Mr. Olympia 2019 - the new king of professional bodybuilding is Brandon Curry!

Author: František Randáček

15.09.2019

8 minut čtení

This year's Olympia Weekend is now over! It ended, as it does every year, with the final duels of the Mr. Olympia competition.

The world's most prestigious bodybuilding competition began its history in 1965, when its goal was to bring together the best of the best on one stage. And that's still the case today!
There isn't a bodybuilder in the world who hasn't wanted to appear on the stage of this famous competition at least once in their life!

Although this year's 55th edition was marred by the absence of the two most recent Mr. Olympia titleholders Phil Heath and Shawn Rhoden, and the absence of the monstrous Mamdouh Elssbiay, it should have been all the more exciting. Was it really? Saturday's semifinals gave a clue.

In his first semi-final call, as expected, Brandon Curry, William Bonac, Dexter Jackson, Roelly Winklaar, Hadi Choopan and surprisingly also Steve Kuclo stood next to each other at the request of the judges.
Already during this comparison it was obvious that the foursome of Curry, Bonac, Winklaar and Choopan were fighting for the placement in the Top 4, with different rotations in the middle of the line.

Brandon Curry was considered the biggest favourite to win the event long before the competition, and this year he excelled at the Arnold Classic, where he literally took many people's breath away!

From a rather mediocre Olympia participant, who finished at the very tail of the results list of the competition, in three years he has worked his way up to one of the candidates to win the title of Mr. Olympia, the most valuable bodybuilding trophy ever!

Brandon was confident throughout the contest, which started at the press conference where he stated that although people say this contest is open, he is the one holding the door handle and ready to close it!

And he seemed to be right as he gave the most powerful performance of his career on stage! His muscles were full and hard, and all together he was downright impressive in some of the poses!
However, he lacked sharpness in certain parts. In this he was literally outdone by the Bonac - Choopan pair, who did not allow him to close that imaginary door for the time being.

William once again offered here, besides his excellent form, also his proverbial muscles with 3D effect, despite the fact that he had been training alone for the last few weeks after his break-up with trainer Neill Hill.

"The Persian Wolf" Hadi Choopan was then clearly one of the best prepared fighters on stage, offering not only impressive volume for his height, but also excellent separation, sculpting and muscle density, which was accentuated by his paper-thin skin!
It was hard to believe that Hadi weighed only 100 kilograms.

Footage of the semi-final fights

The final was full of expectations!

David Pecker, CEO of American Media, Inc., the company that owns 100% of Olympia Weekend, opened the event with his speech.
In his speech, he remembered all the previous Mr. Olympia winners and dedicated this year's edition to the memory of the recently deceased Franco Columbo.

The final itself only confirmed that the aforementioned trio of Curry, Choopan and Bonac were already fighting for the title. Whichever of them the judges would have preferred, no one would have objected, because each of them was different, each was unique, and each was really great!

The imposingly powerful Curry. The 3D muscle effect of Bonac. The dusty Choopan. Who will be this year's Mr. Olympia?

Brandon Curry, only the 15th Mr. Olympia in the 55-year history of the competition, capped off an outstanding season that began with a win at the Arnold Classic in March.

Curry said after the results were announced, which his family joined him on stage to celebrate, that it was his family that he thanks for where he is today! Without her, and without her permission to prepare far away in Kuwait, in long separation, he would never have achieved such results.
He also mentioned that he will definitely be back next year, with the goal of defending his title!

Second place, the best finish at Olympia so far, was achieved by William Bonac! This is despite the fact that he did not compete here in the form of his life. He can rightfully rank among the best bodybuilders in the world!

A great third place in his first start here was won by the "Persian Wolf" Hadi Choopan! At this moment he still can't believe that he has managed to get the visa necessary to enter the USA. As he stated after the competition, he prepared for it knowing that there was a 10% chance of participating!
In addition, Hadi has earned the title of fan champion!

20th start at Mr. Olympia! 15th in the Top 6! That's Dexter Jackson, who at 50 years of age managed to take fourth place here this year!
The 2008 Mr. Olympia title holder was one of the candidates for the victory, but he was not able to show his best form at the competition. Even so, he has long since made an indelible mark in bodybuilding history!

The last vacant place in the Top 5 was taken by Roelly Winklaar. The monstrous competitor with the incredible "WOW" factor was not competing here in the same form as last year. Had it been the other way around, he would probably have been the one to fight Curry for the title!

Among the other competitors, let's definitely mention our Lukas Osladil, who took a great 8th place here! Lukas was one of the best prepared competitors in the starting field with Hadi Choopan and Patrick Moore, and his back biceps pose is one of the highlights of every event he takes part in!
Lukas would have needed some extra pounds to put him among the very top of the pack, but he still met his goal, which he mentioned during the press conference.

Patrick Moore had a very successful debut at Mr. Olympia, finishing in 10th place. Many, like myself, saw him higher, especially considering the fact that he was not only one of the best prepared fighters on the stage, but his physique and performance was reminiscent of the stars of the late 80s and early 90s!
A wasp waist, great arms, excellent posing and the associated muscle control, these are assets that few people have nowadays!
If he can pack more pounds of muscle onto his frame and still retain his assets, his name will be heard very loudly!

Footage of the final fights

Announcement of the results

Results:

1. Brandon Curry - qualified for Mr. Olympia 2020
2. William Bonac - qualified for Mr. Olympia 2020
3. Hadi Choopan - qualified for Mr. Olympia 2020
4. Dexter Jackson - qualified for Mr. Olympia 2020
5. Roelly Winklaar - qualified for Mr. Olympia 2020
6. Steve Kuclo
7. Cedric McMillan

8. Lukáš Osladil
9. Akim Williams
10. Patrick Moore
11. Luke Sandoe
12. Jonathan Delarosa
13. Max Charles
14. Juan Morel
15. Michael Lockett
16. Mohamed Shaaban