The previous bodybuilding champion reveals his plans for the long run.
Although the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest will boast loads of star power, certainly one of the most important names within the sport is not going to be making an appearance at the most important bodybuilding show of the 12 months.
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay has decided to forgo a chance to win his third Men’s Open championship by officially taking himself out of the combo for the upcoming competition scheduled to happen from Nov. 2-5, 2023 in Orlando, FL.
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Elssbiay, who won his first Sandow trophy in 2020, spoke with RXMuscle on Saturday, Sept. 23 about his decision to back out of the 2023 Olympia.
“I actually have to be smart to know one of the best time for me to be on stage and one of the best time for me to stop slightly bit,” the 39-year-old told RXMuscle’s Siddique Farooqui. “I believe this 12 months I actually have to get a break for the show, and if I actually have the prospect to come back higher and convey something different, yeah, I could be in the following show.”
A native of Egypt, Elssbiay has helped the game expand throughout the Middle East due to his sizable frame and success on stage. Paradoxically, he revealed his decision through the 2023 Dubai Pro, an event that undoubtedly draws more attention thanks partially to the two-time Olympia winner.
“For many individuals within the Middle East, that’s not making them blissful. But I work hard to provide them one of the best version of Ramy, and I don’t think that is the suitable time to go to Olympia this 12 months,” Elssbiay explained. “Me and my team spoke about that and I believe one of the best thing we are able to do immediately, we’re looking forward to the opposite goal. Yeah, we’re interested by next 12 months.”
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Not way back, it looked like Elssbiay had a probability to completely take over as certainly one of the preeminent figures in the game. Yet since capturing top honors on the Olympia in each 2020 and 2021, it’s been a difficult two-year run.
Elssbiay went from winning back-to-back titles to placing fifth on the 2022 Olympia. Following that disappointing showing, he fell in need of expectations again by ending in fourth place on the 2023 Arnold Classic.
Moving forward, it’s clear Elssbiay and his team have their sights set on coming back greater and higher than ever in 2024. Nevertheless, his absence from the 2023 Olympia lineup actually raises questions on whether he can reclaim his place atop the Men’s Open division within the near future.
With Elssbiay removing himself from the competition roughly five weeks out, it should be interesting to see who replaces him in a stacked field of contenders that features reigning champion Hadi Choopan, former 212 division winner Derek Lunsford, and 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry.
Featured Image: Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay / Instagram