In mid-July 2022, Križánek announced that he would be switching to the IFBB Pro League. A few months later, in October 2022, he earned his official IFBB Pro League card by winning the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy. Now, with his first IFBB Pro League contest — the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro — on the horizon, the athlete shared a look at where he stands physique-wise in an Oct. 21, 2022, Instagram post. (Note: That contest will take place on Oct. 29, 2022, in Prague, Czech Republic.)

 

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A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbb_pro_michalkrizokrizanek)

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For someone vying for a roster spot in December’s Olympia, Križánek certainly looks the part of a shredded, well-trained mass dynamo. With a potentially momentous performance awaiting Križánek at the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro, he preceded this physique update with a short breakdown of a recent chest workout that he posted to his YouTube channel on Oct. 20, 2022.

Here’s an overview of that routine:

Michal Križánek | Chest Workout, Oct. 20, 2022

• Machine Chest Fly — Three sets
• Machine Pec Dec Fly — Three sets
• Dumbbell Bench Press — Four sets
• Smith Machine Incline Press — Three sets
• Cable Crossover — Two sets

(Note: Specific reps were undisclosed.)

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Should Križánek transfer his training output and recent success to the stage in Prague, a victory would garner him automatic qualification to the 2022 Mr. Olympia. If he does not win, the athlete would need to take home a top-five result, at minimum, to earn points in the Olympia qualification standings. (Note: Only the top three in each bodybuilding division will qualify for the Olympia on a points basis. The points qualification period ends on Nov. 20, 2022.)

According to the IFBB website, the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro is a Tier 3 contest. That means second through fifth-place finishers will earn successive points ranging from six to three. With zero IFBB Pro League contests to his name, these points would be Križánek’s first as a professional in the event he doesn’t win outright.

 

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A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbb_pro_michalkrizokrizanek)

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It’s been quite a long and winding competitive journey for Križánek over the past few months. A victory in 2022 EVLS Prague Pro would assuredly not end it. The bodybuilder, like his peers, has aspirations of excelling on the Olympia stage. At his rapid pace of progression, it’s not clear what, if anything, could halt those dreams.

The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

Featured image: @ifbb_pro_michalkrizokrizanek on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Michal Križánek Looks Shredded Before His IFBB Pro League Debut appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Oct. 10, 2022, Coleman uploaded a video to his YouTube channel where he breaks down who he feels are the top contenders for this year’s Olympia title. In a stacked field, Coleman centers on two-time reigning champ Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay as his overall winner. Still, he offers thoughtful insights on everyone trying to topple the massive Egyptian athlete.

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Using accompanying photos while he spoke, Coleman shared his thoughts on some of the more prominent contenders for the 2022 Mr. Olympia title.

Nick Walker

To Coleman, Walker has the necessary physique to win the Olympia but has to slightly refine aspects of his physical conditioning first.

“He’s [Walker] got great shoulders and great arms,” Coleman said. “As far as his chest, he’s got a decent-sized chest, it just needs to be a little bit wider. For the most part, he needs to work on his conditioning, and he’s going to do pretty good against these current competitors.”

Hunter Labrada

Coleman appreciates Labrada’s overall build but thinks his current v-taper and back muscles need work for the athlete to be a serious contender.

“I think once he [Labrada] gets his separation going, once he works on his hamstrings, he’ll have some nice hamstrings,” Coleman said. “But for the most part, he got a pretty good wide back, but he probably needs to be just a little bit wider because his v-taper isn’t all that good right now.”

Blessing Awodibu

For Coleman, Awodibu has the necessary aesthetic to stand out, but he needs more polish on his arms and legs.

“He’s [Awodibu] got great ab shots and a great side serratus shot,” Coleman clarified. “He probably needs more separation in his legs from the front there. A lot of trap work. His traps aren’t too good right here, but I think if he can get his traps up, get some roundness on his arms, and a little bit more separation on his legs, then he’d be pretty good.”

 

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A post shared by blessing #theboogieman awodibu (@blessing_awodibu)

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Michal Križánek

Križánek might have recently earned his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card, but Coleman still thinks the ascending athlete has a lot of ground to make up.

“Križánek’s got some freaky arms,” Coleman said. “A nice and big chest, but he needs some width on it, I’d say. I don’t see a lot of width on his back. That’s not a good backshot. He doesn’t have a v-taper going. Now, I see, he has great arms, though. But they are kind of throwing off his physique.”

Hadi Choopan

After years of finishing near the top, Coleman thinks Choopan is potentially on the brink of Olympia greatness.

“Hadi [Choopan], I see great things ahead for him,” Coleman maintained. “This guy can probably win the Olympia once he puts it all together. He’s not that far off at all. Hadi .. keep it up, my man.”

Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay

Coleman did not mince his words in praise of Elssbiay. He already considered the superstar an Olympia fixture in the years to come and continued down that same path here.

“With all this size, and the great v-taper he’s [Elssbiay] got, and the biggest shoulders you’ve ever wanted to see, I don’t see nobody taking him out, nobody at all,” Coleman noted. “So, Big Ramy, congrats on your third Olympia, my friend. I think you’re going to take it again.”

 

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A post shared by Mr Olympia Big Ramy (@big_ramy)

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William Bonac

To Coleman, Bonac is one of the true dark horses at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. He believes that with a little polish here and there, Bonac could make noise on stage.

“This guy [Bonac] could be unstoppable,” Coleman said. “He’s got nice peaks from the backs on his arms, he’s got a good Christmas tree, and he’s got a nice wide back. Yeah, I think he can do some real damage.”

Chinedu Andrew Obieaka, aka “Andrew Jacked”

While Coleman thinks Jacked can be a force in bodybuilding, the legend made it seem as if the young phenom needs a little more time before he’s at the top of the Olympia mountain.

“Andrew [Jacked] has a nice physique going,” Coleman said. “He’s got nice arms on him. The only thing I can tell he needs to work on is his back. That comes in time. As you can see, he’s got a nice backshot. You get that bad boy separated and a little bit thicker in his upper back, and he will be hard to beat. He’d probably kill these guys in these Open shows they got.”

To close the video, Coleman made his official prediction for the top 10 at the Mr. Olympia, with Elssbiay sitting on top:

Ronnie Coleman | 2022 Mr. Olympia Top 10 Prediction

1. Mamdouh Elssbiay
2. Brandon Curry
3. Hadi Choopan
4. William Bonac
5. Nick Walker
6. Michal Križánek
7. Chinedu Andrew Obieaka
8. Hunter Labrada
9. Blessing Awodibu
10. *Shaun Clarida

*Note: Clarida, winner of the 212 Olympia in 2020 and consistent top-placing competitor in the 212 division, has not confirmed if he would compete in the Open division at the time of this writing.

 

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Whether anyone can beat Elssbiay and prevent his potential three-peat remains to be seen. Even if Coleman doesn’t see it happening, the Mr. Olympia should be a fascinating competition this late fall.

The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

Featured image: @big_ramy on Instagram

The post Ronnie Coleman Breaks Down 2022 Mr. Olympia Contenders, Predicts “Big Ramy” Win appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On August 22, 2022, Mostafa shared Instagram footage of himself flexing his muscles and showing off different ripped aspects of his current physique. Without a caption, what Mostafa’s body weight is in the clip is unclear. All that is evident is that his arms, legs, back, and chest look impressive as he displays them one by one. His lower-body vascularity is also very apparent. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hassan Mostafa (@hassan_mostafa92)

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According to NPC News Online, Mostafa began his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League career in early 2019. Since then, the athlete has steadily tried to rise up the Men’s Open Division ranks.

Mostafa’s first Pro League contest saw the athlete earn a third-place result at the 2019 Indy Pro. He followed that with a fifth-place finish at the 2019 Tampa Pro. Eventually, after stringing together a few solid performances over the years, Mostafa made his first Mr. Olympia appearance during the 2021 edition. He finished in 13th place. 

The year 2022 has been the most productive for Mostafa thus far, as the Puerto Rico and Orlando Pro competitions were the first wins of his career. Here’s a rundown of Mostafa’s Pro League resume:

Hassan Mostafa | IFBB Pro League Career Results 

• 2019 Indy Pro — Third place
• 2019 Tampa Pro — Fifth place
• 2020-2021 New York Pro — Fourth place (2020), Third place (2021)
• 2021 California Pro — Third place
• 2021-2022 Puerto Rico Pro — Third place (2021) | First place (2022); First career victory
• 2021 Chicago Pro — Sixth place
• 2021 Texas Pro — Fifth place
• 2021 Arnold Classic — Ninth place
• 2021 Mr. Olympia — 13th place
• 2022 Orlando Pro — First place

Note: Mostafa has only ever competed in the Men’s Open division as an IFBB Pro League member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hassan Mostafa (@hassan_mostafa92)

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Mostafa’s Challenge

To push as a dark horse in December’s Olympia, Mostafa will have to overcome a host of worthy Men’s Open athletes. Among the more notable names, there’s the son of a bodybuilding legend in Hunter Labrada, one of the sport’s bigger rising stars in Nick Walker, former Olympia champion Brandon Curry (2019), and last but not least — two-time defending champ (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. Plus, in the event he earns his IFBB Pro Card in time, there’s also promising newcomer Michal Križánek. 

It’s a tall order for any athlete, let alone an elite bodybuilder like Mostafa. Yet, anything might be possible if he can carry the momentum of a strong 2022 into the Olympia. The 2022 Mr. Olympia will occur on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @hassan_mostafa92 on Instagram

The post Mr. Olympia Dark Horse Hassan Mostafa’s Latest Physique Looks Absolutely Shredded appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On August 16, 2022, Križánek shared a post on his Instagram where his upper body and lower body mass have a balanced shredded look. According to the bodybuilder, he weighs 133 kilograms (293.2 pounds) in the photo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbbmichalkrizokrizanek)

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Based on the NPC’s standards, to get his Pro Card, Križánek will have to qualify for and win at least one of the upcoming North American Championships or the National Championships. A top-five result in a National Qualifier would garner him a roster spot in the North American Championships. A top-three finish would place him in The National Championships.

The 2022 NPC North American Championships will take place on August 31 in Pittsburgh, PA. The 2022 NPC National Championships will take place on December 2-3 in Orlando, FL, as a potential last step before the Olympia. 

In the event that Križánek earns his Pro Card in time, he will have to either win an IFBB Pro League contest or finish in the top three in points in the Men’s Open division by the time the qualification period ends on November 20, 2022. Notably, the NPC is the only amateur organization that the IFBB Pro League recognizes. 

At the time of this article’s publication, Križánek has not confirmed his next steps and when he’ll compete in a necessary regional contest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbbmichalkrizokrizanek)

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Big Strides Ahead

Should Križánek successfully find himself in December’s Mr. Olympia, he’ll be another noteworthy competitor in what is shaping up to be a stacked Men’s Open field.

There’s two-time defending Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, who recently weighed in at 336 pounds, along with former winner (2019) Brandon Curry. Usual podium fixture Hadi Choopan could also be someone to watch. Finally, there’s 2021 fourth-place finisher Hunter Labrada and Nick “The Mutant” Walker, who took home fifth place at last year’s contest and believes he can potentially dethrone Big Ramy. 

From the qualification process to potential competitors, the obstacles ahead are set for Križánek. Now it’s just about him making the Olympia opportunity official. 

The 2022 Mr. Olympia will take place on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Featured image: @ifbbmichalkrizokrizanek on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Michal Križánek Weighs a Colossal 293 Pounds in Latest Physique Update appeared first on Breaking Muscle.