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Bodybuilding

2017 Arnold Classic Africa: Did Johnnie O. Jackson Deserve First Place?

by GI Team Published on May 8, 2017

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Did the judges get it right?

The Arnold Classic Africa saw some of the best bodybuilding veterans take to the stage to face off and stake their to appearing on the Olympia stage later this year. Surprisingly to some, the winner of the event was Johnnie O. Jackson who at 46 years of age has remained in top form. While he did look impressive to say the least, there are some who believe that he shouldn’t have been awarded first place.

It’s always a difficult thing to judge a bodybuilding competition. With so many differing opinions on what should be considered a superior physical form, it can be a daunting task to pick a winner that everyone can agree on. The Arnold Classic Africa was no different as many believed that Juan Morel should have been the man to take the top spot at the show.

The Instagram post below shows a comparison of the top four competitors in the show and it may either affirm Jackson’s position or cement the fact that perhaps another man should have taken the top spot.

The Top 4 from yesterday’s @arnoldclassicafrica! These guys were all very competitive! @ifbbvictormartinez (4th) presented a beautiful version of himself in my opinion! Midsection looked great! Proportion and flow was stellar! A touch sharper and he could have placed higher and possibly won. I think we will see him improve as the season goes on and another Olympia is in the cards! @juandieselmorel (3rd) was at his best so far this season. Personally, with his amazing structure and flow I favored Juan and had him in 1st…though he wasn’t the best conditioned in the show he wasn’t far off. Some say he faded as the evening show went on, but I couldn’t tell that from my computer. What I could tell was that @ifbbpromichaellockett was in insane shape!! I am so happy for Michael (2nd), as he keeps improving! I know the pain he is dealing with is tremendous…but he keeps pushing through and getting better! Tons of respect for Michael, and I’m happy he’s being recognized! I am also happy for @johnnieojackson who at 46 is still an amazing sight with quite simply one of the most amazing upper bodies in the biz! A couple years ago I ranked his Back as #5 in my @this_is_bodybuilding List of the Top Backs 1991 – Today…and let me tell ya, he’s STILL got it!!! Honestly, all 4 of these guys made me happy yesterday. While the 2017 season has been very short of the excellent season we saw in 2016 I would say that THIS was the best Men’s Open show of the season thus far. I suspect that the @bevsgym New York Pro in 2 weeks will claim that honor…I would absolutely LOVE if all 4 of these guys showed up there!!! Congratulations to all 4 of these tremendous athletes! Photos by Soulby Jackson #ArnoldClassicAfrica #Bodybuilder #Bodybuilding #BeTheBiggerMan #THISisBodybuilding

A post shared by MichaelD.Bryson (@this_is_bodybuilding) on May 7, 2017 at 7:22am PDT

Do you think Johnnie O. Jackson deserved the top spot?

Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

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