Did the right man get second?

As the 2015 Olympia gets farther and farther away in the rear view, things are beginning to settle down into the old routine. We’re just about to finish out our post Olympia 2015 week in review and the Arnold Classic Europe is already on everyone’s minds. Fans and competitors alike are looking towards the future. Once again Phil Heath proved why he considered the number one bodybuilder in the world, destroying the competition that shared the stage with him.

Though his chief rival wasn’t present at the show, Heath still hand to contend with the other monsters that populate his division, namely Dennis Wolf, Dexter Jackson, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and Shawn Rhoden. In fact it’s that last competitor that may have been the biggest threat to Phil’s crown. Yet despite that fact, Rhoden ended up placing third once more, the second place spot going to Dexter Jackson. And this is where the controversy begins.

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In all honesty, Dexter Jackson looked pretty impressive all year round. He won a record five Arnold Classics, beating out fellow veteran Branch Warren and up and coming young guns Justin Compton and Cedric McMillan. But to rise all the way from fifth to second past Dennis Wolf, Past Shawn Rhoden, it all seems a bit unbelievable. Yet it happened – and we couldn’t be happier for the bodybuilding legend. And while it was definitely a close call, the question remains: should Shawn Rhoden have placed second?

An argument can easily be made that Shawn deserved to take the number two spot. He was symmetrical, he put on some size, and he still was perhaps the most aesthetic bodybuilder to hit the posing stage. That being said, the extra size could have taken away from his overall definition. Like we said, Phil did deserve to take the top spot. There’s no doubt about it, but Shawn and Dexter’s positions were arguable. Dexter was sharp as ever and Shawn’s V Taper was truly impressive. But in this game it’s all about impressing the judges and if bodybuilders can’t do that then the chances of them taking home the gold is highly unlikely. Here’s a photo comparison of the two masterful bodybuilders:

Photos courtesy of Flex Online.

So who do you think should have taken the second place spot? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.