On Apr. 1, 2023, Dauda appeared in a video interview with RxMuscle. After discussing his mentality and what went into his 2023 AC victory performance, Dauda looked ahead to bodybuilding’s tentpole contest. This November in Orlando, FL, the athlete wants to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia and notch the legendary milestone.

A British native of Nigerian descent, Dauda seemed to beam with pride when reflecting on his AC win. Beforehand, the gravitas of the moment of being the first British man to win one of bodybuilding’s biggest competitions was not lost on him.

Dauda used it well as motivation.

“At one point [before the 2023 Arnold Classic], I was training with one of my friends, we stopped and talked, going, ‘What British guy has ever won the Arnold Classic before?’” Dauda said. “We ran through it and checked out names and stuff like that and actually no British bodybuilder has ever won it before. He says, ‘Damn, wouldn’t it be cool if you ended up being the first one?’ At that moment, it clicked on me, now that is a mantle to have. That will be amazing. It fired me up a bit.”

In the months ahead, Dauda understands he’s no longer underrated. Winning the AC put him on the map and put his career under an even larger microscope, as expectations will now be accordingly elevated.

The athlete seemed to relish in this new reality.

“Having now been the topic of conversation, it fired me up even more,” Dauda explained. “There’s this thing about pressure; they say pressure will either break pipes or make diamonds. I know for me, the more pressure I get, the more I push myself to live up to it. Now, we’re going into the [2023] Olympia with the biggest expectations and pressure we’ve ever had. I’m already hungry.”

When the dust settles, this might be one of the best Men’s Open divisions in bodybuilding history. It’ll be a tall order for any number of competitors like defending champion Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, or Dauda to come out on top.

Dauda understands the challenge ahead. He knows there’s only one task left on his plate.

To win.

“With every step up, every expectation we climb above, the more I expect,” Dauda said. “For me, this is like, okay, we just won the Arnold [Classic], there ain’t nothing else. We got to go for the Olympia. We want that win. We want that Sandow [Trophy]. For me, this is my own expectation. We are winning the Olympia this year.” 

Featured image: @samson_dauda on Instagram

The post Samson Dauda is Ready to Climb the 2023 Olympia Mountain appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 10, 2023, Mr. Olympia commentator and former International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competitor Bob Cicherillo, posted a YouTube video to his Voice of Bodybuilding channel explaining how to judge a bodybuilding contest properly. Within his rationale, he offered specific clarity on why Walker ultimately fell short of a second AC title in three years.

While some have seriously considered the merits of Dauda as a legitimate force in the sport, Cicherillo didn’t have such qualms. He made it readily apparent that Dauda had the best and most balanced physique over the rest of the field. That includes Walker and the “deserved” third-place finisher in Andrew Jacked.

Dauda was simply the most well-rounded of his peers.

“Why did Samson [Dauda] win the Arnold over Nick [Walker], [Andrew] Jacked, and everyone else?” Cicherillo asked rhetorically. “Because he had the best of all worlds: shape, symmetry, proportion, size, conditioning, and presentation. He had it all. Was he the best in every one of them? No, but you can’t make the case for someone else overall … I keep getting a lot of responses, ‘Yeah, but Nick [Walker] won this pose, this pose, and this pose.’ It doesn’t work like that, folks … He loses to Samson, outright, when it comes to shape, symmetry, and proportion. … Overall, Samson had a better physique and that’s why he ended up in the winner’s circle.”

As for Walker’s individualized disappointment, Cicherillo seemed to speak to the athlete directly. The commentator made it clear he believed Walker appeared in tip-top shape. However, he had lost some of the mojo that once made him one of bodybuilding’s fastest rising stars.

“Nick Walker was tremendous,” Cicherillo said. “If he looked like he did at the [2022] Olympia, he probably would have won. But he lost a bit of the ‘freak factor,’ bringing it down a little bit. That was probably a mistake on his part. You’re not going to streamline a physique that can’t be streamlined. Nick, go back to being a ‘freak.’

It might be a little strange to hear that a bodybuilder’s ripped physique was too “streamlined” or too lean, so to speak. Though, with Walker taking home third-place and runner-up results at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and 2023 AC, respectively, it might be a critique he should consider. With enough refinement, perhaps the athlete known as “The Mutant” could find himself on top of a podium again in the coming months.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Bob Cicherillo Explains Why Nick Walker Didn’t Win 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

In a Mar. 6, 2023, Instagram post, Bonac reflected on what was likely a disappointing seventh-place finish at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). A two-time AC champion (2018, 2020), Bonac entered the competition with hopes of capturing his third career AC title — a feat only four other bodybuilders have accomplished in the contest’s 34-year history. Instead, while reflecting in the aftermath, Bonac revealed he would not compete for the rest of 2023.

Before Bonac noted he wouldn’t compete for the foreseeable future, he ran down his history at the AC. Compared to his modern peers, it’s mostly unparalleled for someone who has actually stood on top of the contest’s podium.

Here’s an overview of Bonac’s AC competitive history:

William Bonac (Men’s Open) | Arnold Classic History

• 2018 — First place
• 2019 — Runner-up
• 2020 — First place
• 2022 — Runner-up
• 2023 — Seventh place

*Note: Bonac missed the 2021 edition of the AC due to unexpected travel complications.

Here are the full results from the 2023 AC:

2023 Arnold Classic Results | Men’s Open

Here’s how the full top 10 shook out at the 2023 Arnold Classic:

1. ​​Samson Dauda
2. Nick Walker
3. Andrew Jacked
4. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
5. Shaun Clarida
6. Akim Williams
7. William Bonac
8. Justin Rodriguez
9. Kamal Elgargni
10. Patrick Moore

As for what lies ahead in the coming months, Bonac kept it plain and simple. He’s going to focus on more personal endeavors for the time being.

“I can honestly say I won’t miss my diet for a while,” Bonac wrote. “Time to focus on family and other business aside from bodybuilding.”

Aside from the general ramifications of Bonac’s decision, it also means the athlete will not appear in the 2023 Mr. Olympia in early November. Bonac has competed in every Olympia since the year 2014. His best-ever result was a runner-up finish to champion Brandon Curry in 2019.

As a competitor who has never won the contest and who also finished in ninth place during the 2022 Olympia iteration, Bonac does not have automatic qualification for the 2023 contest. As such, instead of pushing for a roster berth, it seems he’s decided to rest and refocus rather than commit to a challenging training and nutrition plan in contest prep.

This is not the end for Bonac as a bodybuilder. He plans to make his competitive return to the 2024 AC. Perhaps then he can complete his vaunted mission of capturing a third championship and remind fans why they call him “The Conqueror.”

Featured image: @william_bonac on Instagram

The post William Bonac Hangs It Up For 2023 Season, Will Return at 2024 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 7, 2023, famed bodybuilding trainer Miloš Šarčev appeared on the Cutler Cast with Mr. Olympia icon Jay Cutler. The pair recapped the events of the AC which occurred just days earlier, and, naturally, they discussed Dauda’s standout performance. Šarčev and Cutler would eventually conclude that Dauda should be considered one of the top contenders for the 2023 Mr. Olympia title in early November.

Šarčev and Cutler could have chosen their words carefully. They could’ve treaded lightly around the potential Dauda presents. Instead, they gave the first-time AC winner a ringing Olympia endorsement. (Note: Dauda finished in sixth place at the 2022 iteration of the contest.)

Why? They view Dauda as a well-rounded, elite competitor who can topple anyone, including reigning Olympia champion Hadi Choopan and runner-up Derek Lunsford.

He’s [Dauda] the best combination of everything,” Šarčev said. “Can he beat Hadi [Choopan] and Derek [Lunsford]? Yes. Would his conditioning and size beat them at the [2023] Olympia? We’d have to see them lined up next to each other.“

Cutler would echo this sentiment from Šarčev, explaining that he thinks Dauda is starting to piece together how to prepare for an elite performance on stage. The four-time Mr. Olympia (2006-2007, 2009-2010) related it to his own career experience and put it plainly.

Dauda just has to refine small details moving forward.

“I think now you’ve figured the formula and it’s just working to get the skin a little thinner as you progress,” Cutler said. “It’s just routine now … you’re in that ‘click’ period and there’s a certain click period that people go through. I experienced this in my late 20s … I feel that his [Dauda] peak is a little delayed because of the experience and you’ve seen this crazy growth over the last year. But now, it’s just refinement of the skin thinning down a little bit better. Nothing else. Everything will improve. It’s all about just routine and training.”

After winning the 2023 AC, Dauda would write in an Instagram post that “it’s a dream come true.” There’s no telling what sorts of emotions would run through the competitor were he to win his first Olympia title in the same year. Though, if Cutler and Šarčev are correct in their evaluation, a second bigger dream might be fulfilled for Dauda on November 3-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL.

More Bodybuilding Content:

• Andrew Jacked Says He “Deserved” His Third-Place Finish at 2023 Arnold Classic
• Kamal Elgargni Keeps 2023 Masters Olympia In Play During Ambitious Year
• 7-Time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath Looks Jacked in New Training Video

Featured image: @samson__dauda on Instagram

The post Jay Cutler, Miloš Šarčev Paint Samson Dauda as a Top 2023 Mr. Olympia Contender appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 5, 2023, Jacked shared a poignant and thoughtful Instagram post offering a personal reflection on his AC performance. Among the more notable tidbits was the rising star’s assessment of an earned result.

In some ways, Jacked seeming content with his AC result is appropriate. The athlete has already enjoyed a sterling rise to prominence. His respective wins at the 2022 Texas Pro and 2022 Arnold Classic UK contests demonstrate as much of someone with elite mass and a dynamite commitment to nutrition. At this pace, Jacked appears to only be improving.

That makes his heartfelt evaluation of the 2023 AC all too fitting. He only fell short of two other athletes while finishing ahead of established superstars like two-time Mr. Olympia (2020, 2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (fourth place) and two-time 212 Olympia champion (2020, 2022) Shaun Clarida (fifth place), and two-time AC winner (2018, 2020) William Bonac (seventh place).

The best might truly be ahead for Jacked.

“Arnold Classic 2023 done and dusted, gameplan was executed,” Jacked wrote. “[I was] awesome and tighter in prejudging, slacked a bit in the Finals, and third place was so deserved! I’m so happy with the package presented on stage.”

As the athlete takes a break after an apparent “366 consecutive days” of contest-focused preparations, he thanked his two coaches, Chris “Psycho” Lewis and Chris Aceto, for their help. It might only be fair to assume they’ll continue to coax out the best in him.

“I’m sincerely grateful to Chris [Aceto] and Chris [Lewis] for an amazing six-week camp prep,” Jacked wrote. “Taking a break now after a long 366 days of actively prepping … and will come back fresher, stronger, prettier, classier & better.”

With names like the former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) champion Elssbiay losing their mantle, bodybuilding appears to be in a current state of flux. An established juggernaut might not be coming out victorious in every significant contest just yet. Based on his recent progress, that competitor could very well become Jacked in due time.

Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram

The post Andrew Jacked Says He “Deserved” His Third-Place Finish at 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Despite an apparently improved training regimen, Walker couldn’t channel his preparation into a victory at the AC. However, rather than dwell on what went wrong, the athlete seemed to focus on the positives first and foremost. After all, a loss doesn’t have to sting for long.

For an elite athlete like Walker, it can and probably should be a useful learning experience.

“We came in better [than] the O [the 2022 Mr. Olympia], improved in all areas we wanted to improve upon,” Walker wrote. “I’m really happy with the package we brought, came up a little short, but you know how I do, when I lose, I only come back better.”

Some ensuing posts would see Walker drop random quotes about what’s next and his current mindset. He maintained that he’ll always prioritize his conditioning first and that he’s a “fighter.”

Eventually, Walker came to a point where he was ready to give credit where credit was due. First, to the Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) for, in Walker’s opinion, running the contest without a hitch. Second, in a display of sportsmanship, to Dauda: for breaking through in bodybuilding’s second-biggest competition.

“I want to give a huge shoutout to the [Arnold Sports Festival] putting on an amazing show!” Walker wrote. “You guys killed it! Awesome production and everything was run smoothly … Huge shoutout to [Samson Dauda] for coming in guns blazing and taking the title win! It was a close battle but it was a well-deserved win! Samson is an awesome guy and I’m incredibly happy for him!

Appropriately, with Walker likely only aiming at big fish moving forward in his professional career, he ended his line of reflections in an expected place. Next in his crosshairs is the 2023 Mr. Olympia. After his recent spate of podium results, he’ll once again be a likely top contender for the biggest title in the sport.

“Time to go back to work! Olympia is only around the corner!”

More Bodybuilding Content:

• Kamal Elgargni Keeps 2023 Masters Olympia In Play During Ambitious Year
• 7-Time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath Looks Jacked in New Training Video
• Eddie Hall Takes Another Step Toward Bodybuilding With an Intense Back Workout

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Nick Walker Promises To Return Stronger After 2023 Arnold Classic Runner-Up Finish appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

While the Men’s Open division is often considered the primary bodybuilding event, multiple divisions have been added over the years. Ranging from Men’s Physique to Women’s Wellness, top-level competitors make the Arnold Classic a high priority in their competitive season.

The 2023 contest drew even more excitement in the Men’s Open division after promoters increased the prize money awarded, up 50% from the previous year. The champion is now set to bring home $300,000 along with one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. In the popular Men’s Open division, that honor (and lucrative prize) went to Samson Dauda as he won the 2023 Arnold Classic title.

How to Watch The Arnold Classic

You can still re-watch the competitors on stage. Fans can visit FanMio to purchase the pay-per-view for $59.99. It can be played on any Apple device, as well as on an Android TV, Google TV, and Amazon’s Fire TV.

2023 Arnold Classic Results

Here are the results from this year’s Arnold Classic contest.

• Men’s Open
• Classic Physique
• Fitness
• Wellness
• Men’s Physique
• Bikini

Men’s Open Arnold Classic

After an action-packed round of pre-judging, front-runners appeared to include 2021 Arnold Classic winner Nick Walker, Andrew Jacked in his Arnold Classic debut, and Samson Dauda who placed 4th at the 2022 Arnold Classic. However, in what some fans might call a surprising result at the end of Finals, Samson Dauda captured the 2023 Arnold Classic title to secure the first win of his relatively young pro career.

2023 Arnold Classic Results

1. Samson Dauda
2. Nick Walker
3. Andrew Jacked
4. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
5. Shaun Clarida
6. Akim Williams

Competitors

• Nick Walker
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
• Andrew Jacked
• Shaun Clarida
• William Bonac
• Kamal Elgargni
• Samson Dauda
• Akim Williams
• Patrick Moore
• Justin Rodriguez

Classic Physique

The competitive field included 2020 Arnold Classic winner Alex Cambronero, as well as 2022 Classic Physique Olympia finalists Ramon Rocha Quiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and Mike Sommerfeld (who finished runner-up, third, and fifth, respectively). Ramon “Dino” Rocha Quiroz improved on his runner-up status from the 2022 Arnold Classic and won his first Arnold Classic Physique title.

2023 Arnold Classic Classic Physique Results

1. Ramon Rocha Queiroz
2. Urs Kalecinski
3. Alex Cambronero
4. Mike Sommerfeld
5. Courage Opara
6. Junior Javorski

Note: Urs Kalecinski additionally received the Best Poser award.

Competitors

• Jason Brown
• Alex Cambronero
• Junior Javorski
• Courage Opara
• Urs Kalecinski
• Ramon Rocha Queiroz
• Mike Sommerfeld

Fitness

Competitors put on an impressive display of gymnastic agility, power, and strength. Defending Arnold Classic Fitness champion Ariel Khadr aimed to retain her title and, after individual routines were performed, Khadr became a two-time winner.

2023 Arnold Classic Fitness Results

1. Ariel Khadr
2. Jaclyn Baker
3. Michelle Fredua-Mensah
4. Allison Kramer
5. Terra Plum
6. Tiffany Chandler

Competitors

• Ariel Khadr (2022 champion)
• Jaclyn Baker
• Tiffany Chandler
• Oksana Grishina
• Allison Kramer
• Michelle Fredua-Mensah
• Minna Pajulahti
• Terra Plum
• Kristin Pope
• Tamara Vahn

Wellness

The Wellness division is appearing for only the second year at the Arnold Classic. Isabelle Nunes won the inaugural show in 2022 and, with Nunes sitting out of this year’s contest, the lower-body focused category saw a new champion crowned as Kassandra Gillis took the win.

2023 Arnold Classic Wellness Results

1. Kassandra Gillis
2. Angela Borges
3. Rayane Fogal
4. Alexis Adams
5. Marissa Andrews
6. Andrea Hrenko

Competitors

• Alexis Adams
• Marissa Andrews
• Sunny Andrews
• Angela Borges
• Amanda Burnett
• Rayane Fogal
• Kassandra Gillis
• Andrea Hrenko

Men’s Physique

Erin Banks continued a reign of dominance, winning each of his four most recent contests, including the 2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and 2022 Men’s Physique Olympia. Winning the 2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique makes Banks the second two-time winner in the contest’s eight-year history.

2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Results

1. Erin Banks
2. Diogo Montenegro
3. Emanual Hunter
4. Vitor Chaves
5. Carlos DeOliveira
6. Edvan Ferreira Palmeira

Competitors

• Erin Banks (2022 champion)
• Vitor Chaves
• Carlos DeOliveira
• Myron Griffin
• Juan Manuel Gomez
• Emanual Hunter
• Youcef Djoudi
• Diogo Montenegro
• Edvan Ferriera Palmeira
• Antoine Weatherspoon

Bikini

2022 Arnold Classic Bikini champion Lauralie Chapados looked to defend her title from top contenders including 2021 Bikini Olympia champion and 2021 Arnold Bikini champion Jennifer Dorie, as well as 2022 Bikini Olympia champion Maureen Blanquisco. By contest’s end, Chapados secured her second consecutive Arnold Classic Bikini crown.

2023 Arnold Classic Bikini Results

1. Lauralie Chapados
2. Maureen Blanquisco
3. Jennifer Dorie
4. Ashley Kaltwasser
5. Romina Basualdo
6. Ivanna Escandar

Competitors

• Lauralie Chapados (2022 champion)
• Romina Basualdo
• Maureen Blanquisco 
• Jennifer Dorie
• Ivanna Escandar
• Eli Fernandez
• Alessia Fachin
• Phoebe Hagan
• Ashley Kaltwasser
• Ukachi Onyejiaka

The Arnold Classic Weekend Concludes

For many fans, bodybuilding competitions are the highlight of the Arnold Sports Festival weekend. Several divisions competed in Columbus, Ohio and champions were newly crowned or, in some cases, renewed. However, the Arnold Strongman Classic also took place with five events across two days and a slew of strength athletes vying for an Arnold Classic strength-focused title of their own.

Featured Image: @arnoldsports / Instagram

The post 2023 Arnold Classic Results appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Mar. 2-5, 2023, fans can start centering their energy on one of the biggest shows in bodybuilding. Here’s a look at the Men’s Open roster for the 2023 AC:

2023 Arnold Classic | Men’s Open Roster

• Nick Walker
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
• Andrew Jacked
• Shaun Clarida
• William Bonac
• Kamal Elgargni
• Samson Dauda
• Akim Williams
• Patrick Moore
• Justin Rodriguez

With reigning AC champion Brandon Curry sitting out this year’s iteration, 2021 winner Nick Walker figures to be the favorite in the eyes of many fans and experts. Walker is coming off a third-place result in the 2022 Mr. Olympia and will be returning to the AC as an apparent means of redemption during this competitive season. The athlete has tabbed 2022 Olympia runner-up and former 212 Olympia champion (2021) Derek Lunsford as one of his main rivals. Four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010) Jay Cutler has picked Walker as the No. 1 contender. Seven-time 212 Olympia champion (2012-2018) Flex Lewis also expects Walker to take the title.

As for who could potentially beat Walker, there is no shortage of worthy opponents. For one, there’s former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, who is returning to the competition after a two-year absence. Meanwhile, two-time AC winner (2018, 2020) William Bonac aims to become the fifth bodybuilder to achieve three AC titles. A dark horse competitor could be Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, aka “Andrew Jacked,” who burst onto the scene as an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League rookie in 2022 with wins in the Texas Pro and Arnold Classic UK.

Five other bodybuilding divisions will be featured at the 2023 AC: Fitness, Classic Physique, Wellness, Men’s Physique, and Bikini.

Here are their respective rosters:

Fitness

• Ariel Khadr (2022 champion)
• Jaclyn Baker
• Tiffany Chandler
• Oksana Grishina
• Allison Kramer
• Michelle Fredua-Mensah
• Minna Pajulahti
• Terra Plum
• Kristin Pope
• Tamara Vahn

Classic Physique

• Jason Brown
• Alex Cambronero
• Neil Currey
• Urs Kalecinski
• Kyrylo Khudaiev
• Mehdi Larijani
• Courage Opara
• Ramon Rocha Queiroz
• Mike Sommerfeld

Wellness

• Isabelle Nunes (2022 champion)
• Marissa Andrews
• Sunny Andrews
• Yarishna Ayala
• Angela Borges
• Julia Chitarra
• Rayane Fogel
• Kassandra Gillis
• Andrea Hrenko
• Giselle Machado 

Men’s Physique

• Erin Banks (2022 champion)
• Ali Bilal
• Vitor Chaves
• Carlos DeOliveira
• Juan Manuel Gomez
• Emmanuel Hunter
• Youcef Djoudi
• Diogo Montenegro
• Jahvair Mullings
• Edvan Ferriera Palmeira
• Antoine Weatherspoon

Bikini

• Lauralie Chapados (2022 champion)
• Romina Basualdo
• Maureen Blanquisco 
• Jennifer Dorie
• Ivanna Escandar
• Eli Fernandez
• Alessia Fachin
• Phoebe Hagan
• Ashley Kaltwasser
• Ukachi Onyejiaka
• India Paulino

The 2023 AC is one of the biggest competitions in fitness, let alone bodybuilding. Walker and Co. will be expected to put on a show for a spectating crowd and those watching on pay-per-view. Based on precedent, it seems like these superstars will deliver.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post 2023 Arnold Classic Preview appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Typically, the stand-out events for fans are the Arnold Classic (or AC, and the other bodybuilding events) and the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). For fans who can’t attend the event in person, they can purchase a $59.99 pay-per-view with FanMio. It can be played on any Apple device, as well as on an Android TV, Google TV, and Amazon’s Fire TV.

2023 ASF Event Schedule

Below is an abbreviated (yup, that’s abbreviated) schedule for the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival. Head to the ASF’s website for a complete schedule.

Thursday, March 2

Friday, March 3

• Arnold Amateur, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Battelle Grand
• USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
• USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
• Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
• Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
• Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
• Classic Physique Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
• Fitness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
• Wellness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
• Wellness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
• Fitness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
• Arnold Classic Prejudging, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
• Classic Physique Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand

Saturday, March 4

• USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
• USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
• Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
• Pro Wheelchair Prejudging & Finals, from 10 – 11 a.m. Arnold Expo Stage
• Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
• Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
• Men’s Physique Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
• Bikini International Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
• Men’s Physique Finals, from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
• Arnold Classic Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
• Bikini International Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand

Sunday, March 5

• USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
• USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
• Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
• Rogue Record Breakers, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area

Some expected top contenders for the Men’s Open portion of the 2023 AC include Nick Walker, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and Andrew Jacked. There will be a $300,000 prize for the victor.

Here is the complete Men’s Open roster for the 2023 AC:

2023 Arnold Classic | Men’s Open Roster

• Nick Walker
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
• Andrew Jacked
• Shaun Clarida
• William Bonac
• Kamal Elgargni
• Samson Dauda
• Akim Williams
• Patrick Moore
• Justin Rodriguez

As for the 2023 ASC, reigning two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman and 2018 World’s Strongest Woman (WSW) champion Andrea Thompson headline the Men’s and Women’s rosters, respectively. They are as follows:

2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Men

• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Trey Mitchell (United States)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Rob Kearney (United States)
• *Kevin Faires (United States)
• Tom Evans (United States)
• Bobby Thompson (United States)

*Note: Faires is replacing Maxime Boudreault, who broke a shin bone in February 2023.

2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Women

• Tamara Walcott (U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Andrea Thompson (United Kingdom)
• Olga Liashchuk (Ukraine)
• Inez Carrasquillo (Puerto Rico)
• Melissa Peacock (Canada)
• Hannah Linzay (United States)
• Rebecca Roberts (United Kingdom)
• Victoria Long (United States)
• Samantha Belliveau (Canada)
• Donna Moore (United Kingdom)

2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Events

Here are the events and schedule for the 2023 ASC:

Friday, March 3

• Event One: Wheel of Pain
• Event Two: The Austrian Oak

Saturday, March 4

• Event Three: Elephant Bar Deadlift
• Event Four: Unspunnen Stone Throw
• Event Five: Frame Carry

With defending ASC champion Martins Licis and runner-up Oleksii Novikov not participating, it could be anyone’s contest to win on the Men’s side. Meanwhile, for the Women, Thompson might face a stiff challenge from 2022 WSW winner Olga Liashchuk and three-time WSW winner Donna Moore (2016-2017, 2019).

The annual ASF acts as its own celebration of fitness and strength. The competitors in the 2023 AC and 2023 ASC should likely live up to that lofty objective.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post How to Watch the 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

“Fell on the ice yesterday and broke the small shin bone. Waiting to see the surgeon but staying optimistic.”

Boudreault posted an Instagram video on February 23, 2023, disclosing the news of his immediate competitive future being put on hold. While delivering the update, it appeared the athlete was being wheeled in for the care of his injury by his partner Samantha Belliveau, the 2021 Canada’s Strongest Woman (CSW) champion.

The timeline of Boudreault’s withdrawal from the 2023 ASC, which is scheduled for Mar. 2-5, 2023, in Columbus, OH, makes perfect sense. It likely would’ve been too much for a strength-based athlete to put the requisite stress on his body on such a short turnaround where he might not even be fully healed.

The 2023 WSM taking place on an Apr. 19-23, 2023, date — after occurring in late May during the 2022 iteration — seems to be an unlucky coincidence for Boudreault. While WSM scheduling has usually jumped around the calendar in recent years (the 2021 competition took place in June and the 2020 contest was held in November), the athlete may have been able to heal completely and compete if given more time.

On Feb. 22, 2023, the ASC revealed that Kevin Faires would replace Boudreault on the 2023 ASC roster. At the time of this writing, it is unclear who will take Boudreault’s place in the 2023 WSM.

Regarding recent competitive results, Boudreault captured the 2022 Canada’s Strongest Man (CSM) title in August 2022. He finished in fifth place during the 2022 WSM. To date, Boudreault’s best output at a WSM contest was when he stood on the podium in 2021, with only the legendary Brian Shaw and now two-time reigning WSM champion Tom Stoltman eclipsing him. As for his last ASC, the Canadian competitor garnered a sixth-place performance in March 2022.

Nevertheless, before he can build on any of this past precedent, Boudreault will be on the shelf until further notice.

Boudreault’s currently one of the bigger names in strongman and seems to have suffered an unfortunate bout of luck, knocking him out of two major contests. Seeing him compete again might be worth the wait whenever he returns fully healthy.

Featured image: @evolutionathleticsgear on Instagram

The post Maxime Boudreault Withdraws From 2023 Arnold Classic, 2023 World’s Strongest Man After Leg Injury appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Feb. 21, 2023, Uribe revealed in an Instagram post that he withdrew from the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC), a show considered nearly as prestigious as the Olympia. Rather than compete in the Mar. 2-5, 2023 contest in Columbus, OH, Uribe intends to first work through some undisclosed health problems.

While Uribe didn’t clarify exactly what compelled him to withdraw from the 2023 AC (and, by extension, the 2022 Olympia previously), he maintained it was something he couldn’t just gloss over and that it was partly out of his control.

” … I am grateful [to] get invited for the second time in my sixth Pro show in my short career as a professional,” Uribe wrote. “Unfortunately, this is something that I won’t be able to finish…sadly I can’t push through this now and finish because there are always more red flags, and red flags indicate to you it’s time to stop.”

The athlete also clarified that he considered withdrawing from the 2023 AC sometime around the 2022 Olympia but had already sent his application in for the contest. Nonetheless, the bodybuilder will focus on his health and well-being for now.

“This time I am prioritizing myself, looking for myself, taking in my own decisions more than expectations or what people think or want from me as an athlete.”

To date, as a relatively newer Pro League member, Uribe has never competed in the Olympia. In the only AC appearance of his career in 2022, the athlete finished in eighth place in the Classic Physique Division. Two-time Classic Physique Olympia runner-up Terrence Ruffin won his second consecutive Classic Physique AC title at that edition of the competition.

It’s unclear what the future holds for Uribe as a bodybuilder. He seems to be prioritizing himself rather than the sometimes demanding rigors of competition, nutrition, and training. For now, the bodybuilding community will have to wait and see what the athlete might have in store.

Featured image: @uribe_darwin on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Darwin Uribe Will Withdraw From 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Feb. 14, 2023, Walker posted a photo of himself revealing a defined and vascular set of abdominals on Instagram. In following days, he also shared a side chest pose photo, as well as a pic lifting up his shirt to perform what he called a “quick ab check after training hamstrings.”

Critics have previously knocked Walker for having what they call a “blocky” physique, meaning he lacks symmetry and a narrow waistline. His recent photos, however, have received a fair share of positive comments from his supporters.

While the photos are fairly self-evident, Walker hasn’t shared much else about his progress such as his current body weight. He is working with coach Matt Jansen, who helped him earn his first Arnold Classic win in 2021. Walker and Jansen went on to work together for that year’s Mr. Olympia contest, where Walker placed 5th. That was his first Olympia as a competitor.

Walker and Jansen then went their separate ways briefly in 2022, but they reunited and worked together again for the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas, NV. Walker would improve from his debut year and place third — higher than 2019 Mr. Olympia winner Brandon Curry (4th) as well as two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (5th). Hadi Choopan would go on to win the 2022 Mr. Olympia title.

Out of the competitors in the 2023 Arnold Classic field, the only two men that Walker has yet to defeat on a professional stage are, coincidentally, 212 competitors. Two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida and 2019 Olympia 212 winner Kamal Elgargni are both making the jump into the open for this contest. They will be facing Walker, and other top contenders, for the first time. All 10 contestants will be looking to win the title, along with the $300,000 first place prize which was recently raised from the 2022 contest’s $200,000 award.

Tickets to the Arnold Classic and access to the pay-per-view of the contest, provided by Fanmio, can be obtained through www.arnoldsports.com.

Featured Image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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