Tag: GI News
TikTok User Sherein Abdelhady Stuns Male Gym Goers With 425-Pound Deadlift
The TikTok user pulled off a massive deadlift with a large audience in awe.
There are some lifts in the gym that make fellow gym-goers stop and stare. When it is caught on camera, it can be pretty comical. That is what happened when TikTok user Sherein Abdelhady filmed herself complete a huge 425-pound deadlift that left male lifters in shock.
Abdelhady posted the video to her TikTok account and it has gained upwards of 34 million views in one month. The video shows her completing the lift, with relative ease, then shows a montage of other lifters watching in disbelief.
“Deadlifting 425 pounds is cool. But seeing everyone’s reaction was cooler,” Abdelhady wrote in the video.
After Abdelhany completes the lift, there is applause that can be heard before the video shows all of the viewers. It is only natural that there were many comments on the video because of the amount of views. It did not take long for the clip to go viral and speak in favor of women in the gym.
This clip was captured because the friend of Abdelhany’s who took the video was able to capture it from a different angle. This left all who were watching in view of the camera.
“Girls are becoming stronger than guys. Get it!,” one comment read.
“Those guys be contemplating their whole life,” another wrote.
Abdelhany admitted that she did not notice the reactions when she was completing the lift. She did not notice until she watched the video back. Despite the viral nature of this video, she admits that she does not do it for attention but for the love of lifting.
“Regardless of whether the reactions were positive or negative, I promised myself a long time ago that I would never dull my spark,” Abdelhardy declared. “I’ll never stop doing what makes me happy just because of someone else’s opinions or doubts.”
Unfortunately, there have been some videos released on TikTok about inappropriate behavior from males toward females in the gym. This has raised awareness of the problem around the country and action is being taken when needed. It is nice to see a viral video showing the pure strength that women can have in the gym.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Vince McMahon On Threats Over The Years: ‘I Don’t Know How Many Rivers I’m Supposed To Be At The Bottom Of’
Vince McMahon has heard the outside noise but does not let it get to him.
It is unfortunate but threats are common to those in a position of power, especially when they do not do something that the public likes. In the case of Vince McMahon, he created the WWE taking some of the top professional wrestlers from all over the sport and making one league. Since purchasing the WWWF from his father during the 80’s, McMahon has received plenty of death threats.
This is not surprising given the fact that McMahon has built the WWE into a multi-billion dollar corporation that does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. McMahon, who’s net worth is $2.2 billion according to Forbes, has seen the threats and is unphased. He recently sat down with Pat McAfee and discussed this topic.
“I don’t know how many rivers I’m supposed to be at the bottom of,” McMahon said.
“Death threats are what they are. I always felt like if you can know off the president of the United States, I’m easy to get to. I’ve never had a bodyguard or any of that stuff.”
Vince McMahon explained that this was part of the territory for testing the system. He took a chance and combined professional wrestling leagues, which aggravated promoters, but it ended up turning into a massive success.
This did not stop the threats and Hall-of-Fame analyst Jim Ross even stumbled upon a conversation before his days with the company. Ross was in a bathroom stall when he overheard some men discussing how they were going to put a hit on McMahon.
“They were talking about how they were going to off me. ‘This guy knows this guy. I know a guy who can do this. This guy has done this. It was really impressive.’ They all know people, so they’re talking about who was going to off me,” McMahon explained.
“So imagine Jim Ross. He doesn’t give a shit about Vince McMahon. He’s thinking about himself. He’s on the throne. He hears this and thinks he’s gonna be an accessory to murder. He takes one foot, puts it on the seat. Takes the other one, puts it on the seat, so now they can’t see his feet below the stall. And of course, Mother Nature is calling at the same time.”
During the interview, Vince McMahon even offered Pat McAfee a match at Wrestlemania 38. This would come against McMahon’s protege Austin Theory. It is unknown if unknown if this is confirmed just yet but McMahon would kick off the feud between the two. Of course, McMahon knows a thing or two about stepping in the ring.
McMahon has not competed at Wrestlemania since his street fight against Bret Hart in 2010. It is unlikely that the 76-year-old will take on a huge role in the ring but he has been able to keep himself in tremendous shape over the years.
Vince McMahon is an owner who always has something up his sleeve. This is how he has been able to turn the WWE into a billion-dollar corporation. As for any outside noise or threats, it just comes with the territory.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jim Stoppani: Pros & Cons Of Coffee and Alcohol
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Jim Stoppani answers: How does coffee and alcohol affect your general fitness and health? And should pro bodybuilders keep them in their diets?
Alcohol and coffee can be considered two of the biggest vices in the modern world. They are so embedded into culture that no one bats an eye to the affects of both when taken to extremes. For those that are health conscious and especially those who want to be elite bodybuilders – can these two products say in a healthy diet? We turned to exercise physiologist Jim Stoppani for a full explainer guide on the pros and cons of keeping coffee and alcohol in your diet.
For the average adult, coffee and alcohol consumption is a casual and regular occurrence. Of course, so long as it is in moderation. Chronic diseases such as alcoholism are a consistent problem in many countries – certainly in the United States. But beyond the extreme side of substance abuse, are there long term dangers from casual alcohol and coffee consumption? Jim Stoppani believes that these substances are not as taboo as some alarmists would have you believe.
Pros & Cons of Coffee
During our video interview, Vlad Yudin mentions how there are those who warn of coffee addiction and the negative effects this can have on a person. Yet many athletes and bodybuilders will use coffee as a form of natural pre-workout. A way to boost energy for that next training session. Should coffee be cut from a health conscious person’s diet? Is coffee and caffeine bad for your health?
“I say good,” Jim Stoppani comments during the conversation. Of course, he mentions, it will always depend on the individual person and their personal goal. Overall, there are proven health benefits to drinking coffee (and consuming caffeine in general). Coffee itself can be an antioxidant. And caffeine has been proven to help lessen cognitive decline throughout the day.
Studies also show that smaller doses more frequently throughout the day fairs better than big doses once or twice a day. So for those who pound down morning coffee – perhaps an alternate habit could be more optimal.
Jim Stoppani doesn’t like to demonize caffeine. It won’t kill you and it wont kill your gains. However, drinking coffee at too young an age can be more dangerous. Stoppani explains that consuming regular amounts of caffeine under the age of 18 has a direct effect on the development of the brain. It can change your brain connections.
Another reason you might not want to have coffee or caffeine in your diet is down to personal situations. If you have cardiovascular or heart health issues – avoiding caffeine is a better choice. And those who suffer chronic anxiety might find that caffeine only raises their anxiety throughout the day.
Pros & Cons of Alcohol
The obvious big danger about alcohol is abuse. It can be addictive and also cause serious damage to your liver and heart with long term abuse. Also binge drinking can lead to dangerous situations when your cognitive abilities start to blur.
However, beyond those very real and serious risks with long term abuse – Jim Stoppani sees no issue with alcohol in a fit person’s diet. It’s completely possible to remain health and fit while also enjoying the occasional drink.
Jim Stoppani explains that at the end of the day it’s all about your macros. If you are a elite bodybuilder looking to have 3% body fat and dominate on stage – then maybe it’s best to avoid alcohol for the majority of your career. But for the larger fitness community at large – it all depends on your personal goals. Alcohol calories certainly add up if you’re not careful.
Ultimately, Jim Stoppani wants to remind those watching that you only live once. “What’s the point of being fit?” Stoppani rhetorically asks. “So we can live longer and enjoy life!”
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, Jim Stoppani explains that neither coffee or alcohol are inherently unhealthy for you. Unlike, let’s say, smoking a cigarette, one drink will not damage your body. It’s all about moderation and considering your personal goals. Know your own health records. Know your own habits. Keep them under control.
Stoppani believes you can be not only health but very physically fit while also enjoying coffee and alcohol. You can watch Jim Stoppani explain in full detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive video segment above.
Tamara Walcott, Ashton Rouska, and Kevin Faires Break Records At Arnold Classic 2022
It was a historic weekend at the Arnold Classic 2022 and that includes many records going down.
The 2022 Arnold Sports Festival was highlighted by one of the top bodybuilding shows of the season. Mixed in with all of the festivities was powerlifting competitions that saw many records go down. This includes ones from Tamara Walcott, Ashton Rouska, and Kevin Faires.
The 2022 Rogue Record Breakers strongman event took place on March 5-6 in Columbus, OH. Rogue set aside $5,000 for competitors who were able to set a new record in any lift. This allowed athletes to have some extra motivation heading into the show and it seemed to pay off.
Tamara Walcott
Tamara Walcott has put together an incredibly successful career in powerlifting. During this event, Walcott took a brief switch from powerlifting to strongman. This resulted in a record 641-pound Elephant Bar Deadlift.
This happens to be the heaviest deadlift Walcott has ever completed in competition. Because of the barbell, this lift would not count in powerlifting. She stepped up to the weight with a lifting belt and wrist straps to get it done. Walcott was able to complete this lift with ease and it showed her incredible strength.
Walcott broke the previous record that was held by Andrea Thompson. She set the original mark of 621 pounds at the 2020 Arnold Sports Festival. Thompson was there to go head-to-head with Walcott but was not able to top her biggest lift.
Kevin Faires
The 2022 Rogue Record Breakers also saw Kevin Faires take down a record. This was a new lift in competition and it was the Dinnie Stones. Faires was able to carry these stones 25 feet, 8 inches to set a new record.
The stones weighed 733 pounds in total. Faires was able to control the weight and carry it far enough to set a new record and by a lot. The previous record was 14 feet, 10 inches by Laurence ‘Big Loz’ Shahlaei.
This is not the first record involving stones that Faires has been apart of. During the 2021 Giants Live World Tour Finals, Faires broke the Nicol Stones World Record by carrying them 22.2 meters. He has competed in 14 international competitions and has shown his incredible strength over the years.
Ashton Rouska
The powerlifting competition at the Arnold Sports Festival was sanctioned by the USAPL. Ashton Rouska has made a name for himself as an elite powerlifter and he was able to show it off during the weekend. This is when the 105kg competitor set a new squat record in the division with an 815.7-pound lift.
This is a record that Rouska already held and bested his previous mark. During the 2021 USAPL Virginia Pro, Rouska squatted 810.2 pounds, which was the previous record in the 105kg division. Rouska completed this raw lift with nothing but a lifting belt and knee sleeves.
Rouska had a chance to add even more weight but decided to accept the record and wait for his next time on stage. This is when he could be able to set another record in the division.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
William Bonac Reflects On Second Place Finish At Arnold Classic: ‘What In Gods Name Do I Have To Do More?’
William Bonac finished second to Brandon Curry during the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is officially in the books and it is now time for athletes to reflect on their performance from the event. This is exactly what William Bonac is doing and he shared a post on social media Sunday to speak on his showing.
Bonac took to Instagram early Sunday to make a statement. It was a bit of a controversial result as many believed the 39-year-old was good enough to win the competition. In the end, Bonac finished as the runner-up to Brandon Curry. In his caption, Bonac took the time to thank his supporters and say he will return better than ever.
“MY FATHER!What in Gods name do I have to do more??
One thing I can look myself in the mirror knowing me and my coach @thedietdoc and trainings partner @candrick29 and my wife @sueyenne7did everything we possible could do to get this win. Unfortunately I wasn’t good enough, and came short in the eyes of the judges.
We will get back to the drawing board and come back, and keep coming back until I can’t be denied! ?
Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one, who never doubted me even when I was on my low.
May God blessed those who threw me in under the bus and put dirt on my name.
NEVER GIVE UP NOMATTER WHAT!!”
William Bonac has had great success at the Arnold Classic. He won the competition in 2020 and was unable to defend his title last season due to travel restrictions. During prejudging on Friday night, Bonac looked to gain a bit of an advantage over the competition but that changed during the finals. It was a close contest but Curry was given the advantage in the end.
In a backstage interview, Bonac said that he believed this was the best he has looked at the Arnold Classic. There was not much more he believed he needed to do to win the competition. Before the final results were announced, Bonac was handed the most muscular award as well.
Curry has been a monster in the sport in recent years winning the Olympia in 2019 before finishing as the runner-up in each of the previous two years. Bonac will look to improve his showing come December. Steve Kuclo finished third in Columbus as Samson Dauda and Justin Rodriguez rounded out the top five.
The Arnold Classic being back in March after a delay last year to the pandemic marks the beginning of the bodybuilding season. The Men’s Open division is going to be an exciting one once again and William Bonac is believed to be in the mix. It is clear that he is happy with what he brought to the stage but will continue to work to make improvements.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship Results
2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championships: Complete Breakdown And Results
Just weeks before the 2022 Arnold Classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul surprised the world by announcing that the Slap Fight Championships would be held at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. A somewhat controversial and instantly viral sport, its placement at the festival provides a deeper sense of legitimacy for the fledgeling competition series. Now the championships have come to a close – continue reading for the official 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship results.
There were a total of five fights during this year’s 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship. One battle in the women’s division, three light heavyweight division fights, and the headliner super heavyweight division fight. The headliner featured 3x Slap Fighting champion Dawid “Zales” Zalewski vs Koa Viernez. Both competitors were undefeated going into the fight, though Zalewski held considerably more overall wins with 16 victories compared to Viernez’s 9.
Ultimately, Dawid Zalewski earned yet another victory via a TKO against Koa Viernez during the third round. The battle had some controversy in the earlier rounds as Viernez accused Zalewski of an illegal head tilt and was also unhappy that there were no judges from the United States present.
Slap Fight Championship Fight Breakdown & Results
Adrianna Śledź vs Julia Kruzer (Women’s Slap Fight)
The first match of the afternoon was Adrianna Śledź vs Julia Kruzer in the only women’s match of the night. Adrianna was the more experienced fighter as this was Julia’s first ever fight. And it showed – as she landed two separate fouls in the first two rounds. Adrianna, on the other hand, landed sharp and powerful hits on Julia with every round of the match.
After all was said and done, Adrianna Śledź won the battle by decision.
Maksymilian “Mad Max” Leśniak vs Nikolas “Predator” Toth (Light Heavyweight)
The second battle moved us into the Light Heavyweight division and showcased two very powerful competitors facing off. The battle between Maksymilian Leśniak and Nikolas Toth was a clean one. However it ended up being short and sweet.
Maksymilian Leśniak landed a TKO against Nikolas Toth. Though Toth was able to get back up and desired to continue fighting, the judges determined that he should be removed from the match as a TKO.
Mateusz “Kazek” Kaźmierczak vs Michał “Kucik” Kuciński (Light Heavyweight)
In the second Light Heavyweight match of the afternoon, Mateusz “Kazek” Kaźmierczak battled against Michał “Kucik” Kuciński. Both competitors had strong wills as neither would go down. Though there was one slight complication in the first round, as Kaźmierczak earned a foul for lifting his shoulder to brace a hit.
In the end, Mateusz Kaźmierczak won by decision after the three rounds.
Pater “Aligator” Truchlik vs Karol “Pikolo” Wyłupek (Light Heavyweight)
In the final Light Heavyweight battle of the afternoon, we had what was probably the closest fight of the championship. Both Pater “Aligator” Truchlik and Karol “Pikolo” Wyłupek took each slap without faltering. They even playfully taunted each other after each round. Most notably, Pater would pull out his comb and fix his beard after he received each slap.
Both competitors made it through all three rounds. Pater Truchlik won by decision.
Dawid “Zaleś” Zalewski vs Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes (Super Heavyweight)
The headliner event of the night was the only Super Heavyweight match. And true to the size of these competitors, this was the most intense battle of the night. The fight not only contained the most powerful slaps but also some controversy.
Koa Viernes brought up concerns during the first round. First that Dawid Zalewski was pulling his chin down too low (this is an illegal tactic to brace a slap in the sport). After the first round was completed, Viernes also took the mic to complain that none of the judges were from the United States – a thinly veiled accusation about the fairness of the fight.
Ultimately, none of this mattered. The headliner match was set to be five rounds (as opposed to the three rounds for each of the other fights). The competitors didn’t even have to go past three.
Dawid “Zaleś” Zalewski won by TKO against Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes. With Viernes falling directly headfirst into the table after the slap. He quickly regained consciousness but, for health concerns, had to be taken out of the match.
2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship History
The Arnold Sports Festival is most known in the bodybuilding world for its highlight event – the Arnold Classic pro bodybuilding competition. While this takes the center stage, the festival also holds over 60 other athletic events including MMA, powerlifting, the Arnold Strongman Classic, and more. So it may be a pleasant surprise for fans that slap fighting is now official part of that list.
The 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship not only was held at the Arnold Sports Festival, it was also presented on their official Fanmio PPV live stream. In addition to this, Logan Paul also streamed the championship event on his official YouTube channel.
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Logan Paul’s involvement is not unexpected. His connection to slap fighting goes way back to 2019, when he claimed that he would be preparing to fight in the championship himself. Ultimately after a few videos of him training, and a controversial claim that his slap videos were staged, he cancelled his plans to compete.
Notable Slap Fighting Championship Athletes
Vasilii Kamotskii, better known as Dumpling, is one of the most viral athletes who, arguably, first brought the sport to international attention. He is consider the first true legend in the early life of the sport. Though he has participated in many fights, his most notable might be the PunchDown 4 fight against Dawid Zales. Dumpling won by judge decision – but many believed that the fight should have went to Zales in the end.
Dawid “Zales” Zalewski is the current 3x PunchDown champion – having won PunchDown 2, 3, and 5. Zales did not compete in PunchDown 4 – leaving the championship open for Neippokonany Kostrzes to win the title that year. As of the time of this writing, Dawid Zales has yet to lose any professional slap fight.
Though Dumpling was absent from the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fight Championship, Dawid “Zales” Zalewski ultimately maintained his win streak as the headliner event of the afternoon.
Generation Iron Fitness Network is providing full coverage for the entire Arnold Classic. Make sure to follow the event and results by visiting our official 2022 Arnold Classic coverage hub right here.
WATCH: 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship Live Stream
How to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championships
As a last second surprise before this weekend’s Arnold Classic event went underway, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul surprised us with an odd but exciting pairing. The two announced that the Arnold Classic would host the Slap Fighting Championship for the first time at the sports festival. Not only that, it would be live streamed on both Fanmio and Logan Paul’s official YouTube and Facebook channels. We have now finally arrived to the debut of the championships. Here’s how to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting live stream.
The Arnold Sports festival is probably best known for the Arnold Classic event – a pro bodybuilding competition that is second biggest in the sport. Second only to the Mr. Olympia event in the fall of each year. But the Arnold Sports Festival has always carried a wide array of events including Strongman, Powerlifting, Armwrestling, and over 60 other sports. Now slap fighting can be added to the list.
Logan Paul’s involvement is not unexpected. His connection to slap fighting goes way back to 2019, when he claimed that he would be preparing to fight in the championship himself. Ultimately after a few videos of him training, and a controversial claim that his slap videos were staged, he cancelled his plans to compete.
Both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul are massive stars with massive followings. So their combined effort is a huge marketing success for the fledgling sport of Slap Fighting. Being a part of the Arnold Sports Festival with these two big names attached is a major step for the legitimacy of the sport.
Live Stream the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fight Championship
The Arnold Sports Festival in it’s entirety, including the Arnold Classic bodybuilding event – is behind a paywall this year as a PPV event on Fanmio. The Slap Fighting Championship will also be included in this package – which you can get for $34.99 – a fair price for the amount of sports you can stream.
However, the Slap Fighting Championship is also being made available on Logan Paul’s official YouTube and Facebook channel for free. So for those who only are interested in the Slap Fighting Championship, you’re in luck.
You can watch the entire 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship below:
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Notable Slap Fighting Championship Athletes
Vasilii Kamotskii, better known as Dumpling, is one of the most viral athletes who, arguably, first brought the sport to international attention. He is consider the first true legend in the early life of the sport. Though he has participated in many fights, his most notable might be the PunchDown 4 fight against Dawid Zales. Dumpling won by judge decision – but many believed that the fight should have went to Zales in the end.
Dawid “Zales” Zalewski is the current 3x PunchDown champion – having won PunchDown 2, 3, and 5. Zales did not compete in PunchDown 4 – leaving the championship open for Neippokonany Kostrzes to win the title that year. As of the time of this writing, Dawid Zales has yet to lose any professional slap fight.
While Dumpling is notably absent from this weekend’s event, 3x champ Zalewski is set to compete at the 2022 Arnold Classic Slap Fighting Championship. He is the headling event facing off against Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes. Viernes is also undefeated, though he has less competitions under his belt. He is also the first American to win a super heavyweight championship.
Generation Iron Fitness Network will also be providing full coverage of the results from the Slap Fight Championships. So stay tuned to our official 2022 Arnold Classic coverage hub page right here.
2022 Arnold Classic Analysis: An Epic Face-Off Between Brandon Curry & William Bonac
2022 Arnold Classic: William Bonac and Brandon Curry stand tall as they were shuffled in with impressive looking Justin Rodriguez and Steve Kuclo
Friday night held the Men’s Open pre-judging event, giving the fans a first look at the top competitors with their full stage-ready physiques. Despite this year’s lineup suffering from many drop-outs, there were still some powerful athletes on the stage. Most notable were Brandon Curry and William Bonac – two former Arnold Classic champions who have had a friendly rivalry throughout most of their career. After a bit of a shuffling by the judges during the final callout – it appears that Brandon Curry and William Bonac are the ones battling for first place going into the 2022 Arnold Classic finals tonight.
Last night we witness the finals for the Fitness International, Figure International, and Classic Physique divisions. We also saw the Men’s Open pre-judging – which is a bit of a different schedule than the typical Arnold Classic. Usually, the Men’s Open pre-judging and finals both take place on the same day. This change, while seemingly insignificant, can have a huge impact. The competitors now have a full 24 hours to adjust their physiques based on the pre-judging results.
Going into the show, Brandon Curry and William Bonac were favorites to win the show. Both have been Arnold Classic champions before. Not only that, but Brandon Curry is a former Mr. Olympia champion – and landed second place at the Mr. Olympia less than a year ago. Bonac, on the other hand, landed sixth place at the Mr. Olympia – so it was clear he had some shaping up to do leading into the show.
Many fans also had their eye on newcomer Brett Wilkin, who was showing truly impressive physique updates on social media leading into the show. Fans also hyped Steve Kuclo, who has been consistently improving over the past two years, and Justin Rodriguez, who has been a worthy top competitor in recent years as well. Both did not disappoint – tho Wilkin seems to still have some dues to pay as he rises up in the sport.
Regan Grimes was also heavily hyped heading into the show due to his announcement last year that he was training with Milos Sarcev. Though he ultimately did not make it into the final top 4 callout by the judges. It seems that there might still be some tweaking he has to do as he continues into the 2022 bodybuilding season.
The 2022 Arnold Classic originally had 14 contestants set for the Men’s Open division. But there were many drop outs due to a variety of reasons. Cedric McMillan, Akim Williams, Mohamed Shaaban, Rafael Brandao, and Nathan De Asha all eventually dropped out of the competition. In addition to this, defending champion Nick Walker did not decide to do the Arnold Classic this year – leaving the doors open for a new champion this year.
Breaking down the 2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open pre-judging
The first callout started strong with most fan favorites making it into the lineup. Usually, the first callout is the judges first impression picks for the top spots. But now they need to see these athletes side by side – which can significantly change the scores and decisions of the judges.
The first callout included Brandon Curry, William Bonac, Brett Wilkin, Steve Kuclo, Justin Rodriguez, and Samson Dauda. True to form, head judge Steve Weinberger had some fun shuffling these guys around during the callout. Making it initially hard for the audiences and the athletes themselves to know who was being favored. Weinberger seems to enjoy this tactic to keep the athletes on their toes – and to bring some excitement and tension for the fans watching.
Notably, Regan Grimes did not make his way into the first callout. This may be a disappointment to fans who were running high after his previous pro win and his impressive updates on social media with his coach Milos Sarcev.
By the time we got to the final callout – showcasing what is likely the top four placings for the Men’s Open division, we had cut the fat down to Brandon Curry, Steve Kuclo, William Bonac, and Justin Rodriguez.
Despite both Samson Dauda and Brett Wilkin looking strong – they seem to be falling closer to the fifth and sixth positions. During a later callout, both Dauda and Wilkin were put side by side in a callout featuring only the two of them. This seemed to be the judges deciding who would be the best pick for fifth and sixth place.
Again, during the final callout, Steve Weinberger shuffled each and every one of the top 4 into the center position. But by the end of the callout, we saw William Bonac and Brandon Curry square center. Over all of their callouts across the pre-judging, both Bonac and Curry seemed to be in the center the most – signaling their dominance.
Beyond their actual placement in the callouts, it was clear that Brandon Curry and William Bonac were bringing stellar physiques worthy of the top spots. Bonac, in particular, improved immensely since we last saw him at the Mr. Olympia 2021. Curry maintained his usual consistency that earned him a previous Mr. Olympia win and constant top placings.
2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open Callout Report
First Callout
Brett Wilkin
Steve Kuclo
Brandon Curry
Justin Rodriguez
William Bonac
Samson Dauda
Second Callout
Fabio Giga Rezende
Maxx Charles
Samson Dauda
Brett Wilkin
Regan Grimes
Third Callout
Brandon Curry
Steve Kuclo
William Bonac
Justin Rodriguez
Fourth Callout
Samson Dauda
Brett Wilkin
Final Callout
Justin Rodriguez
William Bonac
Brandon Curry
Steve Kuclo
2022 Arnold Classic Final Results
As we mentioned at the top, a lot can change between the pre-judging and the finals. With a full 24 hours between the two rounds, the competitors can reflect on their performance during pre-judging and the judges’ reactions. The lead up into the finals presents an opportunity for final tweaks – and for dominant competitors to possibly make a misstep knocking them down. Only time will tell.
The 2022 Arnold Classic Day 2 finals are scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 5th, 2022, from 7:00 pm-10:00 pm. Generation Iron will bring full coverage and updates on the finals right here – so make sure to stick around our official 2022 Arnold Classic coverage hub.
Did Mr. Olympia Just Finally Tease A Special Invite For Flex Lewis?
Image via Instagram @flex_lewis
The Mr. Olympia top brass made a surprise visit to Flex Lewis’ gym – is it for an official special invite?
On Friday, March 4th, 2022 – Dan Solomon posted what he labeled a “developing story” by making a surprise visit to Flex Lewis seemingly teasing a special invite to Mr. Olympia 2022. This news comes after much controversy earlier in the year, when Solomon seemed to indicate that, without an official special invite, Flex Lewis was currently not qualified to compete at the Olympia. While the video in question did not reveal or confirm a special invite – it ended with a “too be continued” graphic.
Flex Lewis has had quite the roller coaster of a career ever since his retirement from the Men’s 212 stage in 2018. Lewis is already a confirmed true legend in the sport. He is a 7x Men’s 212 Olympia champion. He is considered by many to have one of the greatest physiques in modern bodybuilding history. After his retirement, many thought he was done for good. But he later confirmed that he would in fact move up to the Men’s Open division to compete in the Mr. Olympia.
Unfortunately, we have yet to see him on the Mr. Olympia stage. Due to a variety of circumstances, Flex Lewis had to defer his Men’s Open debut. Many believed that 2022 would finally be his year to step on stage and challenge the Men’s Open top brass.
But this excitement was somewhat dashed when Dan Solomon did a Q&A on Instagram earlier in the year. Answering a fan question, Solomon claimed that, as it stands now, Flex Lewis is not qualified for the Mr. Olympia 2022. Usually former Olympia champions and top 5 athletes get automatic invites to the next year Olympia. But due to a technicality, Lewis has not yet qualified. While he was a Men’s 212 Olympia champion – he never competed in Men’s Open. So technically he is not yet qualified.
But all of that seems to be about to change based on the teaser video Dan Solomon posted on Instagram. In the video, Dan Solomon along with other key Mr. Olympia personnel made what they call a “surprise visit” to Flex Lewis’ gym. The camera follows them through the parking lot, into the gym, and show a hardy greeting with Flex Lewis. Then the video cuts to show a graphic – “TO BE CONTINUED.”
Dan Solomon also included this comment with the video:
“Developing Story: The Olympia bosses made a surprise visit yesterday to the Dragon’s Lair gym in Las Vegas….and the cameras were rolling!”
The fact that Solomon has posted the video using official Mr. Olympia branding seems to all but confirm that he will be receiving a special invite. When they decide to drop the other half of the video revealing the full info is currently unknown.
Many fans and fellow athletes were enraged upon originally hearing that Flex Lewis was not automatically qualified for the Mr. Olympia. Though there were some who believe that a special invite was always in the cards – and that the Olympia brand was simply trying to drum up headlines to build excitement and promote the event as a whole.
While we cannot at this moment say that Flex Lewis is officially invited, it seems more than likely considering other special invites that have been given over the years. There’s no doubt Lewis being present on the Olympia stage is a big draw for many fans. It will be one of the true X factors of the event. We hope that he will be able to compete – whether it be via special invite or an official qualification through competition. Time will soon tell.
Make sure to stick around the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more updates on everything bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports!
2022 Arnold Classic Analysis: Terrence Ruffin Vs Ramon Rocha Queiroz Battle For First
Terrence Ruffin stays strong front and center as Ramon Rocha Queiroz seemingly edges out Breon Ansley at the 2022 Arnold Classic pre-judging.
Friday afternoon held the day one pre-judging at the 2022 Arnold Classic, with the Classic Physique division taking center stage of the group. This year’s lineup was certainly stacked – with many pointing out that the roster included basically all top tier athletes from the Olympia minus Chris Bumstead. Many were excited to see how top competitors Terrence Ruffin and Breon Ansley would compare. Others were excited for relative newcomers and rising stars Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Rocha Queiroz. Ultimately, the Classic Physique comparison round ended with a strong face-off between returning champ Terrence Ruffin and Ramon Rocha Queiroz.
In what might come as a surprise to longtime fans fo the Arnold Classic, the pre-judging round for Classic Physique was relatively short. In total there were only three callouts. And most notably, the final callout did not involve any shifting of athletes. Each competitor stayed in their exact spot as they were originally called out.
Typically, head judge Steve Weinberger likes to keep both the athletes and the audience off balance by swapping competitors around. He also often will push the final callout with multiple posing rounds. This time he kept it short and sweet.
So what does that tell us? Perhaps that the judges feel confident in who will be landing in the top positions. Terrence Ruffin and Ramon Rocha Queiroz stood squarely in the center of the four person callout. While that leaves no room for a direct center athlete – it’s clear that these two were battling for first place. Ruffin in particular looked to be the absolute standout.
2022 Arnold Classic Pre-Judging: The Top 4 Standout Competitors
The final callout also seemed to match up with how the individual posing rounds were perceived. Terrence Ruffin was the first to pose – setting the standard that all other competitors needed to match up towards. Ruffin is the returning champion, so there was already some weight behind him starting first with posing routines. In addition to this, the moment he stepped on stage, he showcased an incredible package.
Urs Kalecinski also turned some heads upon stepping onto the stage for his posing routine. Urs has been gaining a lot of hype due to his physique updates on social media leading into the show. He’s a relative newcomer – but he did not disappoint. At first, it seemed that he would perhaps be impressive enough to land a first place spot. Though the final callouts seem to indicate he might be pushed down somewhere closer to third or fourth.
Ramon Rocha Queiroz, on the other hand, seemed to bring a wonderful package but one that was falling a little short. Originally, upon his individual routine, we had him placed closer to the bottom fo the top 5 pack. All of that changed upon seeing him standing next to his fellow competitors. Not only did he stand out among the other athletes on stage – he was placed by the judges right in the middle next to Terrence Ruffin. He was also never moved from that spot – despite being put through two complete rounds of posing.
Breon Ansley continues to bring a solid physique. Upon seeing his individual posing routine, we could see him easily landing a second place spot. But there is a world of difference between individual rounds and the comparison rounds. Ramon, perhaps using his height to his advantage, kept drawing eyes closer to his overall package in the final callout.
That being said, a lot can change in the six or so hours between the pre-judging and the finals. Each of these competitors will reflect on the callouts, review video if possible, and determine how they can improve ever so slightly to change the outcome of the final results. All four of these competitors have a chance to re-arrange what we saw in the final callout this afternoon.
One competitor that we see staying in place is Terrence Ruffin. Unless he makes some sort of fatal mistake leading into the finals, he brought a near perfect package. We predict that he will land the first place spot and the rest will battle for second. While Ramon Rocha Queiroz seems a shoe-in currently for second, we can see a scenario where Breon Ansley creeps up above him to grab that second place spot.
Only time will tell – and Generation Iron will continue to provide updates, analysis, and result updates later tonight when we return for the 2022 Arnold Classic finals!