As per recent reports, Egyptian bodybuilder Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay seems to be losing favor with the judges in the IFBB Pro League competitions. During a recent episode of Voice of Bodybuilding, Bob Cicherillo, who represents the IFBB Pro League athletes, responded to rumors of the league conspiring against Ramy due to his recent performances.
Big Ramy gained fame for his impressive muscle mass and size as a Men’s Open competitor, winning his first Sandow trophy in 2020 by dethroning former champion Brandon Curry at the Mr. Olympia. He went on to successfully defend his title in 2021. However, many believed his dominance was too overwhelming compared to his competition, and he fell short in his bid for a third consecutive win at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, coming in fifth place while Hadi Choopan claimed the championship.
Some have speculated that Ramy’s recent string of subpar finishes may have been due to his failure to attend a guest posing appearance at last year’s Pittsburgh Pro. Nevertheless, he recently competed in the 2023 Arnold Classic, displaying an improved physique, but failing to place in the top three, with Samson Dauda emerging as the winner.
Despite Big Ramy’s previous accomplishments, it appears that his recent performances have left judges less impressed, leading to speculation of the IFBB Pro League having an agenda against him.
Big Ramy’s Performance at the 2022 Olympia
After the recent Arnold Classic, there was a lot of debate about the judging criteria, with many fans and experts alike questioning the placements of certain competitors. Some believed that Big Ramy and Nick Walker deserved higher placements, while others defended the judges’ decisions.
Walker’s fans were particularly vocal, with some taking their frustrations out on other competitors and judges. In response, Walker issued a statement urging his supporters to be respectful.
Coach Milos Sarcev weighed in on the matter and defended the winner, Samson Dauda, while dismissing the notion that Ramy did not get a fair chance. Sarcev also commented on Walker’s performance, saying that he lacked his usual “freak factor” and lost volume in his quads.
Jay Cutler, a four-time Mr. Olympia, gave his take on the event, acknowledging the intense competition between the top three participants. Although he believed Dauda looked incredible, he thought the results could have easily gone in Ramy’s favor.
Walker, who finished as the runner-up, was confident that he would come out on top in future competitions, despite admitting that Dauda didn’t bring enough firepower to take him out. He also acknowledged that he had lost some of his edge, attributing it to a reduction in the size of his legs.
Bob Cicherillo, who represents the IFBB Pro League athletes, criticized those who disrespected the judges’ decisions and provided a comprehensive roadmap for assessing a physique. He also commented on Walker’s performance, saying that he could have finished third due to a significant reduction in the size of his legs.
Cicherillo also recommended that Big Ramy make major changes to his physique, expressing doubts about his ability to win another Olympia title.
Bob Cicherillo refutes alleged conspiracy against Big Ramy and Nick Walker
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Bob Cicherillo, a bodybuilding expert, recently addressed allegations of conspiracy surrounding the results of the Arnold Classic, in a video posted on YouTube. Cicherillo had offered his opinions on the performances of competitors, including Big Ramy and Nick Walker, which had garnered a lot of attention. Responding to the backlash, Cicherillo questioned whether fans could accept that their preferred athlete was simply not good enough on the day. He stressed that judging was based on comparisons and not personal bests.
In the video, Cicherillo also commented on the speculation surrounding the scores and percentages given to competitors. He noted that just because a fan felt that their athlete had performed at 100%, it did not necessarily mean that they were good enough to beat their rivals. Cicherillo emphasized that the percentages were not equal across the board, and that a score of 100% for one athlete may not be better than a score of 95% for another.
Cicherillo also discussed Nick Walker’s performance at the Arnold Classic, stating that the athlete was highly dependent on what other competitors brought to the table. He explained that even if Walker brought his best performance every time, it would still depend on the shape, structure, and proportion of his rivals. According to Cicherillo, everyone has shortfalls in bodybuilding, and athletes must be judged on their overall performance in comparison to others.
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Cicherillo defends IFBB Pro League and Jim Manion
Bodybuilding commentator Bob Cicherillo has responded to rumors of a conspiracy against Big Ramy and Nick Walker. In a recent YouTube video, Cicherillo addressed the speculation and rejected the idea that these athletes were unfairly judged. He criticized those who cannot accept that someone else was simply better on the day of the competition. Cicherillo also explained that bodybuilding judging is based on comparisons, not on who brings their personal best.
In the same video, Cicherillo debunked the claim that Jim Manion, the promoter of the Pittsburgh Pro, holds a grudge against Big Ramy for failing to show up for guest posing. Cicherillo dismissed this conspiracy theory as laughable, arguing that Manion does not care about who shows up to guest pose at his event. He also pointed out that many top athletes are invited to the Pittsburgh Pro every year, and it is not uncommon for some of them to be unable to attend. Cicherillo further emphasized that the judges of the competition simply choose the best bodybuilder on that day, without any preconceived notions or biases.
Cicherillo also addressed the suggestion that the judges of bodybuilding competitions are now looking in a new direction, away from Big Ramy and toward a different style of bodybuilding. He dismissed this theory as baseless and argued that the judges have always been looking for the most perfectly developed bodybuilder on stage, regardless of their personal preferences. Cicherillo concluded that the reason Big Ramy lost the competition was simply that he did not bring his best to the stage, and that anyone who disagrees with this assessment does not understand the sport of bodybuilding.
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Cicherillo denies representing the Pro League
Bodybuilding commentator Bob Cicherillo recently found himself accused of playing favorites for the Pro League rather than advocating for the athletes themselves. However, he quickly responded to the allegations and made it clear that he speaks only for himself and not for any organization. In fact, he emphasized that he has never received payment from the IFBB Pro League or any of its ventures. While some of his advice may benefit the federation, his primary goal is to represent the athletes themselves in his role as an athlete rep.
Despite the backlash he’s received, Cicherillo remains confident in the judges’ ability to make the right call in bodybuilding competitions. While the debate surrounding the recent Olympia championship is unlikely to die down anytime soon, Cicherillo is clear that he doesn’t speak for the IFBB Pro League as a whole. Rather, he is simply offering his personal recommendations to competitors like Big Ramy, who may choose to follow them or not. In the end, Cicherillo asserts that his advice is based on factual evidence and not on any emotional biases or outside pressure.
While it remains to be seen how the bodybuilding community will react to Cicherillo’s comments, it’s clear that the debate over who deserves to win top honors in the sport is far from over. As various fans and commentators continue to weigh in on the issue, Cicherillo’s explanation may provide some useful context for those trying to make sense of the situation. For those who wish to see the full video of Cicherillo’s response, it is available for viewing online.
Courtesy Image @ Voice of Bodybuilding, Big Ramy, Nick Walker (via YouTube & Instagram)
