Road2HardCoreIron

I know 99% will disagree with me but I feel if they judge this as a bodybuilding competition where the best physique NOT who is the biggest freak wins, Shaun Clarida wins

I 100% agree with this. However, they won't judge it that way. He win shape, conditioning, fullness, etc..., but essentially they will say he is just not big enough.

Well, size is component, especially when there is a category for a smaller class. If there wasn't a 212 I could see the argument and in a clear demonstration last year(or year before), Clarida did beat out all the open in a show. Walker you have size, conditioning and pretty good symmetry while in the poses. Samson has size, shape, symmetry but needs the conditioning. Clairda has shape, symmetry, and conditioning but needs the size. Everyone is missing a bit of something.
That said, stand alone, Clarida is the best overall package when size is n't equated

I tend to agree with you DaSarge. I don't think its as much the local guy in the bigger shows, but I've seen it in the smaller NPC shows where the locals win out. As far as the bigger shows and qualifiers go, well I feel it is still there but its social media that plays a role, plus when you have the judges giving private posing lessons/critiques, you have the Manion's owning the NPC and IFBB and Tyler being a judge and his pervert dad taking porn pics for his site (yes there is truth to the article) and all crooked sponsors. There is corruption in all sports where there is a means to, it's people and people are not ethical be it a bj or money and those that see a weakness in others they can capitalize on.

My opinion on the 212 is, like most things, it was a good idea in the beginning, they (Manion's)  f-ed it up. It started at 202 and had a height restriction of I think 5'5" because the short guys couldn't be competitive or healthy and pack on 225-245 of muscle especially once the fans started wanting the monster freaks. A short guy didn't have a chance. Again I use Franco as an example. Now they let taller guys to like 5'9" - that's bs, IMO, move those guys to classic.

I think what pisses me off more now days is the attitudes of the big open guys stating things like they other classes aren't really bodybuilding, when I feel it is the opposite. The mass monsters aren't true aesthetic physique, just piles of muscle. I'll use Nick and I like Nick his physique, while an absolute freak, is not appealing to anyone but the mass freaks.

Just watch, the judges will likely judge the Arnold different that they judged the Olympia or next Olympia will be judged differently. They go to between smaller and massive all the time. Look do you really think there was that much of a difference in Ramy's physique this year than last...other than a bit less conditioning, no there wasn't, I was in the first few rows the last 3 years. Now I will say the conditioning this year for everyone was off due to the BS backstage making them wait several hours to go on.

The thing I like about Shaun other than th efact that he is 100% genuine...you can be standing there talking to him and thinking "this guys is so damn small, I don't get it" then he drops the sweats and you're like Holy F***! where did this guy come from. His seat was literally right next to mine Friday & Saturday at the Olympia. After he won, he came and sat and watched the rest of the show and got to talk probably the most I've ever had the chance to before. Humble and class act.