William Bonac continues to deliver as a Men’s Open bodybuilder, competing twice in four months. In a recent The Menace Podcast, Bonac predicted Hadi Choopan would win 2023 Mr. Olympia and discussed what measures Nick Walker needs to take to become champion.
The Men’s Open division has endured major changes since 2022 Mr. Olympia. Hadi Choopan won his first title after outlasting a slew of threats in prejudging and the finals. Shockingly, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was unable to retain his throne in fifth whereas Derek Lunsford and Walker found themselves in second and third. Bonac, however, finished ninth, respectively.
At the 2023 Arnold Classic, Bonac redeemed himself with an impressive package, showcasing a blend of fullness and conditioning. While Bonac hoped to secure his third title in Columbus, Ohio, the veteran settled for seventh, proving himself against a lineup that saw Samson Dauda come out on top.
In light of his last two performances, Bonac suspended his current season. He set his sights on 2024 and plans to focus on rest and recovery. Looking ahead, ‘The Conquorer’ said his next show would likely be the Arnold Classic. Refusing to dismiss his Olympia ambitions, Bonac stated if he ‘brings his all,’ he could still retire with a Sandow trophy in the next two years.
In his latest endeavor, Bonac laid out who he believes might win the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, scheduled for November 2-5, in Orlando Florida. Additionally, Bonac touched on what improvements Walker needs to make to reach the next level in his career.
William Bonac Says League ‘Going Away from Mass Monsters,’ Expects Hadi Choopan to ‘Repeat’ as 2023 Mr. Olympia
According to William Bonac, he’s ‘sure’ Hadi Choopan will win another title and believes he can definitely repeat at 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“I think definitely Hadi can repeat it, definitely. I think as you see… a lot of 212 guys are doing very good in the Open class. That’s something that I’ve noticed. They’re extremely good, maybe because they don’t look as big as Big Ramy, those mass monsters. I think they’re trying to go away from that. Not to say they are little guys, you understand. I also see that they are rewarding the taller guys. The few taller guys we have with beautiful aesthetics. That’s a good thing as well. No bloated guts you know, that’s what I see,” said William Bonac.
“We’ve seen him [Hadi Choopan] on the stage and he’s ripped to pieces. How are you guys backstage, you see more than we do. When you see Hadi, he is next level right?” asks Sarcev.
“He’s next level. Even with the pump up, when you stop pumping up, then he will come alive. The more he pumps up the freakier he gets. So, you know, I think honestly… last year or the year before the Olympia that he didn’t win — he looked way better. If he came even with that shape even now, that wasn’t even his best shape and he won it. So, I’m sure he’s going to take another title. If he brings the condition that he brought the year before, yeah,” Bonac shared.
Can Brandon Curry Regain the Mr. Olympia Title? Bonac Says ‘I Don’t Think So.’
Bonac believes his rival Brandon Curry will struggle to regain his Mr. Olympia title because he loses size in his legs when he shreds down before a contest.
“Brandon [Curry] is my dude man. I hope so [he takes another title]. I hope he can fight for the title like the direction that they are going — I think – I don’t think so,” Bonac added. “No because if he does that, he will lose the size then he doesn’t look so impressive. They have to play the size game a little bit because when he dials in too much, he will lose the size of his legs again.”
Bonac Says Nick Walker Needs Improved Quad Sweeps to Contend for 2023 Mr. Olympia Title
Milos Sarcev, Dennis James, and William Bonac agree that Walker needs more outer quad sweep for 2023 Olympia.
“Bigger legs, bigger chest, and I think his chest improved dramatically already,” said Sarcev.
“It’s just the legs, the sweep of the legs,” clarified Bonac.
“That quad sweep, that could be a genetic thing. I’m sure it’s not because he’s not working hard enough or he’s not doing what he’s supposed to,” Dennis James said.
Chris Cormier and Bonac also shared that Walker would benefit from some posing adjustments.
“From the side, he looks good, from the back he looks good, it’s just from the front or maybe maybe the way he stands on his legs, maybe he should turn it more like Brandon does, so you get more of the inner thighs [in the abdominals and thighs pose].”
“I would try to utilize my legs differently in those poses. The way he’s doing them is not helping him right now,” Chris Cormier explained.
Before confirming his one-year hiatus from the sport, questions about Bonac’s retirement circulated online. Bob Cicherillo, who serves as the announcer of the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia shows, said he would like to see Bonac receive a special invite for 2024 Mr. Olympia so he could retire on top.
As for Nick Walker, he recently argued that Choopan wouldn’t be able to successfully defend his title later this year. He believes the 2023 Olympia winner will be determined following a battle between himself and former 212 Olympia Derek Lunsford.
The 2023 Pittsburgh Pro takes place May 12-13 and serves as a teaser for bodybuilding’s ultimate destination. Given how unpredictable 2022 Olympia was, fans are looking forward to seeing their favorite competitors make a play for Hadi Choopan’s title.