CHRISTIAN DUQUE'S - DALLAS EUROPA - MEN'S OPEN REPORT
The Men's Finals today saw some interesting posing routines, and there were two big surprises - Daniel Toth placed out of the Top 5 and JoJo Ntiforo brought an amazing package and not only broke into the Top 5, but took a commanding 4th!!
1st - Branch Warren - I'm not going to lie; I'm not a huge Branch fan but he does the best he can with what he's got. He has very powerful wheels and that Dorian'esque graininess that we all love. His chest is like a roadmap with veins poppin everywhere!! He's 
also a very pro-active poser; he did his thing on stage and then led the pack into the audience. He was gone from the stage so long that I thought he went to Texas Roadhouse (lol). You have to also remember Branch is a veteran, so is JOJ. When Branch went to the audience, Jackson was right there behind him while the other four probably debated their next move on stage.
Physique-wise he looked a bit soft to me. Again "good enough" to win, but not in my book an Olympia Runner-up and ASC Champion needs to be held to a higher standard. If he's just "good enough," I say give it to the youngster, but that's more a political lesson. Judges don't do politics, they do - 'best physique on a given day' and today Branch's was the best - even if by no means his best. Congrats!
2nd - Fouad had everything going for him. He had insane hams & glutes, so much so, that I think Fouad's wheels edged out Warren's today (maybe not yesterday, but a hair - today). It might be an apples & oranges statement - but that's just fancy lingo for not wanting to say it like it is. What was good about Abiad was that he really nailed it in the prejudging and instead of resting on his laurels, he brought an even better package today. Both Dave & Chris speculated that they'd be content with him as runner-up, but I think his efforts should have been rewarded with a win. When you think about it - this was the best Fouad we've ever seen - up against a lackluster, late entry Branch Warren. Again, POLITICALLY speaking, I think having had Fouad in the winner's circle would have been the right message to send. But he took 2nd and he was gracious about it and a total gentleman. Congrats!
3rd - JOJ - The Strongest IFBB Pro was certainly in the Top 3. I think a case could be made he could have beaten Branch as well. Dave was somewhat impressed with his hams/glutes yesterday, but not so much today. Again - the Palumbo standard for striated glutes and ripped hams - is much higher than your typical judging criteria. JOJ had brought the legs up enough to be in that Top 3. And who the hell can overlook JOJ's upper body? His chest is insane, delts are spectacular, and his back is the product of decades of gut wrenching deadlifting & bent-over rows in the 100+ degree inferno that is known as Metroflex Gym. 
He's a crowd favorite, a ridiculously skilled poser, and age-less. I agreed 100% with Dave & Chris. You look at Jackson and he looks like he's 25. Does anyone think JOJ had Fouad beat? This would certainly be an interesting debate.
4th - JoJo Ntiforo looked the best he ever has and Dave nailed it - this was certainly a feather in his cap! He looked good yesterday, but with absence of Toth, he really seized the moment. His posing really showed off his physique and seemed harder and more detailed today. I think the Dallas Europa did in fact send out a great message today - TAKE THE FINALS SERIOUSLY - because it was TODAY that Jojo cracked the Top 5. This was a well-deserved placing; out of these five guys, I'm very happy with Jojo's finish. Congrats!!
5th - An Nguyen - I know Branch won and all that, but for me, I AM SO PROUD OF AN. I have been following him since he won the Heavyweight Class at the 2011 Nationals. I bet you guys didn't know this - but An has been weight-training since he was 12 years old and he considers himself a major fan of Phil Heath. He's got everything to be a major force in the IFBB. Dave thinks he needs more mass - and I'd have to agree with him, but all in its due course. I also had him winning some poses yesterday (something which I can't say about Fouad). To me, An's side triceps was pretty impressive and I think he was in a dead heat with JOJ for the ab & thigh shot. Honestly, I think An might have edged out JOJ (in my book).
6th - I'm not for sure (since we don't have the results), but based on the fact I thought Eddy Wilson had it yesterday, I'm not going to change from that now. He looked to be in decent shape today and his posing was pretty decent.
Notable Mentions
Toth - Ok, there were two guys in two divisions that could have won their shows - Baito & Toth. We've established that Baito had the life support look and faded horribly yesterday, but Toth was robbed at the prejudging and I think that may have taken a toll on him. I'm not contest guru, but I do know that stress throws cortisol levels all out of whack and if you look like 1st and you're relegated to 4th (hey Lionel, how are you doing today?...), then that takes a huge toll on just about anyone psychologically! Also add to the fact that this was as a 2 day show. It's possible they gave Daniel that 6th place spot - but I HIGHLY doubt it. I wonder what Daniel will bring to the NY Pro?
Nonetheless - I have to be fair here folks - the judges had their work cut out for them. Toth didn't keep yesterday's look and I often have the flaw of thinking with my heart as opposed to my head. Guys like An Nguyen were spot on yesterday and came in EVEN better today. No way did Toth have AN or Jojo beat today. STILL... I'm old school in thinking. To me - the SHOW IS DECIDED IN THE PREJUDGING. I'm pretty torn - can ya tell?
Nuff said.
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