Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay has decided to forgo an opportunity to win his third Men’s Open championship by officially taking himself out of the mix for the upcoming competition scheduled to take place from Nov. 2-5, 2023 in Orlando, FL.

Elssbiay, who won his first Sandow trophy in 2020, spoke with RXMuscle on Saturday, Sept. 23 about his decision to back out of the 2023 Olympia.

“I have to be smart to know the best time for me to be on stage and the best time for me to stop a little bit,” the 39-year-old told RXMuscle’s Siddique Farooqui. “I think this year I have to get a break for the show, and if I have the chance to come better and bring something different, yeah, I would be in the next show.”

A native of Egypt, Elssbiay has helped the sport expand throughout the Middle East thanks to his sizable frame and success on stage. Ironically, he revealed his decision during the 2023 Dubai Pro, an event that undoubtedly draws more attention thanks in part to the two-time Olympia winner.

“For many people in the Middle East, that’s not making them happy. But I work hard to give them the best version of Ramy, and I don’t think this is the right time to go to Olympia this year,” Elssbiay explained. “Me and my team spoke about that and I think the best thing we can do right now, we’re looking forward to the other goal. Yeah, we’re thinking about next year.”

Not long ago, it looked like Elssbiay had a chance to completely take over as one of the preeminent figures in the sport. Yet since capturing top honors at the Olympia in both 2020 and 2021, it’s been a difficult two-year run.

Elssbiay went from winning back-to-back titles to placing fifth at the 2022 Olympia. Following that disappointing showing, he fell short of expectations again by finishing in fourth place at the 2023 Arnold Classic.

Moving forward, it’s clear Elssbiay and his team have their sights set on coming back bigger and better than ever in 2024. However, his absence from the 2023 Olympia lineup certainly raises questions about whether he can reclaim his place atop the Men’s Open division in the near future.

With Elssbiay removing himself from the competition roughly five weeks out, it will be interesting to see who replaces him in a stacked field of contenders that includes reigning champion Hadi Choopan, former 212 division winner Derek Lunsford, and 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry.

Featured Image: Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay / Instagram

The post Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Pulls Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

In a recent interview with Frank Sepe of Muscle & Fitness, Elssbiay discussed his current competitive trajectory as the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, inches closer by the week. The athlete offered a glimpse into his mentality and clarified that his most recent Olympia result is being utilized as a source of motivation in training.

Elssbiay might be 38 years old at the time of this writing, but he knows one Olympia loss won’t define him. After all, he wasn’t always a two-time defending champion. It’s this recentering of efforts, of looking properly forward, that has Elssbiay eager to leave it all on stage in November 2023.

“I’m really excited like always,” Elssbiay said. “I have to do one thing. Work hard. I do that for a reason always, but this year I do it because everyone knows if you lose one time, it’s never the end … If anything comes after working hard, you did fine. You have more than what you had in your pocket.”

Crucially, Elssbiay didn’t overlook what appears to be a stacked field in the Men’s Open division this year. Any number of competitors, including active defending champion Hadi Choopan, 2023 Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford, and even third-place finisher Nick Walker could stand on top of the 2023 Olympia mountain.

It’s here where Elssbiay maintained he’s a little angry about falling short in 2022. It’s less an anger at his peers and more at himself. He’s now using that emotion to push himself in the gym and on stage and to be the best again.

“I think we’ll have a nice lineup of competitors right now and the lineup is getting stronger,” Elssbiay said. “That makes me very excited to be in this lineup again and work harder than anybody. No, it’s not anger because you lost. It’s anger because you want to be the best in the world. That can give you a chance to work hard. I told my friends today, maybe you get angry, but the anger doesn’t break you. It makes you fight more.” 

If Elssbiay wants to be Mr. Olympia again, he’ll have to be honest with himself and see where he can improve. This doesn’t appear to be an issue for the superstar thus far in 2023. If anything, he clearly already understands where he has room to grow — both literally and figuratively.

Featured image: @arnoldsports on Instagram

The post Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Is Training Angry in Quest for Mr. Olympia Redemption appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On May 12-13, 2023, while champions like Michael Daboul (Classic Physique) were crowned during the official Pittsburgh Pro, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, Hunter Labrada, and Shaun Clarida all guest-posed during the contest. The only notable absence, especially in the current Men’s Open pantheon, was defending Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan. With nothing officially on the line for the slate of elite competitors, these six men still appeared on stage to tease how their sterling physiques are coming along for the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, this early November.

Amongst the guest posers at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Lunsford might be the presumed biggest contender to Choopan’s title. Lunsford is in the midst of training to improve upon a runner-up result in his first-ever appearance in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. One of Lunsford’s main rivals, Nick Walker, believes the former 212 champion (2021) should be favored to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman has also expressed his faith in Lunsford, anointing him as one of the next big things in the sport after a recent collaborative training session.

Walker’s faith in Lunsford is notable, given his status as one of bodybuilding’s top modern stars. Walker finished in third place at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and followed that up with a runner-up result at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). If anyone finally seems poised to break through from this field, it might be Walker.

Meanwhile, the 2023 AC victor, Samson Dauda, has started to receive hype as a legitimate Olympia titan. Icons like Jay Cutler have expressed that Dauda could be one of bodybuilding’s next big stars. It’s a label of high expectations that Dauda has not taken lightly. There’s also Elssbiay, who is coming off a disappointing sixth-place result at the 2022 Mr. Olympia after vying for a historic three-peat. The former two-time defending Olympia champion (2021, 2022) had previously skipped guest-posing at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro and now appeared to be trying to build momentum toward another Olympia victory this November.

Labrada is in a similar position to Elssbiay, though he doesn’t have the resume of past Olympia victories to lean on. The athlete has expressed profound disappointment in his 2022 Olympia performance and vowed to have a more streamlined physique in 2023 in hopes of a huge rebound.

To round out this guest-posing group, Clarida, a two-time 212 champion (2020, 2022), will not be competing in the Men’s Open division at the 2023 Olympia. The athlete wishes to eventually break James “Flex” Lewis’s record of seven 212 Olympia titles (2012-2018) and will exclusively focus his efforts on that mission moving forward.

Discerning the precise favorites for the 2023 Mr. Olympia would likely be impossible off one guest-posing appearance. Nonetheless, some of the top contenders for the tentpole contest made it a point to appear in Pittsburgh and show off what they might bring to the table in November.

With that, one of the unofficial first significant steps en route to this year’s Olympia is now in the rearview mirror.

Featured image: dereklunsford_ on Instagram

The post Derek Lunsford and Other Olympia Contenders Display Their Off-Season Mass Guest-Posing at 2023 Pittsburgh Pro appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Jan. 29, 2023, Elssbiay’s coach Dennis James discussed the bodybuilder’s chances of winning the 2023 AC in Columbus, OH. In a contest that will likely require Elssbiay to topple former AC champions like Nick Walker (2021) and William Bonac (2018, 2020), James maintained if Elssbiay shows up in top form, he’ll capture his first-ever AC title.

While breaking down the 2023 AC contenders, James spoke with fellow trainer Miloš Šarčev. Per the latter, overlooking Elssbiay at the Mar. 2-5, 2023 competition would be a mistake.

“Big Ramy [Elssbiay] slipped from first from fifth [at the 2022 Mr. Olympia] and Nick Walker was in third, his highest placing,” Šarčev said. “Obviously going into the Arnold [Classic], you would assume the highest-placing Olympian would be the favorite. But how do you ignore Big Ramy, who was a two-time [Olympia] champion? Okay, he slipped a little bit, but assume he’s going to be in better condition.”

Meanwhile, James believed Elssbiay should’ve won the 2022 Olympia, despite the eventual judging going against him. According to the coach, if Elssbiay looks roughly the same as then, he can expect to put an AC trophy on his mantel.

“All I’m saying if he’s [Elssbiay] going to look like he looked leading up to the [2022] Olympia five days out, I don’t see why he shouldn’t win the Arnold [Classic],” James said. ” … If he can put that weight back on and he fills out like he was and the conditioning is right.”

James and Šarčev are not the first prominent members of the bodybuilding community to tout Elssbiay as one of the 2023 AC favorites. Former four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010) Jay Cutler believes Walker should have the pole position but that a “100 percent” Elssbiay is capable of anything.

Elssbiay uncharacteristically entering the 2023 AC might not only be related to the athlete seeking a quick rebound from his disappointing output at the 2022 Olympia. In mid-January 2023, the Arnold Sports Festival revealed the first-place prize for the competition would be $300,000 — a $100,000 increase from the previous year. Someone who likely also would’ve centered only on Olympia preparation, Nick Walker, admitted the lucrative money was a deciding factor for him to participate in the 2023 AC. It’s not hard to imagine a comparable Olympia-level bodybuilder like Elssbiay being similarly incentivized.

That said, being able to beat his elite peers again probably comes first and foremost for Elssbiay. He has noted professional bodybuilding is his passion, and the implication of first-place achievement is arguably baked-in for a former champion.

Featured image: @big_ramy on Instagram

The post Dennis James, Miloš Šarčev Believe Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Can Win 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Jan. 26, 2023, during a podcast episode of The Cutler Cast, four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010) Jay Cutler and esteemed trainer Miloš Šarčev discussed storylines and potential comparisons for the upcoming AC. One of the Cutler’s main points was that he believes Walker has a pole position for the Columbus, OH, contest on Mar. 2-5, 2023. It’s quite the endorsement for Walker from a respected competitor who, himself, is one of only four athletes to win the AC three times — Cutler captured the title in 2002-2004.

While the final complete roster for the 2023 AC hasn’t been confirmed at the time of this writing, Cutler expressed to Šarčev that he thinks the other athletes aren’t on par with Walker’s overall build. Notably, some of the early confirmed competitors include former two-time winner William Bonac (2018, 2020), Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, and Akim Williams.

“Are the big dudes going to have enough combination to push Nick [Walker] to the side?” Cutler said rhetorically. “I have a hard time believing that.”

The only peer Cutler seems to believe can truly push Walker is former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021), Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The Egyptian athlete had previously revealed he would compete at the 2023 AC in his second career appearance at the contest, having placed third in 2020. To Cutler, even with a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, if Elssbiay shows up in top form, it could morph into quite a battle.

“Ramy [Elssbiay] wasn’t full [at the 2022 Mr. Olympia],” Cutler said. “Ramy needed to be Ramy. His skin would have been tighter. His appearance, there would have been more roundness to everything. Listen, Ramy, we talked about it. If Ramy is 100 percent, he beats everybody. He’s still Big Ramy.”

That said, Cutler seems to sense something special and innate in Walker’s competitive mindset. He alluded to the point that Walker won’t let himself fall short so easily now that he’s established superstar in bodybuilding. As a result, for Cutler, a second AC title is clearly in the works for Walker.

“ … I just know Nick’s [Walker] mindset,” Cutler explained. “I know his vision. I know every night before he goes to bed, he’s visualizing winning this competition. And sometimes, you can’t overtake someone’s willpower. He believes more than anyone else on this planet. We can talk about the confidence of these people leading into these shows … I just don’t think there’s anyone more dedicated than Nick Walker. I think in the end, he’ll be a two-time champ.”

From the time of Cutler’s prediction, the 2023 AC is still a ways off. A lot can change in the coming weeks before Walker and the other respective athletes take the stage in Columbus. It’s possible that another top-tier challenger who can duke it out with Walker on stage might emerge. Until then, Walker seems to have Cutler’s wholehearted seal of approval, and that is no small thing.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

The post Jay Cutler Pegs Nick Walker as His 2023 Arnold Classic Favorite appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Now, after an earnest early January 2023 reflection on what’s next, and with a fresh bodybuilding season ahead of him, it appears Elssbiay is aiming for a massive rebound before he even considers trying to win the Olympia again.

On Jan. 20, 2023, the Arnold Sports Festival announced that Elssbiay would take the stage in the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) on Mar. 2-5, 2023.

“Making his first on-stage appearance in Columbus since 2020, ‘Ramy’ will be looking to re-establish his position as the most dominant competitor in the world of bodybuilding!”

The Columbus, OH, contest will mark the former two-time Mr. Olympia’s second appearance in the AC as he seeks a significant notch to add to his resume. In 2020, Elssbiay placed third at his first and only appearance at the show.

To some, Elssbiay’s AC reveal might come as a surprise. The superstar had spent most of his recent years training and preparing almost exclusively for his Olympia appearances throughout an approximate calendar year, only appearing occasionally in other contests. It’s a calculated approach that many elite bodybuilders, particularly in the Men’s Open division, often elect to have in the interest of maximizing their performance at the biggest contest in the sport.

For Elssbiay, seeing as how he’s no longer the defending Mr. Olympia, he might now be seeking a boost of momentum before diving back full throttle into Olympia prep. At the same time, a new lucrative cash prize could have also motivated the athlete to finally compete in the AC. In mid-January 2023, the Arnold Sports Festival announced the first-place prize for winning the Men’s Open at the 2023 AC would be $300,000. That is a $100,000 increase from the 2022 iteration of the competition. Notably, also in January 2023, former AC champion (2021) Nick Walker maintained this high financial incentive was part of his own decision to return to the AC.

Elssbiay will join other established stars at the 2023 AC as he tries to defeat past winners like Walker and William Bonac (2018, 2020), and two-time 212 Olympia champion (2020, 2022) Shaun Clarida. Other confirmed names include Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, Justin Rodriguez, and Akim Williams. Elssbiay might be a newcomer to the contest, but given his Olympia precedent, this field will likely be ready for anything he brings to the stage in Columbus.

The 2023 AC is shaping up to be a barnburner of a bodybuilding contest. If top-level competitors like Elssbiay and Walker elect to participate before tackling any loftier Olympia plans, it could be an incredibly fascinating show to watch in early March.

Featured Image: @arnoldsports / Instagram

The post Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Will Compete at 2023 Arnold Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

With the 2022 competitive calendar now in the rearview mirror, Elssbiay posted a reflection on his most recent Olympia performance in a Dec. 18, 2022, Instagram video. In the process, he looked ahead to the future and what might be next as someone who remains one of bodybuilding’s biggest names.

Before even discussing himself and his own prospects that lie ahead, Elssbiay made sure to congratulate Choopan for the Iranian athlete’s remarkable achievement in finally climbing bodybuilding’s tallest mountain. In particular, Elssbiay seemed to appreciate that Choopan likely won’t take the Olympia mantel lightly.

“From the beginning I have to say congratulations to Hadi [Choopan],” Elssbiay said. “He deserves it. He is the Mr. Olympia right now. He tried for many years to be in this place and I respect that. I am thankful for all the competitors who fought for one reason, to be a good representative of bodybuilding.”

As for why Elssbiay fell short of completing a legendary “three-peat,” he didn’t make excuses. He acknowledged the adverse circumstances in not attaining the result he wanted, while understanding things can happen with his passion that happens to be bodybuilding.

“It’s my game,” Elssbiay started. “I love this game from the beginning and I always tried to bring my best because it is my hobby. I loved everyone and loved my game and I need to say I have been broken many times in my life and this is not the first time. But I always came back stronger than ever.”

Ultimately, while it wasn’t the output he wanted, Elssbiay made a promise to come back on a mission. He noted that after finishing as the runner-up to Phil Heath during the 2017 Olympia, he had also fallen four spots to sixth place before eventually capturing a repeat to start the 2020s. Based on this reflective message in the aftermath of the 2022 Olympia — it seems apparent Elssbiay will try to replicate that past experience as best as he can in 2023.

“I promise you guys I will do my best to get back again stronger than ever,” Elssbiay said. “I don’t promise to win or to lose, I respect other people. But I will say I will do my best like I have done my whole life to be No. 1 again. I can say it to all the competitors in the Middle East, we can come back from this. I really appreciate all the people’s support around the world.”

Featured image: @big_ramy on Instagram

The post Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Looks Ahead After Losing Mr. Olympia Title appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Here are the top five athletes in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and the respective prize money they earned:

2022 Mr. Olympia Results

1. Hadi Choopan— $400,000 | 2022 Mr. Olympia Champion
2. Derek Lunsford — $150,000
3. Nick Walker — $100,000
4. Brandon Curry — $40,000
5. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay — $30,000

Choopan’s victory not only gives him his first career Mr. Olympia title, it also topples previous two-time reigning champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The former defending champion finished in fifth place. Meanwhile, in his Men’s Open debut, Derek Lunsford took runner-up to Choopan’s Olympia championship.

With final comparisons made earlier in the night, here are how the callouts shook out in the Finals of the 2022 Mr. Olympia.

Callout 1

• Samson Dauda
• Nick Walker
• Hadi Choopan
• Derek Lunsford
• Brandon Curry
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay

Callout 2

• Iain Valliere
• Andrew Jacked
• William Bonac
• Hunter Labrada
• Rafael Brandao
• Michal “Krizo” Križánek

Callout 3

• Antoine Vaillant
• James Hollingshead
• Patrick Johnson
• Charles Griffen
• Justin Rodriguez
• Akim Williams

Callout 4

• Blessing Awodibu
• Mohamed Shaaban
• Joel Thomas
• Mohammad Alnsoor

Callout 5 

• Andrea Presti
• Theo Leguerrier
• Andrea Muzi

Callout 6

• Hadi Choopan
• Derek Lunsford
• Brandon Curry
• Nick Walker
• Samson Dauda
• Mamdouh Elssbiay

The top six athletes in both the first and last callouts saw themselves shifted on multiple occasions as they were compared. Eventually, the top contenders performed their posing routines in the order as follows:

• Hadi Choopan
• Andrew Jacked
• Derek Lunsford
• William Bonac
• Nick Walker
• Brandon Curry
• Hunter Labrada
• Rafael Brandao
• Samson Dauda
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay

Choopan’s first career Mr. Olympia title bookends a night that also saw champions crowned in the Bikini, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, and Wheelchair divisions.

Amidst a torrent of relative hype for the other competitors, Choopan kept his nose to the grindstone and saw his hard work and commitment pay off. With his first Mr. Olympia title under his belt, Choopan can officially join the elite of the elite in bodybuilding’s all-time pantheon.

Featured image: @mrolympiallc on Instagram

The post Hadi Choopan is the 2022 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

The Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, and Bikini divisions are each topped with defending champions looking to retain their titles against a packed field.

2022 Olympia Results

• Mr. Olympia
• Men’s Physique
• Classic Physique
• Bikini

Mr. Olympia

Two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay stepped on stage aiming to secure a three-peat, but ended up with a surprising fifth place finish. Hadi Choopan, a fixture at the Olympia podium in recent years, secured his first Mr. Olympia title. 2021 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford placed second at his Men’s Open Olympia debut.

1. Hadi Choopan ($400,000)
2. Derek Lunsford ($150,000)
3. Nick Walker ($100,000)
4. Brandon Curry ($40,000)
5. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay ($30,000)

Men’s Physique

68 Men’s Physique competitors took to the Olympia stage — the largest field of contestants in Olympia history. Three-time champion Brandon Hendrickson looked to earn a record-tying fourth title, as Diogo Montenegro and Erin Banks became the most serious threats to his repeat victory.

After individual posing routines and two rounds of callouts, Hendrickson’s reign came to an end as 2022 Men’s Physique Arnold Classic winner Erin Banks was crowned the Men’s Physique Olympia champion.

1. Erin Banks ($50,000)
2. Brandon Hendrickson ($20,000)
3. Diogo Montenegro ($10,000)
4. Charjo Grant ($7,000)
5. Edvan Palmeira ($4,000)

Classic Physique

Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead has held his title for three consecutive years with no sign of slowing down. In the 2022 edition of the contest, Bumstead was challenged by a slew of competitors, including former two-time Classic Physique champion Breon Ansley who made his final Classic Physique Olympia appearance before transitioning to the 212 division.

Bumstead successfully defended his title and came away with his fourth victory, while giving Ramon “Dino” Rocha Queiroz second place in his Classic Physique Olympia debut.

1. Chris Bumstead ($50,000)
2. Ramon Rocha Queiroz ($20,000)
3. Urs Kalecinski ($10,000)
4. Breon Ansley ($6,000)
5. Mike Sommerfeld ($4,000)

Bikini

The 54 competitors on stage at the 2022 Bikini Olympia included four former champions — Jennifer Dorie (2021), Janet Layug (2020), Elisa Pecini (2019), and Ms. Bikini Olympia Ashley Kaltwasser (2013-2015).

After final comparisons, the top two competitors appeared to be defending champion Jennifer Dorie and Maureen Blanquisco, a relative newcomer making her second Bikini Olympia appearance. In the end, the judges placed the crown in Blanquisco’s deserved hands.

1. Maureen Blanquisco ($50,000)
2. Jennifer Dorie ($20,000)
3. Ashley Kaltwasser ($12,000)
4. Daraja Hill ($7,000)
5. Lauralie Chapados ($6,000)

The Contest Concludes

That’s a wrap for the 58th annual Olympia contest, after a weekend packed full of on-stage theatrics, high energy, and eventual (sometimes surprising) victories. Missed the action? Replay contests by purchasing a pay-per-view premium package for $69.99 at the Olympia website — www.olympiaproductions.com.

Featured Image: mrolympiallc / Instagram

The post 2022 Mr. Olympia Finals Report — Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, Bikini appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

The main event of bodybuilding’s flagship competition started with pre-judging on Friday, Dec. 17, 2022, and left the door open for quite the battle on the ensuing Saturday. Any number of other contenders like Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Hunter Labrada could make a name for themselves after initial results, and as they try to topple Elssbiay and Curry.

Here is how pre-judging went for the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia:

Comparison 1

• Hadi Choopan
• Andrew Jacked
• Tonio Burton
• James Hollingshead
• Vladyslav Sukhoruchko
• Antoine Vaillant

Comparison 2

• Derek Lunsford
• William Bonac
• Vitor Boff
• Patrick Johnson
• Andrea Presti
• Charles Griffen

Comparison  3

• Iain Valliere
• Nick Walker
• Michael Krizanek
• Justin Rodriguez
• Mohamed Shaaban
• Akim Williams

Comparison 4

• Theo Leguerrier
• Brandon Curry
• Hunter Labrada
• Rafael Brandao
• Joel Thomas
• Mohammad Alnsoor

Comparison 5

• Blessing Awodibu
• Andrea Muzi
• Samson Dauda
• Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay

Eventually, the callouts over these respective comparisons shook out like this:

Callout 1

• Samson Dauda
• Brandon Curry
• Hadi Choopan
• Derek Lunsford
• Nick Walker
• Mamdouh Elssbiay

Callout 2

• Iain Valliere
• William Bonac
• Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea
• Hunter Labrada
• Rafael Brandao
• Michael Krizanek

Callout 3 

• Antoine Vaillant
• James Hollingshead
• Patrick Johnson
• Charles Griffen
• Justin Rodriguez
• Akim Williams

Callout 4

• Tonio Burton
• Vladyslav Sukhoruchko
• Blessing Awodibu
• Joel Thomas
• Mohamed Shaaban
• Mohammad Alnsoor

Callout 5 

• Andrea Presti
• Vitor Boff
• Theo Leguerrier
• Andrea Muzi

Callout 6

• William Bonac
• Samson Dauda
• Hunter Labrada
• Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea

Callout 7

• Samson Dauda
• Hadi Choopan
• Brandon Curry
• Nick Walker
• Derek Lunsford
• Mamdouh Elssbiay

Curry and Walker had the pleasure of coveted center position during their final callout. Meanwhile, Elssbiay never stood in the center on his first callout, which also included Curry, Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, and Nick Walker. Ultimately, it is this group of six competitors sitting in a solid contending position for Saturday’s Finals.

Here is the entire schedule for the 2022 Olympia weekend. (Note: All listed times are in Pacific Standard time.) Here is how to watch and keep up with the action.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2022

9:00 a.m. — Pre-Judging

• Fitness Olympia
• 212 Olympia
• Figure Olympia
• Women’s Physique Olympia
• Ms. Olympia
• Wellness Olympia

6:00 p.m. — Finals

• 212 Olympia
• Fitness Olympia
• Figure Olympia
• Women’s Physique Olympia
• Ms. Olympia
• Wellness Olympia

6:00 p.m. — Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

9:00 a.m. — Pre-Judging

• Classic Physique Olympia
• Men’s Physique Olympia
• Bikini Olympia
• Wheelchair Olympia — Pre-Judging and Finals

7:00 p.m. — Finals

• Mr. Olympia
• Men’s Physique Olympia
• Bikini Olympia
• Classic Physique Olympia

Saturday night will officially sort out whether Elssbiay can join some all-time legendary company, whether Curry can put himself in the conversation of more esteemed icons, or whether an ascending Men’s Open star can capture their first Mr. Olympia title.

Featured image: @mrolympiallc/Instagram

The post 2022 Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging Report appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

There is assuredly no shortage of storylines, but the Men’s Open portion of the contest will be the headline event. Two-time reigning Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay is seeking a legendary “three-peat” in potentially notching a third consecutive title. Contenders like Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Hunter Labrada, and Hadi Choopan will try to dethrone the Egyptian titan. Meanwhile, in the Classic Physique category, three-time defending champion Chris Bumstead is vying for his fourth straight championship. Expect athletes like a former two-time winner (2017-2018) Breon Ansley and Terrence Ruffin will attempt to push Bumstead.

To keep track of the action in every division across the entire contest, fans will have the option to livestream it all. Fans can purchase a pay-per-view premium package for $69.99 at the Olympia website — www.olympiaproductions.com.

There are over 200 athletes participating at the 2022 Olympia after a doozy of a qualification period over the 2022 calendar year. Here’s an overview of all the featured divisions at the 2022 Olympia:

2022 Olympia | Competitive Divisions

• Men’s Open (Mr. Olympia)
• Ms. Olympia
• Classic Physique Olympia
• Bikini Olympia
• 212 Olympia
• Fitness Olympia
• Men’s Physique Olympia
• Women’s Physique Olympia
• Wellness Olympia
• Wheelchair Olympia
• Figure Olympia

The expectation is that Elssbiay takes home his third straight Mr. Olympia title. Various legends of the sport, like eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman, believe Elssbiay is a shoo-in for a victory. Another eight-time Olympia winner (1984-1991), Lee Haney, ironically asserted that Elssbiay is comparable to Coleman at the peak of his powers.

At the same time, the Men’s Open field might still resemble a gauntlet on paper. Lunsford is the former 2021 champion in the 212 division and, even with a recent transition, has drawn praise as a potential dark horse. Two top-five finishers from 2021 in Labrada (fourth) and Walker (fifth) have seemingly only improved while training over the last calendar year. There’s also Choopan, who has knocked on the door of victory with two podium finishes in the last three Olympias. Plus, not to be overlooked, some attention will fixate on William Bonac, who hasn’t finished outside of the top six since 2015.

Needless to say, while Elssbiay will be a heavy favorite (no pun intended), he should likely see the best from his respective peers in what certainly seems like a stacked field.

Featured image: @mrolympiallc on Instagram

The post How to Watch the 2022 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Among other icons, one of the athletes who has accomplished that feat and then some is seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, who won consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 2011 to 2017. There might not be a better person to pick the brain of the current face of bodybuilding.

On Dec. 5, 2022, in collaboration with the Mr. Olympia organizing body, Heath shared an Instagram Live where he discussed the upcoming Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, with Elssbiay. Heath is part of the lead 2022 Olympia commentary team.

In a frank conversation, Elssbiay and Heath touch on the pressures of performing on stage. The reigning two-time champion Elssbiay discussed some of his personal expectations as he enters another title defense.

To achieve consistent excellence on the Olympia stage, successful winners must bring their A-game yearly, especially as talented up-and-comers come into the picture. Elssbiay and his coach Dennis James apparently acknowledged that as a challenge he’s hurdled in the past and will try to leap over again in 2022.

“Me and Dennis [James], we spoke last week that it’s too hard for people who win the Olympia many, many years like Phil Heath, like Ronnie Coleman,” Elssbiay expressed. “It’s too hard when you think about the next one because you need to bring something bigger and everything to not let the fans [down]. That means you have to work harder than anybody, and that’s not easy for anyone. That’s the main thing for a champ.”

As for his “three-peat” plan, Elssbiay and his team are keeping it simple in the final countdown to the 2022 iteration of the Olympia with an emphasis on further refining his conditioning.

” … It’s not just me, it’s me and my team working very hard to come early,” Elssbiay said. We have everything [we need] for [conditioning] … We are working very hard right now but also we are fine. I feel good.”

Elssbiay weighed over 300 pounds on the day of the interview with Heath. He will strive to make one last marked cut down before he steps on the 2022 Olympia stage.

“Today, in the morning, [I weighed] 306 [pounds],” Elssbiay said. “… But I think the last week we’re going to drop more weight, and it will be, I think, 295 [pounds] on the stage.”

In his conversation with Heath, Elssbiay is aware of how challenging an Olympia title defense can be. Elssbiay thinks Andrew Jacked and Derek Lunsford will spice up the competition — the reigning champ thinks Lunsford has a “great chance.”

Ultimately, the talented field of challengers aside, Elssbiay seems to believe he’s in a better position because of some adversity he overcame to win the 2021 Olympia title.

“Last year, I had the [worst] year of my life,” Elssbiay explained. “I can’t talk about that because that just gives them a reason to [have me] lose. But when they ask about my fire, about my dream to be Mr. Olympia again, I said to myself, ‘you are strong, you have a great mentality,’ and I think in my heart I can’t lose again.”

Featured image: @big_ramy on Instagram

The post Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Tells Phil Heath About His Mentality Ahead of the 2022 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.