The favorites are obvious. The potential underdogs are more understated.
Because the 2022 Mr. Olympia launches this weekend, the overall expectation is that two-time defending champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay will take home his third straight title in Las Vegas, NV. The truth is, bodybuilding legends with a wealth of information in regards to the sport, like fellow eight-time Mr. Olympia winners Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005) and Lee Haney (1984-1991), imagine Elssbiay is a virtual lock.
Nonetheless, every Olympia can present a surprise, akin to a latest contender benefiting from their first contest berth. Even in the event that they don’t win the entire thing, a result near the highest while toppling some usual mainstays still greater than qualifies as a sterling performance. Listed here are five dark horses who might thrive on the 2022 Mr. Olympia and shock the bodybuilding world on Dec. 16-18, 2022.
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This 2022 Olympia dark horse list is just not short on diversity, especially in competitive backgrounds. It has a former champion, albeit in a special division. It has respective young, ascending stars trying to make their mark. It even has an athlete who made a late push to qualify but seems greater than able to maximize his golden opportunity. It’s in no particular order as a highlight of those potentially ignored at the competition but who probably shouldn’t be.
Blessing Awodibu
Per NPC News Online, Awodibu is comparatively latest to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competitive circuit. In his debut yr in 2021, he took home third place on the Indy Pro and finished sixth on the Latest York Pro. He improved upon those results by winning the 2022 iteration of the Indy Pro outright to qualify for his first-ever Olympia.
Awodibu himself definitely hasn’t shied away from taking cues from those that have been there and done that. Probably the most notable example is likely to be when he trained with seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath (2011-2017), putting his arms through the wringer. Meanwhile, Coleman has cited Awodibu as someone with the obligatory aesthetic to shine in a debut performance.
It’ll be a potentially tall order to truly capture the Olympia title, but a stellar top-five placing isn’t out of the query for the Irish athlete.
Michal “Krizo” Križánek
One other newcomer, Krizo made headlines in the course of the 2022 calendar yr for his summer transition from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the IFBB Pro League division. He had set his ambitions on a fast turnaround to qualifying for the 2022 Olympia and didn’t fall short. The Slovakian competitor succeeded along with his goals when he earned his Pro Card on the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy after which got a spot within the Olympia by winning the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro.
Unlike Awodibu, Coleman previously asserted that Krizo still has plenty of ground to make up along with his physique despite some “great arms.” Though, from a look, his ripped body still resembles someone who could make some noise in a primary appearance.
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Samson Dauda
As someone with a bit more IFBB Pro League seasoning, Dauda has been knocking on the Olympia doorstep for a while. The 2022 edition of the competition will mark his debut after roughly five years on this competitive bodybuilding circuit. Dauda can boast a recent host of podium finishes like a second-place lead to the 2021 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and the 2021 Yamamoto Cup Pro.
Dauda can have really burst onto the scene when he took home fourth place on the 2022 Arnold Classic. On condition that established powerhouses like 2019 Olympia champion Brandon Curry and perennial Olympia contender William Bonac were some names who finished above Dauda, the result undoubtedly furled some eyebrows.
The British athlete will look to show much more heads on the Olympia.
Andrew Jacked
Some view Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, a.k.a. “Andrew Jacked,” as the newest phenom in bodybuilding, and they may not be improper. The Nigerian athlete exploded onto the scene in 2022, winning each the 2022 Texas Pro and the 2022 Arnold Classic UK. Such performances drew rave reviews from four-time Arnold Classic champion (1993, 1997, 1998, 2000) Ken “Flex” Wheeler, who previously noted that Jacked’s general lack of “mileage” puts him in an advantageous position in comparison with his peers.
Entering the 2022 Olympia, Jacked will likely be riding a wave of hype. He may even live as much as that simmering status underneath.
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Derek Lunsford
Amidst all of the newcomers and Olympia rookies, Lunsford appears to be sitting pretty as his first-ever Men’s Open appearance unfolds. After gaining more weight and muscle than he expected, the previous 212 Olympia champion (2021) formally transitioned to the division in September 2022 and seemingly hasn’t looked back.
Coming from the 212 division, Lunsford could have to contend with a number of competitors who weigh 260 kilos and above. Because the Olympia M.C. Bob Chicarello stated on the Dec. 15, 2022, Olympia press conference, Elssbiay will likely weigh 300 kilos on stage. That’s plenty of mass to contend with. Nonetheless, if anyone has the pedigree and experience to not only get a top-five result but potentially win all of it, it’s Lunsford.
The athlete has previously discussed the raw emotions behind competing on stage on the Olympia. Apart from the expected butterflies of any skilled athlete, it doesn’t sound like this dynamo shall be intimidated by the brand new obstacle on his plate within the least.
Anything is Possible
While heavy favorites like Elssbiay will likely shine, the 2022 Olympia is sure to surprise with just a few up-and-comers. Any variety of these dark horses in a stacked field could soon develop into household names in a stacked field. Fans can sustain with all of the motion by purchasing a pay-per-view premium package for $69.99 on the Olympia website — www.olympiaproductions.com.
Featured image: @dereklunsford_ on Instagram