Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend is the grandest bodybuilding contest in the sport and marks the end of each competitive season. Athletes from all around the world push their bodies to the limit, training and dieting relentlessly to earn a coveted spot on the Olympia roster.
The 2024 Olympia is scheduled for Oct 10-13 in Las Vegas, NV, and the biggest names from the industry will lock horns to earn the bragging rights to call themselves the best bodybuilders in their respective divisions.
Olympia promoters and athletes are pulling out all the stops to make the 60th edition the most spectacular in history. That said, hundreds of athletes will compete at the 2024 Olympia, making it easy to overlook the crucial matchups.
In this article, I spotlight the must-see showdowns in all 11 divisions of the 2024 Olympia, ensuring you don’t miss any of the action.
Men’s Divisions
Here are the most heated battles in the five Men’s divisions:
Men’s Open Division (Mr. Olympia) — Derek Lunsford vs. Hadi Choopan
The Men’s Open division (Mr. Olympia) is the prime attraction and crowd-puller of the Olympia Weekend. There are no weight or height caps in the Open division, making it the home of the 300-pound freaks.
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Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford have dominated the Mr. Olympia contest for the past two years. Choopan won the coveted Sandow trophy in 2022, and Lunsford dethroned him in 2023 to become the first multi-division Olympia champ in the sport’s six-decade history.
Choopan’s victory at the 2024 Arnold Classic (AC) US & UK makes him the biggest threat to Lunsford’s Olympia throne. If Choopan is successful at defeating Lunsford, he will become the second bodybuilder in history after Jay Cutler to win back the Sandow trophy after losing it.
Although these two are the frontrunners for the 2024 Mr. Olympia title, one cannot rule out the ever-improving Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, and Hunter Labrada. Nick Walker, who had to sit out of the 2023 Olympia due to a last-minute hamstring and calf injury, is poised to make a powerful comeback and challenge for the crown.
Finally, the 2019 Mr. Olympia champ Brandon Curry will also be looking to improve on his fourth-place finish at the 2023 Olympia.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Mr. Olympia (Men’s Open)
- Derek Lunsford (Reigning Champion)
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Nick Walker
- Andrew Jacked
- Hunter Labrada
- Brandon Curry
212 Olympia — Keone Pearson vs. Shaun Clarida
The 212 Olympia throne has been a game of musical chairs for the last six years, with a new champion every year since 2018.
This division will likely be a two-man show at the 2024 Olympia, with Keone Pearson and Shaun Clarida battling it out for the top honors. Experts believe Pearson’s muscle size will help him successfully defend the title, whereas others believe Clarida’s muscle density will earn him his third Olympia title.
If Pearson is successful in fending off Clarida at the 2023 Olympia, he will become the first bodybuilder to do a repeat since Flex Lewis’ seven-year reign (2012-18).
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 212 Olympia
- Keone Pearson (Reigning Champion)
- Shaun Clarida
Classic Physique Olympia — Chris Bumstead vs. Wesley Vissers vs. Ramon Rocha Queiroz
The Classic Physique Olympia is arguably the second most popular division in pro bodybuilding and has been dominated by Chris Bumstead for an impressive five consecutive years (2019-23).
While Ramon Querioz and Urs Kalecinski were considered the fiercest rivals for Bumstead until the 2023 Olympia, Wesley Vissers has now emerged as the biggest challenger to his reign.
Vissers established his dominance by winning the 2024 AC US & UK, defeating the likes of Querioz, Kalecinski, and former Olympia and AC winner Breon Ansley.
Ansley has announced that the 2024 Olympia will be his final competition in the Classic Physique division, and he will transition to the 212 division for the 2025 season. On the other hand, there are rumors of Bumstead’s potential retirement after this year’s Olympia, making this showdown even more exciting.
Vissers made some significant changes to his physique in a very short time. He went from a seventh-place finish at the 2023 Olympia to winning the second-biggest contest in the sport within a few weeks.
Fans are eagerly waiting to find out if Vissers can fine-tune his physique and elbow out Bumstead at the 2024 Olympia.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia
- Chris Bumstead (Reigning Champion)
- Wesley Vissers
- Ramon Querioz
- Urs Kalecinski
- Breon Ansley
Men’s Physique Olympia — Ryan Terry vs. Brandon Hendrickson vs. Erin Banks
Men’s Physique is undoubtedly one of the most cutthroat divisions in the IFBB Pro League, and the competition stiffens each year. Ryan Terry won his maiden Olympia title in 2023 on his ninth attempt, while the defending champ Erin Banks slipped to third place.
Terry recently came under fire on social media for altering his photos and has since apologized. A mental setback like this can weigh heavily on his performance at the 2024 Olympia, and former champs Brandon Hendrickson and Banks will undoubtedly be looking to capitalize on any vulnerability.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Men’s Physique Olympia
- Ryan Terry (Reigning Champion)
- Brandon Hendrickson
- Erin Banks
Wheelchair Olympia — Karol Milewski vs. Harold Kelley
The wheelchair division is one of the most inspiring in the sport. Harold Kelley dominated the Olympia stage for five years (2018-22) but couldn’t hold off Polish bodybuilder Karol Milewski at the 2023 Olympia.
While some bodybuilding gurus believe Milewski’s size, separation, and conditioning could secure his reign on the Wheelchair Olympia throne for years to come, Kelley was hard at work in the off-season, determined to win back his title.
Rajesh John from India became a top contender for the 2024 Olympia gold medal after winning the 2024 Arnold Classic title.
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Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Wheelchair Olympia
- Karol Milewski (Reigning Champion)
- Harold Kelley
- Rajesh John
Women’s Divisions
There are six women’s divisions in the IFBB Pro League, each showcasing unique body types and skills. Here are the main battles to look out for at the 2024 Olympia:
Bikini Olympia — Maureen Blanquisco vs. Lauralie Chapados vs. Ashley Kaltwasser
With three former Olympia winners eyeing the gold medal, the Bikini division will likely be a very close contest. The two-time and reigning Olympia champ Jennifer Dorrie withdrew her name for the 2024 Olympia to focus on her business endeavors, leaving the throne wide open for other competitors.
The former Olympia champs Maureen Blanquisco, Elisa Pecini, Ashley Kaltwasser, and three-time Arnold Classic champ Lauralie Chapados are the frontrunners going into the show.
Each of these girls has unique physiques and will look to capitalize on their strengths to get the final nod from the judges.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Bikini Olympia
- Jennifer Dorrie (Reigning Champion) — Not Competing
- Maureen Blanquisco
- Lauralie Chapados
- Ashley Kaltwasser
- Elisa Pecini
Wellness Olympia — Francielle Mattos vs. Isabelle Nunes
The Wellness division has fast become one of the most popular contests in the sport, with Brazilian athletes dominating the division. Francielle Mattos has been reigning on the Olympia throne since the division debuted in 2021, and she is eyeing her fourth consecutive title at the 2024 Olympia.
Mattos’ countrywoman and 2023 Olympia runner-up Isabelle Nunes is touted to be her biggest challenger. However, Mattos has extended her lead as she defeated Nunes (former AC champ) to win her maiden Wellness International title in 2024.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Wellness Olympia
- Francielle Mattos (Reigning Champion)
- Isabelle Nunes
Fitness Olympia — Missy Truscott vs. Whitney Jones vs. Taylor Learmont
The Fitness Olympia will witness a changing of the guard, as reigning champion Oksana Grishina, a five-time winner, will be absent this year due to pregnancy.
The 2023 Fitness Olympia was marred by unfortunate injuries to former champs Missy Truscott and Whitney Jones during the fitness routine round. With both of them making a comeback, it will be interesting to see if the newcomer Taylor Learmont can hold onto a podium spot in her sophomore year at the Olympia.
With Ariel Khadr out of the 2024 Olympia due to a neck injury, the 2024 AC UK champ Jaclyn Baker is now a strong contender for a top-three finish.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Fitness Olympia
- Oksana Grishina (Reigning Champion) — Not Competing
- Missy Truscott
- Whitney Jones
- Taylor Learmont
- Jaclyn Baker
Women’s Physique Olympia — Sarah Villegas vs. Natalia Abraham Coelho
The three-time and reigning Women’s Physique Olympia champ Sarah Villegas is one of the most vocal athletes in the sport and isn’t shy about making her opinions known. She is also the only athlete to have won back the Women’s Physique Olympia title after losing it.
Experts believe the 2024 Women’s Physique Olympia will be a rematch between Villegas and Natalia Abraham Coelho. While Villegas is known for her signature muscle conditioning and separation, Coelho relies on her muscle size, shape, symmetry, and balance.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Women’s Physique Olympia
- Sarah Villegas (Reigning Champion)
- Natalia Abraham Coelho
Figure Olympia — Cydney Gillon vs. Jessica Reyes Padilla
Cydney Gillon has a vice-like grip on the Figure Olympia title and has won seven consecutive titles (2017-23). Another win will put her in Lenda Murray, Lee Haney, and Ronnie Coleman’s league, who have all won eight Olympia titles.
Gillon’s biggest threat at the 2024 Olympia will likely be the reigning Master’s Olympia champ, Jessica Reyes Padilla, who has been on her tail for multiple years.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Figure Olympia
- Cydney Gillon (Reigning Champion)
- Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Lola Montez
Women’s Open Division (Ms. Olympia) — Andrea Shaw vs. Angela Yeo
Most bodybuilding experts believed Andrea Shaw would follow in the footsteps of Corinna Everson, Lenda Murray, and Iris Kyle and dominate the Ms. Olympia division for multiple years. However, Anglea Yeo threw all these predictions for a toss when she defeated Andrea Shaw at the second most prestigious Women’s bodybuilding competition in August 2024 — the 2024 Rising Phoenix.
Although Yeo won by just one point at the 2024 Rising Phoenix, it is enough to put her in the driver’s seat going into the Olympia. Yeo will be ready to seize the Ms. Olympia throne should Shaw falter in any way.
Athletes To Watch at the 2024 Ms. Olympia (Women’s Open)
- Andrea Shaw (Reigning Champion)
- Angela Yeo
Conclusion
The 2024 Olympia will undoubtedly be one of the most legendary bodybuilding showdowns in the sport’s history. Which rivalry do you think will be the most intense at the 2024 Olympia, and which division do you think will crown a new champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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