by Christian Duque
2023 was a really fascinating 12 months for the game of bodybuilding. We noticed a brand new Olympia topped however we additionally noticed some difficulties with the second greatest bodybuilding present, the Arnold Basic. By no means within the historical past of the game has this world-class occasion come so near being canceled. If the pandemic didn’t do it nobody would have believed that it will have occurred due to a scarcity of able-bodied rivals taking the stage. However the actuality of the matter is that Arnold Schwarzenegger actually dropped the ball on the subject of who was overseeing his competitors. They didn’t make a mistake by way of the day-to-day operations however they definitely didn’t see the writing on the wall by way of inviting rivals that might do the present and keep the course until the tip.
When a present that pays $200,000 sees dwindling competitor numbers that could be a actual drawback. It’s virtually like beginner hour on the highest ranges. The truth that they needed to elevate the prize cash by $100,000 simply to save lots of face and be sure that rivals would in actual fact compete is mostly a unhappy state of affairs.
There was a time limit when males who gave their phrase would seem it doesn’t matter what. Perhaps that’s as a result of instances have modified and a person’s phrase not issues as a lot. That, too, is a consideration to take note of shifting ahead. It’s one factor for all times to occur and legit excuses to stop somebody from residing as much as their phrase, nevertheless it’s fairly one other factor for somebody to renege on a deal or neglect that they ever confirmed their look. That’s not on the promoter’s shoulders as a lot as it’s on society as an entire. Nonetheless it’s necessary to articulate it on this article.
Normally after we discuss old style, we’re speaking about consuming habits or coaching strategies, however in actuality we’re additionally speaking a few time when a person’s phrase was his bond. These days individuals not solely break their phrase however they breach contracts left and proper. We’re at an age when cash talks and bullshit walks. And it’s not simply bullshit that’s strolling it’s additionally integrity as properly.
While you’re a professional, that shouldn’t simply imply you may win prize cash, it ought to imply that you simply maintain your self to the next normal. I, personally, wouldn’t have raised the prize cash and stored the present to 6 guys. Rising the purse did a disservice to the fellows who hung in there and rewarded those that threw their hat within the ring as a result of the cash was proper. For the fellows who competed and weren’t initially invited, then that’s simply good enterprise. However to the fellows who bailed on their phrase after which determined to return again as a result of the cash went up, that’s shameful.
I actually consider that by growing the prize cash we’re selling this sort of habits sooner or later. Nonetheless, let’s cease speaking about The Arnold and let’s begin speaking in regards to the Mr Olympia. In any case, the The Olympia is the Tremendous Bowl of Bodybuilding. The 2023 contest was imagined to be one in every of epic proportions and it lived as much as each little bit of it.
There was an incredible quantity of anticipation for a rematch between Hadi and Derek. The 2022 contest left a foul style in lots of Lunsford fan’s mouths. They believed that the competition might have gone both means they usually had been very upset that Derek, who had a lot extra to supply by way of rising the game runner-up. After two years of Massive Ramy – who did actually did nothing for bodybuilding – they noticed Hadi’s crowning as a slap within the face.
That is why for all of 2023, Hadi didn’t actually get to get pleasure from his reign. He was consistently being in comparison with Lunsford and this created a stage of animosity that we haven’t seen in years. The very fact Choopan and Lunsford had been sponsored by the identical firm and prepped by the identical coach furthered the rift. That mentioned, the animosity wasn’t between the athletes. The truth is, what we witnessed was the champ lashing out on the media and the general public. He despatched what had been dubbed warning photographs on a couple of event. The aim was to remind the world that he was the #1 bodybuilder on the planet.
Simply penning this sounds weak so you may solely think about the way it appeared to on a regular basis followers. While you’re Mr. O you’re imagined to radiate self-confidence. It’s you – after which everybody else. In Hadi’s case, I felt that he consistently felt the necessity to inform everybody he was the highest man and that he was owed respect. Within the meantime, he wasn’t visitor posing, he wasn’t giving out trophies at exhibits, and he wasn’t doing the expo circuit. It was Massive Ramy another time and the followers had been up in arms. As the massive contest neared, most non-Iranian bodybuilding followers had been hoping for a showdown of epic proportions.
When Derek emerged victorious, it was as if the followers received as properly. And within the final fifty days the brand new champ has been in all places. I imply discuss hitting the bottom operating. It’s like Derek took a web page from Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman’s playbook. He’s doing press, signing autographs, and bridging the hole between himself and the followers. To this point he’s already carried out a handful of visitor posing appearances and promoters are blowing up his telephone with requests to see if he might be at their exhibits and work with them for productions all through the 2024 professional/am season. What fan isn’t going to wish to purchase a ticket to a present the place the #1 bodybuilder on the planet is current. And if Derek is in the home, chances are high he’ll be strolling across the venue, speaking to guys backstage, and possibly handing out {hardware}.
Think about being backstage oiling up and/or pumping up. You’ve acquired your airpods in and also you’re attempting to kill time earlier than you hit the stage. Perhaps you’re taking a couple of bites off a bland rice cake otherwise you work some bands to get a pump. After which hastily reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford comes by and offers you a couple of pointers or just chit chats with you. Think about should you had a Jay Cutler / Phil Heath second the place the champ COMPLIMENTS you!! How cool would that be?!?! Even should you don’t go onto profitable an Olympia someday, think about how cool it will make you’re feeling as a competitor to get seen like this and/or to get a shot with the champ. Not solely might this situation occur, nevertheless it in all probability already has. Simply within the three or 4 exhibits Derek’s visited since profitable the Sandow he’s already carried out extra for the game than Massive Ramy or Hadi Choopan did within the years they had been on high. That’s unhappy, nevertheless it’s additionally a breath of contemporary air for the game.
One other enormous bit of reports from 2023 is the emergence of Samson Dauda. Not solely did he take a commanding spot within the Olympia Prime 3, however he received the Arnold Basic in commanding type. That win and his spectacular Olympia putting has solidified his place as a high contender for the Olympia. In lots of actual methods, Dauda’s reputation has far surpassed that of Nick Walker and different high names within the combine to be #1.
What we’re seeing in 2023 and going into 2024 is one thing similar to what we noticed in 2004-2006. Throughout that window in time the highest guys had been Ronnie, Jay, and Gustavo. That turned the pecking order that was accepted by all. Now it appears it’s Derek, Hadi, and Samson. Not solely do up-and-coming rivals want to fret about beating Derek, however they actually have to interrupt into this ironclad Prime 3. The competitiveness between these three guys is completely fierce. It’s subsequent to unattainable for a 4th man to emerge out of nowhere and simply smash in. It’s that suspense that’s creating super curiosity for 2024.
2023 was an enormous 12 months for the game and 2024 is seeking to be one other powerhouse of a 12 months. Hopefully the teachings of 2023 will make for a greater 2024, however solely time will inform.
