Think of it those years when I joined bandai's competition (bakuc n gbwc), we were really lucky:
We had two judges, one from Japan n one from Malaysia, n out of the 2 judges, at least we are damn sure one is a modeler n knows about modeling n gunpla in n out.
When times the Japanese judge picked something totally weird (he is not really a modeler, just happened to be an employee of bandai who travel Malaysia), our local modeler judge wasn't afraid to fight for the worthy winner based on modeling judging criteria.
After yesterday's event, it reminds me I should appreciate all the hard work this local judge had done for Malaysia gunpla community.
(The man I m thanking here is Eric Yap )
The least is, we knows the direction of the competition clearly ( it is really based on static modeling; ground work, craftsmanship, creativity, presentation etc) n if we were trying to improve our standing in next year event, we know where n how to improve.
Probably the only drawback is, dued to the result majority skill based, the podium hoarder (😝) might ended up to be d same same groups of people. This is not good for encouraging newcomers n new blood.
Now bandai as a business entity, I believe, see this as a problem too. Maybe it s d reason of having a lot more unpredictability in the event.
As a modeler, though I know it is a sales promotion event by core, waving d flag of modeling n doing something like this isn't right. However, I try to look at it in a positive way:
Continue to striving for improvements n new technical challenges, while it could be fun, no doubt there s always some stress in it too. So instead of just doing that n stressing ourselves, since gbwc is so unpredictable seems like everyone has a chance to go to podium regardless of the level of finishing of their entry, why not just chill, build something u feel happy, n take the opportunity to meet friends from all over Malaysia, n wait if u got some prizes, that s a bonus?
The event doesn't carry the question of "deserve" nor "worthy". Every entry s the sweat n blood baby of its builder. N getting a prize is always something happy n should be congratulated for.
Embrace d changes,
continue to enjoy the hobby n make friends!
Btw, the photo credited to Don Suratos 2008 bakuc world champ
