Cutler shared his thoughts on a stacked group of competitors.
On the time of this writing, there continues to be a lot to sort out in regard to the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest. Even with just over 4 months before bodybuilding’s tentpole competition, there’s undoubtedly plenty of competitive jostling behind the scenes. For Jay Cutler, four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010), the bodybuilding legend likes seeing what among the fittest people on the planet are brewing.
On June 23, 2023, in considered one of the newest episodes of his podcast, Cutler broke down where he believes the present Men’s Open division stands before the onset of the 2023 Olympia this early November. To say the least, in a conversation along with his manager Matthew M. Daniels, the icon maintained he has his eyes on a couple of familiar names and didn’t mince words about potential upstarts.
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While Cutler didn’t offer specific thoughts on every prime Mr. Olympia competitor — Nick Walker was mentioned in passing but not expanded upon — he did mostly touch every corner of the elite bodybuilders of the Men’s Open class. Listed below are a few of Cutler’s thoughts on what’s sure to be a loaded Mr. Olympia stage in Orlando, FL:
Michal “Križo” Križánek
Cutler was impressed by Michal Križánek’s recent progress but still felt he hadn’t closed the gap enough on the opposite athletes.
“He [Križánek] was looking so paper thin, especially within the upper body,” Cutler said. “The arms are a few of one of the best within the business, and it’s looked like he made improvements, which, I believe he did improve from his prior showings. But I don’t know if he got here down in size a little bit bit to collect the condition. I still feel like he’s still going to have trouble pushing the highest spots on the [2023] Olympia.”
Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda
To some, after his runner-up Mr. Olympia finish in 2022, Derek Lunsford is the following heir-apparent superstar in bodybuilding. Cutler appears to be considered one of those people. Nonetheless, after a recent mutual training session, Cutler ensured he talked up 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) winner Samson Dauda as a possible Olympia champion in his own right.
“We just saw Derek [Lunsford] and Samson [Dauda], too,” Cutler said. “They trained together a pair days ago and Derek looks tremendous, which he at all times has, and Samson looks tremendous, which he has for the past few years. Obviously, he’s the Arnold [Classic] winner. The query is that if Derek would’ve done the Arnold [Classic], and we could keep talking about that.”
Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry
Cutler believes that two established titans, Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry, have somewhat been neglected in the favored conversation. That could be a mistake for the defending Olympia champion (Choopan) and the 2019 victor (Curry).
“Contention-wise, Hadi’s [Choopan] been sort of shouting out ‘don’t ignore me,’” Cutler explained. “We’re also forgetting Brandon Curry.”
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
After falling wanting a “three-peat” in his Olympia title defense, there have been rumblings that Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay could take a break from bodybuilding to recharge. The Egyptian dynamo has quelled these conversations, maintaining that he’s training “indignant” for Olympia redemption in the autumn. Cutler believes that is the best mentality to have because:
- Elssbiay doesn’t have time to waste as he nears the age of 40 and
- Cutler thinks that Elssbiay, at his best, can still win the Olympia.
“Ramy [Elssbiay] seems like he’s going to come back back and compete, which I’m all for,” Cutler said ” … The purpose is he [Elssbiay] just must regroup and do what he does best and are available one of the best of his ability. There’s no real timeline on that. He’s 38, he can’t take a couple of years off. I hear his health is basically great. I hear his training is basically great. He’s had some atrophy in comparison with years prior on the arms, triceps, I believe he’s admitted to having some downsizing there. But he looked great on the [2023] Arnold [Classic].”
Chinedu Obiekea aka “Andrew Jacked” and Hunter Labrada
Andrew Jacked finished on the rostrum on the 2023 AC and has already mapped out ambitious summer competitive plans as a technique to qualify for the 2023 Olympia. Meanwhile, Hunter Labrada is in hot pursuit of his own Olympia redemption with a streamlined training plan.
Cutler said he liked the duo’s talent but coloured his commentary as if he still needed to see more from each athletes.
“I hear great things about Andrew [Jacked], too,” Cutler stated. “The large showdown goes to be Texas [the 2023 Texas Pro]. There’s going to be other guys, too. I do know there’s plenty of international shows, but that’s going to be, like, who’s not going to qualify there [in Texas]. Those two guys [Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada] have to be within the [Olympia] lineup because they’re people we’re talking about. The query is, can Andrew come and win the [2023] Olympia and shock the world?”
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Greater than most years, the 2023 Mr. Olympia is beginning to resemble a relentless gauntlet from which only a real champion of champions will come out victorious. If an icon like Cutler professes so, such a competitive reality feels inevitable.
Featured image: @hadi_choopan on Instagram