2011 Sheru Classic Revisited - Did Kai Get Screwed?

An in-depth analysis of the 2011 Sheru Classic. This contest was held in Mumbai, India, just one week after the 2011 Mr Olympia, and featured an elite top 5:
1. Phil Heath
2. Jay Cutler
3. Kai Greene
4. Victor Martinnez
5. Dennis Wolf
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram: / tomn8er1

[@coyrex1480]

Kai was crazy full this show, and still had pretty decent conditioning (could have been better but hard to be that crazy full and peeled)

[@Dahblackrussian]

Yet still got crushed by Phil. Phil was unbeatable here

[@CC-be3ko]

I never undestood why Kai didn't keep going with that Most Muscular (16:38) variation. That's a good pose, while the others aren't.

[@Ashup207]

i also liked his hands behind his back MM where he looked wide AF. his worst is definitely the half crab MM he started doing later in his career.

[@Wikingking]

I know, right?! I've only seen hands clasped versions from him in dressing room and backstage/prep pics, never onstage. Actually a more than decent variant. Not saying he would have gained the upper hand against Phil during their matchups but there's not a lot to be criticized about that pose while his other variations look like crap. And it could have made some difference had he not lost that pose so easily.

[@Kiido11]

The hands-clasped MM, when executed properly, is probably the most beautiful of all the variants while still giving-off that brute strength vibe.

[@antonhallergren588]

That is one of the sickest MMS ever But nah he swapped it for one of the worst in pro bodybuilding for any top guy ever really, his crab was terrible.

[@TheFlash3237]

Because next to Phil, his hands clasped MM looked bad. It looks good here because he was full with less condition, but when fully peeled it didn't suit him.

[@bigzac1295]

Phil looks damn good here! After seeing him in this years Olympia, this prime 2011 Phil Heath looks even better.

[@ejmina7770]

Phil's midsection in the side chest surprised me, it was as if he had no stomach. Sadly it grew as the years passed by but still, very surprising

[@AK-gb9rp]

Gh slin abuse

[@shonmoody1706]

Basically most multi Mr. Olympia's since Dorian. Palumboism from loads of GH and Insulin. That's basically why Hadi Choopan is my favorite competitor now since he's one of the few who can actually still pull off a full vacuum. It definately helps his physique since his waist is a little on the wide side.

[@MoodSwingZX]

Kai already had it

[@MoodSwingZX]

Gut

[@JerkVegas86]

@@AK-gb9rp Foooooood Tons Of Food!

[@MrHrushikesh]

Bro i was there at this show...kai was unreal and was looking God like...the crowd had him winning the show.. everyone was cheering for him

[@HardbrasH1]

It's surprising how Cutler's legs from the font are money, but from the side shallow as hell. The same story with Curry in some sort - he's good from the side, but in front, he has baby legs. Interesting muscle group.

[@antonhallergren588]

I’m the same way genetically. I had to train my legs alot longer and alot harder to make them look good from the front But the side quad came right away when I started training. Its very genetic how you put mass on in your quads But Also it comes down to doing the right movements for you. Not untill last year in about september did my quads get much better from the front, its when I went on to hack squat instead of the regular high bar squat I had been doing for years. Last I measured my quads they were 26,5 inches and they were 23 ish last year. So its alot of genetics But Also what movements you do. And Well at that level they hopefully have done everything they can otherwise it would be a huge waste of potential for someone in the O.

[@Looch27]

Very true

[@fattdamon1980]

Man Phil was amazing back then. His midsection was so small for his size. It's a shame he didn't take a little more time gaining his size to keep his midsection in check more, he could have been even better.

[@dylanmaklev]

A good video Idea could be: top 5 best comebacks in bodybuilding history

[@David-yi2iq]

Not so much

[@luistorres8005]

Agreed

[@luistorres8005]

@@David-yi2iq very much so, actually

[@AK-gb9rp]

@@luistorres8005 there have not been a lot of good comebacks tbh. When you lose your shape it's gone forever after years of drug abuse. It's just game over for you after long enough. Most actual "comebacks" were just politics anyways giving a popular guy the win he doesn't even deserve followed by same guy retiring forever as he accepts he didn't even deserve the win and never going on to compete again

[@bestdocincanada6620]

Jay cutler 2009 There U go

[@bychen5011]

Yo Tom do a ranking of the least impressive Mr Olympia versions plz.

[@victorenvall2792]

Great idea!

[@613trapman5]

Chris Dickerson ftw

[@allarkuus7661]

Worst? More like least impressive

[@Tomn8er]

Generally try to stay away from super negative topics like that these days (those vids tend to get a lot of backlash) but it might be interesting in the right format...

[@apetogetherstrong4243]

@@Tomn8er Arnold and dorian will settle for no 1 in that vid

[@lawrencerobinson9870]

It’s more than just muscles, it’s proportions, conditioning, balance, symmetry and more, love your channel one of my favorites.

[@danielstacey7785]

Damn, Victor's front double is mass & aesthetics in its purest form. Looks too good to be true

[@kovar2344]

18 min, you went all in on this one. Thx Tom!

[@AfrikanGod1]

I remember this , it was pretty epic show....i recall Phil Heath having a way more relaxed posture on stage.....And yes kai looked astonishing on this show!

[@noonevincecarterfan]

You earned a lot of my respect with this one, because we both agreed with basically everything :) Great work!

[@Guillermoreno02]

Great analysis like always. Kai was nuts here

[@JohnPeter1940]

I realy like these longer videos Tom keep them coming !

[@J_W_R_I]

Phil´s completeness saved him. Kai and Jay are both too blocky, and they lack a lot of thickness to the arms to look competent in the MM and side triceps

[@RajbirSingh-go7eo]

You have one of the best eyes for bodybuilding. One of the very few people who I trust more than myself in terms of bodybuilding judging.

[@BrandonAnthonyFlihan]

Great channel bro. I remember watching this show like it was yesterday

[@danasaeed9018]

Revisiting These Old Shows Is Really Fun.

[@daudmonu]

Finally tomn8er come back. Love your voice.

[@fattdamon1980]

I don't think that Victor gets nearly enough credit. When his conditioning was on point he's as good as it gets other than Ronnie and maybe Phil. His proportions and symmetry and size is so good.

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

Facts

[@josephlabajosa4075]

Man i am more impressed by kai's back double than phils in this show becuase of sheer muscularity from top to bottom.

[@TheFlash3237]

And yet he has almost non-existent traps. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Heerooh147]

I really like your explanations. I definitly will base my judgement on the criterias I learned from you.

[@mikthe2004]

Yeah, the back double biceps at 9:40 Kai is dwarfing Phil. Holy crap he's huge!! Kai's lower lats are matched only by Ronnie Coleman.

[@TheFlash3237]

He is indeed dwarfing Phil, but his traps are awful and Phil's lower section is better. That's why he wins the pose.

[@mikthe2004]

@@TheFlash3237 What lower section are you talking about? Kai's lower lats are about 3 times as thick as Phil's, and his arms top to bottom are dwarfing Phil as well. His legs are way bigger as well. Jay is dwarfing Phil as well. In the side chest at 7:50 both Jay and Kai make Phil look small. In fact in all the photos where it's Kai, Phil and Jay, Phil is the smallest by far. He wins with other qualities. His waist is half the size of Kai and Jay, and his muscularity is good.

[@TheFlash3237]

@@mikthe2004 Im talking about the glutes and hammies. Phil's are better. And for the record, all that you mentioned is irrelevant with such small traps. Phil is top 3 ever from the back. Kai is not. That's why he always wins the back poses.

[@mikthe2004]

@@TheFlash3237 Why is it irrelevant? Because you say so? At 9:40 I'd say both Kai and Jay are beating Phil. Phil just looks too small compared to them. At 11:30 Phil beats Kai in the rear lat spread, because that's where his weak traps and mid back really lack size and depth. But I'd say Jay is beating Phil easily. Jay's back is usually pretty smooth and piss poor, but in this shot his traps and mid back look really thick and he's twice the size of Phil!! As for Phil's glutes and hammies being better? Well slightly better conditioned maybe, but Kai is way bigger and thicker from the back in the legs department.

[@TheFlash3237]

@@mikthe2004 It's irrelevant for 2 simple facts. Fact 1: Size doesn't decide who is more complete and fact 2: Kai's traps are almost non-existent... one of the reasons he never beats Phil from the back since 2010. And for the record... it's not only me who says so... the judges as well. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Ronald-wr5qr]

@2:30 Dennis Wolf all day

[@Tomn8er]

Yeah his proportions looked crazy there! Wasn't really factoring him in though being in 5th and not part of the other callouts.

[@Ronald-wr5qr]

​@@Tomn8er yea....judges choose the guy that will sell supplements(gear too)... not the guy who should win...

[@stilo2703]

Wow, Victor's FDB is really aesthetic here

[@giallooldschoolrivals7424]

Love your vids!

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

Phil deserved it. It was CLOSE but a close Win is still a win. Sadly, in this sport every close win is gonna be called a robbery. Before seeing the vídeo I had Kai winning because of some of the pictures i saw from the show. But now seeing It as a whole, it was close for sure but not a robbery.

[@swcubing2659]

15:32 i give the pose to kai

[@saint.vitus.7775]

I wish every body building contest would use a plain solid background behind the contestants. Instead the backgrounds just seem to get more and more busy.

[@jamesbuckley4279]

Tom, you say, rightly, that Victor's legs knock him down (even put him in last in the front double). But surely it's another example of how crazy it is that Brandon Curry has been a Mr O and a runner up. I know I always go on about this, but I'm so baffled. No matter how amazing Brandon's upper body, how can he finish top two when his legs are arguably bottom two!?

[@Tomn8er]

Yeah Brandon's legs are weird. They look great from the side but really shallow from the back. And generally pretty crap when viewed head-on, although there is the odd time here and there when fully flexed and from the right angle where they look decent from the front.

[@sorinruga3434]

Video idea: Top 5(or 10) most aesthetic bodybuilders in the 2010s. Not many, but there were a few stellar ones! (and they're not recognised often enough )

[@skorp_1253]

2:25 mention DENNIS WOLF!!!!

[@paulbunyan9436]

The X-Man Toney Freeman in Gen. Iron described how insane it was when Kai peaked at this show... Everyone knew Kai looked the best, but the politics...smh...

[@lucjanwilczewski824]

and this is why we have judges at the show not internet specialists

[@drew.-]

2:28 LOOK AT WOLF'S MIDSECTION DAMNN

[@darrendegouff9965]

Dudes.. Kai. Over the Legend and the Reigning Champ. Kai brought the MASS man

[@ndfitforever2483]

Phil is muscle machine 💪🏻🤎.

[@zkljaja]

Watching this after Arnold classic 2021....man...the lineup back then. Everyone had canyons separating their muscles

[@niggtendo]

Seeing Dennis Wolf in the front & side relaxed reminds me of how crazy he used to look.

[@Ryan-np4tx]

I still remember back in 2011 i was in school but crazy for bodybilding i was supposed to go in tuition for my board exam but i bunked that and went for that show Kai was main attention of that show.

[@MichaelIXGA]

I still don't know why kai's waist looks this bloated in the side chest mean look at it in any other pose .. love your vids though ❤️❤️

[@brennenbisme]

Bro Kai's Mantis pose is fucking ridiculous.

[@josephlozada8614]

Kai biggest weakness is his shoulders!! Skinny neck and no traps. When you turn around it makes your back look flat

[@markmachotv4233]

For me , Kai overall Win that show, 2nd Phil and 3rd Jay. That's overall result why the judges not see all that condition with Kai.

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

This show reminds me of the 1999 British Grand Prix but Kai definitely should have been higher I would have Kai in 2nd and Jay in 3rd Phil still deserved the victory though he was too dominant in some poses

[@kovar2344]

damn Kai was popping out on those carbs from Indian rice XD

[@saine414]

I never liked Kai that much but here he is the best.

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

Is it my imagination or do the solo pics at the start and end of this video make them look WAY WAY sharper than the group shots?

[@sachinfitness3932]

Most developed body builder in the body building industry. Nobody can defeat him. Dorian, Ronnie nd Phil all are equal types of body builder.

[@accent1975]

We missed u !! ur son of gun

[@davida6919]

Can you do the 2000 Mr Olympia next please?

[@amitkanojia6180]

Hi, can you please make a comparison video of Kai, J, Phil & Big ron that would be amazing love to see that...

[@arvidpetersson2252]

Damn kai Looked like an animal in the back double and especially the side chest!

[@thekhokhar]

great video but you missed wolf in side relax ..he looks insane

[@lilhomies9715]

After Lui stopped I was always looking for someone now I am sure I found the replacement

[@TheFlash3237]

Kai didn't get screwed. Although he was packing more muscle, he didn't have enough condition to beat Phil. Conditioning is the name of the game. Phil had muscle game and the condition as well.

[@Kneto]

I would like to see this lighting on the Mr. O... How does it gets worse than 15 years ago?

[@RonDaSantis]

The rear lat spread was actually between Kai and Victor.

[@kessq8753]

Tom please do most neglected muscle groups please! And what makes good posing eg Kai Greene front vs rear lat spread

[@Tomn8er]

Calves, midsection, and forearms. Most guys don't train these enough and it shows on stage.

[@kessq8753]

@@Tomn8er And the neck as well! Too many toothpick necks these days.

[@giganticitalianbodybuildin1584]

Wow great show the lighting made everybody look harder, but it washes the separation too mutch. Jay looked a lot fuller here that a week prior but his waist was fridge like. Kai looked great but his front double biceps was not that spectacular, here let's put it mildly, he was a bit bloated for sure, but for whatever reason his side chest looks great. Jay would have beaten them both in this pose but in 2011 he was way too undersized. Back to Kai, his back double biceps is incredible, I think he takes it on virtue of size, Phil was in the 240 lbs range, and similar conditioning (it might be the lighting tho, it's very decieving) his balance isn't great at all compared to Phil but his back is the best by far, his rear lats spread is nuts and 3d, as you like to call it, Phil has traps in this shot but his lats are so narrow you can't even call it a lats spread. Jay looks great as always, he has the best balance and great conditioning but his lats are not the best in 2011 but they do spread wide. In the side triceps Jay looks awesome but his tricep looks deteriorated and his waist chuncky, a far cry from his best, as all the poses, he looks great but old and tired and ready to give up. I think Phil's side triceps is a bit overrated because his triceps are mindblowing, but he looks rather thin from the side in general and a bit too arm dominant. Kai is awkward as usual and with the worst triceps, execution and balance. In the abs and ties I would still go with Jay in second, even if his taper sucks balls, but he has better abs and ties in this pose than Phil and doesn't look as bottom heavy as him. Most muscular is so easy to call I'm not even gonna do it, but Kai's hands clasped is awkward but great. In general Phil faded a little compared to the Olympia as he wasn't as sharp and crisp as a week prior but good enough for the win. One last note. In the side relaxed you want to look at ribcage dept and side taper, pec thickness, in check waist overall balance, and Jay his better balanced for sure especially in the lower body, his calves are the only ones that match his ties. Kai is bloated and Phil is arm dominant, their calves look great but are dwarfed by the upper leg, I think Kai's side taper is slightly better thanks to his ribcage but Phil looks thicker in the traps, I think I would go with Kai over Phil.

[@osamamghazal]

dunno man but i feel like Victor is being waaaaay overlooked ... great outline, guns and taper .. legs a bit off but every other contender has an off part

[@munrana]

Where's the lighting promised in the thumbnail? 😤

[@andrecarvalhomiranda829]

Kai was the best man on stage!!

[@guilhermekeffer8673]

1:39 Holy S*** Phil is a Monster!

[@orbarak123]

They should do a black background for all shows

[@stephencurran2284]

How in the hell do people refer to this time as a weak period for bodybuilding. This is the strongest top 3 I’ve seen in any show outside of the Olympia or Arnold (and maybe even including) (although 99 bgp and O are hard to beat)

[@olympiadecode7320]

fdb phil > jay > kai (kai mid section & forearms) fls jay >> kai > phil (width) sc kai >> phil > jay (size) bdb phil > kai > jay (conditioning) bls phil > kai > jay st phil > jay > kai at jay > kai > phil (all pretty average) mm phil > jay > kai phil 13 kai 18 jay 17 kai 13 jay 11 but then again i wanst the biggest fan of kai because I usually care more about conditioning, proportion and completeness than size if more incline to size, I guess even placing kai first wouldn't seem unfair at all

[@ihavewaited90daystochangem51]

2:09 Gaddaym, look at dennis wolf

[@timtrainage]

Heroes in a half shell...Turtle Power!

[@naturalbreed3745]

Kai back was crazy here godam

[@kevinchambers5237]

I cant stand how Kai hits the rear poses, reminds me of Lucas Oslidil who sticks the glutes out weirdly in every pose. That said he still shoulda have taken 2nd. Was this Jays Last contest?

[@erichaskell]

Kai always gets screwed.

[@RAZOR12334]

I was there live in crowd in Mumbai.

[@messerschmittsreaver]

Hey yo chicko!

[@RAZOR12334]

@TestHD Induced you idiot I don't have to give you proof I live in Goregaon and the event was near my house.

[@ymaisel6768]

The legacy of the grapefruit follows Kai. It impacts judging, IMO.

[@hugoleonardoamaral586]

I disagee. If It was that of an issue, I don't think they would let him even come close to winning

[@dl_0002]

Jay looked like shit here. I hate politics in bodybuilding. Phil was very aesthetic a decade ago. Another observation: Wolf looked incredible in the first side relaxed pose! Surprised you didn't even mention him.

[@TheAxlepup]

Kai was a beast and so was his gut

[@aamhichandgadifilm686]

Kai 😍

[@denzelcrocker992]

0:18 looks like phil has 6 toes

[@erichaskell]

Its not did ky get screwed, its how many times.

[@zombslayer4707]

No I wouldn’t have given 🥇 to Phil, he gets outsized by both Jay and Kai. And Phil’s Conditioning was Worse from After the Olympia. Even Victor was beating Phil in some poses. Kai’s got the Size just like Ronnies Size was his biggest Weapon. It’s a Slap in the Face to Jay and a Blow to the Balls to Kai from Heath. 🥾

[@Adipati_R]

Juy your leg omg🤗🤗

[@lawrencerobinson9870]

You’re truly bugging to have put Jay above Phil or Kai in the rear lat spread

[@Tomn8er]

I didn't. That was for the one pic only.

[@ethanjames2936]

Faster than last time!

[@Jesus_Garcia25]

Faster than me in the bed

[@ethanjames2936]

@@Jesus_Garcia25 🤣

[@abdulatif701]

@@Jesus_Garcia25 ⭕army?

[@dhiman564]

Why now after 10 years!?

[@stuperhero9960]

Kai should have one that show. Kai got screw, a few shows.

[@benham3124]

If Kai had big traps he would have been unreal

[@sneakpeek67]

1 Phil 2.Kai 3. Victor 4. Jay.

[@davidselawsky6620]

Kai was the best here

[@agostonguzoto1684]

1. Jay 2. Kai 3. Phil

[@abhinavtomarfitness]

Yes

[@Anima_Lecter]

Omg that side chest on Kai 7:00

[@ashrafashrafee4168]

I wish Kai would have won the show

[@entitiessoul]

Shocker

[@Joseph-rh7yu]

Why did Kai get docked for having a bigger midsection against Phil, but Phil doesn’t get docked for his midsection against everyone else in later years ?

[@Tomn8er]

Who's to say that's what happened here?

[@hyda6171]

Top 10 hamstrings and calves bro. Only 2 left( maybe glutes lol).

[@riktascale4]

The just look broader yes but too square aesthetically in the poses compared to the roundness of Phil.

[@ThePoohat]

funny to think that phil heath won a show *because of his midsection lol

[@lawrencerobinson9870]

Jays right quad is clearly smaller