Editorial by Juan Carlos Lopez

After going to two shows this month there are clear differences between what Canada and the United States are awarding. More about that below. Again apologies for the scans of Musclemag Mexico. The editor sent some copies but it seems the postal office delayed the parcel so hopefully by next month we can add some more.

Figure Standards

Just when you thought everyone was in the same page regarding giving out IFBB Pro cards, Canada our northern neighbor does the opposite. While the judges in the United States issue a mandate to competitors that capped shoulders, striated legs and several other hard features will be penalized, Canada awards this. There were rumors that this year it could change and that Canadian judges would be awarding the pro card to someone that had a similar look to what the NPC awards. Lynda Thoreson was one name that rang around weigh-ins. Jamie Senuk lost 8 pounds for this show and thus presented a near perfect package. While Jill St. Laurent was more muscular she earned an additional pro card. At Jr. Nationals at most the pro card winners had small and tight physiques which seems to have been what judges wanted.
So the question is what should the standards for figure be? Many countries in Europe, Mexico and Canada would judge differently this year's Arnold. For example Mexico judges Jose Luis Renteria (who competed in World Championships against Benfatto and Lee Priest) and Victor Perez Medina made their own placings about the Arnold and the results were very different from what went on stage. So it will depend on what people want and what the IFBB in general want. Holding the Olympia in Las Vegas seems to have a lot more success than holding it in any other place. So what will happen to Canada will the IFBB and the NPC penalize them somehow for keeping the new pros so muscular? No, because the CBBF can do whatever they want. The day Mexico gets a National pro qualifier you will see some really muscular new IFBB Figure pros.

Trouble in Canada

At the Nationals this year in Edmonton the show ended with the Overall given to Serena Cooper and an additional pro card to Jill St. Laurent. Backstage after everyone left for home or their hotels Jamie Senuk was told by the judges that she had actually won the overall and that they mis-tallied the scores. The true reality was the Jamie Senuk had scored higher than the rest and thus had earned her pro card. In a way it was good but it was really bad as people dream about the moment when they obtain their pro cards as the highest point in their careers. Family and friends were there to witness it but the celebration would not be the same. These kind of things should never happen in any competition at any level whatsoever but it seems it does. The Emerald Cup had a similar thing happen to Michelle Troll who won her class after Misty Green was announced the winner on stage. After some years people probably won't remember as every website and magazine will credit Jamie Senuk as the overall winner.
The other things that made this show troublesome were the accommodations. As mentioned in the review the host hotel, described as "dump" by many competitors was too far from the venue and too close to the model search on Sunday. Makes you think how much they really care about the competitors. Many guests moved from the Sandman hotel (host hotel) to the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. So all these little details including a small venue with limited press passes (which were center section first row seats) should be corrected for next year as it will be held in the same city.

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