Shahriar Kamali, known widely as King Kamali, has never shied away from bold opinions. In a YouTube interview posted by Rx Muscle on October 16, 2023, the retired bodybuilding star offered predictions for the upcoming Mr. Olympia. Notably, Kamali spotlighted Brandon Curry as a serious contender and potential upset for 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Kamali carved out a powerful reputation on the pro stage. Moreover, his dense, round physique and theatrical posing made him a staple at the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic. Even now, Kamali’s takes are valued for their insight and blunt delivery.
However, it was the shocking outcome of the 2022 Olympia that reshaped his view of the division. Big Ramy, the reigning champion, fell to fifth place. Meanwhile, Iran’s Hadi Choopan rose to the top, proving that razor-sharp conditioning—not just size—is now the key to victory.
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As the 2023 Mr. Olympia approaches, most veterans agree on one name—Derek Lunsford. However, King Kamali offers a different take. Instead, he urges fans not to sleep on Brandon Curry. In 2019, Curry claimed the Olympia title. Last year, he finished fourth. Still, Kamali warns that dismissing Curry’s potential could be a major mistake.
King Kamali’s Bold Endorsement: Brandon Curry’s Potential at 2023 Olympia – “People Can’t Sleep On This Guy”
Prominent bodybuilding figure 🇮🇷 King Kamali has never shied away from bold takes. Now, in the run-up to the 2023 Mr. Olympia, he’s backing Brandon Curry as a serious title threat.
Meanwhile, Curry has stayed quiet on social media. However, Kamali argues that this silence is no reason to count him out. In fact, he insists that when Curry is at “100%, he’s better than Hadi [Choopan].”
Moreover, Kamali’s endorsement carries weight. His support comes during a year when Curry has kept his prep mostly under wraps. Still, Kamali believes this low profile may signal focused intensity, not weakness.
Indeed, Kamali warns that Curry’s calm approach may be misleading. While others make noise, Curry trains. The real message? Don’t mistake silence for softness—especially not before Olympia weekend.
“It’s just because he’s been quiet. That’s it. He’s just been quiet and people start to forget, unless you’re making noise and you’re putting up all these things on the internet and you’re active on social media, and he’s just been quiet. He’s the sleeper. I’ve been saying this.
I said this to Milos the other day, I said this to Chad, I’ve been saying this a lot: people can’t sleep on this guy. I will make a prediction right now… if — and again, I’m going back watching the prejudging, last year’s prejudging from a couple of days ago.
If Brandon is at 100% he’s better than Hadi. He was beating Hadi in a lot of those poses. I was looking at it. I was like wait and second. Let me compare these poses. He had better shape. He had bigger arms. He had a bigger back. It’s what Dave said. When he gets ultra-conditioned, his legs start to shrink and especially from the back shots. It just doesn’t look right. But I think he’s the sleeper. I really really think he’s the sleeper. So we’ll see.”
Kamali’s Mixed Review: Can Labrada Secure a Spot in Olympia’s Top 5?
Amid the mounting anticipation for next month’s bodybuilding showdown, King Kamali offers a nuanced perspective on Hunter Labrada, spotlighting both his potential triumphs and challenges. Kamali’s blend of skepticism and encouragement paints a picture of a competitor on the edge, where meticulous preparation could be the bridge between outstanding success and just falling short.
“Consistency [is what Hunter Labrada needs]. He’s the least consistent guy on stage right now and he spills over. Constantly has a reputation of spilling over. I personally thought the liquid diet he was on had a lot to do with it and then from what I understand he’s changed that, he’s eating solid foods now and that’s probably why it’s making a little change in his physique. It’s going to take a little time. If he comes in more consistent and dries out, he has a great chance of cracking the top five.”
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Kamali Highlights Potential Dark Horses for the 2023 Mr. Olympia Spotlight
In the ever-evolving landscape of bodybuilding, King Kamali offers insights on who might surprise the audience at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Spotlighting Regan Grimes, Nathan De Asha, and Michal Krizanek, Kamali believes these contenders hold the prowess to secure a position in the second call-out, proving that they are forces to be reckoned with in the bodybuilding realm.
“Regan and a rematch with Nathan. That would be the second group. So, Regan, Nathan, and maybe even Krizo but I don’t even — I’m afraid his wheels are not going to be there. I keep seeing his upper body videos on YouTube and people freaking out, but you know this is bodybuilding it’s not an upper body contest. That’s my second call-out.”
“I think he’s got that young pop. Okay. He’s got that pop and people are always interested in the new thing. What’s the new thing coming up? He will have that factor going for him but you gotta understand something man, this is the fucking Mr. Olympia.
Okay. This is the best of the best. These are the mutants of all the mutants, the top 1% of the 1%. I think that if he gets a call-out with the second-tier group that we were just discussing, that will be a win for him. A definite win for him,” King Kamali shared.
Anticipation Builds as Experts Weigh in on 2023 Mr. Olympia Predictions
As the 2023 Mr. Olympia draws near, expert predictions are beginning to diverge. 🇷🇸 Milos Sarcev is backing his athlete, Samson Dauda, who recently claimed victory at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Meanwhile, Dennis James, Jay Cutler, and Chris Cormier have thrown their support behind Derek Lunsford.
Now, the stage is set for November 2–5 in Orlando, Florida. The event promises intense matchups and defining moments in bodybuilding history. Each athlete arrives with momentum—and something to prove.
In contrast, Brandon Curry has remained quiet in the buildup. However, his silence shouldn’t be mistaken for inaction. If he nails leg definition and overall fullness, he could mirror 🇺🇸 Jay Cutler’s historic comeback.
Clearly, the 2023 Olympia lineup is stacked. Yet, unpredictability remains the contest’s greatest thrill. Every top contender has a case. All eyes now turn to Orlando.
For an in-depth analysis, catch the comprehensive discussion in the latest Rx Muscle YouTube video linked below:
Overview
Shahriar “King Kamali” offers a fresh perspective on the upcoming Mr. Olympia 2023. While many predict Derek Lunsford’s victory, Kamali sees Brandon Curry, the silent preparer, as a formidable contender. Curry’s muted approach shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness; Kamali believes Curry at his best can outshine even Hadi Choopan. Meanwhile, Hunter Labrada’s potential is acknowledged, but consistency remains his challenge. Beyond the popular names, Kamali spotlights second-tier contenders: Regan Grimes, Nathan De Asha, and Michal Krizanek, who could surprise many with their performances.
Featured Image – King Kamali’s 2023 Mr. Olympia Prediction:‘If Brandon Curry is at 100%, He’s Better Than Hadi Choopan’ – Credit: @RxMuscle (Youtube), @brandon_curry (Instagram)
