Chatter is heating up around the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest, slated to take over Las Vegas, Nevada for its 60th anniversary in October. In his latest Cutler Cast Podcast, Jay Cutler gave his vision of the first call-out and highlighted why Brandon Curry has the potential to crack the top five.
All year athletes have been waging war to ensure their qualification for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Not only is the deadline to qualify approaching on September 15 but time is dwindling for athletes to improve their physiques before the intensity of preparations consumes their daily lives.
Derek Lunsford raised gold above his head at the 2023 Olympia contest. In doing so, he became the sport’s first and only two-division Mr. Olympia champion, having earned gold in the 212 category back in 2021. The show’s lineup is littered with skilled athletes and former Mr. Olympias like Brandon Curry and Hadi Choopan. Nick ‘The Mutant’ Walker will also vie for gold after failing to compete last year due to disastrous hamstring and calf tears.
Having collected four Sandow trophies in his prime, Cutler has a vested interest in the Mr. Olympia contest. With the showdown a stone’s throw away, he elaborated on which contenders might make a push for the first call-out when the curtains rise in the weeks to come.
Jay Cutler Discusses Potential First Call-Out at 2024 Mr. Olympia, Says Brandon Curry Needs to Nail His Best Condition
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Although Abdullah Alotaibi no longer coaches Brandon Curry, Cutler refused to count out the former 2019 Mr. Olympia, adding that his density could make a huge difference on stage.
“So more than likely we’re going to have what, 20 guys? And some won’t show up. There’s going to be guys that don’t compete,” shares Cutler. “Brandon Curry… we don’t know, you were over in the Middle East he’s there.”
“I see his training videos, he looks phenomenal. He was fourth last year being sick. He’s a Mr. Olympia. He’s going to be in the first call-out of the top five, we’ll give him that shot,” said Cutler. “It’s not Abdullah [coaching him]. He has the density and that’s really, when you get to that Olympia, that density makes a huge difference. The round muscle tissue, it’s just nailing his best condition, it’s kind of like a William thing. Remember, he and William battled for Arnold Classics.”
Cutler envisions the first call-out being made up of five or six Men’s Open contenders.
“Eight [athletes I believe make first call-out],” says Cutler. “You could have a six call-out, five call-out actually. There’s going to be, like you said, I hate to say it and I hate to jinx people, but someone is going to miss. We all have. So, that could really turn things up.”
He also stressed that Walker remains a mysterious threat as fans didn’t get to see him perform on stage last year.
Like you said, a guy that’s got a better body may not — Nick Walker is a big question mark because there’s a lot of eyes on him. Can he come back in Olympia form like the times he competed rather than the New York Pro condition? Martin Fitzwater, can he be in that first call-out, he’s pretty good.”
In addition, Cutler pointed to Behrooz Tabani, Hunter Labrada, and Andrew Jacked making the first call-out.
“Is Behrooz going to come? He could be in the first call-out,” he said. “They are building a hell of a contest coming in October.”
“Listen guys, there might be some sleepers out there, let’s hear your comments about who is missing that could still possibly topple Hunter or an Andrew.”
While Cutler has been hesitant to offer concrete predictions for the marquee event, he did reveal his ‘three kings’ of the Open class for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. He gave the honors to Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Derek Lunsford — all of whom placed in the top three at last year’s event. Meanwhile, Curry’s coach, Alotaibi, who parted ways with the Men’s Open star, was adamant that he will ‘never’ win the Mr. Olympia this year.
All questions will be answered October 10-13 when the Mr. Olympia event takes over the bodybuilding community. Who do you envision making the first call-out later this year?
Watch the full video from the Cutler Cast Podcast YouTube channel below:
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