When i competed in the OABBA(predecessor to the OPA) we sometimes ran into this,and even 2 weeks would be tough...for me anyways!

[steve_d]

a month might be tough, two weeks is not - you just have to have some patience and NOT pig out after the show. That plus a bunch of cardio to get rid of a little sodium rebound, and you're good to go.

I'd rather hold it for a month then have no offseason! Which is my guess as to why there would be less competitors. People can't commit to dieting twice in a year. It's hard on family, jobs, relationships...making the sacrifice again without a break becomes selfish unless you have no other commitments in life that would hold you back. Kids being the number 1 thing that would hold someone back. Otherwise, I would probably have competed more than i have the last couple years. Coincidentally, I've made the most improvements of my life in large part due to the fact that I am no longer always dieting (like I used to).

[XCompetitor]

steve_d you hit the nail on the head with the words commit and commitments. I would also add mental toughness and DETERMINATION.Having 2 businesses to run,kids,Grandchildren,properties to take care of ect ect has never stopped me from training or dieting....i guess i'm getting off topic now so i'll shutup

[steve_d]

steve_d you hit the nail on the head with the words commit and commitments. I would also add mental toughness and DETERMINATION.Having 2 businesses to run,kids,Grandchildren,properties to take care of ect ect has never stopped me from training or dieting....i guess i'm getting off topic now so i'll shutup

one more word...balance. Seems you did a good job balancing all these and still being able to compete. Not many people have this ability. Guess I am off topic too!