Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler still watches over the Men’s Open division, having once dominated the landscape as a mass monster during the 2000s. In a recent appearance on Fouad Abiad’s Bro Chat podcast, Cutler revealed his top 10 picks for the nearing 2024 Arnold Classic, taking place in Columbus, Ohio from March 1-3.
Since Derek Lunsford‘s career-defining 2023 Mr. Olympia victory, he’s been the talk of the town, thanks to becoming the sport’s first-ever two-division champion. However, fans and bodybuilding veterans are now turning their attention to the next major event — the 2024 Arnold Classic, hosted by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Anticipation for the event exploded when the competitors list was made public. The biggest surprise was former 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan‘s entrance after just surrendering his title to Lunsford. Among the favorites is 2023 Olympia third-place finisher Samson Dauda, whose momentum and stature pose a unique challenge to ‘The Persian Wolf.’
But that’s just the highest qualifying Olympians, several elite Open talents are also aiming to make statements, such as Rafael Brandao, Marcello De Angelis, James Hollingshead, and possibly Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera, assuming he can travel to the US without visa issues.
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Jay Cutler’s 2024 Arnold Classic Top 10 Predictions
Jay Cutler was the latest bodybuilding veteran to share his predictions for the 2024 Arnold Classic, which you can find below:
- Winner — Hadi Choopan
- Second Place — Samson Dauda
- Third Place — James Hollingshead
- Fourth Place — Rafael Brandao
- Fifth Place — Marcello De Angelis (Horse MD)
- Sixth Place — Justin Rodriguez
- Seventh Place — Mohamed Shaaban
- Eighth Place — Jonathan De La Rosa
- Ninth Place — Akim Williams
- Tenth Place — Antoine Vaillant
The bodybuilding community is highly curious as to how the defending champ, Samson Dauda, will fare in his next outing. He regrouped quickly after the 2023 Olympia, proving himself in first place at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and the EVLS Prague Pro. However, Dauda revealed he suffered a hamstring injury recently, though doesn’t plan on letting it prevent him from winning a second AC title.
Meanwhile, the lineup was dealt a massive blow earlier this week when 2023 Arnold Classic third-place finisher Andrew Jacked bowed out of this year’s event as well as the UK show. He stressed that ‘different factors’ required his attention and given how hectic his bodybuilding schedule was, it’s safe to say the time off may serve Jacked’s physique well.
In retirement, Cutler routinely looks back on his bodybuilding days and can remember collecting four Sandow trophies and three Arnold Classic titles. Cutler said if he was in Derek Lunsford’s position, he would consider participating in the upcoming Arnold Classic.
Fans and Jay Cutler look forward to the Arnold Sports Festival taking over Ohio in just six weeks. Best of all, Schwarzenegger revealed the livestream for the 2024 Arnold Classic will be free of charge.
RELATED: Milos Sarcev, Dennis James, Chris Cormier Give Top 5 Predictions for 2024 Arnold Classic
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