Sergio Oliva Jr., Nick Walker and Iain Valliere train ahead of the 2021 Arnold Classic!

This Saturday, we will host the traditional North American Arnold Classic, which has been held continuously since 1989. Until now we have been used to the fact that it has always been held at the end of February and the beginning of March, thus kicking off the IFBB Jim Manion Professional League season.

Due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and the associated measures, this year this prestigious competition will not take place until now in September.

Invitation to participate in this year's edition was received by fourteen fighters, who are:

• Lionel Beyeke
• William Bonac
• Max Charles
• Lee Seung Chul
• Mohamed El Emam
• Steve Kuclo
• Cedric McMillan
• Hassan Mostafa
• Sergio Oliva Jr.
• Luis Rodriguez
• Iain Valliere
• Akim Williams
• Roelly Winklaar
• Nick Walker

However, not all of the above will be on stage!

As you already know, Cedric McMillan has cancelled his participation, as he wants to recover from a hand injury that hasn't fully healed yet, and the doctors have advised him to avoid the race. This will be the first time since 2013 that he will be on the stage of this spectacular show!

Another fighter who won't take part in the competition is Lionel Beyeke. In his own words, he has not found a way to deal with the anti-coronavirus measures restricting travel to the USA.

For the same reason William Bonac, the defending champion from last year, will not go to the competition!

Roelly Winklaar is also skipping the competition. For him, the season was not very good and he qualified for this year's Mr. Olympia with literally "scratched ears", at the Europa Pro 2021, where the runner-up received a ticket to Mr. Olympia 2021, which is not at all usual!

Roelly says he doesn't want to be unnecessarily stressed and distracted, and he intends to focus all his efforts on the highlight of the season, Mr. Olympia 2021!

But to make sure we don't just focus on those who won't be attending this year's prestigious Arnold Classic, we'll take a look at the preparations of those who will! Today we will be joined by the trio of Sergio Oliva Jr., Nick Walker - winner of the New York Pro 2021, and Iain Valliere - winner of the Tampa Pro 2021 and Texas Pro 2021, who are surely among the favourites to win!