The 2020 Olympia contest is right around the corner which is always a super exciting time for athletes, fans, and the organization alike.
This year was nothing like what we’re used to with the global pandemic halting all competitions. But thankfully, many events resumed and competitors were able to qualify for the world’s biggest fitness and bodybuilding event, scheduled to take place this month.
However, the Olympia will take place in Orlando, Florida December 17-20 this year; not Las Vegas as usual due to gathering restrictions, although we still won’t see the massive crowds that each year usually brings in.
Men’s Open bodybuilding
What we look forward to in the Open division this year is the return of 7x Mr. Olympia Phil Heath (more good news) who lost his crown in 2018 to Shawn Rhoden.
But he’s back and more focused than ever to win his 8th Mr. Olympia title that would tie him for the all-time wins record alongside legends Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney.
It’ll be no easy task with the defending champion Brandon Curry stranding in the way, in addition to the other champion-caliber competitors that will take the stage as well.
We should also mention that many top competitors will sit out this year’s event including the likes of Cedric McMillan, Nathan De Asha, Patrick Moore, Sergio Oliva, Rafael Brandao, Flex Lewis, and James Hollingshead.
Check the updated list of competitors qualified for the Olympia in each division.
But you came for our top 10 Mr. Olympia predictions so keep reading to see our list.
Related: How To Watch The 2020 Mr. Olympia Online
Top 10 Mr. Olympia Predictions
10 – Akim Williams/ Iain Valliere
Akim Williams is a mass monster plain and simple. Last year, he was 9th place at the Olympia but looked awesome at the 2020 Arnold Classic of which he arguably should’ve placed higher.
He also won the 2020 Chicago Pro that earned him a spot at this year’s Olympia and we’re excited to see this freak on stage. It’s hard to find weak points on this guy but if he comes in with a little better conditioning, then he’s going to continue to move up.
You probably noticed that we have him and Iain Valliere at the 10th spot though and that’s because we think they could battle for the position.
Valliere was 14th at the 2018 Olympia but 2020 was his best year yet, placing second at the Tampa Pro and winning the New York Pro to earn his Olympia spot.
He received a lot of criticism and hate for his win because of less than perfect body parts but that should fuel him to make improvements and silence the haters.
9 – Lukas Osladil
Czech Republic’s Lukas Osladil finally broke the top ten at the Olympia when he finished 8th last year, after having placed 16th in 2016 and 12th in both 2017 and 2018.
We expect him to be in the top 10 anywhere from 8th-10th.
8 – Hunter Labrada
Hunter Labrada, son of the legendary Lee Labrada earned his Pro card this year and then took first at the 2020 Tampa Pro to qualify for the Olympia.
He’s got an impressive package but has a ways to go before he can compete with the guys at the very top. But he’ll be looking to make a statement in his Olympia debut nonetheless.
Plus, he has one of the best posers in bodybuilding history as a father which can only help him.
We have him at the eighth spot but there are a few other guys that could put up a real fight such as our 9 and 10 picks.
7 – Dexter Jackson
What else is there to say about “The Blade” Dexter Jackson. He’s the winningest bodybuilder in history and a former Mr. Olympia champion (2008).
No one in history has been able to compete for as long and place as high as he has and many thought he looked better than the champion William Bonac at the 2020 Arnold Classic.
In 2018, Jackson placed 7th at the Olympia, which was the first time he saw outside of the top five since 2011. But he quickly fixed his legs and conditioning and took a very respectable 4th in 2019.
Oh, and we forgot to mention… he’s 51 years old! Simply unheard of.
We think Jackson could place as high as fourth this year but we’ll stick him in 7th to make way for some of the other hungry lions. This also may be his last Olympia but there’s no telling what he’ll decide to do.
Related: Dexter Jackson Says 2020 Olympia Might NOT Be His Final Show After All
6th – Roelly Winklaar
Roelly Winklaar, similar to Big Ramy managed to place in the top three in 2018 behind Phil Heath. But then he just couldn’t bring the same or better conditioning and his legs really suffered which dropped him a few places last year.
All is not lost though for this genetic anomaly though because if he’s focused and determined, he can do big things.
At best, we’d switch his place with Big Ramy but we think a 6th place spot is around where he’ll place.
Update: Roelly Winklaar Out of 2020 Mr. Olympia, just a few days before the start of the 2020 Mr. Olympia, Winklaar confirmed that a positive COVID-19 test has forced him out of the event.
5th – Big Ramy
Big Ramy’s most notable show was the 2017 Mr. Olympia where he placed second only to Phil Heath. But after a disappointing 6th place finish in 2018, he decided to take a year off.
Ramy returned to compete at the 2020 Arnold Classic and made noticeable improvements, taking third right behind Dexter Jackson.
He was scheduled to compete at the Europa Pro which would have been an opportunity for him to qualify for the Olympia. However, he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to pull out.
But fortunately for the “Beast From The Middle East,” the Olympia came through and offered him a special invitation of which he accepted.
WATCH: Big Ramy Fires Back At Critics Of His 2020 Mr. Olympia Special Invitation
The question now is, will he come in well-conditioned or is it going to be a repeat of 2018?
A few common criticisms are that Big Ramy tends to carry too much muscle mass at a weight of 300+ lbs and as a result, his conditioning suffers. Not to mention, his legs have overpowered his upper body which throws off his proportions.
If he’s going to compete with the best of the best, he has to bring a package even better than he did in 2017 or he’ll place at the lower end of the top ten.
It’s now or never for Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay!
4th – William Bonac
William Bonac has definitely lived up to his nickname, “The Conquer” minus the Olympia title. He’s consistently improved his physique every year, having taken second to Brandon Curry at the 2019 Olympia and winning the 2020 Arnold Classic Ohio.
Bonac had a falling out with his former coach Neil “Yoda” Hill last year but still managed to have his best season in 2019 and 2020.
There are few bodybuilders as complete and consistent as Bonac. However, common criticisms are his height and oftentimes blocky-looking midsection due to his super-low inserting lats that cause him to not have as much of that appealing V-taper.
We think he’ll be edged out by our top 3 picks but this competition really has a few guys that are a serious threat, him being one of them.
Not to mention, he suffered a leg injury and had a hernia just weeks out from the 2019 Olympia so maybe we’ll see his very best this year.
He could take second, third, or even first if he comes in lights out. Bonac deserves big-time respect for what he’s been able to do over the past few years.
3rd – Hadi Choopan
Hadi Choopan was undoubtedly the most surprising addition to the 2019 Olympia lineup bringing amazing conditioning and aesthetics in his debut.
Many questioned whether he’d be big enough to stand with the Open guys but as a previous 212 competition, he blew away expectations. In fact, many believed that he should have beaten curry to win the whole thing.
But third place was plenty good for his first Men’s Bodybuilding show.
Even former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neil thought he should have won (granted, he’s not a judge).
What’s he’s accomplished is quite impressive considering he had to deal with the stress and uncertainty of nearly missing out on competing due to the travel restriction for Iranians to the United States. But he was granted a visa just in time and it definitely wouldn’t have been the same without him.
But now Chief Olympia Officer Dan Solomon and the Olympia have to get him back this year and as if last year wasn’t challenging enough, they have this year’s events to contend with.
But for Hadi Choopan, small improvements from last year could have him sitting in second at best and third in our opinion. He may have to duke it out with Bonac but it seems a lot people just prefer the aesthetics of Choopan.
We hope to see The Persian Wolf on stage with the best this year.
2nd – Brandon Curry
Defending champion Brandon Curry has the right genetics to be at the top – but he will certainly have his hands full this year with a stacked lineup that includes Heath, Bonac, Choopan, Ramy, Winklaar, and Jackson.
Many felt his conditioning last year was not Mr. Olympia-caliber last year and that he wasn’t deserving of the Sandow. But he had momentum from the Arnold Classic win and it seemed way before the contest that he’d probably be the eventual and new Mr. Olympia.
If Curry’s to beat these guys, this time around, he cannot have any flaws or weaknesses. That means his hamstrings/legs, and conditioning will need to be better than ever before.
Curry has been going back and forth with Phil Heath for a while now and things are heating up as we approach the show. But he thinks he can take the title once again.
Also read: Brandon Curry: Phil Heath ‘Has Me On His Mind’ Heading Into 2020 Olympia
Winner – Phil Heath
When you’re given the nickname, “The Gift,” well, this sort of implies that you have no weaknesses. Sure, his narrow clavicles have been the subject of criticism but that’s obviously insignificant.
It was undoubtedly the blocky, distended “bubble gut” in 2018 which cost him an 8th title.
But aside from that, his god-tier genetics, work ethic, proportions, and ability to bring champion-caliber conditioning have earned him the biggest title in the sport seven years in a row – and that is one big advantage he has over the others.
We can’t ignore that wow factor that Heath brings with his insane muscle bellies and the fact that he’s detailed EVERYWHERE!
However, being out of the competitive game since 2018 could be a factor in whether he’s able to come back like his old self or not.
But on the other hand, Heath is an extreme competitor that has the second-most wins in history and we think that if he maintains control of his midsection, he can’t be beaten.
And don’t think he stopped training hard this past year… oh no, he knew that he’d make a comeback whether it was this year or next (move over Brandon Curry).
We’re not implying he’ll walk through the competition but if he was there last year, there’s no doubt he’d have won. Let’s see what he brings this year…
Read: Phil Heath Is ‘So Freaking Possessed’ To Reclaim Olympia Title
Wrapping Up
Well, what do you think? We shared our top ten predictions for the 2020 Olympia and now we want to know how you’d order the very best in the Open division.
Have any questions about the upcoming Olympia? Leave your comments below.
Also, be sure to stick around for more updates and coverage on the 2020 Olympia.
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