Rodriguez, Vaillant, Brandao and de Angelis ahead of Arnold Classic 2024

Luis Rodriguez, Antoine Vaillant, Rafael Brandao and Marcello de Angelis are among the fighters who will try to make the path to victory as uncomfortable as possible for the two biggest favourites of the Arnold Classic 2024, Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda, at the beginning of March.

Professional bodybuilding legends Milos Sarcev, Dennis James and Chris Cormier recently spoke about their favourites for the Top 5.

All three of the above mentioned legends have even included two of the fighters mentioned in the introduction in their picks, with Sharchev and Cormier believing in an excellent placing of professional newcomer Marcello de Angelis, while Dennis James sees Rafael Brandao highly.

Luis Rodriguez

The most experienced fighter of the named foursome, as far as the Arnold Classic podium is concerned, is Luis Rodriguez. He has competed in the second most prestigious bodybuilding event in the world four times, in 2018, when he finished 7th, 2021, when he managed to fight his way to a great 4th place, 2022, when he finished 5th, and then last year, when he had to settle for 8th place.

Luis would, of course, like to follow up the 2021 or 2022 edition and make his way into the top 5 again. Given the starting field, which is really stacked this year, that's not an easy goal.

Below, through the attached photos, you can judge Luis' form about 6.5 weeks before he is due to enter the podium.

Antoine Vaillant

Antoine Vaillant will add a premiere at the traditional North American event to his resume this year. He also plans to compete at the Arnold Classic UK 2024, which will take place in two weeks' time.

You can judge his form, too, some seven weeks before the start of this year's competition season, thanks to the attached pictures.

Rafael Brandao

After missing last year's competition season, Rafael Brandao, who is a ward of the aforementioned Milos Sarcev, will be wearing the swimsuit again. It is quite funny that Šarčev did not include his ward, who managed to dominate the Arnold Classic Brazil in 2022, in his picks for the Top 5, but Denis James did, who even believes in him enough to pick him for the 3rd place!

Judge Rafael's fitness seven weeks before he is set to compete in the contest backed by bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger via the video below.

Marcello de Angelis

Marcello de Angelis will make only his second start among the heavyweights at the Arnold Classic 2024. He dazzled everyone at last year's Romania Muscle Fest Pro, where he fought his way to an outstanding bronze!

So it's no wonder that Marcello appears in the Top 5 picks of both Chris Cormier, who trusts him for 5th place, and Milos Sarchev, who even sees him 4th! Milos is Marcello's coach.

In the attached photo Marcello offers his form seven weeks before the competition.