Breon Ansley is aiming to bring an unprecedented wow factor to the stage in 2023. In a recent Muscular Development YouTube interview published on October 30, Ansley joined Ron Harris to discuss his Olympia preparations and thoughts heading into the sport’s biggest event of the year.
The Classic Physique division has rapidly grown in popularity, thanks to the many stars that have emerged since its inception. Breon Ansley is one of them, and he built his reputation from the ground up with a string of impressive performances. His most unforgettable feats took place in 2017 and 2018 when he cemented himself as a dominant Classic Physique Olympia champion.
However, his title reign came to an unceremonious end when Canada’s Chris Bumstead rose up the ranks. Ever since, no one from the category has been able to match the stature, frame, muscularity, and conditioning of Bumstead. In Breon’s last Olympia outing, he took fourth place in what many thought would be his last Classic Physique appearance.
In an effort to assist shorter competitors in the class, IFBB Pro League Vice President Tyler Manion announced new weight/height rules for Classic Physique. While Ansley was considering a move to Men’s 212 Bodybuilding due to the harsh weight cap, he’s had a change of heart. Now, “The Black Swan” is laying out his master plan for defeating his long-standing rival in Orlando, Florida this weekend.
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Breon Ansley Aiming for ‘Ultimate Conditioning’ in Showdown w/ Chris Bumstead at 2023 Olympia
Ansley quickly decided which division to pursue at Olympia after hearing of the rule change.
“I made it [decision to stick with Classic Physique] three or four days later. I had to be fast. I had to make it fast Ron because you know… we were under ten weeks out already in prep so I couldn’t lollygag and make a decision so I made it three or four days later and a couple of things went into it: number one was just ultimately, can I bring a better much improved different wow factor of a look on the Classic stage with seven pounds. I came to the conclusion that I could.”
To be eligible to compete on the 2023 Olympia stage, Ansley still needs to lose six or seven pounds.
“That’s always been my sweet spot, weighing in around 192-194 really almost ready to go… so I still got another six or seven [pounds] to lose to hit the cap but much better than 12-14.”
“Yeah [191, 192 pounds] before the water is cut, essentially, yes,” says Ansley about his weight cap.
Asnely briefly touched on his shredding diet and emphasized that he’s going for “ultimate conditioning.”
“That was it. That’s it. Chicken and egg whites in the morning. Chicken and veggies, meal two and three and then maybe a salmon or a bison meeal four, and then a shrimp or a cod and veggies meal five. All six ounces,” said Breon Ansley about shredding.
“All in all you still have to go through the rigors of a prep to still bring ultimate conditioning. It’s not about how — it’s not about getting there to the weight cap — it’s about how we get there. You still have to go through the struggles and the you know, the nitty of gritty and make it hurt to achieve the look that we want.”
Overall, Ansley said he prefers the Classic Physique category but is unsure what the future holds for him and his career.
“I like the Classic division the best, better than the 212 division. We’ll see. First thing is first, we definitely have to take care of the Classic look at this Olympia and we’ll see whatever kind of challenges that I want to attain out there.”
With a hunger he hasn’t felt since 2016, Ansley believes it’s his year to win back the Classic Physique Olympia crown.
“Oh I miss it very very badly and this time I think it’s… the time is now that we are able to show a different body. The time is now to claim it again. I’ve had that hunger just as if I was 2016 when I wanted to attain it. I have that same hunger this year. It’s there. I think it’s mine for the taking.”
Chris Cormier predicted on Dennis James’ The Menace Podcast that Ansley will reclaim his Olympia title this weekend. Not only will Bumstead once again face Ansley, but he’ll have to deal with other top-tier talents like Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Rocha Queiroz, who recently claimed gold at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
The 2023 Mr. Olympia event will take place from November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center. Should Ansley bring the wow factor he’s suggesting, he believes he’ll have enough firepower to overthrow ‘Cbum’ to win his title back.
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Watch the full video from the Muscular Development YouTube channel below:
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