On Jan. 10, 2023, Križo posted a video to his YouTube channel where he dives into some of his plans for the 2023 calendar year. One of the more notable reveals is that the athlete will skip the 2023 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, this March in the interest of refining perceived gaps in his overall training.

As a competitor without an automatic berth in the 2023 Mr. Olympia this November, Križo will have to earn his keep by winning an IFBB Pro League show following the organization’s changes to its qualification system. Before that happens, though, he asserted his body needs proper rest if he’s to build upon his initial Olympia performance.

It’s a conditioning factor that apparently was an issue in a whirlwind 2022 for the competitor.

“I will have to pick [my next IFBB Pro League show] smart,” Križo said. “I wasn’t happy with my conditioning at the [2022] Olympia because I know I can come in more conditioned than that. I was already too tired.”

Križo didn’t offer too many specifics about when he’ll compete again after turning down his Arnold Classic invitation. He offered up a few options, perhaps most notably the Arnold Classic UK contest, to be held in September 2023 during the recently renamed Experience With Sports Festival UK (formerly the Arnold Sports Festival UK). He also speculated about what comes next in his bodybuilding journey.

“I don’t know yet,” said Križo of his plans. “I’d like to do the Arnold Classic UK. I’ll definitely do the [2023] EVLS Prague Pro, but this time it’s only after the Olympia, two weeks after. [The Arnold Classic UK] is usually in September. The [2023] Olympia will be in November, I think. That [Arnold Classic UK] should be at the end of September. I will have to choose at least two to three shows. There is no guarantee that I would win the very first one.”

The post Michal Križo Will Forgo 2023 Arnold Classic, Aims for September Return appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

According to a press release posted by the Evls Prague Pro organization on July 15, 2022, Križánek is doing precisely that. The bodybuilder has officially switched from the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Elite Pro League to the National Physique Committee (NPC). The NPC is the only amateur organization recognized by the IFBB Pro League. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by EVLS PRAGUE PRO (@evls_prague_pro_official)

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A Lengthy Qualification

At the time of this writing, per his social media, Križánek intends to earn his IFBB Pro Card. He hopes to parlay that into a qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, which will take place on December 16-18, in Las Vegas, NV. 

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

Should Križánek successfully earn his Pro Card in time, he will then have to qualify for the Mr. Olympia by either winning an IFBB Pro League contest, or by finishing in the top three in point standings in his Open division. To get in by points, the official qualification period for the 2022 Mr. Olympia ends on November 20. 

Križánek has not confirmed when he’ll compete in a related regional contest at the time of this article’s publication. 

The 2022 NPC USA Championships will occur on July 29-30 in Las Vegas, NV. The 2022 NPC North American Championships will take place on August 31 in Pittsburgh, PA. Finally, as a potential last step before the Olympia, the 2022 NPC National Championships will take place on December 2-3, in Orlando, FL. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbb_elitepro_michal_krizo)

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A Bright Future

Based on his IFBB Elite Pro career results, Križánek earning his IFBB Pro Card might be more of a formality than a question. According to Big Bodies, in 14 Elite Pro Contests, the bodybuilder has won 13 times and only failed to make the podium once. It’ll undoubtedly be more challenging for Križánek to maintain such an impressive ledger in a new league, especially if he competes against Open athletes like reigning two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh Elssbiay, Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan, Hunter Labrada, and Nick Walker. 

That said, Križánek’s already making a leap in competition. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him potentially become a household name in the NPC in the future. 

The post Bodybuilder Michal Križánek Switches to NPC, Hopes to Qualify for 2022 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle.