As we inch closer to the paramount event in bodybuilding, the 2023 Mr. Olympia, the anticipation within the community is palpable. The landscape of bodybuilding this year has been nothing short of dramatic, with titans emerging and rivalries brewing. To give context to these events, IFBB Vice President Tyler Manion took to Instagram reels, diving deep into the aftermath of the 2023 Texas Pro.
Andrew Jacked’s swift rise saw him secure his Pro card in 2022 and win two prestigious Pro shows: the 2022 Texas Pro and the 2022 Arnold Classic UK. His Mr. Olympia debut earned him eighth place before competing in the 2023 Arnold Classic, finishing behind Nick Walker and Samson Dauda.
In bodybuilding, the Labrada name is renowned for excellence. Hunter Labrada, following his father Lee Labrada’s legacy, has forged his own path. After a fourth-place finish at the 2021 Olympia, he slipped to seventh in 2022 but rebounded at the 2023 Tampa Pro.
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The 2023 Texas Pro wasn’t just another bodybuilding event; it was an epic showdown. All eyes were on Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada, both Mr. Olympia contenders. Their clash became legendary in bodybuilding history, embodying the essence of unpredictability.
The showdown was so significant that Tyler Manion, IFBB’s Vice President, offered a thorough analysis. Enthusiasts and experts alike eagerly awaited Manion’s insights on this intense Texas battle.
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Tyler Manion Hails Jacked and Labrada’s Transformations at 2023 Texas Pro Duel:“I Want To Give Props To Both Of These Guys”
Discussions in the bodybuilding community buzz with admiration for the transformations seen at the 2023 Texas Pro. Tyler Manion, IFBB’s Vice President, lauds Andrew Jacked for his remarkable progress since March’s Arnold Classic. Hunter Labrada also garners praise, with Manion noting his drastic physique transformation. Manion emphasizes their commendable journeys, stating, “Both of these guys deserve huge props for their achievements.”
“We’re going to go over the Texas Pro, a recap for each division. First, we’re going to start off with the Open men. We’re basically going to go through the poses with Hunter and Andrew. This was an extremely, extremely close show. I want to give props to both of these guys. I think they have improved so much since last year.
Actually, not even last year for Andrew. Andrew from the Arnold until this showimproved greatly. His fullness and the roundness that he brought to his physique and he also kept more size in his legs with arguably with the same condition if not a little better conditioning than he brought to the Arnold. And his back improved greatly. He added so much more density to his back. It was very impressive to see in such a short amount of time,” said Tyler Manion.
“Hunter improved his physique massively since last year. He looks like a completely different bodybuilder. He turned his back poses from a weakness into a huge strength.”
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Tyler Manion praised Andrew Jacked’s impressive ab and thigh definition but expressed concern about his side triceps pose choice at the Texas Pro. Manion highlighted that while the front variation adds dynamism, it may not fully display the side profile, potentially affecting scoring. This underscores the significance of both muscle development and presentation in competitive bodybuilding.
“I think that’s going to be a big surprise for people at the Olympia. It’s a much stronger pose than what he showed off this weekend. But for these reasons again, this was a Hunter pose. Next up is the side tricep pose.
As you guys saw in the criteria video, we want to see these guys hit the side triceps pose from the side. So, the way Andrew is hitting a side tricep was basically a variation of the ab and thigh but instead of the arms being down, he’s showing off his tricep and has his arms down. Guys transition into this pose all the time and transitioning into is fine, however, it’s called side triceps for a reason and we want to see their bodies from the side.
We want to see the side leg again. The side of the leg gets judged in two poses: the side chest and the side triceps. So, as unbelievable, of course, because Andrew has an amazing ab and thigh, as unbelievable as his side tricep pose was hitting looks, it’s not what we want to see and not what we’re judging in side tricep. We need to see that side leg and that side tricep,” shared Manion.
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Tyler Manion delved into the intricacies of judging in the Men’s 212 Bodybuilding and Men’s Open categories. He highlighted that the quarter-turns, in conjunction with the front double biceps and back double biceps poses, play a pivotal role in determining the athlete callouts. This insight underscores the complexity and nuance of judging criteria in competitive bodybuilding.
“Men, I’m going to give you a breakdown on how the Open Bodybuilding show was judged between two competitors so you guys can get a good idea of what we’re looking at. So first, we’ll talk about the quarter turns. I know a lot of people have questions on what the quarter turns are used for. So, basically, when we’re at shows we are bringing groups out for comparisons.
And it’s just in numerical order. We bring them out, we have them do front double biceps, quarter turns, and back double biceps. Now, what we’re doing here, we are using these quarter turns in the front and back double biceps to determine our callouts. These poses are still important,” Tyler Manion stressed.
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Manion Reveals Significant Changes to Men’s Physique and Classic Physique Divisions
In 2023, Tyler Manion revealed changes to the Men’s Physique division, aiming to prevent competitors from matching Classic Physique sizes. These modifications, effective after the 2023 Olympia, set specific height and weight limits.
The IFBB Pro League also adjusted criteria for the Classic Physique division, seeking to create a fairer environment, particularly for shorter athletes. These changes, implemented immediately, have already influenced many athletes’ careers.
Tyler Manion is dedicated to keeping athletes informed about IFBB Pro League updates. The 2023 Mr. Olympia in November, set for Orlando, Florida, brings anticipation for historic moments amid evolving standards.
Overview
As the 2023 Mr. Olympia nears, excitement grows. IFBB Vice President Tyler Manion shared insights on Instagram about the dramatic 2023 Texas Pro. Furthermore, he focused on stars like Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada. Manion highlighted Jacked’s improvements and Labrada’s legacy. He also noted potential posing errors and introduced new judging criteria. These changes aim to ensure fairness and distinctiveness in the upcoming Mr. Olympia competition.
Featured Image @t_manion, @andrewjacked, @hunterlabrada (Instagram)
