The Olympia 2018

Shawn Rhoden

Well I never write anything in a timely manner.So this is the week after,give or take, the 2018 Olympia weekend.The yearly grandiose thumping flesh on parade show.
I didn't sit glued to the stream.Which I understand is just as well since it was on a site I've never heard of, ( iherb ), and it was down much of the first day.That's the IFBB isn't it?
I suppose they make money....somehow.
The big story;The same guy didn't win again! Dear sweet jumpin' Jebus!
The same guy always wins in the open class year,after year,until the average gymbro fan is crying into his protein shake about how bloody boring it is.Well...it kinda is.It's not really much of an actual contest if it turns into a yearly coronation.
So last year Phil Heath wins his seventh title in a row.2011-2017 all his.And last year he was battling a gut injury that required surgery soon after the show.He still managed to take the title.But there was grumbling about his gut.There's quite a lot of grumbling about distended turtle bellies in bodybuilding in general in the last few years.It's a real problem.
Phil's belly was reasonable this year.But he was not as big,and tight as in the past.He's a mass of round on round.H shaped,and packed with beef every inch.Lacking nothing.He's a damn impressive bodybuilder.He does deserve to be a champion.
But he's not loved by all.He can come off as prideful,touchy,and defensive.He glowers on stage,and pulls his mean muggin' face.
Bad impressions? Maybe a little.Are people being unfair to him? Probably they are.
He's not a villain.Some fans just got tired of him.That's the way it goes.He has a right to be proud of his run.He's one of the elites.We'll see if he comes back next year.His wife blew off some steam after the show,and said he was going to quit.An emotional over reaction in the heat of the moment.He'll probably be back.
The bigger deal is the man who won,Shawn Rhoden.
He's been climbing the Olympia mountain for years.He has a lot of fans.His physique is a modern mass version of a real X frame.It just flat out looks like an Olympia champion should.
He paid his dues,and deserves it.His win produced some genuine happiness in the bodybuilding world.It felt like a breath of fresh air.It felt a little like coming home to something close to the classic lines that so many fans yearn for.I wonder if the IFBB executives,and judges are getting the message? I'm starting to believe it's possible.The general public doesn't like the mega bulk freak look.But that's the average Joe.When there's a feeling that the real gym Joe is turned off, they start listening.The bulk freak beast still has fans.But it's unmarketable to many.It makes bodybuilding look like the circus sideshow rather than the beautiful muscular ideal most who fall in love with bodybuilding dream of.I don't think most people prefer the mass over the class.It's possible the constant exposure on social media has an effect on this.So many people look at so many muscular bodies.Most people are drawn to beauty.It has to be reflected in the sport.That's why they added so many divisions.They're basically aesthetic weight classes.
Gym members following physique heroes on Instagram,and YouTube buy supplements.They may buy tickets,and t-shirts,and support the future of bodybuilding too.
But whatever the long term on this...I'm glad he won.

Flex Lewis

Flex Lewis won his seventh 212 division title,and retired after wards.
Damn look at that back!
He's a great bodybuilder.I don't think we'll see a short man winning the open class but he would at least have a shot.I don't know if he's given any indication of wanting to step up to open.So this is probably it for him.
He's soldiered on and got it done for years.I always liked him winning more than Heath in open every year.
So next year the 212 will be a new winner.Maybe Derek Lunsford? We'll see.

I paid a little attention to the other divisions.
Breon Ansley won his second Classic title.He looks great, and healthy.Nothing bad to say about that.
Chris Bumstead may be the future winner.He's very impressive.His stomach vacuum could scare a Hoover.
(But I wish he'd get that arm obliterating tattoo removed.It's a giant glop wiping out his forearm)
There are rumors that they may allow them to change from the black boxers next year.Here's hoping.

The Women's Physique winner, Shanique Grant...is pretty.And she has a nice physique.Good for her.
I prefer Natalia Abraham Coelho.Very sharp,and statuesque.Great lines.
And no implants...yet.I'll like her as long as she doesn't install the bags of goo.
It looks like they're reining in the women's muscle mass too.They look more stream lined,and lighter this year.This has been going on for some time.The athletes get bigger,they get pulled back.
Of course.

Natalia Abraham Coelho

The rest of the events...congrats to the winners.
See I'm trying to be nice and not mention the dumb board shorts in Men's physique,or the fact that all the Bikini girls look the same (implants) and stick their butts in the air.

Well it was an eventful show.We'll see how things play out from here as we continue to pretend that bodybuilding is an actual sport that matters.
Thanks for playing kids.

I'll bet Las Vegas was cleared out of doughnuts after the show too.😄🍩