Rafael Brandao, a prominent Brazilian bodybuilder, aims to make waves at the upcoming –2024 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. Discussing Brandao contest preparation, diet, posing strengths, and strategy to outshine Hadi Choopan at 2024 Arnold Classic, he appeared on The Menace Podcast.
Renowned for his aesthetics, taper, and slim waist, Brandao’s success in the IFBB Pro League has been notable. Also, he has shared the stage with and triumphed over competitors like Samson Dauda, currently ranked third globally, solidifying his reputation and dedication.
In 2022, Brandao secured victory at the Arnold Classic South America, establishing himself as a formidable Open contender. Moreover, despite facing the pressure of the Olympia stage, he maintained composure, finishing 10th and recognizing the need for additional size.
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Despite battling Dengue fever, Brandao capitalized on his recent off-season to prepare for the 2024 Arnold Classic. Furthermore, joining a panel of bodybuilding veterans, he shared insights into his condition and readiness for the upcoming event.
Rafael Brandao Talks 2024 Arnold Classic Prep and Plans, Eyes Hadi Choopan
Brandao gears up for the 2024 Arnold Classic in Ohio, aiming to surpass Hadi Choopan. He recently shared insights on his contest prep, diet, and strategy. He prioritizes competing in Brazil over the Arnold UK event after the Columbus appearance.
“We’re going to go straight to Columbus, Ohio, and then back to Brazil to the Arnold Brazil,” said Rafael Brandao. “No, I’m not doing UK. No, because Brazil is most important show for me. I cannot put everything at risk and go to the UK and then come to Brazil probably tired. I don’t know how my body would work after the Arnold Ohio, you know. I want to go to Columbus, Ohio, and then come to Brazil straight.”
Furthermore, Brandao asserts his physique is now bigger, leaner, drier, and harder than ever before.
“I’m a fucking different guy. I feel like I’m a different guy. I know I’m bigger, leaner, drier, harder, you know also, yeah, I think this year that I took off… I’m going to bring a lot of change to the stage. Right now, if I compare 18 days, I’m almost 15 pounds heavier, almost 15 pounds heavier [than I was at the 2022 Olympia].”
Brandao noted his diet varies, with carbohydrates ranging from 300 to 1,000 grams per day.
“Every day is different,” said Brandao. “To be honest, my diet was really really easy because my lowest carbs day was 300 grams of carbs. So, that’s now too low. You know what I mean? Then, I have my medium carbs day which is 600 grams of carbs and then, I have a super-high carbs day which is 1,000 grams of carbs.”
“Some weeks I need to do like two or three days of super high carbs and yeah, my metabolism right now is really really bad.”
Sarcev inquired about Brandao’s strategy for besting ‘The Persian Wolf,’ Hadi Choopan, a favorite for the 2024 Arnold Classic.
“So, Rafael, can you beat Hadi Choopan? asks Milos Sarcev.
“Yeah, I can. I think I can, yeah.”
“How do you possibly see beating great Hadi?” asks Sarcev.
“I think front lat spread. I think side triceps. I think abs and thighs. Yeah, I think so.”
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Brandao emphasized his front lat spread and back double biceps as his strongest poses.
“Front lat spread and right now, I think my back double biceps,” answered Rafael Brandao. “Yeah, I think it’s turning to my best pose.”
Brandao has been dedicating up to five hours daily to gym sessions, which include training, posing practice, meditation, and cardio, to support his latest contest preparation.
“Like 30 minutes every day [of posing]. We’ve been doing more. I’ve been working a lot. I’ve been working a lot. I’ve been in the gym for or five hours every day, doing my cardio, doing my posing, doing my workouts, doing my meditation, posing, yeah.”
“I come to the gym in the morning and I do my cardio and then I do a few posing. Then, I come back to my home, have two meals, come back to the gym, and then do my working outs and a few poses and then come back home.”
As anticipation builds for the face-off between Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda at the 2024 Arnold Classic, other contenders emerge as dark horses. Also, Rafael Brandao and Horse MD are among them. Marcello De Angelis’s impressive conditioning at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro also fuels high expectations for his performance in Ohio.
In a significant move, Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the live stream of the event will be free. Moreover, this decision could potentially make it the most-watched bodybuilding competition of the year. Save the dates from February 29 to March 3 and stay tuned to Colosseum Strength for comprehensive coverage!
“I want to win the Arnold, you know what I mean. Just in my head, in my mind, I can win, I can beat these guys in Ohio. Then I want to compete in Arnold Brazil. I really want to go to the New York Pro but I don’t know. We’re going to see after the Arnold Classic Brazil.”
You can watch the complete video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
Overview
Brandao, a prominent Brazilian bodybuilder, is preparing for the 2024 Arnold Classic in Ohio. Also, in a recent podcast, he discussed his prep, diet, and strategy to outshine Hadi Choopan. With the competition approaching, excitement grows for the showdown between Choopan and Samson Dauda. Additionally, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s announcement of a free live stream adds to the event’s significance. Mark your calendars for February 29 to March 3!
Featured Image @Rafael Brandao 2024 Arnold Classic, @rafabrandaopro (Instagram)
