It just got WAAAY tougher to qualify for the Olympia !!

[LurkerNoMore]

Wasn't it like that in the past?  You had to have a top placing at the O or win a show in order to qualify?  Am I mistaken in thinking that or did they move away from that over the years.

[On_Swole]

Wasn't it like that in the past?  You had to have a top placing at the O or win a show in order to qualify?  Am I mistaken in thinking that or did they move away from that over the years.

It used to be:

- Top 10 from the previous year's Olympia
- Top 5 from Arnold Classic
- Top 5 from Night of Champions / NY Pro
- Top 3 from any other pro show
- Class winner from previous year's Amateur World Championships

[illuminati]

Wasn't it like that in the past?  You had to have a top placing at the O or win a show in order to qualify?  Am I mistaken in thinking that or did they move away from that over the years.

Yes & certain Pro show qualifiers -12- 15 or so at the Olympia is more than enough
the best of the best only on stage
Nobody is remotely interested in who placed 15th 18th or 25th etc

[balzac]

let the games begin...

[MCWAY]

Let's see if overrated a...holes like Ian Valliere or Hunter Labrada will ever see an Olympia stage again with that qualification system

How is this "WAAAY tougher"? Unless I'm mistaken, only one guy gets in via the points system and there's only one special invite.

This only knocks out two spots (unless you could qualify at the Arnold by placing top 3 or 5 without winning it).

As for the top 5 from the previous Olympia getting into next year's show, I thought the rationale for doing this (from 2003, cut to top 6) was because for a while (during the late 90s/early 2000s), only 13 or 14 guys were competing in the Mr. O.

Pre-2003 rule changes, ten of those dudes automatically qualified for the next Olympia. So, the rule change made sense.

[oldschoolfan]

Let's see if overrated a...holes like Ian Valliere or Hunter Labrada will ever see an Olympia stage again with that qualification system

I remember when that idiot coach joe Marino was saying hunter would be a future mr Olympia

[MCWAY]

It used to be:

- Top 10 from the previous year's Olympia
- Top 5 from Arnold Classic
- Top 5 from Night of Champions / NY Pro
- Top 3 from any other pro show
- Class winner from previous year's Amateur World Championships

That's how Ronnie Coleman got to his first Olympia in 1992, winning his class at the Universe in 1991.

Add to that one special invite and a lifetime qualification for any former Mr. Olympia. That's how Samir Bannout kept coming back to get beat up in the late 80s and early/mid 90s.

[MCWAY]

Imagine if only 12 competitors qualified. Everybody under the dotted line would not have even been there


1   Hadi Choopan   Iran    7   6   13
2   Derek Lunsford   United States   8   9   17
3   Nick Walker   United States   15   17   32
4   Brandon Curry   United States   20   20   40
5   Big Ramy   Egypt   25   27   52
6   Samson Dauda   United Kingdom   30   28   58
7   Hunter Labrada   United States   35   35   70
8   Andrew Jacked United States   40   40   80
9   William Bonac   Netherlands   45   46   91
10   Rafael Brandao   Brazil   50   50   100
11   Iain Valliere   Canada   56   57   113
12   Michael Krizo   Slovakia   59   58   117


覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧-
13      Patrick Johnson   Denmark   67   67   134
14      Charles Griffin   United States   69   68   137
15      Justin Rodriguez   United States   75   77   152
=16      Mohammad Alnsoor   Jordan   80   80   160
=16      Blessing Awodibu   Ireland   80   80   160
=16      Vitor Boff   Brazil   80   80   160
=16      Tonio Burton   United States   80   80   160
=16      James Hollingshead   UK   80   79   159
=16      Theo Leguerrier   France   80   80   160
=16      Andrea Muzi   Italy   80   80   160
=16      Andrea Presti   Italy   80   80   160
=16      Mohamed Shaaban   Egypt   80   80   160
=16      Vladyslav Sukhoruchko   Ukraine   80   80   160
=16      Joel Thomas   United States   80   80   160
=16      Antoine Vaillant   Canada   80   80   160
=16      Akim Williams   United States

But almost all those dudes who placed "16th" won pro shows (including Blessing "Boggieman" Awodibu). Wasn't there a thread about Antoine Vaillant winning a show just a few weeks before the Olympia?

So, the problem may be that those guys under the dashed line are winning pro shows against nobodies, only to get pounded at the O.

[MCWAY]

How do you go about doing away with the "Special Invite" at the Olympia, considering the guy who got it this year placed 2nd and the guy who got two years ago WON THE WHOLE THING?

Plus, if you have six guys in the first callouts (the top 6), all six of them should qualify for the next year's Olympia. It makes no sense to call out six yet let only five get in next year's show.

[Humble Narcissist]

It used to be:

- Top 10 from the previous year's Olympia
- Top 5 from Arnold Classic
- Top 5 from Night of Champions / NY Pro
- Top 3 from any other pro show
- Class winner from previous year's Amateur World Championships

It should be top 3 from previous Olympia, top 2 from Arnold, the winner of the NOC, and the rest based on accumulated points from the other pro show winners.

[joswift]

Imagine if only 12 competitors qualified. Everybody under the dotted line would not have even been there


1   Hadi Choopan   Iran    7   6   13
2   Derek Lunsford   United States   8   9   17
3   Nick Walker   United States   15   17   32
4   Brandon Curry   United States   20   20   40
5   Big Ramy   Egypt   25   27   52
6   Samson Dauda   United Kingdom   30   28   58
7   Hunter Labrada   United States   35   35   70
8   Andrew Jacked United States   40   40   80
9   William Bonac   Netherlands   45   46   91
10   Rafael Brandao   Brazil   50   50   100
11   Iain Valliere   Canada   56   57   113
12   Michael Krizo   Slovakia   59   58   117


覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧覧-
13      Patrick Johnson   Denmark   67   67   134
14      Charles Griffin   United States   69   68   137
15      Justin Rodriguez   United States   75   77   152
=16      Mohammad Alnsoor   Jordan   80   80   160
=16      Blessing Awodibu   Ireland   80   80   160
=16      Vitor Boff   Brazil   80   80   160
=16      Tonio Burton   United States   80   80   160
=16      James Hollingshead   UK   80   79   159
=16      Theo Leguerrier   France   80   80   160
=16      Andrea Muzi   Italy   80   80   160
=16      Andrea Presti   Italy   80   80   160
=16      Mohamed Shaaban   Egypt   80   80   160
=16      Vladyslav Sukhoruchko   Ukraine   80   80   160
=16      Joel Thomas   United States   80   80   160
=16      Antoine Vaillant   Canada   80   80   160
=16      Akim Williams   United States

would have saved them the expense of prep and travel
Only the top six got any money

[beakdoctor]

Imagine if only 12 competitors qualified. Everybody under the dotted line would not have even been there


1   Hadi Choopan   Iran    7   6   13
2   Derek Lunsford   United States   8   9   17
3   Nick Walker   United States   15   17   32
4   Brandon Curry   United States   20   20   40
5   Big Ramy   Egypt   25   27   52
6   Samson Dauda   United Kingdom   30   28   58
7   Hunter Labrada   United States   35   35   70
8   Andrew Jacked United States   40   40   80
9   William Bonac   Netherlands   45   46   91
10   Rafael Brandao   Brazil   50   50   100
11   Iain Valliere   Canada   56   57   113
12   Michael Krizo   Slovakia   59   58   117

Im guessing that if you were to go over 2022 and apply the new qualifications that this would be the line up. This is probably what the line up will be in 2023.

[MCWAY]

Im guessing that if you were to go over 2022 and apply the new qualifications that this would be the line up. This is probably what the line up will be in 2023.

It wouldn't, according to the new rules, which really just got rid of the points system and the special invite (notwithstanding that two of the last three recipients of such either won or placed 2nd).

That's just two spots. Again, nearly all of those guys who placed "16th" won pro shows (i.e. Antoine Vaillant, Blessing Awodibu, Akim Williams). Some have won multiple pro shows but placed in the pack.

[Fortress]

The Olympia becomes again what it was supposed to be at one point. The BEST of the BEST !!

Franco stinks.

[ChristopherA]

Let's see if overrated a...holes like Ian Valliere or Hunter Labrada will ever see an Olympia stage again with that qualification system

Both of them will still win a lower tier show easily. Especially with the Olympia top 5 not having to compete. I like Valliere to be honest. Dude speaks his mind. His shape is awful though. Labrada has the charisma of a rock

[beakdoctor]

It wouldn't, according to the new rules, which really just got rid of the points system and the special invite (notwithstanding that two of the last three recipients of such either won or placed 2nd).

That's just two spots. Again, nearly all of those guys who placed "16th" won pro shows (i.e. Antoine Vaillant, Blessing Awodibu, Akim Williams). Some have won multiple pro shows but placed in the pack.

Interesting....

I think the change makes sense though. You can only be in the Olympia is you win a pro show for that year or place top 5 in the O the year before.  That way you really can claim to be pitting the best against the best.

[MCWAY]

Interesting....

I think the change makes sense though. You can only be in the Olympia is you win a pro show for that year or place top 5 in the O the year before.  That way you really can claim to be pitting the best against the best.

The complaint is that there were just too many competitors. This rule changes does nothing to address that.

If you have 30 guys (minus the top 5 from previous year), it means all but two of the remaining 25 won pro shows to qualify.

Yes & certain Pro show qualifiers -12- 15 or so at the Olympia is more than enough
the best of the best only on stage
Nobody is remotely interested in who placed 15th 18th or 25th etc

During the late 90s and early 2000s, the Olympia had that problem. Only thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) guys were competing at the O, ten (10) of whom automatically qualified for the next year. People complained there were too few competitors and too many top pros were skipping the Olympia.

[illuminati]

The complaint is that there were just too many competitors. This rule changes does nothing to address that.

If you have 30 guys (minus the top 5 from previous year), it means all but two of the remaining 25 won pro shows to qualify.

During the late 90s and early 2000s, the Olympia had that problem. Only thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) guys were competing at the O, ten (10) of whom automatically qualified for the next year. People complained there were too few competitors and too many top pros were skipping the Olympia.

I also remember the 80s & 90s and don't really recall folk moaning about the No. of
competitors in the Mr Olympia !!

Its about the best of the best - No one cares who placed 15th
The whole contest was set up to judge the best bodybuilder
Not who places 12th , 15th or 27th.

Same as any top tournament no one cares or is interested in who placed last.

The 100mtrs Olympic final do you remember who placed 7th or last No just the winner
& maybe the 2nd place man.

[MCWAY]

I also remember the 80s & 90s and don't really recall folk moaning about the No. of
competitors in the Mr Olympia !!

Its about the best of the best - No one cares who placed 15th
The whole contest was set up to judge the best bodybuilder
Not who places 12th , 15th or 27th.

Same as any top tournament no one cares or is interested in who placed last.

The 100mtrs Olympic final do you remember who placed 7th or last No just the winner
& maybe the 2nd place man.

In the 80s, they didn't complain. Just competing in the Olympia was an honor. Making the top 15 was great; making the top 10 meant you really arrived.

But in the 90s, the complaints were that too many people were skipping the Olympia. At least three Os I recall (1996, 1997, and 2000) had only 13 or 14 guys. So basically, if you just showed up, you had at least 71% chance of qualifying for the next Olympia as all but three or four guys would place at least 10th.

And that was back when you didn't have to win a show to qualify for the Olympia. Just top 3 at any show or top 5 (ASC, NOC) got you there. Now, guys are winning shows but are afterthoughts at the big dance. Heck, Blessing Abodiwu won two shows but got "16th" at the Olympia.

[illuminati]

In the 80s, they didn't complain. Just competing in the Olympia was an honor. Making the top 15 was great; making the top 10 meant you really arrived.

But in the 90s, the complaints were that too many people were skipping the Olympia. At least three Os I recall (1996, 1997, and 2000) had only 13 or 14 guys. So basically, if you just showed up, you had at least 71% chance of qualifying for the next Olympia as all but three or four guys would place at least 10th.

And that was back when you didn't have to win a show to qualify for the Olympia. Just top 3 at any show or top 5 (ASC, NOC) got you there. Now, guys are winning shows but are afterthoughts at the big dance. Heck, Blessing Abodiwu won two shows but got "16th" at the Olympia.

Your recollections are different to mine.

anyway I don't care The Mr Olympia is about the best Bodybuilder. End of
why the Fuck you arguing or bothered about who places 12, 15, 25 !!

Like i said without looking it up Name the man who came 7th or last at the 100mtrs final
Or who placed 12 through last place in the last few Olmpias.
Its's not important & no one cares. 

[MCWAY]

Your recollections are different to mine.

anyway I don't care The Mr Olympia is about the best Bodybuilder. End of
why the Fuck you arguing or bothered about who places 12, 15, 25 !!

Like i said without looking it up Name the man who came 7th or last at the 100mtrs final
Or who placed 12 through last place in the last few Olmpias.
Its's not important & no one cares.

The WHOLE ISSUE is about how many people should be allowed to compete. The complaint is that there are too many competitors.

These so-called rule changes were supposed to address that. They haven't. All it did was eliminate TWO GUYS (the special-invite dude and the one who did the point-system thing).

Outside of that, if 25 guys are there, it's because ALL 25 either won shows or placed top 5 at the previous Olympia.

Do you now have to win multiple shows to qualify? Blessing did that, and he still got "16th".

If you only want 10 guys, HOW do you address the rules to make that happen?

[Stan Diego]

only to get pounded at the O.

[SOMEPARTS]

Just make it so you have to be over 5'7".

[oldschoolfan]

If you add in the cost for gurus drugs and food none of these guys are really making big money shit we wrestlers and mid card ufc fighters are doing way better this is a niche sport only Arnold and a select few made it big

[MCWAY]

If you add in the cost for gurus drugs and food none of these guys are really making big money shit we wrestlers and mid card ufc fighters are doing way better this is a niche sport only Arnold and a select few made it big

Arnold's making it big was OUTSIDE bodybuilding.

As for UFC and pro wrestling, again (to the public) those guys actually do something with their muscles. Fighting (actual or choreographed) tends to draw more money.

Plus, the golden years of being "drafted" by supplement companies (90s and 2000s) are gone. Guys aren't getting endorsements to help them turn pro or continue their pro career.

No more are MuscleTech, Weider, GNC, Prolab, Twinlab, Met-Rx, MHP, etc. hiring pros and top amateurs en masse.