As the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition looms just 13 weeks away, the bodybuilding community is abuzz with speculation and anticipation. Leading figures in the world of bodybuilding, Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev, recently delved deep into this year’s Men’s Open lineup, offering their insights on a special episode of the Cutler Cast Podcast.
A Surprising 2022 Olympia Outcome
Last year’s Olympia event was nothing short of a revelation. The title was snatched by Hadi Choopan, effectively ending Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s two-time winning streak. Adding to the drama were Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford, who secured the second and third places, respectively. Lunsford’s jump from Men’s 212 Bodybuilding to the Open category, culminating in a silver at Olympia, was especially noteworthy.
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Rising Tensions and Guest Appearances
Fast-forward to May, and the excitement for the forthcoming Olympia has only intensified. The bodybuilding world was set alight when Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda made a guest appearance at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. With not just the prestige of the Olympia title but also a hefty cash prize at stake, Orlando, Florida is set to witness an epic showdown of bodybuilding titans.
Sarcev’s Confidence in Dauda
Milos Sarcev, besides being a respected voice in the bodybuilding community, is also the guiding force behind Samson Dauda as his trainer. Sarcev is bullish about Dauda’s prospects, firmly believing that he has what it takes to clinch the coveted Sandow trophy. However, there’s work to be done. For Dauda to ascend to the pinnacle of bodybuilding, Sarcev emphasizes the need for significant improvements in Dauda’s back, both in terms of detail and thickness.
A Clash of Titans: Predictions and Projections
As the contest nears, the conjecture heats up. Who will make the top five at this year’s Mr. Olympia? While Sarcev and Cutler may not have a crystal ball, their informed debate offers fans a glimpse into what could be one of the most thrilling Mr. Olympia contests in recent memory.
Hadi Choopan: The Intense Force to Reckon With
In a recent discussion, bodybuilding legends Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev turned their attention to the reigning champion, Hadi Choopan. Cutler, evidently in awe of Choopan’s commitment and zeal, opined that Choopan’s unparalleled training intensity should serve as a warning signal to his rivals. The sheer dedication and ferocity Choopan brings to his workouts are indicators of his ambition to retain the Olympia crown.
“He [Hadi Choopan] was working dude, he’s working. That’s scary. That should scare everyone. Yes [his workouts] are bananas,” said Cutler.
“He’s the first favorite going into the show, he’s the first favorite because if he improves the conditioning just a tad… they’re going to judge his previous look and he’s going to be better, he’s going be bigger, because he’s building the tissue,” said Milos Sarcev.
Cutler’s Verdict on the Open Lineup
Analyzing the Open division’s contenders, Jay Cutler posited that dethroning Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan from the apex positions would be a monumental task. Both athletes, with their unmatched dedication and prowess, seem poised to maintain a stronghold on the top rankings in global standings.
“Derek is just the best bodybuilder from behind on the planet and Hadi from the front is the best bodybuilder from the front. Now, if you have someone that has a combination of both or if one of those guys achieves similar, we have our top. It’s going to be very hard to knock those two guys off the top-two position. I know you have high hopes for Samson. I don’t know if Hunter is the one or Nick is the one or Samson or Brandon jumps in there,” said Cutler. “Separation is going to separate the top positions, like detail.”
When it comes to Choopan, pinpointing overt weaknesses is challenging. He’s a complete package. Yet, every athlete has areas to polish, and Choopan is no exception. But given his dedication and the trajectory he’s on, those gaps might soon become indiscernible.
“Condition from the back was not exactly conditioning from the front,” Sarcev stated.
Sarcev’s Reflections on Choopan’s Olympia Journey
Sarcev, with the insight of a seasoned veteran, recalled the past editions of Mr. Olympia, emphasizing Choopan’s compelling performances. “Reflecting on the 2019 and 2021 Olympia, it’s clear that Choopan put forth more than just a commendable effort. In my eyes, he had every element to clinch the title during those years. His blend of size, symmetry, and definition was second to none.”
“I think Hadi has some things to say about it. I’ve seen crossing in media that says Hadi is angry or Hadi shouts back, or Hadi puts up this post. Is there such thing, is Hadi like hey guys don’t forget about me? Is he putting that out there?” asks Cutler.
“He doesn’t need to, he was never a big talker, 2019 he was silent came in, decided to do the Open, he could have done 212, he placed third, he could have won. In 2020, he showed up 33 hours before the prejudging right and still at the finals he looked tremendous. 2021, he could have won the show, for me. Knowing then what we know now.”
Discussing the Frontrunners: Sarcev & Cutler Dive Deep into Contenders
Drawing upon their vast experience, Sarcev and Cutler shared their insights into the fierce competition of this year’s Mr. Olympia. With names like Samson Dauda, Hunter Labrada, and Andrew Jacked in the mix, the discussion was nothing short of enlightening. Sarcev, with a note of admiration, highlighted Dauda’s dedication: “Samson is on a different level this year. His commitment is palpable, and he’s clearly set his sights on that number one spot. The determination and focus he’s bringing to his prep signify that he’s leaving no stone unturned.”
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“Yeah, there’s a chance, a very good chance if I have a winner, right or top contenders,” said Milos Sarcev. “I’m convinced it could happen [Samson Dauda winning]. You never know that for sure. Thirteen weeks out yeah, super committed, zeroed in on the prize. Okay, you competed before, you dethroned unbeatable Ronnie Coleman, so if anybody would tell you back in the day, ‘Oh you’re out of your mind.’ What are you going to say?”
“Brandon Curry who’ve we kept out of this equation,” said Cutler.
“Because we didn’t know if he was competing, but it looks like he’s competing right?” said Sarcev.
As for Hunter Labrada, initially, Sarcev didn’t think he could defeat Andrew in Texas but changed his mind.“Initially, I didn’t think he [Hunter] could beat Andrew Jacked but now I do think he can beat him,” added Sarcev. “You asked both of us, can Andrew Jacked win the Olympia? Since the first time I’ve talked about Andrew Jacked, you’ve said yourself, and I agree, yeah can be Olympia. His structure is just about perfect. I mean just about perfect, nobody is six-foot-whatever, wide shoulders everything is there, he just needs to fill it up.”
Unbiased Admiration: Sarcev Embraces the Outcome of 2023 Mr. Olympia
Milos Sarcev, a stalwart in the bodybuilding community, exudes a sense of unbiased appreciation for the sport. Regardless of the outcome at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Sarcev maintains a perspective of respect and admiration. His stance remains clear: he will wholeheartedly embrace the decision of the judges and honor the hard work and dedication of every contender vying for the title.
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“I don’t even know how heavy and big he [Hunter] is but he made John Delarosa look small and I didn’t expect that,” said Milos Sarcev. “I’m a fan. Of course, I’m training Samson to win and hopefully Regan is going to come and compete and then I’m going to hopefully pair them to go against each other and you know push each other to their best and let the best man win.
I have zero issues with Nick Walker winning or Derek Lunsford or Hadi, I love all those guys, right? My job is… I’m not nervous for the other ones. If Hunter deserves to beat him [Samson], we’ll be the first one shaking his hand. He’s a contender, for sure.”
Debate Heats Up Ahead of the Olympia Showdown
As the much-anticipated Mr. Olympia approaches, the bodybuilding community is rife with speculation. Nick Walker, an undeniable force in the industry, is confident that the spotlight will narrow down to him and Derek Lunsford. Contrary to the reigning champion Hadi Choopan’s camp, Walker does not foresee Choopan clinching the title again. Lunsford, however, counters this prediction, foreseeing a reprise of the previous year’s top two. He anticipates a fierce face-off between Walker and Samson Dauda for the third and fourth spots.
Amidst these whirlwinds of predictions, bodybuilding legend and eight-time Mr. Olympia winner, Ronnie Coleman, threw his weight behind Lunsford. Coleman not only sees Lunsford triumphing in November but also hails him as his favorite contemporary bodybuilder.
As the deadline for athlete qualifications looms on October 9, the air is thick with anticipation. If history has shown us anything, it’s that Mr. Olympia contests are anything but predictable. The stage is set for a riveting spectacle.
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Overview
Legends Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev delve into this year’s Men’s Open lineup on the Cutler Cast Podcast. Last year’s event saw Hadi Choopan’s unexpected victory, with Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford securing prominent spots. As the excitement mounts, Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda’s appearance at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro has fanned the flames. Sarcev, coaching Samson Dauda, believes in his potential but stresses the need for back improvements. Meanwhile, Cutler expresses awe at Choopan’s intense training regime, suggesting a fierce contest ahead. Sarcev reflects on Choopan’s previous impressive performances, and while predictions vary on the outcome, the consensus is clear: an epic showdown awaits in Orlando.
Featured Image @JayCutler Cast (YouTube) ,@hadi_choopan @samson_dauda (Instagram)
