Dedicated bodybuilding guru Chris Aceto has studied the sport for decades. In a RxMuscle interview, Aceto discussed Jay Cutler’s impressive ‘Fit for 50’ physique transformation and shut down his chances of making a comeback at the 2023 Masters Olympia on August 25-27.
To the delight of fans around the world, the annual Masters Olympia competition returns after an 11-year absence. The show, which celebrates and features older athletes, will see a total of 10 divisions compete for gold.
In just a few months, the event will occupy the BT Arena in Cluj Napoca, Romania, and athletes will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. The Olympia organizers revealed the overall prize money stands at $229,000 and the Men’s Open winner is guaranteed an invitation to the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest this November.
Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler inadvertently teased a return after showing off his shredded physique during a training session. In response to fan speculation, Cutler said he had no intentions of competing on a bodybuilding stage but was transforming his body as a personal goal before turning 50 years old.
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With fans still calling for Cutler’s return, Chris Aceto joined Dave Palumbo to weigh in on the legend’s chances of coming back. In addition, Aceto critiqued the Masters Olympia and said he ‘can’t get excited about it.’
Chris Aceto Says Jay Cutler Isn’t Prepping for a Contest, Criticizes 2023 Masters Olympia: ‘Oh God, Stop Promoting That’
While Cutler is maintaining a tremendous physique, Aceto doesn’t believe he’s coming back to compete.
“Oh God, stop promoting that Masters Olympia. I want to pull the plug on it the more I think of it. No, he’s going to be – he’s going to be 60 right? What is he getting in shape for his 50th birthday? He’s going to be 50. He looks good. No, I haven’t talked to him about it but I saw it [Cutler’s update] and he looks incredible. Look at the pecs, look at the shoulders, look at those biceps – striated,” Chris Aceto said.
“Dude he’s gigantic for – this is 10 minutes a day of training I’m sure. Look at the quads,” Aceto shared. “No, he loves discipline, he loves the process, he’s creative, he likes setting goals, he likes accomplishing goals, he loves business. And he likes… doing cutting edge things that – I mean, how many former Mr. Olympias would do an ‘I’m going to get in shape at 50.’ And take it seriously.”
“He’s always, he’s got his interview show, he’s always doing something that – he doesn’t have to do any of it. Because you’re right, outside of Arnold, who has that type of bank account?”
On a scale of 1-10, Aceto said the idea of a comeback doesn’t ‘register’ for Jay Cutler at this point in time.
“Never. Not even a – on a scale of 1-10, it doesn’t register in his brain for doing a masters show or any show,” Aceto said. “No. I’m sure his take is the same as mine, that’s why I rant on the Olympia. The Masters Olympia for the most part is like saying we’re going to have a playboy bunny reunion show. They’re not going to look like their 20s or 30s, the competitors for the most part, you might get someone coming in who could never in their prime [win]. Let’s just see where it goes. That’s the take on it.”
According to Aceto, the Masters Olympia doesn’t carry the same prestige as Mr. Olympia shows. Furthermore, ‘The Technician’ says without legends participating, it’s not a true Masters Olympia competition.
“There goes my reason for not having the Masters Olympia [people not knowing Masters Olympia winner Don Youngblood]. Full stop. No one listening to this show knows who he is. I don’t mean that in a negative way to like against. But a fact is a fact, people don’t know who he is.”
“I mean it is what it is. They’re going to have it. I just can’t get excited about it, you know,” Aceto added. “It’s like somebody from England or Germany or U.S. or Brazil – some guy, 47, you can look back and say, ‘Geez, I competed with him at the German Nationals and he was fourth every year that he competed at it,’ doesn’t mean that he doesn’t win the show, this individual at the Masters Olympia, but the point is, is that part of like Masters, I think is connected with this idea of legends. Am I wrong?
Overall, Aceto doesn’t believe there’s enough incentive for bodybuilders to come out of retirement for Masters Olympia.
“They don’t have the Masters NBA or the Masters NFL… you know. Major League Baseball,” Aceto said. “I don’t know [how old Samson Dauda] is, but what would be the point, so they could make $16,000?”
“People would love to see Kai and Phil but you know, we are the most critical – the bodybuilding crew is the most critical fans of all fans in all sports. Because in the NFL we could go watch a game and say the Bengals stunk, you know. In bodybuilding, we could say Kai or Phil stunk and then what fans do is, ‘this is what he needs to do.’ I mean talk about Monday morning quarterbacking.”
Cutler isn’t the only bodybuilding veteran fans are clamoring to see back on stage. Recently, Kai Greene appeared in an interview, where he discussed his diet, TRT, and competing naturally for more than 15 years. While contemplating a comeback, Greene refused to rule one out completely.
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With the return of Masters Olympia on the horizon, competitors have a few months to prepare. Among those expressing interest in participating is Hidetada Yamagishi, who at age 50, plans to test himself at one final contest.