Classic Physique’s Breon Ansley has massive plans for the 2024 season, and it starts with earning a victory at the nearing Arnold Classic from February 29 to March 3 in Columbus, Ohio. In a recent interview with NPC News Online, Ansley discussed his prep and goals as he aims to capture gold at the second biggest show of the year.
As a former two-time Classic Physique Olympia winner (2017, 2018) and the 2018 Arnold Classic champion, Breon Ansley has long understood the keys to success in the growing division. He has battled and won against the current reigning five-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead.
Even though Ansley lost his title in 2019, that hasn’t stopped him from maintaining his status as one of the best talents in the world. He has never dipped below the top four at the Mr. Olympia and took fourth last November against Urs Kalecinski, Ramon Rocha Querioz, and Bumstead.
Aiming to set himself up with a big season, Ansley will enjoy a seven-pound weight increase, thanks to the new height/weight cap adjustment announced by the IFBB Pro League. Considering the added muscle, he intends to make a statement when the curtains raise in Ohio.
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Breon Ansley Talks 2024 Arnold Classic Prep, Hopes to ‘Bring Home the Damn Win’
According to Ansley, he has modified his approach to cardio training, emphasizing performance by measuring endurance and stamina.
“This time around I was paying attention to my endurance and my stamina with the cardio not just you know, haphazardly walking on the stairs or the treadmill or whatever the cardio was on the bike.
I was paying attention to the actual performance of the cardio. I think that was the difference and the game changer this time around as far as the look and the conditioning as far as staying a little bit more full and looking athletic.”
He hopes that his changes to training will be the difference-maker on the Arnold Classic stage.
“We hope for that to bring home the damn win,” adds Ansley. “I’ve been able to eat a little bit more too which has been amazing.”
“You could see it I felt it, I saw it in the video here that I replayed on the phone. Yeah, you could see it. Like I said, I felt it. I feel the difference. You feel a little bit more powerful and a little bit more, you just feel like you’re showcasing more, very well taken, the feedback, very well taken, very much appreciated.”
“Well, I said that I was going to do the 212 because just the 180-pound weight cap was just limiting me a little bit, you know, as far as growth and development. This is a bodybuilding game right, so with this seven pounds I was able to – that’s a significant amount of pounds given. And so, I’m able to showcase a little bit better what I bring to the table, a lot better what I bring to the table, little bit more muscle, little bit more density, and a little bit more maturity. It plays into my favor.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay, they forget because that’s how Classic is, it moves kind of so fast with the favorites and with the popular choices. But I like, you know, I still haven’t gotten anything less than fourth place all these years. I’m still right there. I’m still knocking at the door. I’m in the mix, I’m in the mix and I won’t be out of the mix and I’ll be getting the title hopefully this year.”“We are definitely going to use this momentum from these Arnolds, have a good showing at these Arnolds, and look to have great momentum moving into the rest of the year.”
“Yes, [I have beaten Chris Bumstead before] twice. I’m the only one who’s beaten him who is currently competing against him in the lineup now, I think Terrence has beat him one time but maybe that was not, was that an Arnold Pro stage… I think Terrence has gotten him one time, yeah on a Pro stage. But, at the Olympia, I’m the only one.”“I hold that notch on my belt,” said Ansley. “I don’t feel like I’m done. I don’t feel like I’m done having the title or earning the title and being the Olympia champion, the Classic champion. I still feel like I have a lot left in the tank and I’m hungry for it.”
“I’ve worked very hard for this prep,” adds Ansley. “It’s my job to prove the naysayers, more so prove it to myself first and then use all that out there as fuel. That’s what we’re doing, using it as fuel. You guys will see in seven days what we’ve put together.”
Watch the full video from the NPC News Online YouTube channel below:
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