The Arnold Classic is set to take place from March 1 to 3, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. With the roster of competitors going up last Friday, bodybuilders have begun preparations. Recently on Instagram, athletes Hadi Choopan, Rubiel Mosquera, Samson Dauda, Horse MD (Marcello De Angelis), James Hollingshead, Justin Rodriguez, and Antoine Vaillant shared their progress with just under three months until the event.
The Arnold Classic is the second-largest event in bodybuilding, coming just behind Mr. Olympia. The competition allows athletes to earn recognition and bragging rights as well as a prestigious title. In addition, they receive hefty paydays that as of last year were increased to 300K which rivals the 400K given by Mr. Olympia.
Last year the prize money being increased incentivized more bodybuilders to enter the competition last minute. This included Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay who took fourth place and Nick Walker who would take second to Samson Dauda.
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This year, the Arnold Classic roster revealed the return of five of last year’s champions. This includes Men’s Open’s Samson Dauda, Bikini’s Lauralie Chapados who is a two-time champion, Classic Physique’s Ramon Rocha Querioz, Fitness’s Ariel Khadr, also a two-time champion, and Wheelchair’s Harold ‘King Kong’ Kelley.
Top Men’s Open Talents Share Physique Updates Months from 2024 Arnold Classic
Samson Dauda
Samson Dauda is coming back to defend his title looking to be a two-time champion. Since winning the 2023 Arnold Classic, Dauda has stayed busy. Earning third at the Mr. Olympia and then immediately competing at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro where he won first. If that wasn’t enough, Samson Dauda finished off his busy season with a win at the EVLS Prague Pro. Now, Dauda is already getting prepared for the 2024 Arnold Classic showing off his shredded physique.
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Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera
Along with the champions looking to defend their titles, there is fresh blood in the water as fans see bodybuilders such as Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera who just earned his IFBB pro card at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro Amateur as a massive threat.
Already having gone up against big names like Samson Dauda, Michal Krizanek, and Nathan De Asha, securing third place at the EVLS Prague Pro, ‘Neckzilla’ is ready to turn it up at a competition once again. His next course of action is to take the stage at the 2024 Arnold Classic and shared his already impressive physique update ahead of the event.
“Gotta keep grinding the best is yet to come 💪” Mosquera wrote.
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Hadi Choopan
After losing the throne to Derek Lunsford at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Hadi Choopan is entering the Arnold Classic with a lot to prove. Should he pull off the massive victory against Dauda and others, he’d have significant momentum heading into his next Olympia. This will be Choopan’s first Arnold Classic competition of his career.
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Horse MD (Marcello De Angelis)
Horse MD will make his highly anticipated splash with the elites after making the switch from Classic Physique to the Open last year. Trained by Milos Sarcev, fans are looking forward to seeing the aesthetic mass that the Brazilian star is known for displaying on stage.
Having just finished third place behind Michal Krizanek and Samson Dauda at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro, Horse MD is a definite wild card heading into Columbus, Ohio in March.
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Justin Rodriguez
Justin Rodriguez, a known talent in the Men’s Open division, continues his campaign soon with the Arnold Classic on his agenda. A mass monster who last competed at the 2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro in third place, Rodriguez is always a notable threat at any show he enters.
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James Hollingshead
“The Shed” returns once again aiming to win his very first Arnold Classic title. He is back after taking an extended off-season to improve his physique. He competed at the 2022 Olympia but wasn’t able to place in the top 15. Nevertheless, Hollingshead always maintains an incredible level of mass and with the proper level of conditioning, he’s a dark horse to win this competition.
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Antoine Vaillant
Overcoming drug addiction and health issues, Antoine Vaillant has set his sights on the 2024 Arnold Classic. Known for boasting incredible lines and a detailed lower body, Vaillant has proven himself time and time again on high-profile Pro stages. In his last outing, he competed at the 2022 Olympia, however, just like Hollingshead, he found himself in the last call-out, placing outside the top 15.
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Intending to make bodybuilding more accessible, Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the 2024 Arnold Classic would be free to stream. This means more fans than ever will be watching the sport’s second-biggest showcase of the year.
With Samson Dauda aiming to defend his title, time will tell if he has what it takes to fend off a crop of hungry contenders, including a former Mr. Olympia winner in Hadi Choopan.
RELATED: Big Ramy Drops Massive Physique Update, Will He Enter the 2024 Arnold Classic?
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