Tag: 2023 Tampa Pro
Hunter Labrada on 2023 Mr. Olympia: “If I Show Up In Shape, I Think I’m In The Top 5”
Bodybuilding star Hunter Labrada has called last season a slingshot year after taking a step back on the sport’s biggest stage. He hopes to redeem himself at the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia contest taking place in November. In a recent Olympia TV interview, Labrada discussed his mentality, his best poses, the 2023 Texas Pro, and […]
The post Hunter Labrada on 2023 Mr. Olympia: “If I Show Up In Shape, I Think I’m In The Top 5” appeared first on Fitness Volt.
2023 Tampa Pro Results and Scorecards — Day 1 (Live Updates )
The 2023 Tampa Pro is taking place from August 3-5 in Tampa, Florida. This contest is a Mr. Olympia qualifier for ten divisions including Men’s Open, 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Fitness, Bikini, and Wellness.
Earning passage to this year’s Mr. Olympia contest has been more challenging as the point system has been removed. Therefore, any athlete who wishes to qualify must win a Pro show before October 9. This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia competition will take place in Orlando, Florida, inside the Orange County Convention Center from November 2-5.
Last year, Men’s Open standout Akim Williams delivered gold at the 2022 Tampa Pro. It was a memorable night as Williams defeated surging contenders Quinton Eriya and Kamal Elgargni. However, Akim Williams chose not to defend his title this weekend, so a new Open champion will emerge. Whoever is victorious will have the opportunity to square off against the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan in less than three months.
Check out the action from day one of the 2023 Tampa Pro Below!
2023 Tampa Pro Winners
Men’s Open: Coming Soon!
212 Bodybuilding: Fabricio de Souza Moreira
Classic Physique: Matthew Greggo
Men’s Physique: Arya Saffaie
Women’s Bodybuilding: Michaela Aycock
Women’s Physique: Jeannie Feldman
Figure: Queren Pacheco
Fitness: Coming Soon!
Bikini: Coming Soon!
Wellness: Coming Soon!
2023 Tampa Pro Breakdown + Results
Men’s Open
Coming Soon!
212 Bodybuilding
The first Men’s division to hit the stage this weekend was 212 Bodybuilding. Prejudging saw Diego Montoya, Mahamed Embaby, and Fabricio de Souza Moreira in the running for first. They all brought next-level conditioning with balanced proportions.
During the finals, the judging panel appeared to favor the looks of Mohamed Embaby and Fabricio de Souza Moreira as the day progressed. Embaby last shared a stage at the 2023 Chicago Pro, where he finished with an impressive third place. Opposite to Embaby was Moreira. Fabricio last stepped on stage at the 2022 Chicago Pro and finished third. In the end, the conditioning and dryness of Fabricio de Souza Moreira sealed the deal. He is now qualified for 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Mahemed Embaby took second and Diego Montoya finished third, respectively.
Winner — Fabricio de Souza Moreira
Second Place — Mahamed Embaby
Third Place — Diego Montoya
Fourth Place — Jason Nguyen
Fifth Place — Robert Taylor
Classic Physique
Fans were thrilled to see some big threats from the Classic Physique division in attendance. During prejudging rounds, huge pops were heard following the individual routines of Carlos Dommar and Matthew Greggo. Both men brought their trademark conditioning with complete upper bodies.
Greggo last appeared on stage at the 2023 Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro and picked up fourth place. Dommar meanwhile, is riding momentum following his big victory at the same show Greggo took fourth in. Dommar was eager to pick up another win in Florida, but Matthew Greggo denied his efforts with arguably his best physique to date. He won first place and qualified for 2023 Olympia.
Dommar and Robert Waterhouse filled the second and third podium spots.
Winner — Matthew Greggo
Second Place — Carlos Dommar
Third Place — Robert Waterhouse
Fourth Place — Lucas Giaianni
Fifth Place — Camillo Diaz Garzon
Sixth Place — Jarak Toribio Perez
Men’s Physique
On Friday, Men’s Physique competitors went all-out in the quest for first place. The prejudging portion of the show featured Jeremiah Maxey and Arya Saffaie as clear frontrunners. The artful posing routines and stage presentation were among the best of their division.
Jeremiah Maxey last competed at the 2022 Atlantic Coast Pro and put on a show. He took sixth but certainly came back with a vengeance. His main adversary, Arya Saffaie last appeared at the 2022 Olympia but was unable to place in the top 15. This time, Arya Saffaie dominated and earned his qualification to 2023 Olympia.
Jeremiah Maxey finished second and Alexander Toplyn took third.
Winner — Arya Saffaie
Second Place — Jeremiah Maxey
Third Place — Alexander Toplyn
Fourth Place — Kimani Victor
Fifth Place — Deke Walker
Sixth Place — John Stanley Sarmiento
Women’s Bodybuilding
Competitors from the Women’s Bodybuilding category wasted no time jumping on stage Friday. During the prejudging rounds, the hard muscularity of Theresa Ivancik, Nicki Chartrand, and Michaela Aycock stood out and the judges took notice. With a number of comparisons taking place, it was anyone’s title going into the finals.
Nicki Chartrand was in the running for gold. She took 2022 away from shows and one of her last appearances on stage was in eighth at the 2021 Rising Phoenix and Arizona Pro show. She was up against Michaela Aycock in the finals. Aycock entered the contest with momentum after claiming silver at the 2023 Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro. After a heated battle, Michaela Aycock got her hand raised and earned first prize.
Nicki Chartrand and Theresa Ivancik rounded out the podium in second and third.
Winner — Michaela Aycock
Second Place — Nicki Chartrand
Third Place — Theresa Ivancik
Fourth Place — Kyna Squarey
Fifth Place — Julia Foery
Women’s Physique
Women’s Physique got a huge pop from the crowd during prejudging rounds. The conditioning of Ivie Rhein and Jeannie Feldman dominated discussions online. By the time finals were kicking off, many deemed it a two-woman battle.
Ivie Rhein’s last competition saw her take fifth at the 2022 Olympia contest. Meanwhile, Jeannie Feldman’s latest show was at the same Olympia event in sixth place. So both ladies were eager to run it back. Ultimately, the deep separation of Jennie Feldman’s physique prevailed and she walked away the winner.
Ivie Rhein finished runner-up and Robyn Mays took third.
Winner — Jeannie Feldman
Second Place — Ivie Rhein
Third Place — Robyn Mays
Fourth Place — Mikaela Lindsey
Fifth Place — Marika Jones
Figure
Figure competitors kicked off Friday in style as all athletes looked to have brought their best packages. The prejudging and finals featured Oyku Basar and Queren Pacheco vying for gold. In addition to some intense comparisons, both athletes displayed exceptional aesthetics.
Oyku Basar last appeared on stage at the 2023 Musclecontest Zhanna Rotar Pro, where she nabbed fifth place. On the other hand, Queren Pacheco last made a splash all the way back in 2020 at the Rising Phoenix Women’s Bodybuilding World Championship & Arizona Pro. Following a tough battle, Queren Pacheco earned first and qualified for 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Oyku Basar took second, with Lena Ramsteiner taking bronze.
Winner — Queren Pacheco
Second Place — Oyku Basar
Third Place — Lena Ramsteiner
Fourth Place — Mariafernanda Laguna
Fifth Place — Danielle Rose
Fitness
Coming Soon!
Bikini
Coming Soon!
Wellness
Coming Soon!
2023 Tampa Pro Scorecards
Coming Soon!
FitnessVolt congratulates the winners!
Published: 4 August, 2023 | 6:12 PM EDT
Nick Walker Gives Top 3 Predictions for 2023 Tampa Pro, Backs Rival Hunter Labrada To Win
The anticipation surrounding the 2023 Tampa Pro is reaching its peak as competitors prepare to step on stage in Florida this weekend. In a recent HD Muscle Podcast, Men’s Open star Nick Walker gave his top three predictions and backed Hunter Labrada to come out on top.
Hunter Labrada intends to redeem himself this season after finishing seventh at last year’s 2022 Mr. Olympia, won by Hadi Choopan. Since that night, Hunter and his trainer Ben Chow have admitted to problems with the prep and said they ‘mistimed’ his peak. In the aftermath, Hunter struggled to accept the outcome but underlined that he would prove himself as one of the best later this year.
In preparation for his latest endeavor, Hunter Labrada has taken measures inside and outside the gym to showcase improvements. He believes the significant changes to his diet and nutrition will only bolster his chances of success. In addition, Labrada has utilized green gut health drinks and prioritized abdomen control to ensure his midsection stays tight on stage.
Labrada has publicly stated that his focus is not on the Mr. Olympia competition this year. He announced participation in two contests this season: the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro. With the show approaching this weekend, bodybuilding star Nick Walker revealed who he thinks will stand on the Tampa Pro podium when it’s over.
Nick Walker’s 2023 Tampa Pro Predictions
Winner – Hunter Labrada
Second Place – Jonathan DeLaRosa
Third Place – Nathan Spear
Walker Predicts Hunter Labrada to Win 2023 Tampa Pro, Gives Top 3 Finishers
According to Walker, competitors are reluctant to compete as there are only six athletes signed up for the Tampa Pro this weekend. He also credited Hunter Labrada for improving his conditioning.
“Nobody wants to compete, there’s six people. Blessing’s not doing it,” said Walker.
“Hunter looks the best he’s ever looked,” Quinton Eriya shared.
“He definitely finally brought the conditioning, replied Walker. “You see people commenting, ‘Oh is Hunter too flat?’ He’s supposed to be man. He’s going to have a good amount of time to eat up, calm down.”
“He looks amazing I’m very excited,” said Justin Shier.
“I’m really excited to see Carlos [Thomas Jr.] in Texas,” Walker said.
Fans are excited to see Labrada take to the stage this year. He intends to turn around next month at the 2023 Texas Pro as well. There has been a lot of talk about the Texas Pro this year as Andrew Jacked looks to defend the title he earned in 2022.
Aside from Jacked, mass monster Carlos Thomas Jr. announced his respective entry. While he’s yet to perform at a Pro show, many believe if he wins this event, he’ll catapult his career to new heights. Thomas Jr. continues to gain hype in the league as he recently guest posed at the Victor Martinez Legends Championships and stole the show.
Should Hunter Labrada secure the victory in Florida, he’ll earn an invite to the Mr. Olympia competition, where he’ll have the opportunity to test himself against the reigning champion Hadi Choopan. As for Nick Walker, he’s already qualified for Olympia this year and intends to win his first Sandow in November.
You can watch the full video from the HD Muscle YouTube channel below:
RELATED: Hunter Labrada Scores New 585-lb (265.3-kg) Deadlift PR for 4 Reps in Contest Prep for 2023 Tampa Pro
Published: 3 August, 2023 | 8:54 AM EDT
Hunter Labrada Shares Stacked Physique Update 8-10 Weeks from 2023 Tampa & Texas Pro
Hunter Labrada, son of bodybuilding icon Lee Labrada, is ready to set the record straight on the Mr. Olympia stage later this year. However, to accomplish that goal, he must qualify, thus his focus is on the 2023 Tampa Pro in eight weeks. In a recent Instagram video, Labrada shared a detailed posing routine, as well as the diet and training changes he’s employed for future success.
“Feeling focused and ready to push,” Labrada shared.
From the moment he entered the IFBB Pro League, lofty expectations were the norm for Hunter Labrada considering his father Lee’s legacy. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Hunter to establish himself in the Open class. His breakout year came in 2021 when he snagged the Chicago Pro title before finishing a career-best fourth at the Olympia competition.
Given his performance, he started 2022 as a leading favorite heading into the next Mr. Olympia show. With time to focus on progress, size, and other improvements, Hunter used the majority of the year for preparations but also made guest posing appearances. On the big O stage, however, he found himself in seventh. He was devastated by the result, though he vowed to return better than ever.
In February, news surfaced that Labrada would enter the upcoming Tampa Pro and Texas Pro. He also said regardless of the first contest’s outcome, he still intended to compete in the Lone Star State. Labrada, who appears more fired up than in past seasons, is ready to once again insert himself in the Olympia title discussions.
Hunter Labrada Promises ‘Overhauled Presentation’ at 2023 Tampa & Texas Pro In Recent Update
In his latest post, Hunter admits he reduced his meals from six a day to five. He says the change has allowed him a better night’s sleep. As for training, Labrada is following a split of two days on, one day off, three days on, and one day off. It appears his efforts are paying off as his arms and legs look bigger.
At 273 pounds fasted, Labrada mentioned ‘his look is changing daily.’ With extra sleep and less food, Labrada feels energized heading into the next stage of contest prep approaching.
Find his post below:
“8 & 10 weeks out from the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro 273lbs fasted–Well, the proverbial hammer got dropped this week! After a week of deload-ed training while in Florida with my family last week, I hit the ground running this weekend/week, and am watching my look change daily!–One of the biggest changes I want to highlight is I went from 6 meals a day to 5! Reason: I get 2 hours more sleep! I found myself just staying up to eat a lot recently, and now that the food was low enough for it not to mess with my digestion, I told @squatlikechow I wanted to give it a try and I’m glad I did! The meals are more satiating, and I’m recovering even better with the extra sleep!–Also started posing with @kj_centerstage / @joey1belt twice a week, and I’m sure y’all can see the difference that’s made already. Looking forward to my presentation being completely overhauled for this season
Nutrition:
Meal 1220g Lean Beef180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 2220g Chicken Breast180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 3- Post260g Lean White Fish/Cod180g Rice50g Green Veg
*On rest days please repeat MEAL 5 here instead of post*
Meal 4220g Chicken Breast180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 5260g Lean White Fish/Cod110g Rich70g Avocado50g Green Veg
Cardio:
40 min level 5 stairmaster fasted20 min level 5 stairmaster PM–Training:
Back and hamsPush aOffLegsBack and bisPush bOffRepeat, Labrada wrote
Labrada has not been idle in-between shows, as he has graced the stage as a guest poser at a number of contests around the United States. He first flew to Washington to wow the crowd at the Emerald Cup and then joined a star-studded lineup of Men’s Open pros at Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. At the gathering, he posed alongside Olympia-runner-up Derek Lunsford, 2023 Arnold Classic champ Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, former two-time Mr. O Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, and reigning two-time 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada Shares Detoxifying ‘Gut Health Drink’ for Optimal Digestion
If his growing strength is an indicator of his progress, Labrada is on track for an explosive season. Time will tell if he can take down other athletes entering these contests like Blessing Awodibu (in Tampa, Florida) and Andrew Jacked (in Texas).
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 11:28 AM EDT
Blessing Awodibu Details 7,000-Calorie Diet, Talks Next Show & Life at 300-Lbs+
Blessing Awodibu’s strength is at an all-time high as he dials in preparations for his next outing. In a recent Muscular Development interview, Awodibu discussed an array of topics including his 7,000-calorie diet, bulking to 300 pounds, his competition plans, and his training strategy. In addition, he revealed his plans to compete at the 2023 Chicago Pro, Texas Pro, and Tampa Pro.
“I’m proud of my symmetry. I think I am pretty balanced. People get to talk about my legs when I’m off,” added Awodibu. “If I could buy leg muscles right now I’d fuc**ng buy it. I need more of everything.”
Men’s Bodybuilding star Awodibu is on a quest for redemption this year. He performed exceptionally well in 2022 under the guidance of his former coach, George Farah. Awodibu started off his season with a pair of victories at the Indy Pro and New York Pro. With momentum and a Mr. Olympia invitation, he pushed himself at the biggest event of the year.
The 2022 Mr. Olympia show was brimming with talent and new contenders such as Michal Krizo and Andrew Jacked emerged. Admittedly, Awodibu missed the mark and found himself outside of the top 15. Fans had hoped to see him perform in Ohio at the Arnold Classic, but he withdrew his name from the roster shortly after the list went public.
Blessing Awodibu / Instagram
Before starting his campaign for Olympia again, Awodibu shocked fans with the heaviest off-season physique update of his career. While he opted not to disclose his exact weight, it’s now evident that ‘The Boogieman’ was sporting a physique exceeding 300 pounds.
Blessing Awodibu Lays Out Contest Plans and 2023 Off-Season Strategy
Blessing Awodibu plans to make a splash in a few months by competing in three shows: the 2023 Chicago Pro, Texas Pro, and Tampa Pro. With that in mind, fans can expect to see him back on stage in less than two months from July 21-22 for the Chicago Pro.
“Those are not small shows [Chicago Pro, Tampa Pro, and Texas Pro],” said Awodibu. “I’m sure he’s [Hunter Labrada] has a chip on his shoulder. He’s got a lot to prove due to his Olympia. I’m sure he wasn’t happy with that as well. He’s got a lot to prove to the fans. I’m pumped to be able to stand next to him, especially in Tampa.”
These contests appear to be serving as popular destinations for Open talent this year. In 2022, Andrew won the Texas Pro. Jacked announced he would defend his title a few months ago. Hunter Labrada, who finished seventh at Mr. Olympia last December, has also decided to compete in Tampa and Texas.
According to Awodibu, this is the strongest he’s ever felt. He shared that he’s tipping the scale at over 300 pounds but feels healthy. In addition, he said he’s using fewer ‘super supplements’ than in past preps.
“We got up to about 301, honestly, that was rough man. I think a lot had to do with that because it was my very first time being that heavy you know. My joints hurt. My knee hurts. My performance sucked. Honestly. Lower back problems, this off-season, that’s not even a question. I feel fresh. It feels good. I’m not going to say I’m 100% I’m fuc**ng overweight, so you always going to get that but overall, my performance is good, it’s the strongest I’ve ever felt. I feel really healthy.”
“Exactly [I’m using less super supplements. This is one of the things… man, I’ve been so blessed, bro. I’m always grateful for all my mistakes and all my ups and downs because they make me better. YOu learn from these things. People don’t realize I’m still fresh in the game. This is my third year competing as a pro.”
Awodibu pointed to flatness as one of his biggest obstacles this year. As far as leg training is concerned, Awodibu said he’s eliminated heavy movements. He added that he’s training four times a week.
“I had a problem being flat on stage. Getting in shape is not a problem for me but holding that fullness, that roundness, and not being flat on stage, that is always my problem. Even when we won in Indy and New York, that was the flatter side of me.”
“I’m training three to four times a week. I’m two days on, two days off. One day on, one day off. So, those rest periods for me, they are absolutely key. When I’m in the gym everything is supersetting. Especially for my legs. We got away from all that heavy heavy heavy – that doesn’t work for me. I don’t have the body for it. I don’t have the knee.”
“I’ve brought my physique to another level. I mean, if you look at me now, the type of fullness and roundness I’m holding right now… I’ve never seen it before. It really excites me. I cannot wait to really showcase all this on stage.”
Awodibu Breaks Down 7,000-Calorie 2023 Off-Season Diet of 6 Meals
To maintain a physique of over 300 pounds, Awodibu is eating six meals a day with a 7,000-calorie intake.
“Right now we’re probably doing 6-7,000 calories. Meal one, we’ll start with 120 grams of oats, 100 grams of blueberry, and one banana. Two scoops of MuscleTech. Then we do three slices of Ezekiel bread laced with fuc*ing jam. Then, 200 grams of steak, two whole eggs, and egg whites.”
“Meal two, 350 grams of rice with 280 grams of salmon,” Awodibu added. “Post workout meal, another 400 grams of purple potato 280 grams of salmon, then after that, four would be 300 grams of rice, about 250 grams of steak. Then, I would have another 300 grams of rice, either chicken or I tend to switch it up sometimes shrimp. The last meal would be Greek yogurts, 300 grams, and two scoops of whey. Three slices of Ezekiel bread with peanut butter.”
While away from the stage, Awodibu has maintained a steady training schedule. His eccentric personality was on full display when he joined hands with fitness model Bakhar Nabieva for a quad-focused leg day workout.
With a lot to prove in 2023, Blessing Awodibu is attacking his progress from all angles to produce a more complete physique. Time will tell how he fares against other Men’s Open contenders at the 2023 Chicago Pro in late July.
You can watch the full video from Muscular Development below:
RELATED: Blessing Awodibu Escapes Serious Injury, Ready to Start The Growing Season
Published: 5 June, 2023 | 3:59 PM EDT
Hunter Labrada Scores New 585-lb (265.3-kg) Deadlift PR for 4 Reps in Contest Prep for 2023 Tampa Pro
American bodybuilder Hunter Labrada is determined to earn an invite to the Mr. Olympia competition after dropping out of the top six at the last event. In a recent post made on Instagram, Labrada shared a new PR (personal record) on the 585-pound (265.3-kg) deadlift for four reps.
Hunter Labrada, son of IFBB Hall of Famer Lee Labrada, joined the ranks of the Men’s Open division as a legacy competitor with a lot of hype. He displayed a huge physique with impressive muscle mass, size, and posing abilities that won him his IFBB Pro debut show, the 2020 Tampa Pro. He finished the season with an eight-place finish in his maiden Mr. Olympia participation.
Labrada scored gold at the 2021 Chicago Pro before improving his standing to fourth place at the 2021 Mr. Olympia. His rivalry with fellow Open standout Nick Walker became one of the main talking points as Walker slotted in fifth behind him in a close-fought contest. Last year, Labrada missed the mark at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. He came in a bit watery and settled with a seventh-place finish, meaning he’d need to qualify for the next edition of the show since only the top five get an automatic qualification. Meanwhile, Walker placed third.
Hunter modified his training and diet program after the disappointing result. He offered a jacked off-season physique update where he weighed 280 pounds fasted three months ago. Then, he opened up on his ambitions to figure out his peak for contests, which he understands will take a calculated effort.
Hunter Labrada via Instagram
The 31-year-old aims to bring a high level of conditioning, similar to his father Lee. He believes trimming down his midsection would enhance his aesthetic quality and get him closer to his goal. With these ambitions on his mind, Hunter has been practicing vacuum poses which are effective for midsection control, especially when posing on stage.
Aside from training and goals for this year, Hunter Labrada detailed his full day of eating in the current off-season. He also detailed the supplements he used to improve his physique before returning to competition. Then, the Open star smashed a heavy off-season lower-body training session days later.
Labrada gave fans a look into his preparations for guest posing appearances at the Emerald Cup and the Pittsburgh Pro last month. He showed off his bulked-up physique where he weighed 283 pounds fasted. About two weeks later, Labrada provided some of his best tips for building muscle on weaker calves. He encouraged training the muscle group to failure and said not to complicate things.
Hunter Labrada scores new PR of 585-lb deadlift for 4 reps
In a recent Instagram post, Hunter Labrada shared that he set a new PR of a 585-lb deadlift for four reps in a 2023 training session.
Labrada used a lifting belt and wrist straps with no shoes for the lift. He performed the set at a consistent pace with proper form for the first three reps. He struggled slightly on the final rep but managed to pull it off.
“Pretty stoked on this! This was a lifetime PR for me,” wrote Labrada. “Seeing these translate in my physique and progressing them in the gym has been fun, and that’s what it’s all about!
585 x 4.”
RELATED: What Does PR Mean in Gym?
As of late, Labrada left fans stunned with a shredded physique update weeks out from the 2023 Tampa Pro. He tipped the scales at a lean 277.6 pounds and gave his opinion on exercise selection.
Labrada turned in a strong performance at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro guest-posing appearance earlier this month. Based on the latest update, it’s evident why he’s brimming with confidence going into the upcoming Tampa Pro and Texas Pro.
RELATED: Hunter Labrada Recommends Best A/B Split Variations to ‘Break Through Your Plateaus’
Published: 24 May, 2023 | 8:21 PM EDT
Hunter Labrada: “I Am One of the Best in The World Left on the Table, I’ll Put that to the Test”
Men’s Open pro Hunter Labrada is eager to step back on a competitive stage in 2023. In a recent Instagram video, Labrada updated fans on his mental outlook roughly 15 weeks out from his next competition, the 2023 Tampa Pro.
Hunter, son of IFBB Pro bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada, is one of the sport’s most exciting stars. His muscularity, tight waist, and full chest made him an instant standout on stage. Given his father’s long-standing success as an Olympian, many fans are hopeful that Hunter could one day win the sport’s most prestigious title.
Last year, Labrada was considered a heavy favorite heading into the 2022 Mr. Olympia show. However, at the event, he faced a historic lineup of talent with several new faces making their mark on the category, such as Derek Lunsford, Andrew Jacked and Michal Krizo. Ultimately, Labrada took seventh place while Hadi Choopan went on to win gold.
The 31-year-old admitted mistakes were made during the prep and peak for his last Olympia show. In February, it was revealed that Hunter Labrada threw his name in the hat for the upcoming 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro. A little over three months before he takes to the stage, Labrada updated fans on how he’s approaching contest prep this year.
Hunter Labrada ‘Confident’ Ahead of 2023 Tampa Pro: “I’m Perfectly Capable of Winning Them”
Looking at his upcoming season, Labrada is confident he’s one of the best in the world and believes he has the tools to win his next two contests.
“First and foremost this year is about making myself proud. I lost sight of why I was doing this a lot last year. It was especially hard with how much I was traveling, I got a very isolated feeling. I’ll be the first one to tell you: I’m training to win these next two shows, Tampa and Texas I am training to win them. I feel like I’m perfectly capable of winning them. Outside of the people that are already qualified for the. Olympia, I think I am one of the best in the world left on the table. I’ll put that to the test.”
I’m confident I can get that done. Outside of success on a bodybuilding stage and as I do this more and more, more, I realize it’s less and less and less important. It’s at the end of the day what I do for a living but the happiness and impact I’m able to make with it is far more important and paramount to me. One of my biggest goals this year outside of the competitive placings, which I’m not going to sit here and lie, I’m very competitive and I’ll be devastated if I don’t win. And I’m going to do everything in my power to win those shows,” said Hunter Labrada.
Given Labrada’s busy schedule year-to-year, the Open bodybuilder said his primary goal is to stay ‘mentally present’ moving forward.
“This year one of the biggest goals and one of the biggest things to me personally is to be mentally present, feel everything, experience everything, yes I’ll be tired but that doesn’t give me an excuse to not be a good husband, a good father, to not be a good friend, so to really place a lot emphasis on everything outside of the actual nuts and bolts of bodybuilding this year because I feel like if I do that, the nuts and bolts of bodybuilding will take care of itself too.”
“The biggest emphasis for me this year is to be present and have fun doing what I’m doing. From a very young age, I never really stopped and smelled the roses. Anytime, football, coming up as an amateur, winning nationals, it was always what’s next, what’s next what’s next? I really want to make sure I’m able to take some time and enjoy this year, I think it’ll be a good one. Regardless of the contest placings, the places I’ll get to go, the people that I’ll get to see, the things I’ll get to do, they are once-in-a-lifetime things that not everybody gets to do.”
Aside from contest appearances, Labrada has taken part in a few key guest posing obligations. First, he traveled to Washington for the Emerald Cup and then joined a slew of other top Men’s Open pros at Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. He shared the stage with Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, and Shaun Clarida.
RELATED: Hunter Labrada Shares 277.6-Lb Ripped Physique Weeks From 2023 Tampa Pro, Texas Pro; Gives Exercise Selection Tips
Hunter Labrada is confident that he can win the 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro. He is also focused on staying mentally present and having fun during his bodybuilding journey.
Published: 18 May, 2023 | 9:15 AM EDT
Hunter Labrada Shares 277.6-Lb Ripped Physique Weeks From 2023 Tampa Pro, Texas Pro; Gives Exercise Selection Tips
Rising Men’s Open star Hunter Labrada is eager to redeem his 2022 Mr. Olympia performance after falling to seventh. In a recent YouTube video and Instagram post, Labrada revealed his weight of 277.6 pounds and offered fans tips on maximizing performance through exercise selection.
It’s been an exciting IFBB Pro League career thus far for Hunter, son of IFBB Hall of Famer Lee Labrada. Last year, fans deemed him an early Olympia favorite given his mass and conditioning levels displayed throughout the off-season. However, when he traveled to Las Vegas for the show, he was met with heavy resistance on stage in the form of his rival Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, and many others.
In the end, Labrada would secure seventh at 2022 Mr. Olympia, three spots below his performance the year prior. Processing the aftermath, he was transparent about the seemingly botched prep and peak. Labrada’s coach, Ben Chow, later suggested that Hunter carried excessive weight too close to contest prep which exacerbated the peaking process in the days leading up to the show.
While Hunter’s placement consumed him with anger, he says he’s now using the setback as fuel to further his success. Lee’s father spilled the beans in Feb. on The Menace Podcast with Dennis James and revealed his son Hunter was aiming to compete at two bodybuilding contests before even considering another Mr. Olympia. After throwing his hat into the 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro, Labrada provided a recent update on his progress as well as some exercise selection tips.
Hunter Labrada Shares Impressive Update at 277.6 Lbs & Tips on Exercise Selection: ‘Avoid Joint Pain’
Labrada reported that he and his team have begun pulling food in preparation for the 2023 Tampa Pro, scheduled for Aug. 3-5. In addition, he provided a comprehensive diet plan consisting of six meals.
“Inside of 13 and 15 weeks out from Tampa and Texas, respectively?? 277.6 fasted this morning.–Made our first aggressive pull on food 3 days ago, so definitely just now starting to see/feel that! We also removed all whey protein from my diet, so we will finally see what that does??? Really looking forward to seeing what winning another week will look like running things more aggressively like we are!–Other than that, no real changes to report! Still training on the same split with no modifications to volume or intensity, and still doing 30 min on the stairs at level 5 fasted for cardio??–Really looking forward to seeing my @npcnewsonlineofficialpage / @ifbb_pro_league family this coming weekend in Pittsburgh, as well as all fans coming out to support all the incredible pro and amateur athletes competing!–Current nutrition:Meal 1170g Lean Beef220g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 2170g Chicken Breast220g Rice50g Green Veg
Pre workout20g EAAs5g Creatine
Meal 3- Post220g Lean White Fish/Cod220g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 4170g Chicken Breast220g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 5220g Lean White Fish/Cod220g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 6170g Lean Beef300g Potato50g Green Veg” Hunter Labrada wrote.
In a separate YouTube segment, Hunter Labrada discussed the significance of exercise selection. During the video, he said lifers should look through a metaphorical ‘lens’ while exercising. He demonstrated the process he follows for selecting his workout routine and when changes are necessary for advancing progress.
“The first thing that comes down to exercise selection in my mind, and this is going to be like a filter that we’re going to work our way through and pick – pick our exercises and why I would switch them out afterward. The first filter I’m looking through for exercise selection is what is the main priority for the day or what is you know the main bang for your buck that we could get out of that day. A smaller body part, something like arms or shoulders or something like that, there might not be a ton of variation to which you can do but a larger body part like the back or legs, quite a bit of prioritization that you could do, that’s where I would first start.”
“Let’s use back day for example and I’m trying to bring up my lower lats at all costs. Knowing that in my back session, I’m going to A prioritize exercises that hit my lower lats, and B prioritize them lower in the session. That’s the first lens I look through for the exercise selection what am I trying to bring up and improve the most on any given session in this day.”
“The next lens that I’m looking through is, what is the best exercise to accomplish this with? Best is a relative term and it’s one you can really define in a lot of ways; I’ve boiled it down to meeting criteria. A best exercise in my opinion is the one that offers the best alignment, the best resistance profile, and the best bracing ability. Alignment, everything is lined up there’s not any weird tork on any of the joints involved, resistance profile, it’s heaviest where it should be heaviest and drop off where it should drop off, and bracing this how well I can brace this.”
According to Labrada, once an exercise is no longer garnering results, it’s time to change movements to facilitate substantial progress.
“There’s telltale ones [signs of when you need to switch your workout] that I’ve gotten from my personal experience and talking with others. The first one is that your no longer making progress in it. You’re running it into the dirt a while, two or three sessions have gone by where you were not taking steps forward or even taking steps back, that’s a good sign that you’ve used that runway and progressed that lift as much as you can at that point,” Labrada said.
“The last reason and this is one that hopefully doesn’t surface a lot especially if you know, you’re doing your leg works on terms of looking at those exercises through the lens and meeting the criteria we talked about earlier. They’re starting to put you in pain, you’re doing exercise XYZ and it’s really making joint XYZ here, that needs to come out, the worst thing you can do is push through joint pain.”
This wasn’t the first time Labrada has offered guidance on pushing past workout plateaus. He shared that he encounters this problem during preps from time to time. In order to remedy the problem, Labarada implements a ‘plateau breaker’ or ‘intensity technique’ at the end of his workouts to maximize results.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada Shares Detoxifying ‘Gut Health Drink’ for Optimal Digestion
Given his lineage, comprehensive nature, and work ethic, fans believe it’s only a matter of time before Hunter is pushing for Mr. Olympia gold. The bodybuilding community will get a sneak peek of his physique soon as Labrada is scheduled to guest pose at Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro next weekend.
Watch the full video below from Hunter Labrada’s YouTube channel:
Published: 10 May, 2023 | 11:19 AM EDT