2023 Mr. Olympia

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Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia

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Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia After winning the first of two scored rounds in her division, Missy Truscott appeared well on her way to securing her third Fitness Olympia title at the 2023 Olympia. Then the nightmare began. Truscott’s dream of becoming a three-time champion dissipated during the performance round due to a devastating set of injuries that left her in a tremendous amount of pain and unable to complete her routine. On Nov. 11, 2023, the decorated Fitness competitor discussed the extent of the damage in a video posted on her YouTube page, revealing she suffered not only a torn ACL but also meniscus tears on both sides of her left knee. More from Breaking Muscle: Nick Walker Reveals He Suffered More Than Just a Torn Hamstring Before Bowing Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia 5-Time Classic Physique Champion Chris Bumstead and Fiancée Courtney King Share Pregnancy Announcement   In the aftermath of her heartbreaking experience in Orlando, FL, Truscott admitted to dealing with “excruciating” pain in her left quadriceps and left knee. Worried that she may have also torn her quad on stage, she was able to breathe a small sigh of relief after receiving her MRI results. Although Truscott’s surgeon informed her that she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus on both the outside and inside of the same knee, the two-time Fitness Olympia winner avoided the worst-case scenario. “The quad is intact, so I’m extremely happy about that,” Truscott explained. “I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel here. My surgeon is very confident that I will make a full recovery. It’s just going to take some time.” With her prehab and post-op rehab already scheduled, Truscott will have surgery “in the near future” to fix her damaged knee ligaments. Facing a tough road to recovery that should take several months, she expressed gratitude for all the support she’s received in the wake of her significant setback. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa Truscott (@ifbbmissytruscott) [Related: 5 Exercises to Help Athletes (Possibly) Prevent Injury] Although she seemed optimistic about the future, Truscott didn’t have quite the same cheery attitude about a controversial move made by one of her peers. During her fitness routine, 2021 Fitness Olympia champion Whitney Jones threw a shark prop off a pole — an act Truscott deemed “petty” and “beneath a champion.” Considering Truscott’s Team Apex Training logo includes a great white shark, it certainly seems Jones made a conscious decision to incorporate the reigning champion’s signature animal in a degrading manner. “You wouldn’t see Chris Bumstead bring a dinosaur to the press conference, or Derek Lunsford bring a wolf to the press conference,” Truscott said. “I think she tried to take a shot at me and totally missed.” Ultimately, though, the well-respected former champion took a bigger-picture approach when speaking about the future of the sport. “I’ve made a career out of bodybuilding and I’m so excited to see that the IFBB Fitness division is growing,” Truscott said. “We have a lot of talented women coming into the sport and I’m super excited to see this year how much it’s going to grow.” Vowing to return better than ever, Truscott does not have to worry about qualifying for the 2024 Olympia thanks to her former champion status. However, it will be interesting to see if the apparent rivalry between her and Jones continues whenever the two Fitness competitors share the stage again. Featured Image: Missy Truscott / YouTube The post Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. After winning the first of two scored rounds in her division, Missy Truscott appeared well on her way to securing her third Fitness Olympia title at the 2023 Olympia. Then the nightmare began. Truscott’s dream of becoming a three-time champion dissipated during the performance round due to a devastating set of injuries that left her in a tremendous… The post Missy Truscott Suffered Dual Meniscus Tears and a Ruptured ACL During the 2023 Fitness Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Stephen Sheehan, CPT{authorlink}https://breakingmuscle.com/missy-truscott-tore-knee-ligaments-at-2023-fitness-olympia/Breaking Muscle Breaking Muscle https://breakingmuscle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-bmlogowhite-red-120×68.png

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Nick Walker Reveals He Suffered More Than Just a Torn Hamstring Before Bowing Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia 

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Nick Walker Reveals He Suffered More Than Just a Torn Hamstring Before Bowing Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia  Coming off a third-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Nick Walker looked bound for a podium finish at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Unfortunately for the gifted bodybuilder, his quest to capture the 2023 Mr. Olympia crown came to a premature and painful end before the contest started. Forced to withdraw from the biggest competition of the season because of a torn hamstring, Walker recently revealed he suffered even more damage than initially thought. In a video posted on his Instagram page on Nov. 6, 2023, “The Mutant” delivered an update about his injury status and his mindset as he embarks on the road to recovery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39) More from Breaking Muscle: The 12 Best Hamstring Exercises for Muscle Mass, Strength, and More Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia After congratulating Derek Lunsford for becoming the 18th Mr. Olympia and the first two-division champion, Walker divulged more details about his health status. Not only did Walker suffer a serious hamstring injury in the leadup to the Olympia, but he also hurt his calf. “I think it was Friday, we went and got the MRI done and it came back that I do have a partial hamstring tear and a grade 1 strain, little tear in my calf as well,” Walker said. “Nothing crazy, nothing too significant that would require surgery, so that’s great news. I’m very happy, literally very happy about that.” Luckily for Walker, a grade 1 strain includes mild damage to individual muscle fibers that typically causes a small loss of strength and motion. On the other hand, a grade 3 strain involves a complete rupture of a muscle or tendon and usually requires surgery to reattach the damaged structure. So, even though Walker’s Olympia dream turned into a bit of a nightmare, he avoided the worst-case scenario. The 2021 Arnold Classic winner noted that his doctors were “very impressed” with how quickly his body started the healing process. Despite dealing with a major setback at the most inopportune time, Walker displayed maturity and humility when discussing his injury. “I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and I can’t seem to find what reason this,” Walker explained. “This was supposed to be a really special moment. I’m just holding on to that saying, things happen for a reason, for greater things to happen, so that’s what we are going to do.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39) [Related: 2023 Amateur Olympia Results] Although Walker can’t crush a leg workout anytime soon, he won’t let that stop him from preparing to compete again in 2024. Focused on training his upper body and testing his limits as he recovers, he vowed to return stronger for next year’s Olympia. However, whether Walker will have an opportunity to participate in the sport’s tentpole contest is far less certain than his conviction about making a comeback. Due to changes to the Olympia Qualifying System, only the top three finishers from the Mr. Olympia contest automatically qualify for next year’s event. With Walker already ruling himself out of the 2024 Arnold Classic, he will have to win an IFBB Pro League show to secure a spot in the Men’s Open lineup for the 2024 Olympia. Then again, perhaps promoters will grant “The Mutant” his request to receive a special invite to share the stage with the newly crowned champion and the rest of the Olympia hopefuls. Featured Image: nick_walker39 / Instagram The post Nick Walker Reveals He Suffered More Than Just a Torn Hamstring Before Bowing Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia  appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Coming off a third-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Nick Walker looked bound for a podium finish at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Unfortunately for the gifted bodybuilder, his quest to capture the 2023 Mr. Olympia crown came to a premature and painful end before the contest started. Forced to withdraw from the biggest competition of the season… The post Nick Walker Reveals He Suffered More Than Just a Torn Hamstring Before Bowing Out of 2023 Mr. Olympia  appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Stephen Sheehan, CPT{authorlink}https://breakingmuscle.com/nick-walker-suffered-multiple-injuries-before-2023-mr-olympia/Breaking Muscle Breaking Muscle https://breakingmuscle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-bmlogowhite-red-120×68.png

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Derek Lunsford Becomes the First Two-Division Champion at the 2023 Mr. Olympia

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Derek Lunsford Becomes the First Two-Division Champion at the 2023 Mr. Olympia Unlike most of his peers in the Men’s Open division, Derek Lunsford entered the 2023 Mr. Olympia weekend having already experienced the thrill of having a first-place medal put around his neck at the biggest bodybuilding show of the year. Two years removed from capturing the 212 Olympia title in Orlando, FL, Lunsford made history by becoming the first two-division champion in the history of the Mr. Olympia contest. The USA native emerged victorious from a crop of elite competitors headlined by defending champion Hadi Choopan and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) [Related: 2023 Mr. Olympia Results: Complete Coverage and Live Updates] The battle for the prestigious Sandow Trophy started Friday during the prejudging round of the 59th edition of the prestigious contest. Unsurprisingly, Lunsford and Choopan — who both train with legendary coach Hany Rambod — quickly separated themselves from the rest of the pack with their elite conditioning and sheer amount of muscle mass. Dauda’s sizable frame and imposing physique also stood out during the prejudging phase. And despite speculation about potentially bowing out due to health issues, 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry showed well during his latest attempt to climb back to the top of the Men’s Open mountain. Callout One Samson Dauda Andrew Jacked Hadi Choopan Derek Lunsford Brandon Curry Hunter Labrada Callout Two Hassan Mostafa Regan Grimes Michal Krizanek Tonio Burton Charles Griffen Andrea Presti Callout Three Phil Clahar Theo Leguerrier Roman Friz Justin Shier Callout Four Andrew Jacked Brandon Curry Michal Krizanek Hunter Labrada Callout Five Hadi Choopan Derek Lunsford Samson Dauda The final callout featured a dramatic three-person pose-off between Choopan, Lunsford, and Dauda. All three competitors put on terrific showings, though Dauda appeared to tire a bit toward the end. There was still plenty of anticipation about whether Lunsford could unseat Choopan, who displayed plenty of energy while interacting with the crowd during his routine. Lunsford appeared to have some luck on his side when he earned the nod from the fans by winning the 2023 People’s Champion title and belt. Not long after taking home the fan-voted award, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up etched his place in bodybuilding history books by officially earning the 2023 Mr. Olympia title and $400,000. 2023 Mr. Olympia Results Here’s how the top five shook out for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, along with the prize purse by position. Derek Lunsford — $400,000 Hadi Choopan — $175,000 Samson Dauda — $100,000 Brandon Curry — $40,000 Andrew Jacked — $35,000 [Related: Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia] Proving he’s capable of doing whatever’s necessary to get his body into championship shape, Derek Lunsford deserves tremendous credit for becoming the 18th Mr. Olympia. It took a tremendous amount of dedication, diligent dieting, and intense training to construct a physique that convinced the judges to put Choopan in the No. 2 spot in 2023. Plus, the fact Lunsford accomplished that feat just two years after he asserted his dominance in an entirely different division speaks volumes about his genetic gifts, work ethic, and mindset. Featured Image: mrolympiallc / Instagram The post Derek Lunsford Becomes the First Two-Division Champion at the 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Unlike most of his peers in the Men’s Open division, Derek Lunsford entered the 2023 Mr. Olympia weekend having already experienced the thrill of having a first-place medal put around his neck at the biggest bodybuilding show of the year. Two years removed from capturing the 212 Olympia title in Orlando, FL, Lunsford made history by becoming the… The post Derek Lunsford Becomes the First Two-Division Champion at the 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Stephen Sheehan, CPT{authorlink}https://breakingmuscle.com/derek-lunsford-wins-the-2023-mr-olympia/Breaking Muscle Breaking Muscle https://breakingmuscle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-bmlogowhite-red-120×68.png

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Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia

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Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead confirmed he’s still at the top of his class by claiming his fifth consecutive Classic Physique title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest on Nov. 4, 2023. The Canadian native put on a dominant showing in front of the judges and fans inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, cementing his case as one of the greatest bodybuilders of his generation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) [Related: 2023 Amateur Olympia Results] Bumstead’s well-proportioned physique and impressive posing routines helped him edge out an impressive field of Classic Physique competitors that featured strong performances from Terrence Ruffin and two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion (2017-2018) Breon Ansley. Once all the athletes showcased their sculpted shoulders, defined abdominals, and shredded backs, the judges made their first decision: Callout One Jae Hun Park Wesley Vissers Michael Daboul Terrence Ruffin Mike Sommerfeld Vahid Badpei Callout Two Breon Ansley Urs Kalecinski Roman Rocha Quieroz Chris Bumstead To no one’s surprise, the final callout saw a familiar face square off in an epic posing battle against Bumstead: Ramon Rocha Quieroz. Coming off a huge victory at the 2023 Arnold Classic, he looked fantastic on the Olympia stage, boasting a balanced physique with no apparent weaknesses. Ultimately, though, the 2022 Olympia runner-up fell short for the second straight year in his quest to unseat Bumstead from his throne. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) 2023 Classic Physique Olympia Results Here’s how the top five shook out in the 2023 Classic Physique Olympia division: Chris Bumstead – $50,000 Ramon Rocha Querioz — $20,000 Urs Kelecinski — $12,000 Breon Ansley — $7,000 Terrence Ruffin — $6,000 [Related: Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest] Speaking with Bob Circherillo on stage after his latest Olympia victory, Bumstead revealed that he tore his lat 10 weeks out from the biggest show of the year. Although he initially had doubts about whether he could overcome the setback, he credited the support of his fiancee, as well as legendary trainer Hany Rambod, for helping him maintain a strong mindset throughout his journey to the Olympia. Four weeks after suffering his lat injury, Bumstead returned to the gym for his first back workout. Just like he did after getting hurt, he wept. However, the decorated champion said he shed tears for a much different reason. “I realized I would not have felt that much joy and gratitude if I had quit,” Bumstead said. Featured Image: mrolympiallc / Instagram The post Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Chris Bumstead confirmed he’s still at the top of his class by claiming his fifth consecutive Classic Physique title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest on Nov. 4, 2023. The Canadian native put on a dominant showing in front of the judges and fans inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, cementing his case as one… The post Chris Bumstead Claims Fifth Consecutive Classic Physique Championship at 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Stephen Sheehan, CPT{authorlink}https://breakingmuscle.com/chris-bumstead-claims-fifth-consecutive-classic-physique-championship-at-2023-mr-olympia/Breaking Muscle Breaking Muscle https://breakingmuscle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-bmlogowhite-red-120×68.png

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2022 Runner-Up Derek Lunsford Crushes Final Workout Two Days Out From 2023 Mr. Olympia

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2022 Runner-Up Derek Lunsford Crushes Final Workout Two Days Out From 2023 Mr. Olympia To say Derek Lunsford left a lasting impression at the 2022 Mr. Olympia would be a massive understatement. Transitioning from the 212 division, he made the most of his Men’s Open debut by coming within one spot of capturing the most coveted title in the sport of bodybuilding. Determined to topple reigning champion Hadi Choopan from his Mr. Olympia throne, Lunsford enters this year’s contest as one of the prohibitive favorites. With his fellow competitors preparing to showcase their physiques during the Nov. 2-5 weekend in Orlando, FL, the former 212 Olympia winner (in 2021) hit the gym with legendary coach Hany Rambod for his final training session before he steps on stage. Not only did Lunsford share highlights from his chest and triceps workout, but he also provided insight into his diet and mindset in a vlog posted on his YouTube channel on Nov. 1, 2023. More from Breaking Muscle: How to Watch the 2023 Olympia Contest Untimely Setback Forces Nick Walker to Withdraw From 2023 Mr. Olympia With the most important show of the year right around the corner, Lunsford seems satisfied with how the prep process has gone. Between drinking two gallons of water per day, doubling his dosage of probiotics for digestive health, and being diligent with his diet, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up has put himself in a position to make a legitimate run at the title. “I’ve never actually felt this good right before a show,” Lunsford said. “I just understand how this process goes better now. It’s a combination of growth as an athlete and also mental maturity in terms of not allowing myself to be overwhelmed with stress and anxiety and worry.” After consuming a pre-workout meal of fish and white rice, he joined forces with Rambod one last time. The workout begins at the 15:20 mark of the video above. Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine Lunsford started the session on the plate-loaded chest press machine. After warming up with a 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) plate per side, he pushed his pecs further by adding a 25-pound (11.3-kilogram) plate on his next set. For his top set, the 2023 Mr. Olympia hopeful worked with 115 pounds (52.2 kilograms) worth of plates per side, making sure to squeeze out the final few reps before moving on to the ensuing chest exercise. Pec-Deck Machine Next, Lunsford aimed to stretch and contract his pectoral muscles and serratus anterior using the pec-deck machine. To do so, he made sure to utilize the full range of motion, opening up his chest completely before bringing his arms together at the top of the movement. Rather than allowing Lunsford to grasp the pec-deck machine’s handles, Rambod reminded his client to keep his hands open so he could get all of his muscle fibers to fire. Incline Dumbbell Press Moving over to the dumbbell section of the gym, Lunsford laid down on a bench to perform an incline press. Working with a pair of 50-pound (22.7-kilogram) dumbbells, he maintained a fairly neutral wrist position as he lowered the weight until his elbows formed a 90-degree angle. Once he let the dumbbells reach chest level, Lunsford drove them back up, making sure to engage his triceps at the top. He only performed two sets of this exercise before switching up his method of blasting his pecs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_) More from Breaking Muscle: How to Eat More for Muscle and Strength Gains The Best Chest Workouts for Muscle Mass, Strength, and More Plate-Loaded Incline Press Machine For another push-based movement, Lunsford hit the plate-loaded incline press machine. An easy warm-up set with a 45-pound plate on each side set the stage for a second set with double the amount of weight. Although his client could go heavier, Rambod refused to let Lunsford increase the intensity. Instead, he had him perform a third set with the same load to wrap up this portion of the workout. Cable Crossover / Low-to-High Flye In a similar movement to the pec-deck machine, Lunsford worked his chest with a classic bodybuilding exercise: the cable crossover. Designed to maintain tension through a long range of motion, this exercise forced the top 2023 Mr. Olympia contender to push a little harder than some of the other exercises. Rambod changed the angle of attack by dropping the cables down to the lowest setting for a low-to-high flye variation. Lunsford kept a supinated (palms-up) grip as he raised his hands in front of him and squeezed the upper part of his pecs at the top. Cable Rope Triceps Pushdown For more triceps work, Lunsford performed several sets of cable rope triceps pushdowns. Again, Rambod kept the load manageable, encouraging his client to push his hands apart and lock out his triceps on every rep. Lunsford maintained a slight forward lean during the exercise to ensure his triceps did all the work. Single-Arm Triceps Extension After working both arms with the rope, Lunsford performed single-arm triceps extensions using a handle attachment. This isolation movement allowed the 2021 212 Olympia champion to target the medial head of his triceps while also engaging his obliques. Standing Calf Raise Machine The final exercise of Lunsford’s final workout before the Olympia had nothing to do with his upper body. Instead, Rambod had him perform calf raises on a plate-loaded machine. Even though he only used a 45-pound plate on each side, Lunsford achieved a visible pump throughout his lower legs from stretching and contracting his calves from a standing position. Olympia-Bound Chest and Triceps Workout Lunsford’s last workout certainly didn’t look as intense as some of his other training sessions leading up to the Olympia. However, that makes sense given the timeline and his need to perform well on stage. Still, you can utilize this chest- and triceps-focused protocol to build muscle and upper-body strength at your own pace: Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine Pec-Deck

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Untimely Setback Forces Nick Walker to Withdraw From 2023 Mr. Olympia

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Untimely Setback Forces Nick Walker to Withdraw From 2023 Mr. Olympia Even “The Mutant” is human. Unfortunately for Nick Walker, his Olympia journey has already come to an end due to a hamstring tear he suffered while training for the most important bodybuilding show of the year. Despite his best efforts, the third-place finisher at the 2022 Mr. Olympia could not overcome an injury that occurred at the worst possible time. With the 2023 Olympia weekend about to get underway in Orlando, FL, from Nov. 2-5, Walker announced his decision to bow out of the contest via an Instagram post on Oct. 31, 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39) More from Breaking Muscle: How to Watch the 2023 Olympia Contest The 12 Best Hamstring Exercises for Muscle Mass, Strength, and More Although he looked stage-ready on the surface, the 2021 Arnold Classic winner revealed his hamstring remains a major issue. “I tried to push through it. I tried to do whatever I could and get whatever treatment I could, but it just gradually got worse,” Walker explained. “It did not progress in any way, shape, or form. Me and my team thought it was best that we just pulled out because we knew there was just no shot of us placing top-three at this point, or higher. And we do not want to drop placing.” Of course, recent changes to the Olympia Qualifying System stipulate that only the top three finishers in the 2023 Mr. Olympia automatically secure a spot in the 2024 contest. Even though Walker finished behind only Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford in the Men’s Open division a year ago, he surely would have faced an uphill battle to fend off the likes of 2023 Arnold Classic champion Samson Dauda and 2019 Mr. Olympia winner Brandon Curry for third place on one fully healthy leg. After delivering the news to promoters and officials, the 2021 Arnold Classic winner said he received nothing but support from IFBB Pro League president Jim Manion and Olympia owner Jake Wood. “They asked me if I ever needed anything and that just makes me proud to be part of this organization,” Walker said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nick “the Mutant” Walker (@nick_walker39) More from Breaking Muscle: Charles Griffen Overcomes Torn Pec to Secure Spot in 2023 Mr. Olympia Lineup How to Eat More for Muscle and Strength Gains Moving forward, there are major ramifications for everyone involved. Walker faces a tough task to recover from a torn hamstring and remind everyone why he was considered one of the top contenders to take home the Mr. Olympia crown in 2023. Meanwhile, his absence opens the door even wider for someone like Dauda, Curry, or even Hunter Labrada, who took home the 2023 Tampa Pro Men’s Open title in August, to punch their ticket to next year’s show with a top-three finish. After all, with Walker, two-time Mr. Olympia champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, 2022 Bigman Weekend Pro winner Brett “The Butcher” Wilkin, and 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow winner Ian Valliere all withdrawing for various reasons, the stage won’t be quite so crowded (or competitive) with a few big names missing. Although it would be easy for Walker to view his setback negatively, he showed impressive resolve and inner strength when speaking about what’s next. “If I learned anything from this is that anything can happen at any given second,” he explained. “But it’s how you handle it; it’s what you do that defines who you are and the character you will become.” Featured Image: nick_walker39 / Instagram The post Untimely Setback Forces Nick Walker to Withdraw From 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Even “The Mutant” is human. Unfortunately for Nick Walker, his Olympia journey has already come to an end due to a hamstring tear he suffered while training for the most important bodybuilding show of the year. Despite his best efforts, the third-place finisher at the 2022 Mr. Olympia could not overcome an injury that occurred at the worst… The post Untimely Setback Forces Nick Walker to Withdraw From 2023 Mr. Olympia appeared first on Breaking Muscle. Stephen Sheehan, CPT{authorlink}https://breakingmuscle.com/nick-walker-withdraws-from-2023-mr-olympia/Breaking Muscle Breaking Muscle https://breakingmuscle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-bmlogowhite-red-120×68.png

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2023 Mr. Olympia Results: Complete Coverage and Live Updates

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2023 Mr. Olympia Results: Complete Coverage and Live Updates For elite bodybuilders like 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and four-time Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead, having the chance to compete for the sport’s ultimate prize makes months of strict dieting and hours upon hours of tough training worth it. Coming off impressive victories at last year’s event, the two titans will be put to the test by a talented crop of 2023 Olympia competitors that includes former 212 Olympian Derek Lunsford in the Men’s Open division and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Ramon Rocha Queiroz in the Classic Physique division. With athletes across 11 divisions aiming for an Olympia title at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, there will be no shortage of anticipation heading into the four-day contest scheduled for Nov. 2-5. Breaking Muscle will update this page routinely to fill you in on all the division winners, schedule changes, and any major developments from the 2023 Olympia. 2023 Olympia Winners Women’s Amateur: Sharon Ramos Men’s Amateur: Luiz Esteves Fitness: Figure:  Women’s Physique: Ms. Olympia: Wellness: Wheelchair: Men’s Physique: Bikini:  Classic Physique: Mr. Olympia: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) More from Breaking Muscle: 8 Bodybuilding Poses Explained by a Natural Pro Bodybuilder Try This Beginner Bodybuilding Routine If You’re Looking To Build Mass How to Watch the Olympia If you want to catch the action live, you can still purchase tickets to the event at mrolympia.com. However, tickets have sold out for a highly anticipated Saturday night showdown that will see Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique Olympia, Bikini Olympia, and Classic Physique Olympia champions crowned. Luckily, you can still see who reigns supreme by streaming the action via pay-per-view. Available on olympiaproductions.com for $74.99, the pay-per-view provides access to the Pre-judging and Finals rounds for all divisions, the Olympia press conferences, and the Olympia EXPO.  2023 Olympia Schedule Based on the most current information available on the official Olympia website, here’s a day-by-day breakdown of what’s taking place at the Orange County Convention Center during Joe Weider’s 2023 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend: Tuesday, Oct. 31 Amateur Olympia Women’s Judging and Finals: 8 a.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 1 Amateur Olympia Men’s Judging and Finals: 8 a.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 2 Olympia Press Conference: Noon EST Meet the Olympians: 7 p.m. EST (VIP & Insider Club Entry); 8 p.m. EST (General Public and Media Entry) Friday, Nov. 3 Olympia World Fitness EXPO: 9 a.m. EST (early entry for VIPs, Club Members, and EXPO Early Entry Weekend Pass Holders); 10 a.m. EST (General Public Entry) Olympia Pre-Judging (Fitness, 212, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness): 9:30 a.m. Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging: 6 p.m. EST Olympia Friday Finals (212 Olympia, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness): 6 p.m. EST Saturday, Nov. 4 Olympia World Fitness EXPO: 9 a.m. (early entry for VIPs, Club Members, and EXPO Early Entry Weekend Pass Holders); 10 a.m. EST(General Public Entry) Olympia Pre-Judging (Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini): 9:30 a.m. (VIP and Insider Club Member entry at 9 a.m.) EST Olympia Saturday Finals (Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Classic Physique): 7 p.m. EST 2023 Olympia Division Rosters Plenty of familiar faces will walk across the stage over the weekend. For a complete list of the 2023 Olympia competitors, utilize the division-by-division breakdown below. Men’s Open (Mr. Olympia) 212 Olympia Classic Physique Men’s Physique Wheelchair Ms. Olympia Women’s Physique Wellness Fitness Figure Bikini Men’s Open (Mr. Olympia) Hadi Choopan (Iran) — Reigning Champion Derek Lunsford (USA) Brandon Curry (USA) Samson Dauda (United Kingdom) Behrooz Tabani (Iran) Tonio Burton (USA) Ross Flanigan (USA) Michal Krizanek (Slovakia) Phil Clahar (USA) Andrea Presti (Italy) Hassan Mostafa (Egypt) Justin Shier (USA) Roman Fritz (Germany) Hunter Labrada (USA)  Chinedu Andrew Obiekea (Andrew Jacked) (UAE) Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom) Regan Grimes (Canada) Theo Leguerrier (France) Charles Griffen (USA) Nick Walker (USA) — Withdrew before the contest due to an injury Brett Wilkin (USA) — Withdrew before the contest due to a health issue 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida (USA) — Reigning Champion Felipe Fierro (Chile) Angel Calderon Frias (Spain) Ahmad Ashkanani (Kuwait) Felipe Moraes (Brazil) Kerrith Bajjo (USA) Piotr Borecki (Poland) Andrei Melnikov (Russia) Roman Iushchenko (Ukraine) John Jewett (USA) Chris Jones (USA) Fabrizio de Souza Moreira (Brazil) Naser Mohamed (Kuwait) Keone Pearson (USA) Hidetada Yamagishi (Japan) Oleh Kryvyi (Ukraine)  Hossein Kalateh (Canada)  Radoslav Angelov (Bulgaria) Classic Physique Chris Bumstead (Canada) — Reigning Champion Ramon Rocha Queiroz (Brazil) Urs Kalecinski (Germany) Mike Sommerfeld (Germany) Woilid Baatout (France) Eric Brown (USA) Daniil Famponte (USA) Andrei Kozhokar (Russia) Michael Daboul (United Kingdom) German Pastor (Spain) Eric Wildberger Lisboa (Brazil) Samuel Paquin (Canada) Damien Patrick (USA) Damian Kuffel (Poland) Vahid Badpei (Iran) Laszlo Kiraly (Hungary) Antoine Loth (Spain) Carlos Dommar (USA) Fabio Junio Ramos Vale (Brazil) John Le (Canada) Marcus Perry (USA) Diego Alejandro Galindo (Brazil) Matthew Greggo (USA) Stephane Matala (France) Jared Thompson (USA) Jae Hun Park (South Korea) Alejandro Cambronero (Costa Rica) Eduardo Oliveira (Brazil) Shicheng Jin (China) Shi Tian Wang (China) Wesley Vissers (Netherlands) Christopher Ziller (Germany)  Gabriel Zancanelli (Brazil) Courage Opara (USA) Terrence Ruffin (ISA) Maxime Yedess (France)  Breon Ansley (USA) — Two-time former champion Hasan Alibrahim (Netherlands) Junior Javorski (Brazil) Men’s Physique Erin Banks (USA) — Reigning Champion Mehdi Kabbadj (Morocco) Ming Chieh Tsai (District of Taiwan) Kahlia Ramzi (Algeria) Corey Morris (USA) Brandon Hendrickson (USA) Diogo Montenegro (Brazil) Mahmood Al-Maghrabi (Bahrain) Emanuel Hunter (USA) Mauro Fialho Garcia, Jr. (Spain) Carlos DeOliveira (Brazil) Benquil Marigny (USA) Riccardo Croci (Italy) Derrick Stevenson (USA) Ryan Terry (United Kingdom) Emmanuel Costa (Brazil) Daniel Ammons (USA) Andre Ferguson (USA) Vinicius Mateus Veiro Lima (Brazil) Vitor Chaves (Brazil) Joseph Lee (USA) Victor Manuel Ramirez Chavez (Costa Rica) Bhuwan Chauhan (India) Sidy Pouye (Spain) Yoon Sung Lee (South Korea) Jason Huynh (USA) Anderson Arruda (Brazil) Jeremy Potvin (USA) Drew Cullen (USA) Ismael Dominquez (Mexico) Arya Saffaie (USA) Rodrigue Chesnier (France) Febo Gambacorta (Italy) Rafael Oliveira (Brazil) Jonas Jamena (No Country Listed)  Jeremiah Maxey (USA) Joven Sagabain (Philippines) Edvan Palmeira (Brazil) Ali Bilal (Belgium) Ayoub Sulayman (Libya) Charjo Grant (USA) Reuben Glass (USA) Adeyemi Awoyemi (United Kingdom)  Kyron Holden (USA) Emile Walker (United Kingdom) Jeremy Buendia (USA) JunHo Lee (South Korea) Wheelchair Harold Kelley (USA) — Reigning Champion Gabriele Andriulli (Italy) Antoni Khadraoui (Algeria) Josue Golrila Albino (Brazil) Mohammadreza Tabrizi Nouri (Canada) Tyler Brey (USA)  Karol Milewski (Poland) Woody Belfort (Canada) Tory Jones (Canada) Bradley Betts (USA) Tim Caldwell (USA) Jason Metcalf (USA) Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw (USA) — Reigning Champion Angela Yeo (USA) Sherry Priami (USA) Natalia Kovaleva (USA) Julia Whitesel (USA) Alcione Barreto (Brazil) MayLa Ash (USA)  Kristina Mendoza (USA) Michaela Aycock (USA) Reshanna Boswell (USA) Chelsea Dion (USA) Women’s Physique Natalia Abraham Coelho (USA) — Reigning Champion Sarah Villegas (USA) Brooke Walker (USA) Anne-Lorraine Mohn (France) Pamela Canfield (USA) Elena Aviles Romero (Spain) Emily Schubert (USA) Emilija Martic (Canada) Romana Skotzen (United Kingdom) Zana Benta (Brazil) Caroline Alves Dos Santos (Brazil) Amy McKown (USA) Danielle LaMartina (USA)

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How to Watch the 2023 Olympia Contest

2023 Mr. Olympia, Blog, Bodybuilding, News /

How to Watch the 2023 Olympia Contest Top bodybuilders from around the world will try to parlay their chiseled physiques into championship glory at the 2023 Olympia in Orlando, FL. Scheduled for Nov. 2-5, 2023, the most prestigious show in the sport will feature athletes from 11 International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Pro League (IFBB Pro League) divisions, including 2022 Men’s Open winner Hadi Choopan and king of the Classic Physique category Chris Bumstead. While you can watch the contestants pose in person by purchasing tickets to the event at mrolympia.com, you don’t necessarily have to travel to the Sunshine State to see bulging biceps, sculpted shoulders, and defined abs. You can catch all the action from Joe Weider’s 2023 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend from the comfort of your own home via pay-per-view for $74.99 on olympiaproductions.com. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) More from Breaking Muscle: How to Build Muscle: The Training and Diet Guide for Beginners and Advanced Lifters Reigning Champ Hadi Choopan and Top Contender Derek Lunsford Team Up for Chest Workout 3 Weeks Before 2023 Mr. Olympia Not only does the package cover pre-judging and finals for all divisions, but it also includes the Olympia press conferences and Olympia EXPO. As a bonus, the pay-per-view also includes coverage of the 2023 Amateur Olympia, which is scheduled to take place from Oct. 31 through Nov. 1, 2023. 2023 Olympia Schedule Once the action kicks off in Orlando, there will be ample opportunities for fans to see athletes from all 11 divisions display their physiques for the judges. With a jam-packed schedule and plenty of anticipation about who will be crowned Mr. Olympia this year, here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s taking place at the Orange County Convention Center, Note: All times listed below are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Tuesday, Oct. 31 Amateur Olympia — Women’s Judging & Finals: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 Amateur Olympia — Men’s Judging & Finals: 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 Olympia Press Conference: Noon Friday, Nov. 3 Olympia World Fitness EXPO: 9 a.m. Olympia Pre-Judging: 9:30 a.m. Fitness 212 Figure Women’s Physique Ms. Olympia Wellness Olympia Friday Finals: 6 p.m. 212 Olympia Fitness Figure Women’s Physique Ms. Olympia Wellness Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 Olympia Pre-Judging: 9 a.m. Classic Physique Men’s Physique Bikini Wheelchair — Pre-Judging & Finals Olympia Saturday Finals: 7 p.m. Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique Bikini Classic Physique New Qualification Rules There will be more pressure to perform than ever before for the current crop of contestants. After all, changes to the Olympia Qualifying System (OQS) will make it more difficult for athletes to earn an automatic berth in the 2024 contest. On Oct. 23, 2023, Olympia owner Jake Wood delivered a major update via Instagram about new rules that will have an immediate impact on the bodybuilding community. “Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 in the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional star power to the various regional events held worldwide. This change is being made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League as we all share an interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels,” Wood wrote. With only the top three finishers punching their ticket to the 2024 Olympia, that could leave some talented competitors on the outside looking in once everything culminates in Orlando. And given the quality depth in some divisions — especially Men’s Open and Classic Physique — the battle to be one of the last three people standing should be particularly fierce. Complete Olympia Rosters by Division You may be familiar with household names like Chris Bumstead and Derek Lunsford, but other lesser-known bodybuilders will also do their best to impress the judges over the weekend. Here’s a full division-by-division breakdown of the rosters for the 2023 Olympia. Men’s Open (Mr. Olympia) 212 Olympia Classic Physique Men’s Physique Wheelchair Ms. Olympia Women’s Physique Wellness Fitness Figure Bikini Men’s Open (Mr. Olympia) Hadi Choopan (Iran) — Reigning Champion Derek Lunsford (USA) Brandon Curry (USA) Samson Dauda (United Kingdom) Behrooz Tabani (Iran) Tonio Burton (USA) Ross Flanigan (USA) Michal Krizanek (Slovakia) Phil Clahar (USA) Andrea Presti (Italy) Hassan Mostafa (Egypt) Justin Shier (USA) Roman Fritz (Germany) Hunter Labrada (USA)  Chinedu Andrew Obiekea (Andrew Jacked) (UAE) Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom) Regan Grimes (Canada) Theo Leguerrier (France) Charles Griffen (USA) 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida (USA) — Reigning Champion Felipe Fierro (Chile) Angel Calderon Frias (Spain) Ahmad Ashkanani (Kuwait) Felipe Moraes (Brazil) Kerrith Bajjo (USA) Piotr Borecki (Poland) Andrei Melnikov (Russia) Roman Iushchenko (Ukraine) John Jewett (USA) Chris Jones (USA) Fabrizio de Souza Moreira (Brazil) Naser Mohamed (Kuwait) Keone Pearson (USA) Hidetada Yamagishi (Japan) Oleh Kryvyi (Ukraine)  Hossein Kalateh (Canada)  Radoslav Angelov (Bulgaria) Classic Physique Chris Bumstead (Canada) — Reigning Champion Ramon Rocha Queiroz (Brazil) Urs Kalecinski (Germany) Mike Sommerfeld (Germany) Woilid Baatout (France) Eric Brown (USA) Daniil Famponte (USA) Andrei Kozhokar (Russia) Michael Daboul (United Kingdom) German Pastor (Spain) Eric Wildberger Lisboa (Brazil) Samuel Paquin (Canada) Damien Patrick (USA) Damian Kuffel (Poland) Vahid Badpei (Iran) Laszlo Kiraly (Hungary) Antoine Loth (Spain) Carlos Dommar (USA) Fabio Junio Ramos Vale (Brazil) John Le (Canada) Marcus Perry (USA) Diego Alejandro Galindo (Brazil) Matthew Greggo (USA) Stephane Matala (France) Jared Thompson (USA) Jae Hun Park (South Korea) Alejandro Cambronero (Costa Rica) Eduardo Oliveira (Brazil) Shicheng Jin (China) Shi Tian Wang (China) Wesley Vissers (Netherlands) Christopher Ziller (Germany)  Gabriel Zancanelli (Brazil) Courage Opara (USA) Terrence Ruffin (ISA) Maxime Yedess (France)  Breon Ansley (USA) — Two-time former champion Hasan Alibrahim (Netherlands) Junior Javorski (Brazil) Men’s Physique Erin Banks (USA) — Reigning Champion Mehdi Kabbadj (Morocco) Ming Chieh Tsai (District of Taiwan) Kahlia Ramzi (Algeria) Corey Morris (USA) Brandon Hendrickson (USA) Diogo Montenegro (Brazil) Mahmood Al-Maghrabi (Bahrain) Emanuel Hunter (USA) Mauro Fialho Garcia, Jr. (Spain) Carlos DeOliveira (Brazil) Benquil Marigny (USA) Riccardo Croci (Italy) Derrick Stevenson (USA) Ryan Terry (United Kingdom) Emmanuel Costa (Brazil) Daniel Ammons (USA) Andre Ferguson (USA) Vinicius Mateus Veiro Lima (Brazil) Vitor Chaves (Brazil) Joseph Lee (USA) Victor Manuel Ramirez Chavez (Costa Rica) Bhuwan Chauhan (India) Sidy Pouye (Spain) Yoon Sung Lee (South Korea) Jason Huynh (USA) Anderson Arruda (Brazil) Jeremy Potvin (USA) Drew Cullen (USA) Ismael Dominquez (Mexico) Arya Saffaie (USA) Rodrigue Chesnier (France) Febo Gambacorta (Italy) Rafael Oliveira (Brazil) Jonas Jamena (No Country Listed)  Jeremiah Maxey (USA) Joven Sagabain (Philippines) Edvan Palmeira (Brazil) Ali Bilal (Belgium) Ayoub Sulayman (Libya) Charjo Grant (USA) Reuben Glass (USA) Adeyemi Awoyemi (United Kingdom)  Kyron Holden (USA) Emile Walker (United Kingdom) Jeremy Buendia (USA) JunHo Lee (South Korea) Wheelchair Harold Kelley (USA) — Reigning Champion Gabriele Andriulli (Italy) Antoni Khadraoui (Algeria) Josue

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Chris Bumstead Trains Shoulders Two Weeks Out From Trying to Capture Fifth Consecutive Mr. Olympia Title

2023 Mr. Olympia, Blog, Bodybuilding, Chris Bumstead, News /

Chris Bumstead Trains Shoulders Two Weeks Out From Trying to Capture Fifth Consecutive Mr. Olympia Title For the last four years, no Classic Physique competitor has been able to outperform Chris Bumstead at the Mr. Olympia contest. The titleholder since 2019, he remains firmly in the driver’s seat heading into the most anticipated bodybuilding competition of the year. With Bumstead and his peers making their final preparations for the 2023 Mr. Olympia show, the pressure is squarely on the four-time champion’s shoulders to fend off a crowded field headlined by 2023 Arnold Classic winner, and last year’s Olympia runner-up, Ramon Rocha Quiroz and Urs Kalecinski, who finished third at the 2022 Classic Physique Olympia. Luckily, though, Bumstead looks more than capable of delivering another first-place performance when he hits the stage for the Nov. 3-5 weekend in Orlando, FL. Showcasing the size and symmetry needed to reach the top of the Classic Physique mountain, Bumstead gave fans an intimate look at his intense training style in a shoulder day workout vlog posted on his YouTube channel on Oct. 26, 2023. More from Breaking Muscle: The 15 Best Shoulder Exercises for Width and Strength Chris Bumstead Shares Brutal Hamstring Workout Ahead of 2023 Mr. Olympia Before embarking on his workout, Bumstead showed his preferred method for promoting a great pump, energy, and focus. He mixed his signature blue raspberry pre-workout supplement from Raw Nutrition with Pump, a stimulant-free pre-training supplement designed to increase blood flow and improve muscle fullness. That formula provided Bumstead with 200 milligrams of caffeine plus 10 grams of L-citrulline and an unspecified amount of beta alanine — two non-essential aminos acid found in many bodybuilding supplements. Dumbbell Lateral Raise Coming off a high-carb day that reinvigorated his brain and replenished his muscle glycogen stores, the determined bodybuilder hit the gym with a full tank and excellent focus. The intense workout begins at the 8:55 mark of the video. Bumstead and his training partner started out with a classic shoulder day exercise: the dumbbell lateral raise. A time-tested deltoid-building movement, Bumstead used a pair of 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) dumbbells for his first set. He dropped down by five pounds (2.2 kilograms) on each of his next two sets, completing 12 reps on each one. Plate-Loaded Shoulder Press Machine Next, Bumstead showed off his strength on the plate-loaded shoulder press machine by working with five 45-pound plates per side on his first set. He removed one plate for his next set of this seated overhead press variation, making sure to control the weight throughout the movement. Bumstead’s training partner provided plenty of verbal motivation (and a little bit of assistance) to help the reigning Mr. Olympia squeeze out the final few reps on his second and third sets. This push-based exercise directly targeted the front delts while also recruiting the triceps during the lockout phase. Reverse Pec-Deck Machine After hitting his shoulders from the frontal plane, Bumstead switched up his angle of attack by working on the reverse pec-deck machine. Making sure to keep his arms extended and his chest firmly against the pad, he retracted his shoulder blades and squeezed his rear delts and rhomboids at the top of every rep. An exercise primarily aimed at increasing thickness and overall muscular development in the posterior shoulders, this adduction-based movement provided Bumstead with a terrific pump, bringing out the championship-level definition in his upper back. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum) More from Breaking Muscle: How to Do the Arnold Press for Fully Developed Shoulders Try This Beginner Bodybuilding Routine If You’re Looking To Build Mass Rope Cable Front Raise After giving his anterior delts a break with the last exercise, Bumstead directly targeted them via the rope cable front raise. Setting up with a slight forward lean and a pronated (palms down) grip, he recruited his front delts to lift the rope from knee height to shoulder-level so his arms were parallel with the floor. Using an unspecified amount of weight, it took every bit of effort for Bumstead to push through sets of 12 repetitions of the isolation movement. In addition to working all three deltoid heads (anterior, lateral, and posterior), this front raise variation also required his serratus anterior to act as a stabilizer during the exercise. Standing Shoulder Press Machine Despite having already performed an overhead press variation earlier, that didn’t stop Bumstead from going back to another push-based movement. This time, though, he utilized a standing shoulder press machine — and a much lighter load. Bumstead started out with 95 pounds (43 kilograms) worth of plates per side, making sure to keep a neutral wrist position and his core engaged. After two sets that included partial reps at the end, he performed a drop set with a single 45-pound plate per side. Cable Lateral Raise For his final shoulder exercise, Bumstead performed a lateral raise variation. Rather than going the single-arm route, he worked both arms simultaneously by crossing the cables in front of him. Undoubtedly feeling the effects of his muscle-building efforts, Bumstead made sure to keep his palms down and head neutral as he spread his arms apart and raised them to shoulder-level. The four-time Mr. Olympia only showed one set of this exercise. Seated Calf Raise/Tibialis Raise Even though it was labeled a shoulder workout, Bumstead worked on his lower body for a brief time by alternating seated calf raises with a unique tibialis raise to work the muscles along the front of his lower leg. Beginning with the seated calf machine, he utilized a technique in which he flexed his calves halfway up before completing a full rep, Bumstead worked with a pair of 45-pound plates. Again, he only showed one set of this exercise before moving to a specialized seated machine that provided resistance as he raised he toes upward, working one leg at a time. Classic Bodybuilding Shoulder Workout Bumstead’s approach to working his deltoid so near to a major contest may

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Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest

2023 Mr. Olympia, Blog, Bodybuilding, News /

Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest While previous Mr. Olympia winners, including current titleholder Hadi Choopan and 2019 champion Brandon Curry don’t have to worry, other Olympia hopefuls suddenly face a steeper climb to secure a spot in the most prestigious bodybuilding show in the world. With the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest scheduled for Nov. 3-5, there’s now even more pressure on the competitors’ sculpted shoulders to impress the judges with their physiques and posing routines. In a move that could have career-altering implications, the Olympia Qualifying System (OQS) will only grant the top three finishers in the Mr. Olympia an automatic berth in the following year’s contest. On Oct. 23, 2023, Olympia owner Jake Wood shared an Instagram post detailing the rationale behind the groundbreaking decision: “In recent years, the top 5 finishers in the Mr. Olympia division have received an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia, but after consulting with the IFBB Pro League we have decided to make a change. Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 in the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional star power to the various regional events held worldwide. This change is being made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League as we all share an interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc) More from Breaking Muscle: Try This Beginner Bodybuilding Routine If You’re Looking To Build Mass Reigning Champ Hadi Choopan and Top Contender Derek Lunsford Team Up for Chest Workout 3 Weeks Before 2023 Mr. Olympia The new rule applies not only to the Men’s Open division, but also to the other 10 divisions — 212, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, Wheelchair, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Fitness, Wellness, and Bikini. Most importantly, the change will be effective immediately, which should make the upcoming show in Orlando, FL that much more competitive. Finishing among the top five at the sport’s most recognizable contest has always been seen a serious achievement. However, athletes in this year’s lineup may be that much more hungry for a higher placing and more likely to consider a result outside of the top three a significant disappointment. Of course, this is just the latest shift in the Olympia qualification setup. In December 2022, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) decided to do away with the point system that gave competitors a chance to qualify for the Olympia. Previously, the athletes who finished with the three highest point totals over the course of the season automatically punched their ticket to the biggest show of the year. But with the point system no longer in play, that has placed even more emphasis on performing well when it matters most. With the qualification period running from Nov. 21, 2022 until Oct. 9, 2023, here’s the path athletes from all divisions (except Wheelchair Bodybuilding) faced to earn a spot in this year’s Mr. Olympia show: Top five from the Men’s Open 2022 Mr. Olympia Top three from other 2022 Olympia divisions Winner of each Open contest held during the qualification period That benefitted someone like Samson Dauda, who fell just short of a top-five finish at the 2022 Olympia with a sixth place finish in his Olympia debut. However, by taking home the title at the 2023 Arnold Classic, “The Nigerian Lion” earned a $300,000 prize and a spot in the 2023 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open lineup. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samson Dauda (@samson__dauda) More from Breaking Muscle: How to Build Muscle: The Training and Diet Guide for Lifters Best Bodybuilding Supplements for Muscle Mass, Fat Loss, and More Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the rule change impacts the competitive landscape. Reducing the number of automatic bids from five to three undoubtedly ramps up the importance of the other qualifying shows on the schedule. With two fewer spots up for grabs at the Olympia, some athletes may need to shift their priorities and attack their training more aggressively to come out on top in other key contests. Dauda did exactly that by getting in prime shape for the Arnold Classic and capturing top honors for his efforts. Ditto for Justin Shier, who made the most of his IFBB Pro show debut in July by winning the 2023 Chicago Pro and securing his own spot in the Men’s Open lineup for the 2023 Olympia. Most recently, Charles Griffen accomplished his goal of getting a chance to compete against the best of the best at the Orange County Convention Center. Despite suffering a torn pec back in April, the determined bodybuilder completed his comeback in championship fashion by winning the title at the 2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro on Oct. 8, 2023. Griffen may face an uphill battle to finish high amongst a crowded group of accomplished competitors, but he certainly deserves credit for grabbing the final qualifying spot. Ultimately, allowing only the top three finishers at the Olympia to qualify for the following year’s contest could be viewed as both a positive and a negative. On one hand, it raises the stakes significantly when everyone steps on stage for the most anticipated show of the year. On the other hand, it could leave a few competitors on the outside looking in if they don’t emerge victorious at one of the qualifying contests on the calendar for 2024. Featured Image: @mrolympiallc / Instagram The post Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest appeared first on Breaking Muscle. While previous Mr. Olympia winners, including current titleholder Hadi Choopan and 2019 champion Brandon Curry don’t have to worry, other Olympia hopefuls suddenly face a steeper climb to secure a spot in the most prestigious bodybuilding show in the world. With

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