New York Pro men's open list?

[lifepulse]

Koreans are next level.

Living in Japan I get exposed to a lot of them. So many amazing bodybuilders that nobody knows about. Many of them don’t even compete in the NPC but could easily win pro qualifiers.

Them and the Chinese. They’re coming!!!

100%. Did you happen to watch the "Physical 100" show on Netflix, filmed in Korean with a wide variety of athletes from different backgrounds? Some stout boys and girls there.

I haven't seen many amazing Chinese bodybuilders, that's interesting to hear, but not surprising. Will be awesome to see BB take off more in that culture in the coming years.

[leigh]

100%. Did you happen to watch the "Physical 100" show on Netflix, filmed in Korean with a wide variety of athletes from different backgrounds? Some stout boys and girls there.

I haven't seen many amazing Chinese bodybuilders, that's interesting to hear, but not surprising. Will be awesome to see BB take off more in that culture in the coming years.

I didn’t watch the show but I saw clips and there were some jacked people on there for sure.

The problem the Chinese have is they can’t use social media and they have trouble getting travel visas to many parts of the world.

Coming to Japan is no problem. So since the inception of the NPC worldwide they have taken many of the pro cards on offer here in Japan. Competitively they level is lower here so Koreans, Chinese and recently Taiwanese have won many of the cards. Especially in Bodybuilding and Classic.

Hopefully they’ll get a chance to use them.

[bigmikecox]

100%. Did you happen to watch the "Physical 100" show on Netflix, filmed in Korean with a wide variety of athletes from different backgrounds? Some stout boys and girls there.

I haven't seen many amazing Chinese bodybuilders, that's interesting to hear, but not surprising. Will be awesome to see BB take off more in that culture in the coming years.

They were JACKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beti ona]

The problem the Chinese have is they can’t use social media and they have trouble getting travel visas to many parts of the world.

In addition to that, China is a power in weightlifting and Chinese athletes receive more support and incentives for this sport than for bodybuilding.

By stupid associations of ideology, bodybuilding was discredited in socialist countries.

[leigh]

Pro qualifier I’m competing in here today. Final call out of the top 2 heavyweight bodybuilders. Both Korean. I tanned at the same time as one of them. Very disheartening lol.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csf5D...c4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

[leigh]

In addition to that, China is a power in weightlifting and Chinese athletes receive more support and incentives for this sport than for bodybuilding.

By stupid associations of ideology, bodybuilding was discredited in socialist countries.

Good point.

Korean governments support bodybuilders. My friend had a full time contract/income to train and compete representing the certain area.

[GeorgeUK]

Pro qualifier I’m competing in here today. Final call out of the top 2 heavyweight bodybuilders. Both Korean. I tanned at the same time as one of them. Very disheartening lol.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Csf5D...c4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

They are bloody big.

[Beti ona]

Good point.

Korean governments support bodybuilders. My friend had a full time contract/income to train and compete representing the certain area.

Oh, did you not know that, then is it similar to Arab countries?

[leigh]

Oh, did you not know that, then is it similar to Arab countries?

Similar but not near as much money haha.

[leigh]

They are bloody big.

Better in many regards than some pros I've seen in real life.

[Howard]

Not going to lie Howard, I think this is a crazy take. Yes he has weak points and needs more size and refinement in time. Same time, he stood on stage guest posing with Hunter Labrada a few weeks ago, and stood toe-to-toe with size, for the most part. And Hunter is one of the larger-framed pros out there (even though I don't love his physique, he's clearly not an "also ran").

Stu jumped into Tampa the week after he won USAs and took 7th, even with a cruddy look that day.

I'm NOT "on the Beef Stu bandwagon" -- not sure yet how I feel about his overall look etc. -- but I don't think it's accurate at all to say he's undersized.

Considering he just got 2nd in NY as an open pro, my opinions are totally out of touch with the current pro scene.
Based on this show placement and what he brought to the NY stage , it's obvious, I was wrong.

It may be best, if I refrain from giving my armchair analysis of current pro physiques.
I've become a casual fan in recent years and my "informed expertise" only applies to a bygone era.

If nothing else, I admit it when I'm clearly wrong.

[lifepulse]

Considering he just got 2nd in NY as an open pro, my opinions are totally out of touch with the current pro scene.
Based on this show placement and what he brought to the NY stage , it's obvious, I was wrong.

It may be best, if I refrain from giving my armchair analysis of current pro physiques.
I've become a casual fan in recent years and my "informed expertise" only applies to a bygone era.

If nothing else, I admit it when I'm clearly wrong.

Your analysis is welcome Howard, you were just wrong in this instance, lol, not the end of the world.


I'm kinda' with you in a sense -- Stu has a ton of potential, but he isn't there yet, at least "hanging with the big boys" in the pro ranks. He IS a big dude, plenty big, but he needs more time to refine -- mostly working on lats and a denser back -- before he's going to be Olympia-level. And he's getting hyped well beyond that so far. Kudos for him for how much he has accomplished so far as a brand-new pro; but also not time to declare "the next Mr. Olympia".

[Howard]

Your analysis is welcome Howard, you were just wrong in this instance, lol, not the end of the world.


I'm kinda' with you in a sense -- Stu has a ton of potential, but he isn't there yet, at least "hanging with the big boys" in the pro ranks. He IS a big dude, plenty big, but he needs more time to refine -- mostly working on lats and a denser back -- before he's going to be Olympia-level. And he's getting hyped well beyond that so far. Kudos for him for how much he has accomplished so far as a brand-new pro; but also not time to declare "the next Mr. Olympia".

I based my opinion on Stu's physique based on the guest posing video of him posted in this thread .
In that video he looked well balanced but seemed to lack tricep sweep and overall mass / thickness.

Obviously he's a much bigger and better pro than I realized from the single video I saw .

Again, as a casual fan now, I'm unaware of what many pros physiques are about and don't care enough to seek more info on 'em .

I'm guilty of giving an uninformed opinion on Stu's physique.
Alas , a lot of people do that on every topic out there .
LOL, but unlike me , they won't admit it.

[Beti ona]

I think Stu lost fullness in the last 2 weeks, in any case, he hold up well to the comparisons with Burton.

[Bestia]

Your analysis is welcome Howard, you were just wrong in this instance, lol, not the end of the world.


I'm kinda' with you in a sense -- Stu has a ton of potential, but he isn't there yet, at least "hanging with the big boys" in the pro ranks. He IS a big dude, plenty big, but he needs more time to refine -- mostly working on lats and a denser back -- before he's going to be Olympia-level. And he's getting hyped well beyond that so far. Kudos for him for how much he has accomplished so far as a brand-new pro; but also not time to declare "the next Mr. Olympia".

I get strong Sonny Schmidt (criminally underrated) vibes when I see Stu. This year isn't the year they need to worry about him. 2 years from now, be worried