The 2024 Dubai Pro left the bodybuilding industry with loads to talk about in the show’s aftermath. In a recent Rx Muscle YouTube video published July 29, 2024, bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto discussed Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera’s fourth-place finish. In addition, he gave his opinion on Mosquera mentioning that sponsors forced him to compete despite being sick.
Last year, Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera instantly left a lasting impression on the bodybuilding community after earning his Pro card at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro Amateur. From that fateful day, Mosquera followed up his success by going toe-to-toe with some of the best Open athletes in the world, including the number three bodybuilder Samson Dauda at the EVLS Prague Pro.
During his Pro debut, Mosquera overwhelmed Nathan De Asha to take a third-place finish behind Dauda and Michal Krizanek. Given the respective performance, the bodybuilding world was eager to see where his career would take him next.
Based on his previous performances, bodybuilding veterans Iain Valliere and Seth Feroce placed Mosquera in first place when they shared their predictions days before the 2024 Dubai Pro. Despite the expectations fans might have had of ‘Neckzilla,’ he struggled to dial in his conditioning and took fourth.
Chris Aceto Praises Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera for Competing at 2024 Dubai Pro While Sick
In an Instagram post shared by Mosquera following the event, he explained that he was forced by his sponsors to compete even though he was feeling ill.
Bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto discusses Mosquera’s performance in Dubai, offering insight. Aceto also shared his thoughts about Mosquera competing against his will while sick.
“I just saw that and this is bodybuilding. I told you right? One time Steve Weinberger said, well somebody qualified for the Olympia, and he put all his eggs in one basket for one show and Steve said, ‘You know, people get sick before shows and it blows their last 3-6 days.’ And, the exact words were stomach ache and a stomach ache is enough to destroy your peak.”
While he doesn’t think Mosquera destroyed his peak due to being sick, he does emphasize that anything can happen in preparation for a bodybuilding contest.
“I’m not saying that his peak was destroyed. I’m just putting into context, like getting ready for a show, anything can happen. How many people do we know that actually won shows when they were sick and nobody knew about it or they bombed out because they were sick and nobody knew about it.”
Aceto praised ‘Neckzilla’ for going on stage and performing regardless of not feeling at his best.
“Yeah, he looked good. He improved for sure.”
“People are acting like he’s being a crybaby about it,” said Dave Palumbo.
“They may, but I’m glad he put it out there,” adds Aceto.
Rubiel Mosquera still showed incredible sportsmanship despite being sick, as he displayed his upbeat attitude by dancing on the stage. Since he came in fourth, Mosquera unfortunately didn’t earn his qualification for the Mr. Olympia event this October 10-13.
With just under 11 weeks until the biggest bodybuilding event of the year, ‘Neckzilla’ still has a chance to snag his ticket to the prestigious stage at a future show. Whether he intends to compete again during this bodybuilding season, fans will just have to wait and see.
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