Olympia Weekend 2019 - Mr. Olympia Pre-Competition Special!
Author: Here we go! This year's Olympia Weekend has just begun!
It all started on Saturday, September 18, 1965, when the first ever Mr. Olympia competition, the ultimate competition for professional bodybuilders, was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Over time, the whole event has grown, and today we know it as Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend. It features men battling for the title not only at the aforementioned Mr. Olympia, but also the Olympia 212 Showdown, Classic Physique and Physique.
Women are also featured in the Bikini Fitness, Fitness, Figure and Physique competitions.
Below, we take a closer look at those who will be competing in the world's most watched bodybuilding competition, Mr. Olympia.
A total of 20 competitors have qualified for the 55th edition of this competition. But not all of them will be competing.
As you already know, the defending champion Shawn Rhoden, who was denied entry by the organizers on the basis of a criminal prosecution, will not take part in the competition.
Nathan De Asha, who is also in trouble with the law, will also not be competing and his court date does not allow him to compete.
Some time ago Joshua Lenartowicz withdrew from the race due to health problems.
The seven-time Mr. Olympia title holder Phil Heath, who had a long recovery from an umbilical hernia operation, will not be on the podium either.
Cedric McMillan, on the other hand, will appear at the competition, despite not qualifying! In fact, he received a wild card from the competition organizers, based on a letter explaining that his work in the army and the missions associated with it did not allow him to prepare well. It should be noted that this fact was accepted by many of his colleagues with great reluctance!
Watch Olympia Weekend live!
Previous winners
In the 54-year history of Mr. Olympia, only 14 fighters can boast the title of Mr. Olympia so far. They are:
- Larry Scott - 1965 and 1966
- Sergio Oliva - 1967, 1968 and 1969
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1980
- Franco Columbu - 1976 and 1981
- Frank Zane - 1977, 1978 and 1979
- Chris Dickerson - 1982
- Samir Bannout - 1983
- Lee Haney - 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991
- Dorian Yates - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997
- Ronnie Coleman - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Jay Cutler - 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010
- Dexter Jackson - 2008
- Phil Heath - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017
- Shawn Rhoden - 2018
That leaves only Dexter Jackson as the defending champion this year. However, he will be 50 years old in a few days, and many experts do not believe in his success.
So it's likely that this year a brand new king, the 15th king, will dominate the sport!
Who will be the king of professional bodybuilding this year?
Roelly Winklaar
Age: 42 years old
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 120 kg
Professional since: 2009
(Triumph at the Arnold Classic Amateur)
Number of professional starts: 30
Number of professional triumphs: 10
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 5
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
3rd place(2018)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
3rd place atMr. Olympia 2018
William Bonac
Age: 37 years old
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 106.5 kg
Professional since: 2010
(Triumph at the Juliette Bergmann Classic)
Number of professional starts: 29
Number of professional triumphs: 8
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 5
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
3rd place (2017)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
4th place Mr. Olympia 2018
Brandon Curry
Age: 36 years old
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 118 kg
Professional since: 2008
(triumph at NPC USA)
Number of professional starts: 35
Number of professional triumphs: 6
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 6
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
5th place (2018)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
5th place atMr. Olympia 2018
Dexter Jackson
Age: 49 years old
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 107 kg
Professional since: 1998
(Triumph at the North American Championships)
Number of professional starts: 89
Number of professional triumphs: 29
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 19
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
1st place (2008)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at Mr. Olympia 2008 (lifetime opportunity to participate)
Clarence DeVis
Age: 35 years old
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 105 kg
Professional since: 2007
(absolute triumph at the Belgian Championships)
Number of professional starts: 16
Number of professional triumphs: 1
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 0
Best result at Mr. Olympia: -
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at the 2018 George Farah Classic.
Max Charles
Age: 39 years old
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 125 kg
Professional since: 2013
(triumph at NPC USA)
Number of professional starts: 23
Number of professional triumphs: 2
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 2
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
12th place (2015)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at Romania Muscle Fest Pro 2018.
Steve Kuclo
Age: 34 years old
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 125 kg
Professional since: 2011
(triumph at NPC USA)
Number of professional starts: 22
Number of professional triumphs: 5
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 5
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
9th place (2014)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at the 2019 Indy Pro.
Juan Morel
Age: 37 years old
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 122,5 kg
Professional since: 2011
(Triumph at the NPC North American Championships)
Number of professional starts: 28
Number of professional triumphs: 6
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 3
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
10th place (2014)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at the 2019 Arnold Classic South America.
Patrick Moore
Age: 37 years old
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 108 kg
Professional since: 2014
(Triumph at the NPC Phil Heath Classic)
Number of professional starts: 3
Number of professional triumphs: 1
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 0
Best result at Mr. Olympia: -
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at California Pro 2019.
Jonathan Delarosa
Age: 35 years old
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 105 kg
Professional since: 2011
(triumph at NPC USA)
Number of professional starts: 22
Number of professional triumphs: 3
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 2
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
14th place (2014)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at the 2019 Wings of Strength Puerto Rico Pro.
Michael Lockett
Age: 36 years old
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 109 kg
Professional since: 2014
(Triumph at NPC Nationals)
Number of professional starts: 22
Number of professional triumphs: 4
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 3
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
15th place(2018)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at Wings of Strength Chicago 2019.
Hadi Choopan
Age: 42 years old
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 100 kg
Professional since: 2016
(Triumph at the Olympia Amateur Showdown)
Number of professional starts: 5
Number of professional triumphs: 3
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 0
Best result at Mr. Olympia: -
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at the 2019 Vancouver Pro.
Mohamed Shaaban
Age: 39 years old
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 102 kg
Professional since: 2016
(Triumph at Diamond Cup Dubai)
Number of professional starts: 5
Number of professional triumphs: 1
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 0
Best result at Mr. Olympia: -
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Triumph at Portugal Pro 2019.
Lukas Osladil
Age: 39 years old
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 108 kg
Professional since: 2005
(European Champion)
Number of professional starts: 28
Number of professional triumphs: 4
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 3
Best result at Mr. Olympia:
12th place(2018)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
1st place in the qualification ranking
Luke Sandoe
Age: 30 years
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 112 kg
Professional since: 2015
(overall triumph at the British Championships)
Number of professional starts: 8
Number of professional triumphs: 0
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 0
Best result at Mr. Olympia: -
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
2nd place in the qualification ranking.
Akim Williams
Age: 35 years old
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 125 kg
Professional since: 2013
(triumph at the IFBB North American Championships)
Number of professional starts: 19
Number of professional triumphs: 1
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 1
Best result at Mr. Olympia: 15th place (2016)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
3rd place in the qualification ranking.
Cedric McMillan
Age: 42 years old
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 127 kg
Professional since: 2009
(Triumph at NPC Nationals)
Number of professional starts: 25
Number of professional triumphs: 6
Number of starts at Mr. Olympia: 4
Best result at Mr. Olympia: 7th place (2016)
Qualified for Mr. Olympia 2019:
Special invitation from the organizers
What the contestants said during the press conference:
Brandon Curry
The winner of this year's Arnold Classic is considered, along with the trio of Roelly Winklaar, Dexter Jackson and William Bonac, to be the biggest favourite to triumph in the absence of Phil Heath and Shawn Rhoden.
He himself said that since the aforementioned victory at the Arnold Classic, he has managed to gain additional muscle mass, which he has managed to maintain even during the tough preparation for Olympia. His muscles are also fuller and much more mature.
He further stated that he is very comfortable with the fact that he is considered by many to be the 15th Mr. Olympia title holder! On that account, he mentioned that although people say how open this year's competition is, he holds the door handle and is ready to close it!
Steve Kuclo
The former firefighter immediately responded to the words about the door, saying that he's been kicking the door closed like that for ten years!
His goal, like most other fighters, is to be the best and win. However, he himself will consider it a victory if he is selected immediately for the first semi-final comparison! If he does, he will fight like a lion!
He also mentioned that most of the Mr. Olympia titleholders were at the age of 35, so now is his moment. The muscles are not only getting more mature, but also rounder.
Dexter Jackson
The 2008 Mr. Olympia has made no secret that winning the title again would be fantastic for him. This year will be his 20th Olympia, but each time it feels like the first time.
In his words, there is no one in this year's starting field that he is afraid of! In fact, in his fantastic career he has faced the best bodybuilders in history, beating some of them, including Jay Cutler, Kevin Levrone and Flex Wheeler, who are much better fighters than those who are competing in this year's event.
Roelly Winklaar
The ever-smiling Roelly said he still has vivid memories of the moment he was crowned the fans' champion, a thing no one will ever take away from him again!
He went on to mention that the fact that four-time Mr. Olympia titleholder Jay Cutler listed him as one of the big contenders for the win was a driving factor in his preparation, which started earlier than is customary for him and went very well.
William Bonac
A competitor who was stingy with his words, he said that he had prepared himself for this year's event, working especially on his posing to be able to control his abdominal muscles between poses.
He further stated that he is confident in himself, while not underestimating any of his opponents.
Hadi Choopan
The "Persian Wolf" let it be known that he was thrilled with his participation in Mr. Olympia and that he definitely deserved it.
Although he also qualified for the Olympia 212 Showdown this year, he chose Mr. Olympia because he wants to race alongside the biggest guys.
He went on to say that he hopes that in the future, he will have no more problems getting a visa, so that he can compete in one Olympia after another, as a winner, something he has dreamed of doing since he was a little boy!
Juan Morel
Juan believes he can fight his way into the top 5! He says he never had much confidence, but that has changed for this year, especially thanks to the incredible support of the fans! He'll be on stage revamped, especially, he says, chopped up, and if any of his rivals aren't 100% ready, he'll just "shoot them down"!
Jonathan Delarosa
Jonathan mentioned that he changed his residence when he moved from New York to Florida. There he combined his training with coach Neil Hill and seven-time Olympia 212 Showdown winner James "Flex" Lewis.
In doing so, he feels that he can fight his way up the scorecard this year much higher than he has in the past, especially since he is going to offer a lot more detail!
Akim Williams
Akim has it set up that he's come to Las Vegas to win! To help him do this, he has been working with trainer Oscar Ardon, who has taught him to train like a bodybuilder, instead of his previous training resembling that of a powerlifter, where he focused on high weights rather than feeling out individual muscle groups.
Thus, he is going to present a competition with a little less mass, but with much more quality and detail.
Patrick Moore
Patrick also spoke similarly to Akim, who said he had to work on his ego by dropping the high weights, especially during lower body workouts, which were his weakness, and focusing on higher reps, strict execution of exercises and maximal muscle contraction.
Lukáš Osladil
Our athlete said during the conference that getting to this year's Olympia was much more challenging for him than it was last year, as he had to participate in five competitions.
He also mentioned that this will be his fourth start at Mr. Olympia, so he only has sixteen starts left to catch Dexter Jackson.
When Bob Cicherillo said that he is definitely one of the candidates for a top 5 finish, Lukas replied that any move up the results list would be good for him, but top 5 is too high.
Luke Sandoe
Luke Sandoe will be making his Olympia debut, which he has only watched from the warmth of home so far.
Before the competition, he believed he could break into the Top 5, but after seeing his opponents live, he started to doubt himself.
Despite this, when asked if he could be Mr. Olympia he replied that he most certainly could, although maybe not this year.
Cedric McMillan
Cedric said he was confident of qualifying for Olympia because of his points in the qualifying rankings. However, after the Wings of Strength Tampa Pro, he left the top three spots guaranteeing qualification and was, in his words, literally screwed!
However, one of the people close to him advised him to try to ask the IFBB Professional League management Jim Manion for an exception, and he tried to explain his situation to them. He wondered at first what his rivals would think, or those who missed qualification by a whisker, but he has his children to support and he can't take care of everything and everyone.
He appreciates the fact that he received a wild card from the management!
You can watch the whole conference here:
Compete with us! We have prepared a competition for Rabbit Blood on ourFacebook page. Click on the banner below for more info.
No posts have been made yet.
