Doing "the Finals" When You Really Shouldn't?

[Account Suspended]

Seems to be a common theme emerging here, not sure if this is me missing the point, but - so many people seem obsessed with qualifying for the finals despite the fact they have no place on a national stage?

You see some do multiple shows a year chasing that invite, hoping that a crop of shit will turn up and they might just land a top placing and get invited. And if they eventually get it end up bombing out anyway and then wonder why? I saw one Bodyfitness competitor do THREE shows last year and didn't place at any. Seriously!

Also, if you place third at a qualifier, get invited and you're the best you can be at that time, are you really making best use of time by continuing to diet and doing the finals?

Maybe I'm missing the point? Ok I get the whole "I was off, I can pull it back", but does that really happen all that often?

I said last year if I didn't win my class at the Midlands but I got invited, I wasn't doing the finals. If I couldn't win a show 3 weeks out the finals what chance did I have 3 weeks later at the finals? I wound up winning and then doing the finals (which in all honesty I didn't want to at the time but did because of people who'd backed and supported me).

Thoughts?

 

[TheProducer]

Definitely an interesting topic this. I think you can look at it like those who chase the points to qualify for the Olympia, now obviously the Olympia is the grandest of stages and for ANY type of competitor it would be an honour to step on stage, but to get there without actually ever winning a show through the year is pretty ludicrous tbh. You can qualify for the biggest and best show in the world without actually winning a pro show. I know Jon Delarose qualifed on points last year but he ended up turning down the chance to actually go because he was in the same mind set as "if you cant beat the top guys at a qualifier, how the fuck do you beat them at there very best on the Olympia stage?". So much respect to him there.

Lets bring it down a notch, i totally agree with you about the 3rd place qualifier, however depending on how early or late they qualify for the finals i think that 3rd place could be extremely motivating for that person because what, in essence, should happen is for the next couple of months if they push harder than ever with diet, training and w/e else they are doing because they know that they were not the best on the day and should be gunning for at least a top 6 finish.

After all the shit that went on before doing my show, i knew to myself that if i qualified i wouldn't have gone to the finals because it would have meant pushing too much shit for way to long which was something I was always dubious about. It is an achievement in itself to win a show and qualify but to do it via points or 3rd is abit meh.

I, personally, am hungry to win a qualifier because i havent gone through all the shit to step on stage to not take the big trophy and the small tub of protein home haha. The temptation to keep going to the qualifiers is always high because its such a buzz but the progression is made with a year out if im honest.

 

[kingy]

If I actually competed and didn't win my class but got a invite I wouldn't do the finals simple as that but that's just me

 

[Big Bear]

For some the finals is the end goal but I see your point
If your not competitive at the qualifier your not going to be at the finals
On a twist of this I've seen people never win a national class title but will go and compete at the Arnold's and then bitch about how much it's cost them and their placing.
If you can't take your class at the British how you going to take it at the arnolds

 

[Beast]

Isn't exactly a new phenomenon this, i've seen it over the years and imo it's usually down to competitors thinking their way better than the actually are and are ever going to be. Some have to be commended for the effort and no doubt vast amount of time and money they put into it but i've often wondered why none of their mates aren't honest with them and just tell them their going nowhere on the stage. You know the one's i mean, every year they appear in the same two or three shows and year on year never improve.
I competed once many years ago, when it was all bb for me but i was realistic with myself and didn't expect too much. I got very lean but my physique isn't great for the stage even at amateur level so after my first show (in which i didn't place) i decided a more strength orientated route was better for me. One also has to consider drug use and how far you are willing to go and that's after you ascertain how good your genetics and winning potential are in the first place.

 

[Hilly]

Seems to be a common theme emerging here, not sure if this is me missing the point, but - so many people seem obsessed with qualifying for the finals despite the fact they have no place on a national stage?

You see some do multiple shows a year chasing that invite, hoping that a crop of shit will turn up and they might just land a top placing and get invited. And if they eventually get it end up bombing out anyway and then wonder why? I saw one Bodyfitness competitor do THREE shows last year and didn't place at any. Seriously!

Also, if you place third at a qualifier, get invited and you're the best you can be at that time, are you really making best use of time by continuing to diet and doing the finals?

Maybe I'm missing the point? Ok I get the whole "I was off, I can pull it back", but does that really happen all that often?

I said last year if I didn't win my class at the Midlands but I got invited, I wasn't doing the finals. If I couldn't win a show 3 weeks out the finals what chance did I have 3 weeks later at the finals? I wound up winning and then doing the finals (which in all honesty I didn't want to at the time but did because of people who'd backed and supported me).

Thoughts?

Agree. Its pathetic those that go pick quiet qualifiers

I picked leeds because I know its one of of not the busiest show n you no if you do well then you look gd.

Fact is the judges dont have to give invites out at all. They should be pickier but again its the ukbff n all about money

 

[Hilly]

Definitely an interesting topic this. I think you can look at it like those who chase the points to qualify for the Olympia, now obviously the Olympia is the grandest of stages and for ANY type of competitor it would be an honour to step on stage, but to get there without actually ever winning a show through the year is pretty ludicrous tbh. You can qualify for the biggest and best show in the world without actually winning a pro show. I know Jon Delarose qualifed on points last year but he ended up turning down the chance to actually go because he was in the same mind set as "if you cant beat the top guys at a qualifier, how the fuck do you beat them at there very best on the Olympia stage?". So much respect to him there.

Lets bring it down a notch, i totally agree with you about the 3rd place qualifier, however depending on how early or late they qualify for the finals i think that 3rd place could be extremely motivating for that person because what, in essence, should happen is for the next couple of months if they push harder than ever with diet, training and w/e else they are doing because they know that they were not the best on the day and should be gunning for at least a top 6 finish.

After all the shit that went on before doing my show, i knew to myself that if i qualified i wouldn't have gone to the finals because it would have meant pushing too much shit for way to long which was something I was always dubious about. It is an achievement in itself to win a show and qualify but to do it via points or 3rd is abit meh.

I, personally, am hungry to win a qualifier because i havent gone through all the shit to step on stage to not take the big trophy and the small tub of protein home haha. The temptation to keep going to the qualifiers is always high because its such a buzz but the progression is made with a year out if im honest.

Nonsense re the olympia. Its there job. Its likely in alot of contracts they expect u to be at olympia etc

Its there livelihood

Totally different

Plus top.ten get money n im half sure every one gets a small amount n they contribute to them getting there also

 

[TinyTim]

Agree. Its pathetic those that go pick quiet qualifiers

I picked leeds because I know its one of of not the busiest show n you no if you do well then you look gd.

Fact is the judges dont have to give invites out at all. They should be pickier but again its the ukbff n all about money

How do you know a qualifier is going to be quiet?
I did Leeds and there were two others in my class.
You did it because you say it's one of the busiest shows.

On the converse, I also did Birmingham and there were 13 in my class - only a week or two apart.

So, how can you know you've got a quiet qualifier?

 

[Hilly]

How do you know a qualifier is going to be quiet?
I did Leeds and there were two others in my class.
You did it because you say it's one of the busiest shows.

On the converse, I also did Birmingham and there were 13 in my class - only a week or two apart.

So, how can you know you've got a quiet qualifier?

Because it's common knowledge some qualifiers are 'usually' quite

@BigBear was a judge he will tell u

Fact is leeds is always got the most competitors. Granted there will always be a quieter class

 

[TinyTim]

Because it's common knowledge some qualifiers are 'usually' quite

@BigBear was a judge he will tell u

Fact is leeds is always got the most competitors. Granted there will always be a quieter class

What if everyone waited for the busiest qualifier?
700 at leeds and 0 at any other show.
Some people pick by geography, others by time in the year, others by when they're ready, etc.
I don't think you can call them pathetic for doing so, tbh.

 

[sean162]

Valid point Aaron! . I placed 2nd at the east of england begginers today and got my invite. All be it begginners. But even so im not gna be taking up the opportunity as i know i have shed load of work to do and dnt just want to be making up the numbers on the day. I agree with your original post. The 1st n 3rd place dude. Especially 3rd was purely looking for that invite.

 

[Hilly]

What if everyone waited for the busiest qualifier?
700 at leeds and 0 at any other show.
Some people pick by geography, others by time in the year, others by when they're ready, etc.
I don't think you can call them pathetic for doing so, tbh.

Did u not fully read my post??

Were did I mention those people that pic shows based on geography or anything else

I said 'its pathetic those that go pic easy/quiet qualifiers' just to get n invite. Ad you see in this thread its been going on a while.

I dnt understand your lack of understanding my comment?

 

[Account Suspended]

I picked my qualifier last year based on geography.

This year I picked muscletalk based on it was three weeks before my actually "target show" and I planned to use it as a warm up... Kinda backfired but you see the thinking!

Next year, I'd probably do midlands again based on geography. I don't know though, things might change. The great thing is the ukbff give you the freedom to swap and choose.

 

[Pscarb]

This is one of the benefits to NABBA as you essentially get 1 shot at your area show(although you can qualify at the NABBA UK the year before) you cannot jump from one show to another to gain an invite.........

it took me 14yrs from when i first stepped on a stage to getting an invite to the finals (2005), since i first got that invite i have never failed to win my qualifier or place in the top 6 at the finals and i do think those 14yrs made the achievement even better.....

i see this all the time with new competitors but agree with @Beast it is not a new thing, i have spoken to many competitors and they have been utterly distraught that at there very first show they did not get to the finals as if there is no point to competing if you do not get an invite......

i would agree with this for someone like me, as to not get an invite at a qualifier would just not be acceptable and so would not placing top 6 at the finals, but if you are new to the game your first and foremost goal should be to step onstage the best you can be, then to set a goal to win your class at a qualifier no matter how long that takes (took me 14yrs )

to many want a quick fix.....

i also find myself agreeing with @Big Bear (i am sure it is a first mate ) how can someone who does not even place top 6 or in some cases not even do the British (UKBFF) represent there country at an international event (or win a sole qualifying event)....

there was a guy this year i think at the Arnold in spain (think his name is singh) who did not place any where a the finals yet went to the Arnold, and there where guys who won there classes or placed top 3 who where not asked to compete there........how does that work??

 

[Pscarb]

I picked my qualifier last year based on geography.

This year I picked muscletalk based on it was three weeks before my actually "target show" and I planned to use it as a warm up... Kinda backfired but you see the thinking!

Next year, I'd probably do midlands again based on geography. I don't know though, things might change. The great thing is the ukbff give you the freedom to swap and choose.

or you can do NABBA