Tag: Men’s Open
Helmut Strebl Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Helmut Strebl
Images via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Helmut Strebl is an Austrian bodybuilder and model born on 6 November 1968. He is famous in the fitness universe for his insanely shredded physique. Whether you are into the fitness lifestyle or not, chances are you probably have seen pictures of Helmut while surfing the internet.
Helmut has modeled and competed for 20 years and is a renowned motivational speaker. His ripped body and inspiring words have motivated numerous people to achieve their dream physiques.
Below is a complete breakdown of Helmut Strebl’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Helmut Strebl
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
205-215 lbs
6’3″
6/11/1968
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilding, Model
2000, 2010
Austrian
Images via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Biography
Growing up, Helmut Strebl was a skinny kid who was easy prey for bullies at school. He recollects that his weak frame was more noticeable because one of his schoolmates was a “muscle machine.”
At 12 years old, Strebl started lifting weights for self-defense. But as he got stronger, he wanted to get on par with his muscular school friend. Soon after achieving the goal, Helmut set his eyes on becoming a fitness model.
Helmut Strebl enjoyed lifting weights from the very beginning. Before he ever stepped inside a gym, he used two 5 kg detergent bottles filled with water as a substitute for dumbbells.
Strebl did not have proper dumbbells until he joined a local gym at age 16. The Austrian model believes that high aspirations and strong mental conditioning have been the most valuable assets in his fitness training and competitions.
“For I feel that to develop in the sport takes big dreams and a mindset for realizing them. Bodybuilding is the art of the possible.” – Helmut Strebl
Whether competing in bodybuilding competitions, motivational speaking, or personal training, Helmut always gives it his best and has risen to the top of his game.
On being asked what motivates him, Helmut Strebl says, “What truly motivates me is my mission to serve as a graphic example of achieving ideals—ultimate fitness dreams and more. ‘My life is my message’, so I would have it.”
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Competition History
Miami Pro World Championship 2014:
Bodybuilding: 1st Place
Muscle Model Over 40: 1st Place
Open Class – Muscle Model Class B: 2nd Place
World Champion Miami Pro 2013 Natural Bodybuilding
World Champion Miami Pro 2013 Fitness Model Class – Over 40s
Miami Pro 2013 Muscle Model – Class B: Runner-Up
Miami Pro 2012 European Natural Bodybuilding: 1st Place
Miami Pro 2012 European Natural Muscle Model: 1st Place
FAME 2011 European Natural Bodybuilding: 1st Place
FAME 2011 European Muscle Fitness Model: 2nd Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2010: 1st Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2009: 1st Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2008: 1st Place
Muscle Fitness FAME Winner 2008: 1st Place
Muscle Fitness Model Fame 2005: 2nd Place
Men’s Health Competition 2003: Top 20 Finalists
Gravesend Classic First Timer Bodybuilder 2002: 1st Place
Mr. Fitness 1998: 1st Place
Bench Press Competitor 1997: 2nd Place
Mr. Austria 1996: 1st Place
Mr. Europe 1996: 2nd Place
Mr. World 1996: 11th Place
Mountain Bike Downhill & Cross Country Cyprus 1995: 1st Place
Mountain Race Cycling Championships 1995: 1st Place
United Nations Military Skills in Cyprus 1995: 1st Place
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Training
Helmut Strebl usually does supersets and likes to train his muscles to failure. He utilizes his rest time between sets to practice breathing exercises. He will breathe in and out roughly five times before moving on to his next set.
The intensity of Strebl’s workouts and the weights he uses depend on his instincts during the workout. At the same time, Helmut likes to plan his workouts in a calendar notebook. He creates a rough schedule for the time of his training sessions and muscle groups he will train.
Helmut Strebl follows a set of rules to keep him in peak conditioning throughout the year. These principles include:
Always warm up before a workout
Maintain proper posture during an exercise
Focus on breathing properly
Stop lifting if you feel pain in your muscles or joints
Observe proper form
Use torso stabilization
Follow a full range of motion in every exercise
Helmut Strebl Workout Program
Strebl advocates taking your time and listening to your body during training. He also emphasizes the importance of performing exercises correctly.
Helmut’s insane muscle definition and symmetry are proof that he has a solid mind-muscle connection, and he trains with the intent of getting the best bang for his buck.
Monday: Back/Shoulders/Calves/Abs
Tuesday: Chest/Triceps
Bench Press: 5 sets of 6-10 reps
Stability Ball Dumbbell Bench Press: 5 sets of 10-15 reps
Butterfly Machine: 5 sets of 10-15 reps
Seated Barbell Tricep Extension: 5 sets of 8-12 reps
Dips: 5 sets of 15-20 reps
Wednesday: Biceps/Hamstrings/Abs
Thursday: Quads/Calves
Friday: Glutes/Chest (Heavy)
Lying-Down Machine Glutes Extension: 5 sets of 20-30 reps
Standing Machine Glutes Extension: 5 sets of 20-30 reps
Decline Close-Grip Bench Press: 5 sets of 3-5 reps
Saturday: Rest
Recovery Day
Sunday: Back/Calves
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Nutrition
For Helmut Strebl, Diet is where the magic happens. Unlike his workouts, he follows a strict diet and likes to plan it in advance. Strebl eats between five to seven meals every day. He eats lean protein in every meal. Some of his favorite high-quality protein sources include:
Egg whites
Turkey
Chicken
Beef
Whitefish
The Carb Cycling Genius
When it comes to his carbs, Helmut goes heavy on sweet potatoes and brown rice during the off-season. On the flip side, Strebl cuts his carbs aggressively while prepping for shows or modeling assignments.
“When I cut down for a competition, I do what is necessary to peak at 4% body-fat.” – Helmut Strebl
To achieve a 4% body fat level, Helmut decreases his carb intake and slightly bumps up his fat consumption. He also cycles carbs for about a month before any show. Each of his carb cycles lasts four days. For the first three days, Strebl eats anywhere between 150-200 grams of carbs while dividing them over six meals.
On the fourth day, he escalates his carb intake to 300-400 grams. After this ‘high day’ he starts the cycle again.
Helmut Strebl Diet Program
Meal 1: 5-8 Egg Whites + 1 Yolk, 1 Chicken, a large cup of Coffee, 3 Bagels with sweetener Jam, Mustard, Low-Fat Spread
Meal 2: Meal Replacement Shake (50 grams of protein, 80 grams of carbs)
Meal 3: Cooked Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken
Meal 4: Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken/Fish
Meal 5: Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken/Fish
Meal 6: 10-12 Egg Whites (No Yolk) and 4 slices of Brown Toast
“For I feel that to develop in the sport takes big dreams and a mindset for realizing them. Bodybuilding is the art of the possible.” – Helmut Strebl
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Supplements
Sustaining a 4% body fat level is no joke. Although Helmut Strebl has been involved in the fitness industry for a long time, he sticks to a few basic supplements.
A lot of that comes from him being an outspoken critic of anyone taking illegal physique enhancing drugs, which he says he has never touched.
Here are the supplements Helmut Strebl takes:
Whey Protein
Creatine
Multivitamin
Mike Mentzer Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Mike Mentzer
Mike Mentzer was an American IFBB professional bodybuilder born on 15 November 1951 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Mike was also an author, and his writings were widely read and appreciated.
While some bodybuilding fans considered Mentzer a genius, others called him a mystery. Sadly, the mystery could never be unraveled as Mentzer passed away at the age of 49.
Below is a complete breakdown of Mike Mentzer’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Mike Mentzer (Golden Era Bodybuilder)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
225-235 lbs
5’8″
15/11/1951
Division
Era
Nationality
Men’s Open
1970’s, ’80s
American
Biography
Famed for his scuffle with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1980 Olympia, Mike Mentzer was one of the best bodybuilders of the golden era.
Apart from being a top-level competitive bodybuilder, Mentzer was a straight-A student in school. As a pre-med student at the University of Maryland, Mentzer spent his time away from the gym studying genetics, physical and organic chemistry.
Mike “The Heavy Duty” Mentzer started training at the age of 12, and by the age of 15, he could bench press 370 lbs, with a bodyweight of 165 lbs.
Mentzer entered his first contest in 1971, and it turned out to be a humbling year for him. Although he won his very first competition (Mr. Lancaster), he finished in tenth place (his worst ever) in the very next show (AAU Mr. America).
Mike Mentzer suffered a severe shoulder injury in 1971 that disrupted his training. Mentzer started pumping iron again in 1975 after a four-year hiatus. He made a respectable comeback (1975 IFBB Mr. America), coming in at a modest third place.
Mentzer and Drug Abuse
While prepping for the 1980 Olympia, Mike Mentzer started using amphetamines. He claimed he needed it for productivity and did not use it for recreational purposes. The warning signs of waning health started showing soon after, but Mentzer paid no heed.
Twice during his prep, Mike awoke to find himself, “at death’s door.” He was so fatigued that he could not even raise his arms and had to stay in bed for the remainder of the day.
A couple of days before the 1980 Olympia, the “death’s door” feeling revisited Mike Mentzer. It wasn’t until the morning of the competition that he felt he had recovered.
Later that day, the retired Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his comeback at the 1980 Olympia. The news did not go down well with many contestants, including Mentzer.
By this time, Mike Mentzer had become popular and was a judge’s favorite. On top of that, many competitors believed that Mike, with his new fame, could win the 1980 Olympia purely on popularity.
As a result, an urgent meeting was called. Reportedly, insults were exchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger at the meeting, and a fight nearly broke out.
Long story short, Arnie was allowed to compete and won the Sandow despite breaking formation on several occasions and receiving a warning from the judges. Mike Mentzer, on the other hand, placed 5th.
The Decline of Mike Mentzer
In protest of his poor placing in 1980, Mike Mentzer boycotted the 1981 Olympia and retired soon after at the age of 29.
In 1983, Mentzer became the editor of ‘Workout Magazine‘. Although he enjoyed his work, he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines and occasionally stayed awake for two to three days straight.
For some reason, the owners of the magazine pulled the plug on the magazine. It dealt a crushing blow to Mentzer.
Soon after ‘Workout Magazine‘ ceased operations, Mike lost his beloved father. To add to his distress, Mike’s 10-year relationship with fiancee Cathy Gelfo came to an end around the same time.
These three unfortunate events, combined with the continued (ab)use of amphetamines led to Mike Mentzer’s decline. He passed away in 2001 at 49-years-old due to a heart attack.
The sad story does not end here. Mike’s younger brother Ray Mentzer (Mr. America 1979) discovered Mike’s dead body. The death of his beloved brother proved to be too much to bear for Ray. Ray too, died within 48 hours of Mike’s passing.
“Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. Erroneously attributing their lack of satisfactory progress to a poverty of the requisite genetic traits, instead of to their irrational training and dietary practices, they give up training. Don’t make the same mistake.” – Mike Mentzer
Competition History
1971 Mr. Lancaster – 1st
1971 AAU Mr. America – 10th
1971 AAU Teen Mr. America – 2nd
1975 IFBB Mr. America – 3rd (Medium)
1975 ABBA Mr. USA – 2nd (Medium)
1976 IFBB Mr. America – 1st (Overall)
1976 IFBB Mr. America – 1st (Medium)
1976 IFBB Mr. Universe – 2nd (MW)
1977 IFBB North American Championships – 1st (Overall)
1977 IFBB North American Championships – 1st (MW)
1977 IFBB Mr. Universe – 2nd (HW)
1978 IFBB USA vs the World – 1st (HW)
1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships – 1st (HW)
1979 IFBB Canada Pro Cup – 2nd
1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational – 1st
1979 IFBB Night of Champions – 3rd
1979 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (HW)
1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – 2nd
1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup – 1st
1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th
Training
Mike Mentzer followed a HIIT training routine. He followed a ‘heavy duty’ variation of the model. This system required Mentzer to use a weight that would take him to failure between 6-9 reps.
When he hit failure, Mike Mentzer kept going and performed 2-3 forced reps while using a spotter. Mike advocated following perfect form while training.
Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. Later, as his bodybuilding progressed, he would take between 4-7 days rest in between workouts.
Mike Mentzer’s training regimen included:
Monday: Legs, Chest, Triceps
1. Legs: Giant-set
2. Chest: Triset
3. Triceps: Triset
Pushdown: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Dips: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Lying triceps extension: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Wednesday: Back, Traps, Shoulders, Biceps
1. Back: Tri-set
Nautilus pull-over: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Close-grip pulldown: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Bent-over barbell row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
2. Traps: Superset
Universal machine shrug: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Upright row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
3. Shoulders & Biceps: Giant-set
Nautilus lateral raise: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Nautilus press: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Rear delt row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Standing barbell curl: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Concentration curl: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Nutrition
Mike Mentzer believed that bodybuilders did not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. He took a broad approach to his nutrition in terms of food sources and would eat according to four food groups.
Mike Mentzer’s diet program consisted of:
Cereal and grain: Four or more servings per day
Fruits and vegetables: Four or more servings per day
The high-protein group (fish, meat, eggs): Two or more servings each day (Basic serving of meat = 3.5 ounces)
Dairy products (milk and cheese): Two servings per day.
William Bonac Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of William Bonac
William Bonac is a pro bodybuilder and online personality who exhumes confidence, yet in the humblest of ways. His massive physique is one to envy and his competition results prove he can hang with the best of them.
Below is a complete breakdown of his profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: William Bonac
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
225-235 lbs.
5’7’’
05/18/1982
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilder, Social Media Personality
2010
Ghanaian
Biography
William Bonac is a professional bodybuilder from Ghana who at the age of 13, began training to promote a positive mindset and limit the amount of stress on himself. He took inspiration from bodybuilders like Kai Greene, Flex Wheeler, and of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger, he began to train harder and realized just what it took to win.
After a third place finish at the 2011 Arnold Amateur competition, people began to notice him and his climb through the bodybuilding ranks began. He began to compete and place in more and more professional shows. Having competed at many top shows, some notable finishes include a third-place finish at Mr. Olympia 2017, a second-place finish at Mr. Olympia 2019, and two first-place finishes at the Arnold Classic in 2018 and 2020. So while competition is fierce, William shows no signs of giving up easily.
With a large following on social media, William seeks to use this platform to promote his workouts and his brand, as well as help others achieve their fitness goals by providing motivation and inspiration for all.
Training
William typically trains with higher intensity and weight to really maximize hypertrophy. For William, focusing on his arms and legs are two important muscle groups, for his arms are what he is most known for and his legs tend to be his weakest part. Knowing what it takes to succeed against those on the pro circuit, William trains hard to see those massive gains.
Legs
Super Vertical Leg Press: 5 sets, 10 reps
Power Runner: 5 sets, 10 reps
Lying Hamstring Curls: 5 sets, 12 reps
Seated Calf Raise: 5 sets, 12 reps
Lying Calf Raise: 5 sets, 10 reps
Arms
Preacher Curls: 4 sets, 10 reps
Triceps Pushdowns: 4 sets, 10 reps
DB Biceps Curls: 4 sets, 12 reps
Barbell Curls: 4 sets, 12 reps
Triceps Extensions: 4 sets, 10 reps
Chest
Bench Press: 4 sets, 10 reps
DB Incline Flys: 4 sets, 10 reps
DB Pullover: 4 sets, 8 reps
DB Incline Press: 4 sets, 10 reps
Iso Chest Press: 4 sets, 10 reps
Back
Super Pullover Machine: 4 sets, 10 reps
Lat Pulldown: 4 sets, 10 reps
One Arm Lat Pulldown: 4 sets, 8 reps
Power Row: 4 sets, 10 reps
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, William sets himself up by buying in bulk and prepping for the entire week. This allows him to prepare meals for recovery, pre-training, post-workout, among others. For food included in his diet, William focuses on lean meat, fish, eggs, rice, potatoes, oats, fresh vegetables, nuts, and protein powder.
Supplementation
While William uses his own supplements of choice, a protein powder is an essential supplement in his regimen. What a good protein powder will do is boost growth and recovery by working to pump you with protein, an essential macronutrient for your muscles. Learn more about the best protein powders out there so you too can see massive gains like William.
Competition History
2021 Mr. Olympia, 6th place
2020 Olympia, 5th place
2020 Arnold Classic, 1st place
2019 Olympia, 2nd place
2019 Arnold Classic Australia, 1st place
2019 Arnold Classic, 2nd place
2018 Olympia, 4th place
2018 Arnold Classic Australia, 2nd place
2018 Arnold Classic, 1st place
2017 Prague Pro, 2nd place
2017 Arnold Classic Europe, 2nd place
2017 Olympia, 3rd place
2016 Olympia Europe, 3rd place
2016 Prague Pro, 1st place
2016 Kuwait Pro, 5th place
2016 Arnold Classic Europe, 3rd place
2016 Olympia, 5th place
2016 Nordic Pro, 1st place
2015 San Marino Pro, 2nd place
2015 Dayana Cadeau Pro, 1st place
2015 Nordic Pro, 1st place
2015 Prague Pro, 5th place
2015 Arnold Classic Europe, 6th place
2015 Olympia, 8th place
2014 San Marino Pro, 11th place
2014 Prague Pro, 8th place
2014 Arnold Classic Europe, 6th place
2014 Olympia, 15th place
2014 Tampa Pro, 2nd place
2014 Golden State Pro, 1st place
2014 Arnold Classic South America, 7th place
2014 Australian Pro Grand Prix, 2nd place
2013 Prague Pro, 5th place
Derek Lunsford Speaks On Potential Move To Open Bodybuilding
212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford will focus on defending title.
Derek Lunsford was finally able to get over the hump and win the Olympia in 2021. The Men’s 212 competitor took the next step in Orlando back in October and it is only right that he considers his next move. For Lunsford, the could be Open Bodybuilding.
Lunsford admitted in a recent interview that he has always had interest in competing in Open Bodybuilding. This is something that has been in the works but for now, Lunsford is focused on defending his title at the 2022 Olympia.
“Right now we’re focused on defending the 212 title but do I eventually want to be open? There are no questions asked man. I am a bodybuilder. I want to see my body continue to grow into the open,” Lunsford said.
“I’ve said it over and over and over again. I’ve always wanted to go open. I expect at some point I’ll be an open guy.”
Derek Lunsford has been a 212 competitor for the duration of his bodybuilding career. At 28 years old, he feels like his physique can still improve and this includes getting to the size of competitors in today’s Open Bodybuilding category.
“I’m 28 years old and I think that I need to spend a little bit more time in the gym developing my physique. How long will it take? We’ll see if my body just booms in one year who knows?”
Open Bodybuilding currently features some massive physiques. It is becoming a division full of mass monsters and that begins with reigning two-time Olympia champion Big Ramy. He remains at the top, along with Brandon Curry and Hadi Choopan. Lunsford can be another up-and-comer in the future that has a chance to make an impact. Nick Walker and Hunter Labrada currently fall under that category.
Derek Lunsford finished as Olympia runner-up twice in his career. During the 2020 show, Lunsford came in fourth. Shaun Clarida was the favorite entering 2021 to repeat as champion but Lunsford was able to pull off the upset. He earned his pro card in 2017 and won his first competition that same year at the 2017 Tampa Pro.
At some point, we will see Lunsford make the change but it does not seem to be happening right away. Lunsford has some more to accomplish in the 212 division and that begins with defending his title in 2022. Winning his first Olympia is something that could add some extra motivation for Lunsford moving forward. With over a year to prepare for the competition, the 2022 Olympia could have plenty of storylines and excitement to watch.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Iain Valliere: Men’s Open Bodybuilding Is About To Explode In Popularity After A Lull
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Two years ago, Iain Valliere thought the future of Men’s Open bodybuilding was looking grim… now he thinks it’s about to explode into new levels of popularity.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – bodybuilding has been going through a bit of a transition period over the last five or six years. The old guard of champions have slowly stepped down to new younger athletes – but the younger athletes have yet to truly enter their final form. This explains criticism of conditioning issues and questions of whether or not Classic Physique could take over as the number one division. Iain Valliere was worried as well just a few years ago – but now he believes we are on the verge of a new rise in popularity. In our latest GI Exclusive, Iain Valliere explains why Men’s Open has had a lull… and why he thinks it’s about to explode to new heights.
Iain Valliere is a Men’s Open bodybuilder who has been getting a lot of hype and attention in 2021. He’s not alone. He’s one of many younger athletes finally coming into their own and catching attention at major shows. Hunter Labrada, Regan Grimes, Sergio Oliva, and Nick Walker have all been turning heads. The best part? They aren’t even at the prime of their careers yet.
During our conversation, we asked Iain Valliere what his outlook for the Men’s Open division was in the next decade. He answered that if we had asked him two years ago, he would be pretty pessimistic. However now in 2021, Valliere is extremely optimistic and confident that the division is about to see a massive rise in attention.
Iain Valliere rewinds us back just a few years. Classic Physique was newly introduced during a controversial moment in the sport. Many fans and even experts were complaining about Men’s Open physiques. They felt the physiques were too soft and too bulky and that aesthetics were falling to the wayside. At the same time, Classic Physiques focus on aesthetics over mass monster size really caught on. It’s now one of the most exciting divisions in the sport. Many wondered if it could overtake Men’s Open as the most popular division – or at the very least change the way Men’s Open physiques looked.
During this time, we also had constantly shifting Olympia champions. First a final win from a waning Phil Heath, then Shawn Rhoden’s more aesthetic physique, then Brandon Curry – who received some criticism for the state of his physique at the time. Iain Valliere thought things were looking grim. Where was the excitement for the original division that made bodybuilding great?
But then suddenly everything changed. The younger bodybuilders were finally making headroom on the stage. They built more of a fanbase and are the first generation to really embrace and be born with the social media era. Valliere believes that this engagement with social media alongside physiques that are finally coming into better form are bringing Men’s Open bodybuilding back to a boil.
“I think right now when you look at how many young guys there are that have been really good about putting content out and giving access to the lives of pro bodybuilders and keeping that tradition alive,” Iain Valliere stated in our interview. He continued:
“…And I think there are so many promising young athletes… guys like me and Nick. Hunter, Akeem, Nathan, James Hollingshead. Guys that are in their early 30s that are so promising that are also so good at talking to their fans and so good at putting good information out there. I think these guys are gonna be the leaders on the forefront of keeping that division growing. And I think really over the next five, six, seven years – I think it’s going to explode again.”
In 2013, the film Generation Iron gave an inside look into many of the greatest bodybuilders competing at the time. As of today, many of those athletes are now retired or slowly stepping aside. On top of that, the insight into pro bodybuilders’ lives has blown wide open due to social media. It was a turbulent time of change but it seems that the change is finally making headway to a new pinnacle era of the sport. Perhaps Valliere is right. In the next five or six years we very well may have another Golden Era of bodybuilding.
You can watch Iain Valliere’s full comments on Men’s Open bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Shaun Clarida Looking To Compete In Both Men’s Open And 212 Olympia in 2022
Shaun Clarida could be pursuing two Olympia titles next year.
Heading into the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro, one of the big stories was Shaun Clarida preparing to make his debut in Men’s Open. The former 212 Olympia champion made the announcement in the week leading up to the competition. After a victory, Clarida wants to explore the opportunity of competing in two divisions during next year’s Olympia.
In a recent interview, Clarida discussed how he wants to use his qualification to the 2022 Olympia in both divisions. This would have to be approved before he was able to make it happen.
“I would absolutely love the opportunity to do that. I would love to talk to Jim (Manion), Tyler (Manion), Jake (Wood), whoever is in charge of making that decision, and hopefully they would allow me to do that. That would be amazing,” Clarida said.
“Obviously we’re going to be at the show regardless, but with the improvement’s we’re going to make this coming year, obviously the goal is to get my title back at 212, but I would love to really push myself and see what I can do in the Open Olympia this year. It’s definitely a decision that the higher ups are going to have to make, I’m going to respect whatever decision they decide to go with, but yeah if they allowed me the opportunity to do that, to cross over and to move, you bet your ass I’m gong to do that.”
Shaun Clarida continued by saying he was not sure which division he would choose if he was unable to compete in both. There are reasons for Clarida to choose either division and this will be the big question leading up to the show next year if he is unable to appear in both.
Clarida won the Olympia 212 back in 2020. He was the favorite coming into this year’s competition but finished second to Derek Lunsford. It seems obvious that Clarida would want to get his title back as soon as possible. On the other hand, competing in Men’s Open is the pinnacle of the sport and Clarida already showed that he can stack up.
When Clarida first made his announcement, he mentioned that it was not a permanent change and he did not plan to leave 212. Now that he has a competition victory in Men’s Open under his belt, it will be interesting to see if that notion changes.
The 2022 Olympia will take place in December of next year in Las Vegas. Clarida has earned his qualification and is planning to be present on stage. The question will remain, which division will he compete in?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Former 212 Olympia Champ Shaun Clarida To Compete In Men’s Open This Month
Shaun Clarida is prepared to venture into a new category of bodybuilding.
Shaun Clarida has been one of the top competitors in the Men’s 212 division for years now. After reaching the pinnacle of 212, Clarida announced that he will venture into a new world of bodybuilding and compete in Men’s Open later this month.
Clarida took to Instagram on Tuesday morning to make the announcement. He will appear on stage during the Legion Sports Fest in Reno, NV. This event will take place from Oct. 22-24 with some elite competitors scheduled to make an appearance.
“? SURPRISE SURPRISE!!?
They said I wasn’t a GIANT KILLER because I never competed in the open, well, ask and you shall receive! #ChallengeAccepted“
Shaun Clarida is coming off a second-place finish at the 2021 Olympia in the 212 division. This comes one year after his championship during the 2020 competition. Clarida has finished in the top three in each of the last three years. This year, Derek Lunsford was able to get over the hump and defeat Clarida in the Olympia.
Clarida acknowledges the challenge that competing in Men’s Open will be and this is something that drew him to the competition. He wants to prove that he can hang with some of the biggest athletes in the sport. While addressing his intention to compete in Men’s Open later this month, Clarida made it clear that he is not leaving the 212 division.
“*It’s always been my plan to do an open show to give myself a new challenge and ultimately just have fun. I’ve always said timing is everything, so after placing 2nd at the Olympia, already being in shape and having absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain, this is a great opportunity to show that I’m not just a good 212 bodybuilder but a good bodybuilder period!,” Shaun clarida wrote.
(P.S I’m NOT leaving the 212 Division)”
In his Instagram post, Clarida shared the list of competitors scheduled to compete at the Legion Sports Fest. Cedric McMillan and Patrick Moore are on the list and will give Clarida immediate competition. Regan Grimes is also set to appear along with Maxx Charles. The list continues with the likes of Sergio Oliva Jr., who continues to be one of the best posers in the game.
After looking at the list of competitors, there is no doubt that Clarida will be challenged. This is something that the New Jersey native is looking for.
Clarida competed in his first Olympia 212 back in 2015. He has not missed one since that night and it seems like he will continue to be a force in the division moving forward. This venture into Men’s Open will only continue to strengthen Clarida’s game and his physique.
Shaun Clarida will look to prove that he can hang with the big boys in Men’s Open. This will be an event to watch to see how the 212 competitor matches up.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Mr. Olympia 2021 Results For All Divisions
Mr. Olympia 2021: The Complete Results.
The Olympia is the biggest event of the year and it is one that never disappoints. This year, the best in the world gathered to Orlando to put on a memorable show over the course of the weekend.
The full results have been announced and it was highlighted by the Men’s Open division.
This year still had some issues carried over related to COVID-19 but it went much smoother this time around. The Men’s Open division saw some shake ups this year with different competitors being in and out. Nathan De Asha had to pull out of the competition because of travel issues while seven-time champion Phil Heath decided not to participate.
Despite some missing links, the division was as strong as ever led by reigning champion, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. During the prejudging, there was a clear top three with Big Ramy and second-place finisher in 2020 Brandon Curry. This included Hadi Choopan, who was fourth a year ago.
The Men’s Open competitors took the stage on Friday night for prejudging and fans had to wait until Saturday to see who would hoist the trophy. The full results have been announced and you can check out a full recap of the entire weekend below.
Mr. Olympia 2021 Results
The Men’s Open division did not disappoint. Big Ramy was crowned the winner and took control during prejudging. Brandon Curry finished second and Hadi Choopan took third once again. The top five was strong as a unit with Nick Walker taking fifth and Hunter Labrada jumping up three spots from last year into the fourth place.
This is the second-straight Olympia victory for Big Ramy, defeating Curry once again. After prejudging, these two were the clear favorites and that is exactly how it played out.
First Place – Mamdouh Elssbiay
Second Place – Brandon Curry
Third Place – Hadi Choopan
Fourth Place – Hunter Labrada
Fifth Place – Nick Walker
Bikini Olympia 2021 Results
The Bikini Olympia was wide open this year and ready to crown a new champion. Janey Layug, who won the competition in 2020, was not competing which means there would be a new winner. In the end, it was Jennifer Dorie picking up her second victory in two weeks. Dorie was victorious at the Arnold Classic two weeks ago.
Lauralie Chapados finished with the silver medal while Ashley Kaltwasser, who is a former Olympia champion, finished in third place. Dorie set a tone moving forward after her most-recent victories. This is a stretch of success she will look to continue.
First Place – Jennifer Dorie
Second Place – Lauralie Chapados
Third Place – Ashley Kaltwasser
Fourth Place – Maureen Blanquisco
Fifth Place – Elisa Pecini
Classic Physique Olympia 2021 Results
There was a clear top tier coming into the weekend in Classic Physique. Chris Bumstead was the reigning two-time champion and the competitor to beat. The top three played out exactly how it did in 2020 and Bumstead made it three in a row.
Terrence Ruffin, fresh off a victory in the Arnold Classic, finished with silver once again while Breon Ansley finished third for the second-straight year. Bumstead and Ruffin have asserted their dominance at the top but it is clear that the Canadian bodybuilder is as good as it gets.
First Place – Chris Bumstead
Second Place – Terrence Ruffin
Third Place – Breon Ansley
Fourth Place – Urs Kalecinski
Fifth Place – Ramon Rocha Queiroz
Men’s Physique Olympia 2021 Results
Brandon Hendrickson came into the Olympia looking to make it three victories in four years. He was defeated in 2019 but regained his title last year. Hendrickson made it three victories with a win in Orlando this weekend. First-time Olympia competitor Erin Banks won the New York Pro and solidified his talent with a second-place finish.
Diogo Montenegro climbed to third place at the event. Raymont Edmonds, former Olympia champion, finished fifth and it was a bit of a surprise. This allowed some new competitors to climb up in the standings. Even with that, Hendrickson is difficult to defeat.
First Place – Brandon Hendrickson
Second Place – Erin Banks
Third Place – Diogo Montenegro
Fourth Place – Kyron Holden
Fifth Place – Raymont Edmonds
Men’s 212 Olympia 2021 Results
The Men’s 212 division is one of the top in the sport. This is a title that Derek Lunsford has been attempting to grab for years now. He came into this year’s competition in exceptional shape and that showed during the prejudging round. It came down to Lunsford and 2020 Olympia champ Shaun Clarida.
In the end, it was Lunsford who was able to get over the hump and pick up the title. Clarida finished third followed by Kamal Elgargni, who fell one spot from his finish in 2020.
First Place – Derek Lunsford
Second Place – Shaun Clarida
Third Place – Kamal Elgargni
Fourth Place – Angel Calderon Frias
Fifth Place – Nathan Epler
Sixth Place – Ahmad Ashkanani
Seventh Place – Naser Mohammed
Eight Place – Kerrith Bajjo
Ninth Place – John Jewett
Tenth Place – Tonio Burton
Ms. Olympia 2021 Results
Since the return of Ms. Olympia to the show, it has been nothing but success for Andrea Shaw. This is an event that was dormant since 2014 but returned last year. This is when Shaw took home her first title and made it two in a row this year.
Shaw led a top three that was the same as 2020. Helle Trevino and Margie Martin switched spots this time around. Trevino finished with the silver medal while Martin came in third place. It was clear who the top-tier of competitors were coming in and Shaw asserted her dominance once again.
First Place – Andrea Shaw
Second Place – Helle Trevino
Third Place – Margie Martin
Fourth Place – Mona PourSaleh
Fifth Place – Irene Anderson
Sixth Place — Michaela Aycock
Seventh Place — Virginia Sanchez
Eighth Place — Janeen Lankowski
Ninth Place — Margita Zamolova
Tenth Place — Nadia Capotosto
Women’s Physique Olympia 2021 Results
Sarah Villegas took home the title in 2020 by defeating two-time champion Shanique Grant. She took over the division and solidified that this time around. Villegas captured her second-straight Olympia Women’s Physique title on Friday night.
Natalia Abraham Coelho finished second and Brooke Walker took home the bronze.
First Place – Sarah Villegas
Second Place – Natalia Abraham Coehlo
Third Place – Brooke Walker
Fourth Place – Barbara Menage
Fifth Place – Ana Harias
Sixth Place — Melissa Teich
Seventh Place — Ivie Rhein
Eighth Place — Christelle Zarovska
Ninth Place — Patricia Gosselin
Tenth Place — Anne-Lorraine Mohn
Figure Olympia 2021 Results
The Figure division has a clear-cut favorite and it is Cydney Gillon. She made it five in a row with a victory in Orlando this weekend. Gillon is an extremely-decorated competitor since she became a pro and that is highlighted by her victories on the biggest stage.
Gillon defeated the likes of Natalia Soltero and Stephanie Gibson. There have been some strong competitors coming into their own but Gillon has remained unbeatable for half a decade.
First Place – Cydney Gillon
Second Place – Natalia Soltero
Third Place – Stephanie Gibson
Fourth Place – Jessica Reyes Padilla
Sixth Place – Nicole Zenobia Graham
Sixth Place — Larhannah Robinson
Seventh Place — An Da Jeong
Eighth Place — Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
Ninth Place — Lola Montez
Tenth Place — Heather Dees
Fitness Olympia 2021 Results
Fitness has become a deep division and Missy Truscott has been at the top for the last year. She entered as the reigning champion and coming off a victory at the Arnold Classic two weeks ago. In the end, she placed second to Whitney Jones, who was able to regain her title. Jones held off Truscott and Oksana Grishina to get back the gold.
First Place – Whitney Jones
Second Place – Missy Truscott
Third Place – Oksana Grishina
Fourth Place – Ariel Khadr
Fifth Place – Jaclyn Baker
Sixth Place — Tamara Vahn
Seventh Place — Sara Kovach
Eighth Place — Darrian Borello
Ninth Place — Minna Pajulahti
Tenth Place — Aurika Tyrgale
Wellness Olympia 2021 Results
Wellness was brand new to the Olympia this year which means there was no history to base results. In a way, this was refreshing to see as Francielle Mattos became the first champion of Olympia Wellness. Angela Borges was the first competitor to qualify for the Olympia and she put on a strong showing with the silver medal. Isabelle Nunes finished third.
First Place – Francielle Mattos
Second Place – Angela Borges
Third Place – Isabelle Nunes
Fourth Place – Yarisha Ayala
Fifth Place – Julia Chittara
Sixth Place – Sunny Andrews
Seventh Place – Isamara dos Santos
Eighth Place – Bruna Seredich
Ninth Place – Lorena Ragusa
Tenth Place – Barbara Emanuele Cesar
Wheelchair Olympia 2021 Results
Wheelchair Olympia has become a popular event and one that is rapidly growing into other shows. On the biggest stage, it has been Harold Kelley who has been dominant. This year, Kelley retained his title to make it three in a row.
First Place – Harold Kelley
Second Place – Gabriele Andriulli
Third Place – Anthony Khadraoui
Fourth Place – Adolfo Cerame Jr.
Firth Place – Tyler Brey
Sixth Place – Chad McCrary
Seventh Place – Bradley Betts
Eighth Place – Johnny Quinn
Official Olympia 2021 Scorecards
Olympia 2021 Men’s Open Prejudging Report & Analysis
Here is a full breakdown from the Men’s Open rejudging from Friday night.
The Men’s Open division is the biggest event in the sport. The Olympia stage is where the best competitors in the world come to show the progress they have made and take home a championship. This year, Big Ramy is defending his title and is the name to beat.
There is plenty of competition and we saw this in the prejudging. Nick Walker was part of the first callout. Walker won the New York Pro and Arnold Classic this year. William Bonac put all of his focus into the Olympia after being forced to miss the Arnold Classic — a competition he won back in 2020. Former Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry and Hadi Choopan, who finished second last year, was also part of the first callout.
As the callouts progressed, it was clear who the top competitors were. The judges went through an intense variation of poses and it went on for six callouts. In the final callout, it was just two athletes. Big Ramy and Curry stood side-by-side for comparisons and put on a show fr the crowd. In the fifth callout, Walker and Choopan joined the likes of Bonac, Labrada, and Valliere.
At this point, the Men’s Open division is anyone’s race. With that being said, there are some that have began pulling away. Check out a full breakdown of the prejudging of Men’s Open from Friday night.
Callout Report
First Callout
Nick Walker
Hadi Choopan
Hunter Labrada
William Bonac
Mamdouh Elssbiay
Brandon Curry
Second Callout
Roelly Winklaar
Iain Valliere
Akim Williams
Mohamed Shaaban
Justin Rodriguez
James Hollingshead
Third Callout
Andrea Presti
Patrick Moore
Regan Grimes
Hassan Mostafa
Fourth Callout
Akim Williams
Roelly Winklaar
Mohamed Shaaban
James Hollingshead
Fifth Callout
Nick Walker
William Bonac
Iain Valliere
Hadi Choopan
Hunter Labrada
Sixth Callout
Mamdouh Elssbiay
Brandon Curry
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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.
2021 Olympia: Men’s Open Preview & Predictions
Here is a breakdown and predictions in the Men’s Open division at the 2021 Olympia.
The 2021 Olympia will take place this weekend in Orlando. This is the biggest competition of the year and many of the top bodybuilders in the world will be on stage competing.
The list is impressive despite some big names being unable to compete in the event. Nathan De Asha is coming off a victory at the Arnold Classic UK but will be forced to miss the Olympia because of legal issues impacting his visa. Vlad Suhokuchro will also be absent because of travel issues. Other competitors such as Phil Heath and Dexter Jackson have also announced that they will not be competing.
This does not mean that the competition will be a bust — quite the opposite. The lineup is elite and you can find the entire list below, along with a breakdown and predictions for Men’s Open.
2021 Olympia List of Competitors
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Hadi Choopan (Iran)
Brandon Curry (USA)
Mamdouh Elssbiay (Egypt)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
James Hollingshead (UK)
Hunter Labrada (USA)
Patrick Moore (USA)
Hassan Mostafa (Egypt)
Andrea Presti (Italy)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)
Iain Valliere (Canada)
Nicholas Walker (USA)
Akim Williams (USA)
Roelly Winklaar (Curacao)
Honorable Mentions
Justin Rodriguez
Justin Rodriguez has been improving each time he steps on stage and this includes a fourth-place finish at the Arnold Classic. Now, he will have a chance to see how he matches up with some other elite competitors. Rodriguez is a dark-horse heading into this competition and could crack the top six if all goes right.
Hunter Labrada
According to his father and legendary bodybuilding Lee Labrada, Hunter Labrada is destined to win an Olympia in his career. That will not be this year but he has a victory in the Chicago Pro this year. Labrada is just scratching the surface of his potential and this could be a stepping stone moving forward.
Men’s Open Top 6
6. Iain Valliere
Iain Valliere appeared at the 2020 Olympia and finished seventh. He has a chance to move up a spot and be a first callout competitor at this year’s event. It has been a strong year for Valliere. He took home titles in the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro on back-to-back weekends. He put on a show at the Arnold Classic and took home second place. Judges like Valliere and he could continue to strengthen his resume with a good performance this weekend.
5. Brandon Curry
It was a controversial victory for Brandon Curry at the 2019 Olympia. After being defeated last year, Curry knows the improvements that need to be made and he highlighted them during training. Curry can prove that his victory was not a fluke and that he still an elite competitor in the sport. He is continuing to improve and that can be shown on stage this year.
4. William Bonac
It is official. William Bonac will be present at the Olympia after missing the Arnold Classic. He was the reigning champion of the event and was unable to defend his title. Now, Bonac has been able to put all of his energy into the most-important competition of the year. Just being back on stage should be enough motivation for Bonac and he certainly looks the part. He is one of the best competitors in the world and will show it this weekend.
3. Nick Walker
Nick Walker has the New York Pro checked off his list and added the Arnold Classic this year. He has won the two biggest competitions outside of the Olympia and could make it three-for-three in Orlando. While Walker might not win the show, he is a first callout competitor that will put on a show. Walker has great size and has top notch conditioning. Walker is a relatively new name to bodybuilding and has already made a huge impact as a pro.
2. Hadi Choopan
It is all lined up for Hadi Choopan to finish near the top of the Olympia once again. He was able to arrive early this year and that means there was plenty of time to prepare. Choopan has been working with Hany Rambod and seems to be in incredible shape. Choopan has not competed since last year’s Olympia and qualified this year with a fourth place finish. In 2019, Choopan finished third so he has experience near the top. This year, he has a chance to set a new best placing and challenge for a title.
1. Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay
Olympia champions have went on streaks dating back to the days of Arnold Schwarzenegger. There has not been a repeat winner since 2017 when Phil Heath won his seventh-straight title. This is what Big Ramy can achieve this year and he has to be considered the favorite. If he comes in looking as shredded as last year, Big Ramy will be difficult to beat. There are some who believe that it is already in the bag. He has showed off his incredible physique leading up to the event and it looks like he is going to be in his best shape trying to win his second-straight Olympia.
Generation Iron will have full updates and coverage of the 2021 Olympia. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.