Sadik Hadzovic, a Men’s Physique staple, has confirmed his next bodybuilding competition. In a recent YouTube video, Hadzovic discussed dieting changes, prep approach, and the goal of winning the 2024 Tampa Pro before aiming for his first Olympia title.
Men’s Physique remains a highly competitive category in the IFBB Pro League. Despite this, Hadzovic stands out with his powerful X-frame, muscularity, and symmetry.
Having placed as high as second at Mr. Olympia in 2015, Hadzovic is experienced in top-level competitions. In 2022, he won first place at the Pittsburgh Pro and finished third at the New York Pro.
Fans expected Hadzovic to compete at the 2022 Olympia, but he withdrew from the show. Now, he’s preparing for a comeback at the Tampa Pro in under four months.
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Sadik Hadzovic Confirms 2024 Tampa Pro Comeback, Discusses Diet and Prep Strategy
Sadik Hadzovic plans to compete at the 2024 Tampa Pro scheduled for August 1-3.
“Being at this point in my career this show is so important. First of all, the goal is to win the Mr. Olympia, so I need to qualify first. Not only do I need to qualify but I have to make sure that I have at least 12 weeks of preparation from this show to go into a mini-bulk and then a fast and hard cut once again.”
“This show that I’m doing Tampa Pro is perfect. It leaves me 10 weeks to prepare for the Olympia,” said Sadik Hadzovic. “Sometimes I can’t believe I’m doing this again.”
Despite his love for the sport, Hadzovic acknowledges that contest preps entail considerable hurt, suffering, and pain.
“I love bodybuilding but doing a contest prep at this level is like, it’s insanity. Right now, you see me smiling, you see me happy, but there’s also something you can’t see which is I have a tremendous amount of butterflies in my stomach.
“I know that there is going to be a world of hurt, suffering, and pain that’s going to accompany this prep. Maybe not so much now where we have over three months away from the show but certainly when we get to that eight week mark, six-week, four-week, two-weeks, forget about it. Body is broken, back is broken, hips are super locked up. Fatigued, hungry, irritable, and then when we get a couple days closer to the show, then you get a ton of different side effects, headaches, you get lightheaded, you know just from the depleting phase,” said Hadzovic.
In his discussion, Hadzovic highlighted his approach to contest preps, emphasizing that he finds the final weeks to be the easiest and most enjoyable.
“You move into kind of a more lean bulking phase which now you have some more momentum. Then, eventually, you go into the cut but by the time you go into the cut, it’s so awesome because you get to pull back on carbohydrates and fats and you know, you save a lot of time because you don’t have to be chewing for 20-30 minutes at a time. By far, the hardest two phases are the first and third but the last four weeks is a breeze.”
Hadzovic intends to introduce something “crazy” and “drastic” to his approach this year, as per his statement.
“I’m trying to beat that look [of the past]. I got to bring something crazy this year if I want to go from second to first. I can’t keep bringing in the same. I got to get drastic,” adds Hadzovic.
He elaborated on his dietary strategy, mentioning a reduction in protein intake and an increase in fats and carbohydrates to enhance size.
“I’ve always kept my protein relatively high, like seven ounces of cooked protein per meal. I would increase my carbohydrates by about 50 percent but I wasn’t able to pack on a lot of size until I really decreased my protein.
Like normally, I have 10 egg whites, this is seven egg whites. Normally I’d have seven ounces of chicken breast, now I’m having closer to four and a half to five ounces. I’m really going lower with the protein, and higher with the carbs, and higher with the fats. That’s been a catalyst and stimulus for me to get so much bigger.”
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Hadzovic anticipates a heavier physique on stage for his 2024 competition compared to his previous preparation.
“I’m eight pounds bigger than I was for my Pittsburgh Pro prep last year (2022).”
In addition to his recent discussion about upcoming plans, the Men’s Physique star has been actively sharing updates on his progress. He continues to push himself in the gym, recently showcasing a rigorous back workout along with valuable tips for enhancing muscle pump.
If Sadik Hadzovic secures victory at the Tampa Pro event this year, he will secure his qualification for the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition. The event, marking the organization’s 60th anniversary, is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 10-13.
View the full video from Sadik Hadzovic’s YouTube channel here:
Overview
Sadik Hadzovic plans a comeback at the 2024 Tampa Pro, aiming for victory before pursuing his first Olympia title. Despite facing stiff competition in Men’s Physique, his impressive physique and past successes set him apart.
Featured Image @Sadik Hadzovic, @Muscle and Strength (Youtube)
