Reality Check!

This weekend at the Arnold was a reality check for a lot of competitors, I think. Many of them took this International competition very lightly, like it was just another show. Most thought, "Oh I got 3rd in the Mr. Timbucktwo so I'm doing the Arnold now."

I'm not sure what these people were thinking. Let's see ... you have never won a show. Ever. Not even your class. So why not go do an INTERNATIONAL show, with International pros, and National champions from many countries and and look like complete crap? Yeah, this makes America look really good, doesn't it?

Here is how it works. First ... win a class in a local show. If you're really good, it's an overall win. Second, do the same at a regional show. Now after a win - not a top two - a WIN, you go to the Jr National level. After a win at the Jr USA or the Jr Nats ... THEN and ONLY THEN should you move to the National level. And if you are placing well, say top five in the National level ... then TRY THE ARNOLD!

I'm sure after seeing the Europeans and the other international competitors, the Americans must have known they weren't going to place well.

I saw a video on Musculardevelopment.com where a good local bodybuilder was claiming he was going to bring home the title to the USA. Well he didn't even place. As he was bragging, I became aware of a 22 year old phenom from Russia named Alexey Lesukov. He was in the same class as the kid in the video. It was obvious from the start: no way was this American guy going to do well at all.

22 year old Alexey Lesukov from Russia

I myself have qualified many times for National level competition - in three different weight classes: Lightheavy, Heavyweight, and Super Heavyweight. But I have not WON a class. Second is NOT a WIN.

SO this year I am one more time going to try and WIN my class to go on to the next level. If I don't win, then I retire for good. It's time ... I have been doing this for 17 years. And I will put 120% into it this time to know there is nothing more I can do to win. And I can be happy with that.

This year so far has been a reality check for a few pros in competition, a few amateurs, and maybe even me come August 20th.