The Judges’ Lens: The Criteria That Crowned Mick Antonio at Body Evolution Classic 2025
- Broni Slawa
- Sep 24
- 5 min read
In the Philippines, bodybuilding fans are passionate and vocal. After every bodybuilding event, social media lights up with debates. Some agree with the results, others argue their favorites were robbed. The truth is, bodybuilding is a judged sport. And if you don’t understand the criteria, the placings will always feel like a mystery.
At Prep Life, we decided to strip it down and demystify what judges are really looking for when athletes step under those bright stage lights. For this article, we’re focusing only on Men’s Physique — because if we broke down every division, we’d be here forever. And to see these criteria come alive, you only needed to look at this past weekend’s Body Evolution 2025, where Mick Ang Antonio was crowned Overall Men’s Physique Champion.
1. Symmetry: Balance is King
Symmetry is the cornerstone of physique judging. Judges look for even development from left to right, top to bottom, and front to back. It’s about harmony — a body that flows, without one muscle group dominating or throwing off the proportions.
At Body Evolution, some competitors came in with oversized arms or blocky midsections that broke the flow of their physiques. Mick, however, stood out with extreme proportions. His shoulders were wide and rounded, his lats flared like wings, and his waistline stayed tight — creating that picture-perfect V-taper. From any angle, his silhouette was textbook Men’s Physique — balanced, aesthetic, and commanding.
2. Body Proportions & Lines: Category-Appropriate Aesthetics
Beyond symmetry, judges assess whether an athlete’s proportions and overall lines fit the specific category they’re competing in. For Men’s Physique, the standard is broad shoulders, a tight waist, flaring lats, and flowing lines that create that classic V-taper. Legs should be developed but not dominate, and the overall look should be streamlined and aesthetic rather than bulky.
This is where the new champion embodied the division’s standard. His lats spread like wings, his waist was razor-thin, and the flow from his shoulders down through his torso created the kind of clean lines that scream Men’s Physique. His package wasn’t just muscular — it was category-appropriate, showing he understood exactly what the judges wanted to see.
3. Conditioning: The Razor-Sharp Look
Conditioning is about how lean and detailed an athlete looks. Judges reward athletes who show deep separation in their muscles without appearing flat or stringy.
Several athletes in this lineup had the muscle, but their conditioning fell short — either coming in too soft, or over-dieted and flat. Mick struck the balance perfectly. His abs looked chiseled in stone, his shoulders were etched with striations, and his chest stayed full and tight. Under the lights, every line popped, and it was clear he had timed his peak to perfection.
4. Muscle Mass (But Category-Correct)
Each division in bodybuilding has its own ideal level of muscle. Men’s Physique isn’t about sheer size — it’s about maintaining an athletic, aesthetic look with enough muscle to command the stage.
At Body Evolution 2025, even the judges commented that some athletes were sporting too much muscle for the Men’s Physique category, edging closer to Classic Physique in both mass and density. That worked against them, as it broke away from the lean, athletic standard this division demands. On the flip side, a few competitors lacked enough upper-body development to stand out in the lineup. Antonio landed right in the sweet spot: full, round muscle bellies that filled out his frame, complemented by quads that added shape without distracting. It was the exact balance judges want to see — powerful yet still category-correct.
5. Stage Presence & Posing: Selling the Package
Even the best body can get lost without the right presentation. Judges notice who looks comfortable, who connects with the panel, and who knows how to highlight their strengths.
This is where Mick separated himself even further. While some competitors looked stiff, rushed their transitions, or lost their smile, he came alive under pressure. His confidence was undeniable — smooth movements, relaxed energy, and a champion’s smile. The defining moment was when he turned to the back, pointed at his own lats, and flared them out to the crowd. It was both playful and powerful, and it made the judges take notice.
6. Overall Impression: The “Wow” Factor
This is the intangible element that ties everything together. Judges ask: If this athlete walked onto an international pro stage tomorrow, would they stand out?
On Sunday, there were plenty of strong physiques, but not all of them had that “wow” factor. Some lacked polish, others lacked presence. Mick Ang Antonio had it all — the wingspan-like lats, the razor-sharp conditioning, the right level of muscle, the clean category-correct lines, and a confident stage presence that made him look like he belonged on a much bigger stage. The total package was undeniable, and that’s why he left Body Evolution 2025 as the Overall Men’s Physique Champion.
The Bottom Line
Bodybuilding will always involve debate. That’s part of what makes the sport exciting. But the more athletes and fans understand what judges are looking for, the more the results make sense.
At the end of the day, bodybuilding isn’t just about building muscle — it’s about presenting art. And in the Philippines, the athletes who master all six criteria are the ones raising trophies — just as Mick proved this past weekend.
And without much ado, here is the Winner's List...
BODY EVOLUTION CLASSIC 2025
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Palacio De Maynila
Malate, Manila
Hosted by IFBB Philippines
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – NATURAL SHORT
1st Harold Goma, #12
2nd Arnold Alcoran, #2
3rd Marty Dave Gan, #10
4th Ortis Tindaan Jr., #23
5th Ramil Sonio, #21
OVERALL MEN'S PHYSIQUE NATURAL CHAMPION: Harold Goma, #12
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – NATURAL TALL
1st Vincent Louie Ruloma, #33
2nd William Sarion, #34
3rd Earvin Geonne Ronquillo, #32
4th Franz Cedric Bonsol, #25
5th Kris Talaver, #35
CLASSIC PHYSIQUE – CLASS A
1st Richard Diacosta, #43
2nd Alexis Besario, #38
5th Chester Bragat, #40
CLASSIC PHYSIQUE – CLASS B
1st Jeffrey Palaganas, #58
2nd Franz Cedric Bonsol, #25
3rd Aaron Paul Cabuguang, #54
4th Warren Caballero, #53
5th String Villanueva, #111
OVERALL CLASSIC PHYSIQUE CHAMPION: Richard Diacosta #43
BODYBUILDING – UP TO 70KG
1st Jefrey Calitisin, #42
2nd Richard Diacosta, #43
3rd Karl Louis Martinez, #46
4th Alexis Besario, #38
5th Erwin Rico, #50
BODYBUILDING – UP TO 75KG
1st Garski Agar, #36
2nd Warren Caballero, #53
3rd Julius Atam, #37
4th Kevin Bros Labanon, #45
5th Lloyd De Guzman, #61
BODYBUILDING – ABOVE 75KG
1st Joseph Ferandez, #65
2nd Jeffrey Palaganas, #58
3rd Jimboy Mende, #67
4th Chester Bragat, #40
5th Manuel Nuezca, #68
OVERALL BODYBUILDING CHAMPION: Joseph Ferandez, #65
BIKINI FITNESS – OPEN
1st Mutsee Reungsombut, #74
2nd Gabriella Hilde Diano, #70
3rd Gillete Montano, #72
4th Aljuhara Mama, #71
5th Elissa Ang, #69
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – NOVICE
1st Ronald Binagatan, #39
2nd Jaster Vincent Molo, #84
3rd Jeffrey Gonzales, #82
4th Mark Anthony De Guzman, #106
5th Patrick Wealk Privado, #87
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – MASTERS
1st Wins Hipe, #95
2nd Rene Lingganay, #96
3rd Rey-an Villanueva, #105
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – OPEN SHORT
1st Rene Lingganay, #96
2nd Kim Auza, #101
3rd Harold Goma, #12
4th Rey-an Villanueva, #105
5th Marc Luartes, #103
MEN’S PHYSIQUE – OPEN TALL
1st Mick Antonio, #51
2nd Wins Hipe, #95
3rd Daryl Floyd Makinano, #108
4th Mark Anthony De Guzman, #106
5th Arriz Villaluz, #99
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