One of the most dominant forces in the bodybuilding industry over the last decade took a jarring hit this weekend at the New York Pro, and potentially provided us with a glimpse into the future landscape of bodybuilding. In the run-up to this year’s New York Pro many had heard the hype or ‘myth’ surrounding big Ramey, the beast from the Middle East, but few expected him to live up to the high expectations placed upon him by those in his camp and over at Flex for his pro debut. Not only did Ramy live up to these expectations, but he shattered them, and no one was more decimated by this than the former New York champ Victor Martinez.
New York shows have always been held to a higher regard than most standard IFBB events. This is because in the words of Ol’ Blue Eyes :
“In old New York / If I can make it there / I'll make it anywhere”
Dorian Yates, Kevin Levrone, Mike Francois, Nasser El Sonbaty, Flex Wheeler, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler... The myriad of great champions who have won this show and gone on to do great things in the bodybuilding world seems endless. 
The 2003 Night of Champions (Now the New York Pro) was no exception to this trend of producing excellence in New York. The contest marked the emergence of Victor Martinez onto the professional scene. Though not his professional debut, many had high expectations of Victor’s potential prior to this win, but he’d yet to place at a professional show up to that point, getting 8th at his first NOC appearance in 2001. Two years later Victor went on to decisively win the NOC and by doing so established himself as a force to be reckoned with for the foreseeable future and superstar within the industry, very similar to what we saw this weekend with Ramy.
A decade later and Victor planned on yet again winning the New York Pro (though under a different title than before) and reestablishing himself after his unexpected yearlong hiatus. This show was meant to mark the return of Victor, but instead it may have signified the end of an era. While Victor expected to restore his role in the upper echelons of bodybuilding , he instead leaves without a qualification for the Olympia and the question of ‘what’s next?’
Dave and Chris criticized Victor saying he was off from his potential best for this contest, but I honestly don't believe Victor was that far from what he can physically be at this point in his career and under the circumstances (that admittedly he in many ways put himself in). I also believe he put most his eggs in the basket for this contest, banking on it due to the significance, and though time may have been restricted to grow, Victor clearly had done a full diet going into this contest, which makes me question how much further can he really push it beyond this package (which I thought looked great given the circumstances).
Looking at the photos he had striations practically from head to toe, deep cuts in his legs, feathered glutes and hamstrings, with no additional pudge in the low back, as well as great vacuum asides his lat spread (Though I still had Morel 2nd Vic 3rd). That being said, there was one glaring problem for Victor and that was his obvious downsizing. It is easy to write this off due to challenges he faced over the last two years, but one has to question at this stage in his career, just how much can he really ‘grow’ to solve this problem? Will Victor be an Olympia threat ever again, or is it time to redirect his career and his competitive aspirations? 
Two guys I think Victor could take career advice from and model himself after if not improve upon are Tony Freeman and Darrem Charles. Both these men had very respectable careers but just looking at the numbers alone Victor was obviously the better bodybuilder, and could maximize the business model set by these two with his physique. I think Victor should embrace his changing physique much like a Darrem Charles and be the best he can be at that moment in time, rather than fighting the uphill battle of trying to be a ‘mass monster’ when the physiology of the situation simply won't allow it. Victor could instead show up bringing the same package he did this weekend, if not a little bit tighter, to every show he does from now on and just collect paychecks from international shows, FIBO events, and so on, in the way Tony Freeman does but even better... like win.. not just get Top-3 all the time
As a culture we like to see our heroes and idols compete for the largest titles and exit at the pinnacle of their careers rather than watch them compete as a shell of themselves, but we also have to sometimes face the reality of the situation. Like all athletes you cannot turn back the hands of time and if Victor has really reached a new stage in his career it may be time for him to seriously reconsider how he handles it, as well as for fans to develop realistic expectations of him in the coming years.
Victor may not be in contention for an Olympia title, but does that mean he should just disappear off the face of the planet? Bodybuilding is how he’s made a living for over half his life and it in some ways is all he knows (a dilemma many athletes face in all sport). Do you really expect him to walk off into the sunlight just because he can no longer win an Olympia title (something 99.99% of bodybuilders can’t do), knowing full well he could run through any Tier-III contest he dedicated himself to, and stopping at the bank along the way for another 4-7 years?
Victor has stated he doesn't desire to be a “Trophy Hunter”, and as respectable as that is, that’s different than trying to make a living based off the limited window provided by your physique as a bodybuilder. Keep in mind, it’s not like these guys have pensions waiting for them when they “retire”. Though maybe not desirable to us fans, it is fully acceptable for athletes such as Victor to maximize their fiscal gains, because they might as well strike when the iron is still hot and they have the opportunity. As we all know and history proves time and time again, in another ten years Victor won't have the option to run though these shows, and the sport can be fiscally cruel to those who didn’t plan ahead.
Victor is a great bodybuilder, and many think he should have been the 2007 Mr. Olympia, but the coming of Big Ramy may mark a new wave in bodybuilding.
