The 2023 Arnold Classic, which took place earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio, saw Samson Dauda claim the title over fellow standout Nick Walker. In a recent YouTube video, bodybuilding commentator Bob Cicherillo explained how to judge physiques that are “freaky” in comparison to more aesthetically pleasing ones, while analyzing Walker’s loss to Dauda.
The 35th edition of the Arnold Classic garnered a lot of attention, with Nick Walker entering the show as the favorite and Samson Dauda ranking as the third-highest Men’s Open Olympian. Two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was also looking to redeem himself after being dethroned at the 2022 Mr. Olympia in fifth place.
During the prejudging phase, it became clear that Dauda, Walker, and Andrew Jacked were the main contenders for the title. Dauda ultimately won the judges’ favor, with Walker taking silver and Jacked in third place.
However, there has been some controversy surrounding the event’s judging. Former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout criticized Dauda for receiving perfect scores on both days despite appearing a bit “flatter.” He believes that if the criteria were based solely on muscle quality, Walker would have easily won the show.
Bob Cicherillo defended the placements and responded to critics in a video posted two weeks ago. He argued that the balance of Dauda’s physique gave him an early lead, while Walker lost some of his “freak factor” and fell behind. Renowned bodybuilding guru Chris Aceto agreed with Dauda’s victory but also disagreed with the perfect scorecard.
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Cicherillo offered his take on the event and provided a guideline for judging bodybuilding shows. However, in the days that followed, Nick Walker felt the need to intervene and ask his fans to stop posting hateful messages online targeting the judges and other competitors.
Walker, also known as ‘The Mutant,’ admitted that it was a difficult result for him to accept, as he felt he had won the contest in the moments leading up to the announcement of the winner. Nevertheless, he received support from four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, who praised Dauda’s performance and stated that the result could have gone either way.
Bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler, on the other hand, expressed a different view. He believes that Dauda easily outperformed the competition with his remarkable package.
Understanding the Distinction between Freak and Aesthetic Bodybuilders: Bob Cicherillo Shares Insights on Judging
Bob Cicherillo recently shared his insights on judging a physique that balances freakishness and aesthetics after the 2023 Arnold Classic, in a YouTube video.
In his video, Cicherillo highlighted the challenge of differentiating between a freak and an aesthetic bodybuilder, taking the example of the Arnold Classic. He explained that Samson, who took first place, was not a freak, while Nick, who came in second, was. Meanwhile, Jacked in third place was not a freak, but Ramy, who placed fourth, was. Akim Williams, who came in sixth, was certainly a freak, with muscle that rivaled any other bodybuilder’s, although he needed to improve his conditioning if he hoped to become a contender for the title in the near future.
Cicherillo also pointed out that William Bonac was not a freak, but the judges’ varied opinions during the competition were a cause for concern. If Samson’s physique was the one the judges were looking for, Cicherillo asked, then why was Andrew Jacked not in second place? And why did Nick come in second?
Paragraph 2: Cicherillo also highlighted the multifaceted nature of judging bodybuilding and the importance of achieving a good balance of strengths.
He noted that there is no absolute in bodybuilding, with all physiques occupying a range of shades of grey. While the physiques themselves might be all over the place, the judges are not. They continue to look for the same characteristics, including symmetry, proportion, shape, muscularity, conditioning, and an ability to display one’s physique.
According to Cicherillo, the judges are looking for the best combination of everything when making their decision, rather than simply counting the number of strengths or weaknesses a competitor has. Finding this balance is challenging, and the judges’ job is not an easy one. They must take into consideration all of these factors, with a particular focus on identifying the competitor with the least amount of weaknesses, rather than the most amount of strengths. Cicherillo warned that being put on the “freaky” side of things was not always advantageous, as a balance of everything is essential for success in competitive bodybuilding.
Arnold Classic: Bob Cicherillo on Nick Walker’s Placement Ahead of Andrew Jacked
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Bob Cicherillo gave his analysis of Walker’s placing ahead of Jacked.
According to Bob Cicherillo, Nick Walker’s placing ahead of Andrew Jacked in the 2023 Arnold Classic was due to his exceptional conditioning and muscularity. While he acknowledged that Walker’s legs were not as thick as in his previous competitions, he still possessed a lot of muscle on his frame, which was essential for a bodybuilding show. Comparing the two athletes, Cicherillo noted that Jacked lacked leg thickness and overall symmetry when compared to Walker. As a result, Walker was deemed the better bodybuilder when all aspects were considered.
Jay Cutler added to his initial thoughts on the 2023 Arnold Classic a few days ago. He believes the competition was so intense that anyone from the top four could have been crowned the winner. He defended the judges for picking Dauda over others.
Jay Cutler, a former Mr. Olympia, stated that the 2023 Arnold Classic was one of the most competitive bodybuilding shows in recent years. He believed that the top four competitors had put in an exceptional effort and that any of them could have been crowned the winner. In addition, he supported the judges’ decision to pick Idris Dauda as the winner, stating that his overall physique had the right balance of symmetry, muscularity, and conditioning.
Bob Cicherillo once again provided a framework for the bodybuilding fan to better understand judging. His insight will likely educate many who follow his work in the sport.
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Bob Cicherillo’s analysis of bodybuilding competitions and judging has been highly regarded by many fans of the sport. His insights into the nuances of judging criteria and how they affect the final outcome are often praised by experts and laypeople alike. For those who follow his work in the sport, Cicherillo’s analysis provides a framework for better understanding how judges arrive at their decisions.
Couresy Image @Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Voice of Bodybuilding (Instagram & YouTube)
