The IFBB Pro League will welcome the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest next month from November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. With a stacked Men’s Open lineup expected to compete, Samir Bannout took to a recent Rumble video published on October 5, 2023, to discuss some of his frontrunners.
In the 1970s and 80s, Samir Bannout built a reputation for himself in the Open with a grueling pace in the gym and one of the most conditioned backs of all time. Having tested his resolve against legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Dickerson, and Frank Zane, Bannout may have retired but carries with him one of the best minds in the sport.
Last December, the 2022 Mr. Olympia results shook the world with Hadi Choopan emerging as the new titleholder. Former kingpin Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay was unseated as champion, and to the surprise of his fans, he decided recently to bow out of the nearing 2023 Mr. Olympia competition.
Despite Ramy’s absence, there are a number of Men’s Open Bodybuilders who fans are getting behind this year. With competitors stepping on stage soon, Bannout assessed their chances of earning gold or a top-five spot below:
Samir Bannout Talks 2023 Mr. Olympia, Breaks Down Top Contenders
According to Bannout, he like Ronnie Coleman, is still backing Derek Lunsford to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia title.
“He said [Ronnie Coleman], ‘I have to go with Derek.’ Yeah, I still think Derek Lunsford has the advantage. Again, let’s not say Samson – Samson is very dangerous but let’s hope Samson can peak properly. I always worry about the peaking plans, the modern peaking plans, getting that body that really paper thin skin. I think Hany Rambod he understands peaking properly and whatever he does he’s doing a hell of a job of drying out the athletes and showing high quality.”
Bannout’s Top 3 Finishers for 2023 Olympia
“I have to go with Derek and then Hadi Choopan and perhaps we have who else Samson and Nick Walker – I mean Nick Walker I saw a couple of photos and he seemed to be pretty good even now. So, I would like to see Nick Walker also improve his presentation. You should never be satisfied, ‘Oh, yeah I did good,’ show more of what you have, what you worked hard for this year. I can see Nick right up there too.”“Look at the quality [of Nick Walker]. Impressive. Huge guy. Well, evidently, his coach is doing a good job with him. He’s a hard worker staying on the same page with someone intelligent and you can see the muscle quality is more like old school looking muscle.”
- Winner — Derek Lunsford
- Second Place — Hadi Choopan
- Third Place — Samson Dauda/Nick Walker
Regan Grimes
Next, Bannout opened up about Regan Grimes’ posing skills and potential chances against the best next month.
“Regan is an incredible bodybuilder but I still see certain things that he needs to work on. The posing is still very amateur, it’s not a professional John. From my perspective. Then, I always elaborate about posing: when you’re at that level of competitiveness you’ve got to be more professional and showing it. Even Nathan was in really good shape. I think he can still improve in that department. I don’t think these guys are putting so much emphasis on presentation,” added Bannout.“You look at the physique of Regan — beautiful. He’s complete! But that pose, I disagree with it [front double biceps] I see a lot of flaws.”“I’m really surprised that if he’s with Milos I mean Milos has extensive experience. They really need to apply the art of flexing and from my perspective, and again, no disrespect, I don’t like the way he [Regan Grimes] is showing his body.”
“Let’s put it this way: if I stood like that [split legs in front lat spread] in my Mr. Olympia win, I wouldn’t have won. I’m being honest. If you pose like a funky chicken it’s not going – you’re not going to deliver the message the way it should have been.”“If Regan comes in prepared and he poses properly, he’ll make the top five.”
Michal Krizanek
Even though Krizanek lacks posing refinement and pres
Hunter Labrada
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