Tag: cedric mcmillan
Kali Muscle: Bodybuilders Are ‘So Caught Up’ In Drugs, They Don’t Think About the late Cedric McMillan and Shawn Rhoden
Online fitness sensation Chuck “Kali Muscle” Kirkendall continues to warn against the dangers of professional bodybuilding. During a recent video, Kali shared that bodybuilders are too fixated on drugs and appeasing judges rather than preserving their health for the long term. In 2021, the sport of bodybuilding saw more athletes than usual pass away. The 2018 Mr. Olympia winner Shawn Rhoden died from suspected heart problems as well as George Peterson, whose body was found in his hotel room two days before performing at last year’s Olympia. The concerning trend from last year appeared to bleed into 2022. A slew of influential figures in the sport lost their lives over the past several months like former Arnold Classic winner Cedric McMillan, 46-year-old judge Jerry Ward, and German IFBB Pro Andreas Frey. Kali also suffered a near-death experience last November after having a heart attack. Ever since the scary ordeal, he’s been on a mission to promote health awareness in bodybuilding. In light of the growing number of deaths, Kali Muscle has been far more vocal about steroids and other dangers present in the sport. At first, his message was simple: ‘if you’re a bodybuilder, then you’re risking your life.’ Though, as time went on, his tone became more serious. He reiterated in August that bodybuilders have now become test dummies who continually risk their lives. In one of his latest videos, Kali Muscle gave an honest take on why he chose not to pursue a pro career. Kali Muscle says He’d Be Dead if He Pursued Pro Bodybuilding CareerThe popular fitness personality specified that he wouldn’t be here today if he pursued a pro career in bodybuilding.“I’m glad I didn’t go Pro bro, I’d been dead. Just being honest. I’m glad I had enough sense when I saw the list of what [drugs] to take, then I was like, ‘nah, I’m cool.’ I knew at that point, there’s just something in your spirit that tells you. You know what I mean.” Kali added that bodybuilders who are ‘caught up’ in drugs, ‘don’t hear’ or heed the warnings from himself, Shawn Rhoden, and Cedric McMillan.“If you’re caught up in it, you’re caught up in it. You don’t hear Kali Muscle, Shawn Rhoden, Cedric [McMillan], like ‘oh that ain’t going to happen to me.’ I wasn’t like that. I was really conscious of injuries and having health problems. That’s why I would get off [drugs]. Like most people, they wouldn’t get off. I would get off three months out of the year,” Kali Muscle shared. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, Kali Muscle shared that life as a bodybuilder is ‘nonstop’ and the sacrifices aren’t worth the financial rewards. “I didn’t go Pro as a bodybuilder. I’m like, ‘it’s nonstop.’ A judge is like, ‘oh I want your legs 40 inches,’ and those motherfuc**rs are doing what they got to do to get it. I ain’t never been no fuc**ng sheep or pawn, letting another fat fu** man as judge telling me how I’m supposed to get my body for hardly no money.” “Bro, $400,000! Bro, he [Mr. Olympia winners] had to spend $6 million to get $400,000,” Kali Muscle said. “None of these guys got their own supplement companies or nothing. Jay [Cutler] and Ronnie [Coleman] are the only ones.” Cedric McMillan at Arnold ClassicKali isn’t the only prominent voice in the fitness community warning against bodybuilding drugs. Earlier this week, former 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout discussed bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman’s 2001 dehydration health scare. Bannout added that even for experienced coaches, dialing in dehydration a week before a bodybuilding contest can be deadly. The last time fans heard from Kali he was at the hospital for over two days undergoing a series of health screenings. During the visit, he underlined that it’s not just steroids killing bodybuilders but excessive amounts of food too. He said he ‘felt sorry’ for popular names in the sport like 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker and rising IFBB Pro Andrew Jacked.Kali Muscle is urging athletes to prioritize their health before it’s too late. He hopes his recent dialogue will help promote safer bodybuilding practices moving forward. Watch the full video below:RELATED: Kali Muscle and Big Boy Gets In Altercation After Getting Kicked Out Of Gold’s Venice (VIDEO)
Jay Cutler Speaks On Cedric McMillan’s Legacy: ‘One Of The Best Physiques We Have Seen In Quite Some Time’
Jay Cutler reflects on Cedric McMillan’s time in bodybuilding and how special his physique was.
It has been a couple weeks now since the bodybuilding world lost another legend in Cedric McMillan. This is another death that has hit the sport hard and many have been remembering McMillan in different ways. Jay Cutler spoke on his podcast about the legacy that McMillan built on stage and how he will be remembered.
On a recent episode of Cutler Cast, the bodybuilding legend spoke on his time spent with McMillan during his prime.
“He was a big figurehead in our industry and he was someone people looked upon. And He was one of the big aesthetic guys and probably one of the best physiques we have seen in quite some time. It’s just always very hard to peak perfect. I remember when I saw him in the Nationals, I just said like this guy could be like the next Ronnie Coleman.”
Jay Cutler made comparisons for Cedric McMillan to Ronnie Coleman early in his career. This is a competitor that Cutler knows very well given their own history. In 2006, Cutler won his first Olympia title, ending Coleman’s eight-year reign as champion on the biggest stage.
Cutler continued to speak on the sport of bodybuilding and the recent string of deaths. Shawn Rhoden and George Peterson passed away at the end of 2021 and these were other instances where the sport was shaken up.
There are many competitors who have won the Olympia and found themselves at the top of bodybuilding at age 30 and 40. Cutler believes that bodybuilding is a young man’s game.
“I’m just gonna state what my thought on all this is, okay. I’ve said it before. You know bodybuilding used to be a young man’s game… Chris Dickerson won Mr. Olympia at around 40. Obviously, we saw Shawn Rhoden win (Mr. Olympia) at 43. There’s not to say you can’t do it. But is it suggestive to be a competitive bodybuilder on that level into your 40s? I think not.”
Jay Cutler put together one of the best bodybuilding careers of all-time. He has maintained an elite physique in retirement but does not believe competitors should maintain this championship physique preparing for competition.
“Not to say that it’s bad to get ready for a bodybuilding competition but the professional top tier, Mr. Olympia level, I’m not so sure about it.
Two or three Olympias I’m like, ‘why do I do this?’ It shouldn’t be like that. You’re the best in the world at what you do. I was trying to defend the title and I was dehydrated to the point where my mind just wasn’t there. It was always the dehydration process that was the hardest for me.”
Jay Cutler has been open about PED use in retirement and believes that athletes should get blood work done regularly. This is a way to make sure that bodybuilders are healthy and if not, they know what needs to be improved.
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The Wife of Cedric McMillan Issues Statement About His Passing
The wife of the late Cedric McMillan issues statement.
Patty McMillan, the wife of the late Cedric McMillan, recently issued a public statement regarding the passing of the popular bodybuilder.
Since the unexpected passing of Cedric McMillan the bodybuilding world has been in a state of shock. So many bodybuilders have died in recent years at relatively young ages as well. It has left so many fans and even competitors filled with concern and fear about the state of bodybuilding. Many are even asking the question if bodybuilding is even worth it at this point.
There’s no question that Cedric McMillan passing away so suddenly has triggered many different conversations. But perhaps the most important aspect of McMillan’s tragic passing is how it’s affected his family. Leaving behind a wife and four children, the bodybuilder’s passing has left a major hole in the McMillan family.
Patty McMillan Issues Statement
Now, several days after his passing, the wife of Cedric McMillan, Patty, has issued a statement. In the statement she cleared up a few questions surrounding the bodybuilder’s death. She also stated that a memorial service will be held for McMillan this Friday. You can see her full statement below.
On behalf of the McMillan family, we want to thank you all for your love, support, and beautiful tributes to my beloved husband.
Thank you for respecting our privacy as our family tries to process the hurt of losing our gentle giant.
We only ask the community to remember that off stage Cedric was a husband, father, brother and son and that words do hurt.
Things we have seen reported in the media/online, including his cause of death, family, and even where he is from, are filled with incorrect information.
Cedric’s cause of death is unknown at this time. It did not occur on a treadmill, nor is it known to be the result of past COVID or vaccinations.
Please remember that if the statement is not from the family, it probably isn’t true. Thank you.
The Generation Iron team once again extends condolences to the family and friends of the late, great Cedric McMillan.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Cedric McMillan’s Top Back Workouts By Victor Martinez
Get a great back workout in honor of Cedric McMillan here!
The bodybuilding community recently lost Cedric McMillan, a beloved bodybuilder and fierce competitor in the sport. The 44-year old was very open about his health and past heart issues that resulted in a near death experience in 2021. While details are not confirmed, the bodybuilding community is deeply saddened by the loss of this true competitor and friend, as yet another bodybuilder has passed away too soon.
Cedric had great workout routines which contributed to his massive physique and sheer determination to be a top competitor. Generation Iron took on one of Cedric’s top back workouts with help from Victor Martinez. While Victor and Cedric weren’t extremely close, they met a handful of times. In honor of Cedric, Generation Iron wanted to take on this workout and share it with all of you to see just what it took to get Cedric to where he was.
Let’s jump into this Cedric McMillan back workout so you too can try and see gains like Cedric himself. A thoughtful and focused athlete, while being playful and funny off stage, Cedric leaves a powerful legacy and one we all can embrace and remember.
About Cedric McMillan
Cedric McMillan was born in Maplewood, New York and loved all things muscle. He would draw superheroes based on bodybuilding and workout magazines and was always talking about bodybuilding and how to get physiques like them. He went pro in 2009 after winning the NPC Nationals contest and from there, there was no slowing him down. He became a top contender in the bodybuilding community after he won the 2017 Arnold Classic in the Men’s Open division.
What Cedric did for bodybuilding was bring back the “classic” look, the one fans and athletes wanted to see most. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger was impressed and optimistic about Cedric and his amazing physique.
Cedric would, however, undergo serious health issues and was optimistic about recovering and getting back to his true form. His death is tragic and the bodybuilding world lost a true competitor and pioneer for change .
Photo via @cedricmcmillan Instagram
Cedric’s Back Workout
Generation Iron took to the gym with Victor Martinez, pro bodybuilder and a force in his own right, to perform one of Cedric’s top back workouts. His movements were precise and meticulous and each exercise had a purpose that lent to his massive physique and incredible resume.
A note for readers: All advice and tips on these workouts are coming from Victor Martinez.
1. Smith Rows
For the Smith rows, Cedric never went crazy with weight. He would perform one warm-up set and then two working sets and would use a smith machine because it was more stable. Staying slow and controlled during the entire movement, he would pause slightly at the top for that added squeeze.
2. Lat Pulldown
The lat pulldown also saw a warm-up and two working sets and was performed with a wide grip. With this grip, it is important to use your back to the best of your ability to not lose the grip as you go as far down as you can without losing control. If your shoulders start to raise during this movement, really try to keep them down as you go up in order to not let your shoulders take over the principle movement.
3. Cable Rows
For cable rows, you will perform one lighter set and usually around two heavy sets. For this exercise, keep your chest up as you engage and perform this exercise and as you lean forward to initiate the movement, hinge from the hips but keep your spine neutral.
As you pull into your abs, don’t lean too far back and give your lats a squeeze for that added level of work. If you pull into your upper chest, you will target your upper back and the lower you pull, the lower down your back you target. Victor does say that while you can add variations to this movements, nothing crazy really happens.
Make sure to stabilize your back and engage your core to avoid unwanted back pain as well.
4. Superset (Underhand Pulldowns & One Arm Lat Pulldowns)
Underhand Pulldowns
These are used with a shorter bar and require you to lean back slightly as you hit the center of your back. As you pulldown, exhale, and as you return to the top, use this time to inhale, according to Victor.
One Arm Lat Pulldowns
For this exercise, keep the movement controlled and your shoulders stable to only work your lats. By keeping your arms straight, you will engage the lat and won’t get so much movement out of the shoulders.
Other Tips From Victor
During this workout, Victor offered up advice and answered questions from those watching the live workout.
Stretching
Victor offers two great lat stretches for better circulation and pumps. Stretching during the workout allows for better growth as well (1). The first is to grab a stable object and slowly lean back, keeping the arm grabbing the object straight and you squat lower into the stretch.
The second stretch is the same movement in terms of stretching the lat and leaning back slowly, however, your arm is twisted to engage the muscle differently.
Supplements
When asked about three of the most important supplements, Victor offers up glutamine, creatine, and carb drinks.
Glutamine: Allows for better muscle growth, less muscle wasting, and increased performance by allowing for better recovery. You will also find that glutamine can improve cognitive function and offer up less stress (2).
Creatine: Creatine can increase strength and provide for better muscle pumps while also boosting athletic performance and improving your metabolism. You will also find better power output and more refueled energy stores (3).
Carb Drinks: May improve energy and fuel endurance by giving you extra carbs to replenish stores. Can also work to improve cognition and focus.
Victor was also asked which three supplements he couldn’t live without. His response: protein, aminos, and carb drinks.
Victor offered up his approach to working out which was to skip a body part every week. This offers up the chance to get plenty of rest, increase your pump for the next workout, and benefit from both recovery and a fresh and ready to work muscle.
When asked about working legs, Victor says to do so twice a week and to alternate between a heavier set day and a lighter set day. There is no point in doing the same workout twice. What you will find is you can cut your first workout’s sets in half for the second day.
As for unilateral exercises, like the one arm lat pulldowns above, Victor states that working one arm at a time allows you to maximize unilateral effects and fix any unwanted imbalances that can ruin a great physique.
Wrap Up
In honor of Cedric McMillan, Generation Iron, along with Victor Martinez, took on one of Cedric’s top back workouts to see just how he did it. A beloved and accomplished bodybuilder, Cedric’s legacy will live on in the bodybuilding community and outside of it alike, and his workouts that got him to where he was can be passed down for all. Taking notes from the pros can give you serious results and this top back workout from Cedric is no exception.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Nunes, J.; et al. (2020). “Does stretch training induce muscle hypertrophy in humans? A review of the literature”. (source)
Gleeson, M. (2008). “Dosing and efficacy of glutamine supplementation in human exercise and sport training”. (source)
Francaux, M.; et al. (1999). “Effects of training and creatine supplements on muscle strength and body mass”. (source)
Victor Martinez Pays Tribute To Cedric McMillan & Shares Favorite Memory
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Victor Martinez shares some memories with Cedric McMillan highlighting his intense focus and playful sense of humor
On April 12, 2022 the bodybuilding world lost another fantastic and vibrant bodybuilder – Cedric McMillan. He passed away at 44 years old, far too young and one of many over the past year that have left too soon. Many in the bodybuilding community have been paying tribute and sending condolences since the news was announced. After a training session at the Generation Iron Personal Training Facility, Victor Martinez recorded a video paying tribute and sharing some stories about the late Cedric McMillan.
While Victor Martinez was not extremely close with the bodybuilder, he had spent time with him a small handful of times. Two moments in particular took place at the Arnold Classic. Once in 2019 and a second time in 2021.
Many knew Cedric McMillan from his on stage persona – a very focused and thoughtful bodybuilder that aimed to make big changes to the sport with his more classic style physique. Despite the new Classic Physique division, McMillan remained in the Men’s Open category – seemingly looking to prove a classic style physique can stand tall as champion. He proved just that in 2017 when he won the Arnold Classic.
But despite this introspection and focus – Cedric McMillan was also a playful and funny man. This was seen in his interactions with Arnold Schwarzenegger after winning the 2017 Arnold Classic. It’s that side of McMillan that Victor Martinez focused on in his memories of the late bodybuilder.
Victor Martinez admitted that before meeting Cedric McMillan, he “never knew how to read him.” So his sudden witty bouts of humor surprised him on numerous occasions. One came in 2019 at the Arnold Classic. McMillan looked focus about to step on stage. As a sort of courtesy/small talk, Martinez asked him, “Are you alright?” Without a beat, McMillan responded with a grin, “You expect me to be Poppy Joe and laughing?” Victor Martinez appreciated both his humor and focus in the moment. Two qualities that would come to define the champion bodybuilder (alongside his fantastic physique).
Victor Martinez then shares a second story from last year’s 2021 Arnold Classic. Though neither were competing, they had an opportunity to speak and catch up backstage. Martinez had noticed that Cedric McMillan was working on building some sort of project on social media. Martinez asked him about it and McMillan responded, “Well, Vic, if you build something you probably have less kids.” Another funny quip without a beat.
While McMillan’s humor was evident on stage – his more focused and serious side normally took the lead. Which is why in his final words during his tribute message, Victor Martinez wanted to remember the light and humor behind Cedric McMillan’s personality:
“If you took him serious, you probably took him too serious. But he was a standup guy… and every word that came out of his mouth was nothing but truth. I wish everybody was like that. Cedric, miss you bro.”
– Victor Martinez
Cedric McMillan’s loss is yet another tragic moment in a rough to years for the sport of bodybuilding. Generation Iron would like to once again send condolences to the friends and family of McMillan at this time. As Victor Martinez said – he was a stand up guy and will truly be missed.
Phil Heath Pays Tribute to the Late Cedric McMillan
Phil Heath pays tribute to Cedric McMillan.
Phil Heath recently paid tribute to the late Cedric McMillan. The bodybuilding world is still reeling from the passing of the popular bodybuilder and Heath is no exception.
The passing of Cedric McMillan shocked the bodybuilding world and rocked it to its core. No one could have guessed that McMillan would pass away at such a young age. Everyone in the bodybuilding community has been deeply effected by the passing of the standout bodybuilder. One individual in particular who was crushed by his passing is seven-time Olympia champion Phil Heath.
Knowing Cedric McMillan for quite some time, Phil Heath was directly effected by the passing of his fellow bodybuilding competitor. The two shared the stage on multiple occasions and also trained together many times in the past. Heath like the rest of the community is still reeling from the passing of McMillan.
Tribute to a Fallen Comrade
In a recent post to Instagram Phil Heath paid tribute to Cedric McMillan with a heartfelt message.
I’m still in shock over the passing of Cedric McMillan yesterday. My heart definitely hurts, but I find it important that I celebrate him for the awesome Man he was to me and others.
Meeting Ced back in the day was so cool because I found it so great to see a physique which I felt was worthy of amassing many top championships.
Traveling around the world was always special as Ced would typically be the one who would have no qualms at cracking jokes, making us all lighten up a bit. Seeing him compete and share also the stage together was cool no doubt, but I will remember his positive energy, no matter what adversity he was dealing with.
Ced, my heart aches but I know that God makes no mistakes and although I am upset that you’re not with us, I know you’ve imprinted some positive WITHIN US!!!!
Thank you for your friendship and of course bodybuilding brotherhood.
My condolences out to your family and friends. May we joke, lift and laugh again someday.
????
Always positive and willing to bring levity with his own brand of humor, Cedric McMillan was truly a joy to be around. His warmth and positive attitude brought joy to those around him. McMillan will be deeply missed.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Cedric McMillan Has Passed Away At 44 Years Old
Beloved pro bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has reportedly passed away
Arnold Classic champion pro bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has passed away at 44 years old – close sources to Generation Iron and family members have confirmed. The tragic news comes shortly after McMillan was very open about his past heart issues and near death experience in 2021.
Though the details have not been confirmed, sources state that Cedric McMillan suffered a heart attack while on the treadmill. The pro bodybuilder had been delaying his return to competitive bodybuilding due to his health issues – but was very optimistic about being able to return to the stage at some point in 2022.
To many, Cedric McMillan was the return of the “classic” look that so many fans wanted to see in Men’s Open bodybuilding. His presence, and his eventual win at the Arnold Classic 2017, may have helped in part bring the Classic Physique division into fruition. Though McMillan remained in the Men’s Open division himself.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was very optimistic about Cedric McMillan’s physique – and held it up as the pinnacle of what modern bodybuilders should look like in the sport. McMillan was never able to regain another Arnold Classic trophy, nor win a Mr. Olympia event.
In December 2021, Cedric McMillan spoke openly about a near-death experience he suffered due to heart issues. This ultimately kept him out of his planned competitions such as the Legion Sports Fest Pro and the Arnold Classic. McMillan was focusing on recovery but also saw the event as a wake up call for his health and future tactics in the sport.
This story is still developing and Generation Iron will update with further information as it becomes available. The entire staff at Generation Iron sends condolences to friends and family of Cedric McMillan at this time.
Jacob Ladon is a staff writer and former amateur bodybuilder. He has been passionate about bodybuilding since he was 15 years old and discovered the joys of training in the gym. He reports and comments on all bodybuilding related matters.
Cedric McMillan Details Stomach Issues Will Keep Him Out Of Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan recently explained why he pulled out of the 2022 Arnold Classic.
News broke on Monday that Cedric McMillan was the latest to pull his name out of the 2022 Arnold Classic. There was not a reason released but the bodybuilder recently took the time to reveal that stomach issues will keep him off stage.
Milos Sarcev mentioned that McMillan would not appear on stage in Columbus. On Monday, McMillan decided to share a video on Instagram to give an update on his condition.
“Ever since I tried to compete at the Legion show in Nevada back in October. I’ve been having issues with my stomach. I can’t keep food down for some reason. It creates some stupid ass hiccups, I’m hiccupping all day long and for half the night and anytime I eat, or even drinking water. It comes back up, nothing wants to stay down.”
Cedric McMillan has dealt with some issues that has made his path difficult over the last two years. In 2020, McMillan suffered a broken collarbone and broken hand that forced him to miss the Olympia that year. This will be the second year in a row he will miss the Arnold Classic. In September, McMillan withdrew his name before appearing on the broadcast. He revealed that he contracted COVID-19 and this affected his heart.
McMillan continues to explain in his video that he felt the need to explain his situation because of other news being thrown out there. This has caused some messages from people close to him.
“I have been having some issues, for 4-weeks now. I got a couple of phone calls, and text messages from friends saying that they seen on the internet that something was wrong with me. So, of course, if it’s already on the internet, motherfuckers don’t know everything. They talking about what they think they know, what they heard. So I may as well, go on and explain this shit myself.
“Four weeks ago, I went to the doctor again, I’ve been going to the doctor throughout, but they recommended I shouldn’t try to do the show. Of course, I’m being stubborn. If I eat this food, and throw up half of it, at least that’s half. I can keep, you know just being an idiot. I did what they asked and went on a liquid diet. Eating fuckin soup and eating weight gaining shakes.”
Cedric McMillan will be present in Columbus during the Arnold Classic but will not compete. He will be part of the meet and greet for fans. This allows him to still interact with fans even though they will not be able to watch him compete. It will be interesting to see when the bodybuilder is able to make his return to the stage.
Cedric McMillan Will Not Compete At 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan becomes the latest bodybuilder to withdraw from the Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just over one week away but there continues to be some changes to the Men’s Open lineup. Cedric McMillan has become the latest bodybuilder to pull his name out of the event scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. McMillan was preparing to appear on stage during the Arnold Classic but Milos Sarcev confirmed with Jay Cutler that he will not be ready in time.
McMillan is a former champion of the Arnold Classic in 2017 and was preparing to make a run at bringing back his title. In 2020, McMillan fell a bit placing sixth before he was forced to miss the show last year with an injury. McMillan still made the trip to Columbus in September to appear as part of the broadcast team.
As recently as last week, McMillan was posting former posing routines and fans were looking forward to seeing him on stage once again.
“Way back in 2009, on stage at about 252 (still too big for classic, so dont say that)… they said “stop posing like that, it’s not 1980!” And they said “get bigger!”Thanks to @blackskullusa for finding this, it brought back so many memories ❤”
Cedric McMillan has been dealing with different injuries and issues since the 2020 season. This includes a broken hand and broken collar bone. The injuries continued into 2021 and he was forced to miss the action in Columbus last year. McMillan also had complications with COVID-19 that impacted his heart and forced him to miss a significant amount of time.
McMillan now becomes the fifth competitor to pull his name out of the show dropping the number of athletes to nine.
2021 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
With Cedric McMillan pulling his name out of the competition, this leave nine bodybuilders vying for the Arnold Classic title in Men’s Open. It began when Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons. Then, both Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban were forced to pull out due to injuries. Akim Williams was the most recent to withdraw just last week.
After healing from the virus, McMillan returned to the stage during the Legion Sports Pro. McMillan was not part of the first callout and did not return for the finals. He was also scheduled to appear during the Egypt’s KO Pro show but did not make it. The Arnold Classic was supposed to be a return to stage but fans will have to wait a little longer.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Cedric McMillan Provides Physique Update 5.5 Weeks Out Of 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan looks ready for his appearance in Columbus during the 2022 Arnold Classic.
Cedric McMillan has been active on social media since the start of 2022. He has been working hard to get back on stage and is set to appear at the 2022 Arnold Classic in Columbus. The event is scheduled to take place from March 3-6 and will feature some of the top names in bodybuilding. McMillan is on that list and has provided another physique update just over five weeks out from the show.
The update was shared to the Black Skull Instagram page. McMillan is seen going through poses and showing off the progress he has made to this point. In the caption of the video, it is confirmed that McMillan currently weighs 282 pounds.
“Exclusive Cedric progress!
282 lbs”
It has been a busy offseason for McMillan. It began when he contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized. He lost nearly 30 pounds from the virus but has made significant strides in putting that weight and muscle back on. He defeated the virus and returned to the stage during the Legion Sports Pro. McMillan was not part of the first callout and did not return for the finals.
Cedric McMillan was also scheduled to appear during the Egypt’s KO Pro show but did not make it. He is now expected to take the stage at the Arnold Classic and will do what it takes to be there. McMillan missed the 2021 show in September with an injury. He was present in Columbus but was part of the broadcast team instead of competing on stage. Now, he will have a chance to return to competing against some of the best in the world.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (USA)
Brandon Curry (USA)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (USA)
Cedric McMillan (USA)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brasil)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)
Brett Wilkin (USA)
Akim Williams (USA)
Rafael Brandão was scheduled to appear but recently withdrew from the competition. Fans were excited to see him take part in one of the biggest shows of the year. The same can be said about McMillan. He is always a fan favorite and will have a chance to show what he can do.
If his physique updates are any indication, it looks as though Cedric McMillan will be ready for the first week of March.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.