Michal “Krizo” Krizanek, a surging Men’s Open contender, is determined to improve his placing on the sport’s most prominent stage. In a recent YouTube video published on September 25, Krizo discussed his start in bodybuilding and targeted a top eight position at the nearing 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, set to take place in Orlando, Florida from November 2-5.
Krizo was one of the most talked-about names of the season last year and for good reason. He stormed the NPC from the IFBB Elite Pro League and instantly garnered attention from bodybuilders and fans from across the globe. His fibrous muscle tissue combined with a slim waist and enormous biceps made him a fan-favorite the moment he arrived on the scene.
Wasting no time, the 33-year-old jumped into the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy and secured gold with ease. Having picked up credibility and momentum, Krizo took on the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro last November and won that too.
Within a few months, Krizo had become a major player in the Men’s Open as he secured his Olympia qualification during a busy rookie season. Even former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout was convinced he had a shot at winning Mr. Olympia on his first attempt.
Krizo made it to the Olympia stage and placed 12th. Considering the quality of the lineup, it was a huge feat given Krizo’s lack of IFBB Pro contest experience. In July, the Slovakian standout won the 2023 Empro Classic Pro, which guaranteed him another opportunity against the world’s best at Olympia. With his eyes on the marquee event, Krzio, joined by his coach, discussed their game plan for success.
Michal Krizo Talks 2023 Mr. Olympia Plans, Says He Beats Hunter Labrada “No Problem”
Krizo described his conditioning as “very good” six weeks from his second Olympia appearance. As for a final prediction, Krzio modestly stated that he plans to secure a spot in the top eight, adding that he doesn’t have “big expectations.”
“Yes [I always believed in myself] because I know my qualities,” shared Krizo. “Yes, yes every day, around 30 minutes [I’m posing]. Every day or every second day. Alone. But I’m sending videos to my coach. I think now it’s – my condition – it’s very good.”“Top eight. Top eight. We will see. I don’t have big expectations.”
Krizo has Mr. Olympia-winning ambitions but suggested that he’ll reach his prime years in the sport in four or five years’ time.
“Yes. Every bodybuilder has the dream to win Mr. Olympia I think. Maybe, I don’t know. I don’t know. But I think my full potential will be full at 37, 38 I think. Yeah, four or five years.”
Krizo’s coach emphasized that back development has been their primary focus this season. He shared that this is the first time Krizo has ever utilized cardio before a contest to prioritize conditioning.
“Condition you know, Michal, this first time this year, Michal’s cardio in the form of bicycle, for five years, [he hasn’t] done one minute of cardio,” Krizo’s coach explained. “First time ever he does cardio this year. It’s different.”
At the 2023 Olympia, Krizo believes he can defeat Hunter Labrada “no problem” but was unsure of his chances against Andrew Jacked.
“Hunter… no problem,” laughs Krizo. Jacked… it’s hard to know. But Jacked isn’t on my radar.”
Krizo Names Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone as Major Bodybuilding Inspirations
According to Krizo, he started training at 15 years old and was “very short” with a “small weight.”
“No [I haven’t always been this big]. I started training when I was 15. I was very short and a small weight. When I start to train, I grow, growing my weight and when I finished school, secondary school, I was 110 kilos but when I started to train, I was 64 kilos. In four years, I gained weight around 40 kilos but naturally!”
“I started competing when I was 27,” added Krizo. I was amateur only one year and next year I was an Elite Pro. I won the Elite Pro card. Yes [when I was 27].
His early influences in the sport were ’90s-era bodybuilders such as Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, Dennis Wolf, and Kevin Levrone.
“I read Muscle and Fitness magazine. I saw ’90s bodybuilders, Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, Dennis Wolf, and Kevin Levrone [were my biggest inspirations].”
Krizo’s coach added that his pupil’s genetics are similar to Levrone’s.
“Kevin Levrone, the same genetics. Yes. Yes,” added Krizo’s coach. “After technique, it’s all heart. Slowly, the back needs more training. It’s a defect. This is back. We wanted to improve back. This is number one for training.”
Lastly, Krizo said he likes to train his arms like bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, though added that strength exercises haven’t been a stable part of his latest routine.
“I train like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I take dumbbells and normally pump. This is only, nothing more. But in one hand I lift 40 kilos… in one hand. Now I don’t know, because I am – I don’t use the strength exercises for biceps, triceps. But before, no problem.”
This wasn’t Krizo’s first check-in ahead of the next Mr. Olympia contest. In early September, the Open star detailed his comprehensive training split, emphasizing pyramid techniques, which he believes are crucial to his physique’s evolution and progress. Looking more striated and vascular than in seasons prior, Krizo hopes these measures ultimately pay off on the sport’s greatest stage.
In the coming weeks, Krizo will face a stacked Men’s Open lineup at 2023 Mr. Olympia. However, there have been changes to the roster. Over the weekend, former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay officially withdrew his name from the nearing competition, with plans of returning in the future with improvements.
Reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan will look to defend his crown against contenders Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry, and Samson Dauda. Among other threats will be Michal Krizo, a dark horse, who is keeping an open mind heading into November.
Check out the full video from Fouad Abiad’s Media YouTube channel below:
Relive every moment from the 2025 Mr. Olympia, including prejudging, highlights, expert analysis, and full results. Explore our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia. For minute-by-minute coverage, follow our Live Blog.
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