ABA Shows a Joke?

[KnowstheSky]

Has anyone else figured out the ABA is full of crap? They disrespect the athletes, only seem concerned about getting money from both competitors and audience members. I have done a show of theirs and warn people away from them.

A buddy on mine went ahead and did the Midwest/Indiana show on Saturday, and sad to say, they still run a lame, half assed operation. I could go into great detail about how badly they operate, but I'm curious to hear from any others who have had sour impressions of Denny Kakos and his crew.

I know this site is intended to uplift and promote the sport, but I hate seeing good bodybuilders being taken advantage of by an organization that clearly is out for self promotion rather than bettering the sport. Am I wrong???

[IronBrendan]

I've actually never even heard of the organization.

www.ironbrendan.com

[beezer37]

Let me start by saying I agree this organization is a joke as far as the logistics go for regional shows. I will never compete in any of these federations again. I was extremely disappointed with the entire show. The judging was very novice and I am not sure the panel even knew what they were judging. On several instances, the judges were way off the mark. Entry fees were outrageous and audience tickets were out of the this world. They want to act as if they are all about the athletes, where in fact, it doesn't take long to recognize they are self promoting, money hungry, and biased pricks (for lack of better terminology, sorry).

One occasion of dissatisfaction really sticks out in my mind. Durning the 4 hours between pre-judging and the evening show, Denny Kakos and family (founders) pushed everyone out of the venue including the competitors, where we were forced to spend the 4 hours in the 90 degree temperatures on a sunny day laying on the ground covered in the already uncomfortable tanning product. If that isn't a screwed up way to treat people who just give you an obscene amount money for a piss poor show I don't know what is.

The mandatory poses during pre judging are the most unorganized display of judging I have ever seen. I felt more like I was learning the waltz than being judged for a physique competition. Then on top of that, they had a couple novice idiots judging what was a "pro qualifing" event. I was so pissed off by the time I walked off stage, I was honestly losing the desire to even win, I just wanted to get the hell out of there before I hit someone.

I was told by friends not to waste my time and hindsight being 20/20, I should have listened. I could go on and on about the crap they got wrong but I am getting worked up just thinking about it right now...so I will stop. But moral of the story, put some thought in it before you commit to this organization. I would urge OCB participation way before wishing this circus on anyone.

[indyjoshua]

Any organization that cancels a show is a joke period! It costs an athlete a lot of money and time and mental sanity to get ready for a show. Best thing for an athlete to do is compete during season so that if that happens they have something to fall back upon. Or... they can compete in the NPC baby!!!! Oh yeah!!!!!

[coloBB]

hmmm interesting to hear all of this. I am planning on doing a INBA show in May after my two NGA shows. I will be trying to hold my conditioning for another 4 weeks after the last NGA show..... hopefully its worth the effort.

[FATHER FLEX]

Not going to even say much about this, but you can run a search in the section and I am sure you will get plenty of info on this org.

[str8flexed]

Any organization that cancels a show is a joke period! It costs an athlete a lot of money and time and mental sanity to get ready for a show. Best thing for an athlete to do is compete during season so that if that happens they have something to fall back upon. Or... they can compete in the NPC baby!!!! Oh yeah!!!!!

I wouldn't say that. many shows including npc shows have been canceled because of unforeseeable events. One time the venue screwed the ocb, one month before the show they told them they had double booked the venue and had to kick them out, as a result they had to cancel the show... there wasn't anything they could have done.

[tvicemanXXL]

I wouldn't say that. many shows including npc shows have been canceled because of unforeseeable events. One time the venue screwed the ocb, one month before the show they told them they had double booked the venue and had to kick them out, as a result they had to cancel the show... there wasn't anything they could have done.

Sue the living **** out of them.

[str8flexed]

Sue the living **** out of them.

well the promoter isn't rich and you have to actually win the suit and even then, what are your damages? Everyone wants to sue in this society but people don't realize you are looking at least 10k just to get started, and there is no guarantee of a pay off. If he was rich I'd say do it on principle. But suing doesn't guarantee money and usually it's the opposite

[lth]

^^^word....at least make sure you'll at least turn some cash before doing it lol....such as getting hit by a dumptruck or finding a finger in your coffee. But not for a canceled show.

[stump123]

I know this post is old but I wanted to make a few comments also. I couldn't agree more that the ABA/INBA/PNBA is a money hunger organization and is not looking to enhance the sport, only their pockets. I saw this at local contests and in Reno that my wife competed in. I was hoping that not all natural organization act this way (still don’t know yet). Denny Kakos wife (Diana), there is a big part of the problem. Very negative individual and doesn’t give a damn about the athletes only the cash. I won’t go into specifics (to long of a list) but many people I talked to said that they won’t be back because of her.
I think the premise of all athletes being drug tested before the competition is great but no one ever sees those results. How do you know that you are competing on a level field? If an athlete fails testing but it’s up to the organization if they want to enforce it. I think with this organization, money talks and results get lost.
I don’t know enough about other contest but do they all operate about the same way? Testing all athletes before or after? Still a newbie but want to learn more and find some good organization.

[Slovation]

Im also interested if anything has changed lately. Im wondering which natty org is considered the best to pursue a pro card in. Ive done NPC only shows as they are mainly the ones locally where Im at. Also Ive talked to a few people at those NPC shows that have competed in other orgs and said it wasnt as pleasant. Im taking a few years off then will try to get my pro card but if its becoming a joke in most orgs I dont know if its worth it. I know that when I went out of state and competed in a show held by a different promoter I really noticed how mediocre it was ran compared to the ones Ive done locally and to be honest it almost ruined the experience. Maybe Ive just been spoiled with how great Miles runs his shows here. I know Berto made the decision to leave the wnbf but from what I saw Im pretty sure it was due to lack of shows in the west coast if I recall. Im in AZ and although I take competing serious I dont see myself flying across the country to compete.

[lowcut82]

I competed in the ABA/INBA Illinois show back in April. It was my first time competing. It was ridiculous. Very unorganized and exhausting. My family gave them so much money just to watch me compete. They charged my 8 year old nephew full price for a seat for both pre-judging and night show because "the show is close to sold out". They judged by height, instead of weight. But the winner of the short class (my class), was taller than the winner of the medium height class. Kinda fishy. Bnizzle gave a more elaborate report of the show in his pre-contest log.
I competed in the NPC Flint/Mid-Michigan show the next weekend. That was a very political show, but from what I've heard, thats how most shows are. My trainer boycotts that show for that reason. I competed in the new physique division. The crowd favorite ended up winning that show. I didn't even stay for the night show that day because I was disgusted with how they ran and organized it.

[TheNaturalOak]

hmm im 9 days out from my first show (NPC) but had planned on doing an INBA show 4wks after that....

Bad idea? Any reviews on these shows from competitors who WON the show?

No offense, but curious to if the negative comments are b/c of pure bad placings/results...?

[str8flexed]

i won inba shows back when i competed in them.

was not really impressed. didn't hate it, but wasn't impressed

[Leprechauns1021]

I'll be doing either an INBA or INBF show in October..it'll be my first so I wont have anything to compare to.


What kind of experiences did you guys have from shows you're disappointed in? What makes one worse/better than the other? Is it necessarily the organization as a whole, or does it depend largely on the local organizers?

[Bnizzle163]

I did an ABA/INBA show this year... never going to do one again. The show started an hour late, I was on stage 2 hours after I was supposed to be, they told me like 30 times that I would be on in 5 mins, so I'd start pumping up only to find out I'd be on 2 hours later. It was ridiculous.

Prejudging lasted about 2 minutes. They didn't even have us do all the mandatories. Then I placed 3rd behind two people that were clearly just under 10% BF... ok, ok, /rant :D