Approaching the 2024 Arnold Classic sparks fervent discussions and debates regarding the potential victor. In a recent episode of The Menace podcast, Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier provided their top 5 predictions for the upcoming 2024 Arnold Classic, with Sarcev unveiling details about Dauda’s hamstring injury.
The roster for the 2024 Arnold Classic, disclosed in mid-January, brought some surprises. Moreover, particularly noteworthy is the entry of former 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, marking his inaugural participation in the Arnold Classic. Furthermore, after relinquishing his title to Derek Lunsford at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Choopan aims for redemption and eyes the $300,000 first-place cash prize.
Beyond ‘The Persian Wolf,’ fans were intrigued by Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera’s entry, following his impressive third-place debut at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro. Furthermore, despite Andrew Jacked’s withdrawal, the competition remains formidable, featuring standout contenders like Justin Rodriguez, Marcello De Angelis (Horse MD), Rafael Brandao, and James Hollingshead.
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Milos Sarcev, Dennis James, and Chris Cormier Unveil Their Top 5 Picks for the 2024 Arnold Classic
Milos Sarcev’s Top 5 Predictions:
- Winner — Samson Dauda
- Second Place — Hadi Choopan
- Third Place — Andrew Jacked (OUT)
- Fourth Place — Horse MD
- Fifth Place — James Hollingshead
Dennis James’ Top 5 Predictions:
- Winner — Hadi Choopan
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Rafael Brandao
- Fourth Place — Andrew Jacked (OUT)
- Fifth Place — James Hollingshead
Chris Cormier’s Top 5 Predictions:
- Winner — Hadi Choopan
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — Rubiel Mosquera
- Fourth Place — Andrew Jacked (OUT)
- Fifth Place — Horse MD
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Milos Sarcev Discusses Samson Dauda’s Recent Hamstring Injury
Moreover, Milos Sarcev shared insights into Samson Dauda’s hamstring injury, disclosing that it occurred during standing leg curls and describing the experience as ‘super painful.’
“It’s very good [the injury]. Because you guys were concerned and texted me about his injury right? I talked to him, yes, he popped the hamstring doing standing leg curl and I tore my hamstring once on a stiff legged deadlifts back in ’91 and second time the same thing but I was going stupid heavy. Isolated standing, and he heard the pop, and it was like super painful.”
Additionally, despite Dauda’s persistence with cardio post-injury, he eventually acknowledged the crucial need to grant his hamstring sufficient time for recovery.
“I was talking to him this morning. He was doing cardio, walking on a treadmill. He was doing such a pace you know that when you push push push and your hamstring [it makes it worse]. Yeah, so he said he’s just backing off from the hamstring for another week.”
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Furthermore, despite the setback, Sarcev clarified that Dauda remains fully committed to defending his Arnold Classic title, directing his attention unwaveringly toward the upcoming competition.
“He’s completely fully into the prep. He wants to keep improving right? And he does believe he is going to repeat. He believes he has the tools,” added Milos Sarcev.
Sarcev doesn’t think Dauda can match Hadi Choopan’s conditioning but believes overall shape will ultimately determine the outcome.
“Listen, he’s watching all of our podcasts and many podcasts they keep saying we need to tighten up condition, tighten up condition, right? So he is aware of all that stuff. He knows of course you can’t beat Hadi in condition department, you just have to be close enough that you can you know, stand on the stage and beat him maybe in other aspects.”
“Listen, it’s still bodybuilding. He is shapelier the bigger he got so I don’t think there is a danger like Bob Cicherillo was saying after last year’s Olympia, ‘Oh Samson doesn’t need to go to 300 pounds he can go down to 280 or whatever.’ Interestingly, you were there when Dorian Yates said he doesn’t think he’s big enough and that his upper body still needs to catch up to his lower. There are different views on that,” said Milos Sarcev.
It’s clear that significant figures in bodybuilding, including former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout and Dauda’s rival Nick Walker, are sharing their perspectives on the highly anticipated 2024 Arnold Classic. Also, Bannout identifies Jacked, Choopan, and Dauda as the frontrunners, expressing belief that Dauda could triumph with ‘onion skin’ conditioning. Meanwhile, Walker predicts Choopan to take the title from Dauda, emphasizing the unpredictability of outcomes on any given day.
With top names in the sport participating, the 2024 Arnold Classic is poised to be an exhilarating event. Adding to the excitement, Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced that the live stream on March 1-3 will be free of charge for fans worldwide.
For more insights, you can watch the full Muscle and Fitness YouTube video below:
Overview
Discussion on the 2024 Arnold Classic intensifies as top bodybuilding experts share predictions. The roster includes surprises like Hadi Choopan’s entry, aiming for redemption after the 2023 Mr. Olympia loss. Furthermore, despite withdrawals, formidable contenders remain. Moreover, Milos Sarcev, Dennis James, and Chris Cormier provide top 5 predictions, while Samson Dauda’s hamstring injury adds intrigue. Despite the setback, Dauda remains focused on defending his title. Also, experts assess Dauda’s chances against Choopan’s conditioning. Finally, major voices like Samir Bannout and Nick Walker contribute insights, promising an electrifying 2024 Arnold Classic. Free worldwide live streaming on March 1-3 adds to the excitement.
Featured Image @hadi_choopan, @Samson_dauda (Instagram), @Muscle and Fitness (Youtube)
