Tony V's contest prep and stuff for April 18, 2009

**bwelch1985** · 04-22-2009, 03:24 PM

There's no question that Valentine is a PHENOMENAL bodybuilder and completely deserving of a pro card (as is Tony).....but....w/ that said.....these pictures were clearly selected w/ the intention of highlighting Valentines strengths and showing Tonys weaknesses....I'd like to see the rest of the mandatories, especially the side shots, in order to have a fair and complete comparison before deciding (in my own mind) who was the winner....

**devo09** · 04-22-2009, 05:16 PM

^^Agree with Bwelch

-Also kinda surpised that Brian actually felt the need to post pics that display Valentines strengths and Tonys "weaknesses"...Especially when Tony didn't dispute the fact that he felt he was beat....

-But, great job Tony, you can't control who shows up. You looked great

**stayfit2008** · 04-22-2009, 06:01 PM

I agree with Paul,..evrything is fantastic but could really use some Back Width. I think you know what needs to be braught to the stage Tony. Now you can commit to focus on that for next competition. Keep driving at it!

**Joe Go** · 04-22-2009, 07:48 PM

You guys both looked great! Tough call. You have nothing to hang your head about. That looked like a great battle.

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-22-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey_bw

A couple of pics of Tony and Valentine from this class:

Valentine = #29, Tony = #73

Please let me know what you think, as I have already shared my opinion based on what I saw at the show.

Valentine has a much, much better back than me. But I don't think those are the best comparison shots because it looks like I hadn't hit my pose yet on the rear lat spread and I hadn't finished hitting my pose yet with the rear double bi.

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-22-2009, 07:57 PM

And Valentine's calves = zero.

**FATHER FLEX** · 04-22-2009, 10:09 PM

Yeah I don't think you were quite set in any of those poses Tony. Nevertheless, Valentine has some crazy stuff going on back there. It goes without saying that I don't think Valentine would have been completely upset loosing to you, much in the same way you felt.

Folks got their money's worth, that's for sure. Tony do you do plenty of direct arm work?

**Quelly** · 04-23-2009, 12:16 AM

wow, tony...the guy who beat you is an incredible bodybuilder...could be a competitive pro now...and you were right there with him...even in these shots in which you weren't completely set....that to me says that you could be a competitive pro right now....I can't imagine what kind of damage you'll do coming in next time with more grow time and deadlifts under your belt...its going to be incredible, I hope to develop a physique of yours and valentines caliber.

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 06:16 AM

The comparison pictures are finally up on the website. Go HERE:

http://www.patrickarnold.com/sstates2009/

Click on the 10 o'clock hour, but be warned you'll have to register. It only takes about 30 seconds to do so. Scroll through the top and my class (open short) starts at picture #164, going through #281. LOTS of pictures! I still think the judging was fair and he did in fact legitimately beat me.

#164-281, 10 o clock hour!

**gymrat9929** · 04-23-2009, 08:21 AM

Dude it was a ****ing battle and was the highlight of the entire show!

i was pulling for you and thought that despite V being bigger in certain areas you had the better stage presence. You laid it all out on the line and thats all anybody can ask for.

I was proud of you for sure! V had some "freaky" parts but I thought you had the better overall total package. Obviously I'm somewhat bias knowing you for so many years ... but I still have a keen eye for this shiznit. Either way ... great job!

props bro!

you gonna make it to the Mayhem show to come see me throw down?

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 08:46 AM

I am not asking everyone to offer their own judging scores on everything. I flat out said the guy beat me. Based on the pictures, it's obvious he beat me. At no point in any message I have left did I say I felt like I should have won. I think I had him in a few poses, but he beat me in more poses and the poses he did win he won more convincingly. I know what my weaknesses are, and especially after looking over the event photography I know what I have to work on.

**Flynn** · 04-23-2009, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

I am not asking everyone to offer their own judging scores on everything. I flat out said the guy beat me. Based on the pictures, it's obvious he beat me. At no point in any message I have left did I say I felt like I should have won. I think I had him in a few poses, but he beat me in more poses and the poses he did win he won more convincingly. I know what my weaknesses are, and especially after looking over the event photography I know what I have to work on.

And since this your thread, my assessment was removed!

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Flynn

And since this your thread, my assessment was removed!

LOL I wasn't directing that comment to you. I know I've somewhat invited assessments based on me assessing the comparisons myself. I just felt like I was about to get universally bombarded by the same advice for the next few days.

**Flynn** · 04-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

LOL I wasn't directing that comment to you. I know I've somewhat invited assessments based on me assessing the comparisons myself. I just felt like I was about to get universally bombarded by the same advice for the next few days.

And you were correct! No harm no foul

!!!

**Fjock** · 04-23-2009, 09:42 AM

I think you looked awesome Tony, way to go man!

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 09:45 AM

I was looking over all of my photos leading up to the show, and man I hit the rear lat spread so much better BEFORE I hit the stage this past Saturday. So I took a couple of minutes posing in the mirror and figured out what I was doing wrong on stage. I was pulling my shoulders forward so hard I couldn't spread out my lats. I am an idiot. See the difference:

Left picture is what I was doing on stage, right picture is me doing it correctly:

BIG difference! WOOPS!

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 09:49 AM

WRONG!

BETTER!

**stayfit2008** · 04-23-2009, 09:57 AM

Realizing details like this kinda makes wish you could go back and do it all over again huh?

You still Da Man!

**bwelch1985** · 04-23-2009, 10:55 AM

Wow...it's incredible how big the difference is in those shots! This has inspired me to begin practicing posing IMMEDIATELY.

**Sean15782** · 04-23-2009, 11:27 AM

Just thought this picture was crazy. This looks like one of the most competitive classes I've ever seen in a natural show. The top 3 all have pro caliber physiques!

**Fjock** · 04-23-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Sean15782

Just thought this picture was crazy. This looks like one of the most competitive classes I've ever seen in a natural show. The top 3 all have pro caliber physiques!

x2 wow

**njmuscle66** · 04-23-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Sean15782

Just thought this picture was crazy. This looks like one of the most competitive classes I've ever seen in a natural show. The top 3 all have pro caliber physiques!

Thought I was looking at the top 2 from a top NPC level show for a moment. Seriously Tony and Valentine could do some major damage in the NPC.
AMAZING! And drug free goes to show that the limitations are only what we set for ourselves

Those pics certainly highlight your physigue better and better shows how close a decision it must have been.

Boy you guys are starting to make me question if i EVER want to step on stage again The bar is SO SO HIGH!

**Fjock** · 04-23-2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by njmuscle66

Thought I was looking at the top 2 from a top NPC level show for a moment. Seriously Tony and Valentine could do some major damage in the NPC.
AMAZING! And drug free goes to show that the limitations are only what we set for ourselves

Those pics certainly highlight your physigue better and better shows how close a decision it must have been.

Boy you guys are starting to make me question if i EVER want to step on stage again The bar is SO SO HIGH!

Trust me theres A LOT of npc competitors in his weight class that would piss their pants if tony showed up backstage that shredded. At least from what ive seen at a number of national qualifiers...

**Donkey_bw** · 04-23-2009, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

I am not asking everyone to offer their own judging scores on everything. I flat out said the guy beat me. Based on the pictures, it's obvious he beat me. At no point in any message I have left did I say I felt like I should have won. I think I had him in a few poses, but he beat me in more poses and the poses he did win he won more convincingly. I know what my weaknesses are, and especially after looking over the event photography I know what I have to work on.

THAT is the attitude of a true champion. Comments like that show your true colors, Tony - it takes a big man to acknowledge when he has been beaten cleanly and begin working so that it doesn't happen again.

I have been destroyed in each of the last 2 overalls I've participated in. Lots of people told me, "You looked great / you should have won." Comments like that don't help me one iota. What does help is a realistic assessment of where I got beat and what I need to work on to improve. Like Tommy said, this sport is all about trying to get better - and recognizing your own weaknesses is a huge part of that.

Tony, enjoy your off-season. There is no question you have a pro-caliber physique with many incredible individual parts. I wish you nothing but the best in the future - I'm confident you will be standing up against the best IFPA pros in no time.

**tvicemanXXL** · 04-23-2009, 08:00 PM

Here's a good shot of my christmas tree from the night part of the show.

**Joe Go** · 04-23-2009, 08:14 PM

Thats awesome!

**dball** · 04-23-2009, 08:23 PM

Bada$$ picture of the 'christmas tree' Tony! Not sure it is worth mentioning but my trainer who promotes and co-promotes a number of shows in the midwest said he thought if you would have bigger lats (or based on your pics maybe hit the poses differently, my words not his) you would have won the your class and the overall. Anyway just wanted to let you know there were others close to the show that echoed what you said/knew already.

Congrats on a great show and good luck with your off season!

**FATHER FLEX** · 04-23-2009, 10:23 PM

That pic is Billy Badass!

Tony Badass LOL

**MattyH7688** · 04-23-2009, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

I was looking over all of my photos leading up to the show, and man I hit the rear lat spread so much better BEFORE I hit the stage this past Saturday. So I took a couple of minutes posing in the mirror and figured out what I was doing wrong on stage. I was pulling my shoulders forward so hard I couldn't spread out my lats. I am an idiot. See the difference:

Left picture is what I was doing on stage, right picture is me doing it correctly:

BIG difference! WOOPS!

damn huge difference

anyways... excellent job tony.. both you and valentine looked ridiculous.. it was a close battle, now just more motivation for next show

**Lando33** · 04-24-2009, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by tvicemanXXL

Xmas in April. Awesome Stuff, T!

Thread: Tony V's contest prep and stuff for April 18, 2009

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