The spectators are divided.

The 2016 Arnold Classic was a very eye opening event for the fans and competitors alike. The show had some of the most impressive bodybuilders in the game today vying for the title of champion. Cody Montgomery tried his hand at taking on the big boys and ended up with a tenth place standing, which is still impressive considering the athletes he was up against. Justin Compton returned from an extended hiatus to surprisingly take fourth place. Many had pegged Compton as a real threat to veterans like Kai Greene, Branch Warren and Cedric McMillan. Though he was able to toppled Warren, he still came well short of challenging Kai.

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Instead of Compton, Kai faced an even more impressive and staggering threat in Cedric. McMillan has been slowly gaining steam ever since last year’s Arnold Classic and has been looking more and more impressive as time passes. In fact, many onlookers believed that McMillan was the most impressive bodybuilder to hit the stage at this year’s event.

The discrepancy in physiques was even brought up by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. During Kai’s victory speech Arnold expressed the idea that Cedric had the better physique, but that Greene had won due to his posing ability. It could be viewed somewhat as a slight to Kai while at the same time be considered a major compliment to the champion’s talents. But the bell can’t be unrung and it begs the question: is it fair to weigh posing so heavily?

So many onlookers and pundits were impressed with Cedric McMillan’s physique that it was becoming clear that he could have possibly walked away with a major upset at the event. Bodybuilding has always been about the athlete’s physical form, proving who is superior aesthetically. But presentation has to be factored in as well. If you have near equal amounts of muscle, if you’re just as shredded as your rival, then what exactly sets you apart? Posing does help to make that difference known, but the fact that Cedric was held in such high regard should have all the other top pros worried. McMillan is on the rise and it could a matter of time until we see him face off against Phil Heath for the Olympia crown.

Do you think Cedric McMillan should have won at the Arnold Classic? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

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