For
those that are new to the game, the Men’s Physique division was introduced this year in the NPC. What makes a good physique competitor? If you go to www.npcnewsonline.com or look at the rulebook, the judging criteria specify that competitors are judged on "Muscularity and Body Condition" as well as "Stage Presence and Personality."
The website states:
"Muscularity and Body Competition” - Judges will be looking for fit contestants who display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. This is not a bodybuilding contest, so extreme muscularity should be marked down.”
Stage Presence and Personality - "Contestants will be asked to walk in board shorts (shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button; no spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts; however, a manufacturer’s logo such as a Nike symbol or Billabongs is acceptable.). Competitors will enter the stage without a shirt and barefoot. No lewd acts are allowed; for example, the moon pose. Judges are looking for the contestant with the best stage presence and poise who can successfully convey his personality to the audience.”
Why am I repeating all of this? I break down the basics to remind us all of what the ACTUAL rules of the division are. I've been in many online discussion groups with many disgruntled competitors spouting off. They either don’t like their placing or don't like the type of competitors who have been winning the MP Contests. To those who feel they haven't been given a fair shake, consider the following: You may look bigger and leaner than someone else, but this doesn’t mean the judges see you as a winner according to the official criteria. You may have the body, but do you posses the look, the stage presence, the charisma, or the personality that one can display on stage to win over the crowd and ultimately the judges?
This IS a new division that will be even more popular next year, as we can see by the ever-growing number of competitors at each National-level show. New divisions usually take time to get sorted out. Remember when Bikini was new? Keep in mind we are just wrapping up one full calendar year since the NPC's inception of Men’s Physique. It will have turned, I believe, 23 competitors IFBB Pro this year. In 2012 the IFBB Pros will lead this division to the point at which it will continue to shape “the standard.”
Personally, I'm a physique competitor who would like to see the division as a place where the elite competitors compete. There are many other organizations out there that have physique divisions, but they don't have the clout of the NPC and IFBB. The NPC/IFBB has built its success on a performance-based award system.
ie: Compete locally and qualify for national level shows. Compete nationally and place well enough and earn your Pro Card. Compete at the Pro Level.
Once a pro you will be competing for cash. I'm happy to be a pioneer pro in the IFBB MP division. I'll do all I can to help lead this division on a path that will create young fans who will aspire to want to look like us – just like I did in my younger years looking up to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane.
Craig Capurso
www.craigcapurso.com
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