did victor get a gift with second place?

**md sucks** · 03-08-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by anthony1992

I thought 2nd was close between branch and victor. but would of gave the slight edge to victor

why would you vic missed conditioning again and again 4th all the way maybe 5th blechman must of dropped 100k behind the judges so he could stare at vics glutes a lil longer

**irishmuscle** · 03-08-2009, 11:13 AM

i also had him 4th and just,toss up between him and silvio for 4th

**.DP** · 03-08-2009, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by DMC

i had him 4th. For me the legs were a distraction to his huge upper body

I fully agree.

And to those comparing him to Jay; Jay had one massive leg and one big leg...Victor had 2 medium legs.

**TPT** · 03-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by .DP

I fully agree.

And to those comparing him to Jay; Jay had one massive leg and one big leg...Victor had 2 medium legs.

lol! funny.

**Relentless** · 03-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Victor simply HAS to bring up his legs. He could have placed as low as 4th last night. His legs are a weakness, particularly his quads. His hamstrings are actually very good. He needs to get busy in the squat rack with 5-6 plates.

**Mr Kimble** · 03-08-2009, 11:35 AM

Branch should have been second or at least won.Vic was 3RD and with no lower legs that is a gift.

**Curt James** · 03-08-2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by ThePhysicalTherapist

considering how everyone looked so good i could see a switching of placements. e.g., kai, branch, then victor. guess that might look strange for some since branch is still an anomaly to judge compared to victor and kai. then how about kai, toney, victor, branch? how would you fellas think of that placement? it seems that since prejudging to the finals people really started place lower stock on victor and his legs. on this forum there seemed to be less and less pro victor over time.

Bodybuilding competition will always be subjective. Unlike football or baseball, there's no goal line or concrete way to tally up the scores. Yes, the judges have their score sheets, but that all amounts to "I like this." Not quite as certain as a home run. So, yes, I could see a switching of placements. It's a judgment call with many factors involved.

Ruling out politics, conspiracy theories, and payoffs which I'd like to perhaps naively discount, think about the judges as simply human. They haven't seen Victor compete in quite some time and are therefore justifiably excited, happy, pleased to see the athlete back on stage. There's that expectation of Victor competing again and I wouldn't be surprised if thoughts of the 2007 Mr. Olympia don't linger in the minds of some of the ASC judges.

A gift with second place? I would call it an edge based on past performance, current appearance, and personal bias or judgment. Look through the threads and see how many people had the same calls or 1-2-3 guesses as the next post's predictions. I saw Kai in first, Victor, Toney, Branch, who else? Everyone has a favorite and, for better or worse, that includes the judges.

That first glance would come with it the thrill of seeing Big Vic step back on stage after a serious injury, surgery, rehab, and continuing recovery. As the competition continued, of course, people will see other athletes and reassess their choices, update their predictions, and root for the athlete who they believe arrived in the best appearance to the show.

One thing we can all agree on, this was an exciting Arnold Classic and one that kept the interest of the fans, judges, and athletes alike.

**dougie** · 03-08-2009, 12:08 PM

I had him 4th as well. Would have moved Toni to 2nd and left Branch were he was.

**Relentless** · 03-08-2009, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Curt James

A gift with second place? I would call it an edge based on past performance, current appearance, and personal bias or judgment. Look through the threads and see how many people had the same calls or 1-2-3 guesses as the next post's predictions. I saw Kai in first, Victor, Toney, Branch, who else? Everyone has a favorite and, for better or worse, that includes the judges.

I agree - after Kai, it was tough to place the guys. Each one had a strength the other didn't have. Victor could have placed anywhere from 2nd to 4th.

**LayItDown** · 03-08-2009, 12:13 PM

Hell yeah! Branch should have been 2nd with Tony Freeman third. Victor's legs werent up to par with the rest of his body. Branch was dry as hell

**Jacquester** · 03-08-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Curt James

Bodybuilding competition will always be subjective. Unlike football or baseball, there's no goal line or concrete way to tally up the scores. Yes, the judges have their score sheets, but that all amounts to "I like this." Not quite as certain as a home run. So, yes, I could see a switching of placements. It's a judgment call with many factors involved.

Ruling out politics, conspiracy theories, and payoffs which I'd like to perhaps naively discount, think about the judges as simply human. They haven't seen Victor compete in quite some time and are therefore justifiably excited, happy, pleased to see the athlete back on stage. There's that expectation of Victor competing again and I wouldn't be surprised if thoughts of the 2007 Mr. Olympia don't linger in the minds of some of the ASC judges.

A gift with second place? I would call it an edge based on past performance, current appearance, and personal bias or judgment. Look through the threads and see how many people had the same calls or 1-2-3 guesses as the next post's predictions. I saw Kai in first, Victor, Toney, Branch, who else? Everyone has a favorite and, for better or worse, that includes the judges.

That first glance would come with it the thrill of seeing Big Vic step back on stage after a serious injury, surgery, rehab, and continuing recovery. As the competition continued, of course, people will see other athletes and reassess their choices, update their predictions, and root for the athlete who they believe arrived in the best appearance to the show.

One thing we can all agree on, this was an exciting Arnold Classic and one that kept the interest of the fans, judges, and athletes alike.

I thought this was a great example of the subjectivity of bb. Each on there own were amazing without any complete dominations.
While Kai and Branch are both huge they are like huge apples and oranges. They are at the top of the produce pile; but if you don't like apples as much as oranges how to you place these against each other? I like Kai's look.
Vic needed to bring his legs up slightly before the accident and now even more. If he can do that his look will be complete and a judge who likes that look will give him points. I had him 4th with Toney 3rd because he filled more of his potential bring a better package. Can't wait to see some change in Vicfor the O.

**1baugh** · 03-08-2009, 12:16 PM

Branch should have been 2nd !!!

**Youngguns** · 03-08-2009, 12:19 PM

No, branches upper body isn't near as nice, and he has tiny forearms it's weird. Tony wasn't muscular enough.

There.

**DECABEATZ** · 03-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Victor was 2nd hands down no gifts here! I had victor- cause im a victor fan then kai then branch. Dont worry victor the olympia is coming and u will come in top 3. Next years arnold is yours!