A Physique You Didn’t Appreciate at the Time

[Chainer★]

Looking back, opinions change.

Is there a competitor you didn't rate highly when they were active... but now you see differently?

Maybe:

- They aged well compared to others
- Their look fits better with today's standards
- Or you just missed something back then

Who grew on you over time?

[Chainer★]

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[Zenzen]

Looking back, opinions change.

Is there a competitor you didn't rate highly when they were active... but now you see differently?

Maybe:

- They aged well compared to others
- Their look fits better with today's standards
- Or you just missed something back then

Who grew on you over time?

For me, it's Valentina Chepiga.

At the time, I didn't rate her as highly as some of the others. She didn't have the standout "wow" factor like Lenda's shape or Kim's extreme density, so she kind of blended into that era for me.

But looking back now, I see it very differently.

What I missed:

• How complete she actually was—no real weak points anywhere
• The level of conditioning she consistently brought
• A physique that didn't rely on extremes, but still held up in every pose

In today's context, that kind of balance and polish is actually more appreciated.

She's one of those athletes where:

• She may not have defined the era
• But she represented a very high standard within it

Another one I've come around on is Anja Schreiner. Similar situation—at the time, overshadowed by bigger narratives, but in hindsight, her physique fits a lot of what people say they want now.

It's interesting how perspective changes when you're not watching in real time and can look at physiques more objectively.

Curious what others have—especially names that didn't win big but actually hold up better than the champions from their era.