Qualifying for the Olympia simply grew to become a much bigger problem.
Whereas earlier Mr. Olympia winners, together with present titleholder Hadi Choopan and 2019 champion Brandon Curry don’t have to fret, different Olympia hopefuls out of the blue face a steeper climb to safe a spot in essentially the most prestigious bodybuilding present on this planet.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest scheduled for Nov. 3-5, there’s now much more strain on the opponents’ sculpted shoulders to impress the judges with their physiques and posing routines. In a transfer that would have career-altering implications, the Olympia Qualifying System (OQS) will solely grant the highest three finishers within the Mr. Olympia an computerized berth within the following yr’s contest.
On Oct. 23, 2023, Olympia proprietor Jake Wooden shared an Instagram put up detailing the rationale behind the groundbreaking determination:
“In recent times, the highest 5 finishers within the Mr. Olympia division have obtained an computerized qualification to the next yr’s Olympia, however after consulting with the IFBB Professional League now we have determined to make a change.
Beginning with this yr’s occasion, solely the highest 3 within the Mr. Olympia will robotically qualify for the next yr’s Olympia. We’re making this variation in an effort so as to add some further star energy to the assorted regional occasions held worldwide. This alteration is being made with the complete help of the IFBB Professional League as all of us share an curiosity in sustaining a system that strengthens occasions in any respect ranges.”
The brand new rule applies not solely to the Males’s Open division, but additionally to the opposite 10 divisions — 212, Males’s Physique, Basic Physique, Wheelchair, Girls’s Bodybuilding, Girls’s Physique, Determine, Health, Wellness, and Bikini.
Most significantly, the change can be efficient instantly, which ought to make the upcoming present in Orlando, FL that rather more aggressive. Ending among the many high 5 on the sport’s most recognizable contest has all the time been seen a severe achievement. Nevertheless, athletes on this yr’s lineup could also be that rather more hungry for the next putting and extra more likely to think about a outcome outdoors of the highest three a big disappointment.
In fact, that is simply the newest shift within the Olympia qualification setup. In December 2022, the Worldwide Federation of Bodybuilding and Health (IFBB) determined to eliminate the purpose system that gave opponents an opportunity to qualify for the Olympia. Beforehand, the athletes who completed with the three highest level totals over the course of the season robotically punched their ticket to the most important present of the yr.
However with the purpose system not in play, that has positioned much more emphasis on performing nicely when it issues most. With the qualification interval operating from Nov. 21, 2022 till Oct. 9, 2023, right here’s the trail athletes from all divisions (besides Wheelchair Bodybuilding) confronted to earn a spot on this yr’s Mr. Olympia present:
- Prime 5 from the Males’s Open 2022 Mr. Olympia
- Prime three from different 2022 Olympia divisions
- Winner of every Open contest held throughout the qualification interval
That benefitted somebody like Samson Dauda, who fell simply wanting a top-five end on the 2022 Olympia with a sixth place end in his Olympia debut. Nevertheless, by taking house the title on the 2023 Arnold Basic, “The Nigerian Lion” earned a $300,000 prize and a spot within the 2023 Mr. Olympia Males’s Open lineup.
Shifting ahead, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the rule change impacts the aggressive panorama. Decreasing the variety of computerized bids from 5 to 3 undoubtedly ramps up the significance of the opposite qualifying exhibits on the schedule.
With two fewer spots up for grabs on the Olympia, some athletes could have to shift their priorities and assault their coaching extra aggressively to come back out on high in different key contests.
Dauda did precisely that by getting in prime form for the Arnold Basic and capturing high honors for his efforts. Ditto for Justin Shier, who made essentially the most of his IFBB Professional present debut in July by successful the 2023 Chicago Professional and securing his personal spot within the Males’s Open lineup for the 2023 Olympia.
Most lately, Charles Griffen completed his objective of getting an opportunity to compete in opposition to the very best of the very best on the Orange County Conference Middle. Regardless of struggling a torn pec again in April, the decided bodybuilder accomplished his comeback in championship style by successful the title on the 2023 Legion Sports activities Fest Professional on Oct. 8, 2023. Griffen could face an uphill battle to complete excessive amongst a crowded group of completed opponents, however he definitely deserves credit score for grabbing the ultimate qualifying spot.
Finally, permitting solely the highest three finishers on the Olympia to qualify for the next yr’s contest could possibly be considered as each a optimistic and a destructive. On one hand, it raises the stakes considerably when everybody steps on stage for essentially the most anticipated present of the yr. Alternatively, it might depart a number of opponents on the skin trying in in the event that they don’t emerge victorious at one of many qualifying contests on the calendar for 2024.
Featured Picture: @mrolympiallc / Instagram
