Could William Bonac use a change?
Like everything in life, the difference between success and failure can hinge on one simple decision. For every situation there may be a different circumstance. If you have a job offer the difference between getting the position and being thrown out on your face could be as simple as how early or how late you arrive to the interview. In a fight, throwing a jab instead of a hook could be the difference between knocking your opponent unconscious or waking up with no memory of what happened with a nice concussion as your only clue. With bodybuilding it could be as simple as what division you choose to compete in.
Frank Zane was a great athlete and bodybuilder that won three overall Olympia titles. The truth of the matter is that he perhaps deserved to win far more than three, but he was competing against those with larger frames than the one he possessed. It’s the reason that many believed that if the physique division existed when he competed he would have been the king. Despite that, there’s no way you could blame the great for competing in the lightweight and heavyweight divisions as those were the categories that got all the glory back in those days. Bodybuilders these days have no such excuse.
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The 212 class is essentially lightweight bodybuilding – featuring greats like champion James “Flex” Lewis and Hidetada Yamagishi. It’s an opportunity for the shorter, lighter bodybuilders to be critiqued on criteria that’s more favorable to their frames and genetics. They are just as well built and balanced as the men of the Open Weight class, just lighter. They have the same posing criteria and are judged pretty much the same as well. It’s that reason that some of the lighter competitors should strongly consider dropping down to a division that could be a better fit for them.
Take William Bonac for example. Though he stands at 5’8” which is a bit tall for a 212 competitor, his frame is smaller than that of your typical Open Weight competitor. He has great genetics, a great physique and even finished within the top ten at the Olympia. But despite all those accolades it seems unlikely that he’ll be able to take home the Sandow in the Open Weight division. Not because he isn’t shredded or swole or has no symmetry. It’s simply by virtue of his size. When stacked up against the Big Ramy’s, Kai Greene’s, and Phil Heaths of the world it’s hard to see where he’ll have an opportunity to take the top spot. Especially with the modern trend of judges holding the “bigger is better” mentality as they put their pen to the score cards. But with all of this recent talk of division changes (caused by the introduction of the Classic Physique Division) we’re starting to wonder if 212 may be a better fit for the William Bonac. Check out this recent photo posted up on Instagram:
Do you think 212 could be a better fit for William Bonac? Let us know what you think in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
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