It appears Phil Heath‘s highly anticipated return to the sport could be in the works for next year. In a recent IFBB AMA Podcast, Milos Sarcev suspected that Heath would make his comeback at the 2024 Arnold Classic in March.
Bodybuilding legend Phil Heath enjoyed a historic ride on his way to cementing one of the best résumés in the sport. Having battled against staples of the Open class such as Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, and Dennis Wolf, Heath was a highly dominant Mr. Olympia titleholder. Before calling it a career, Heath managed to win a total of seven Sandow trophies, tying Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s achievements on the sport’s biggest stage.
Eventually, the late Shawn Rhoden knocked Heath off his throne in 2018. His last competition came in 2020 at Olympia in third place. Phil Heath never officially announced his retirement, which has kept fans in suspense for years about his possible return.
Flirting with the idea of competing again, Heath recently mentioned that he knew ‘his worth,’ adding that it would take a $1 million price tag to entice his return. He also stated that if he did come back, he could compete at any contest, not just the Olympia.
In a Cutler Cast Podcast from August, Jay suspected that the world would see Heath on stage soon. Responding to the rumor, Heath shared that he would only come back if Jay Cutler mounted a return to the sport as well. Though, if you ask Milos Sarcev, he’s convinced Phil Heath’s comeback is already a ‘done deal.’
Milos Sarcev Says Jay Cutler Was Smirking About Phil Heath Comeback for 2024 Arnold Classic: ‘I Suspect He Might Do It’
Speaking with Regan Grimes and Antoine Vaillant, Sarcev revealed why he believes fans will see Phil Heath on the Arnold Classic stage next year.
“Hey, I suspect Phil Heath might do it [2024 Arnold Classic]. You know, yesterday, I sensed from Jay and Manager Matt, you know how they are, ‘No, no, no, we are not saying this.’ But I had that sense, oh he might be coming so Antoine, there is your competition,” Milos Sarcev revealed.
I heard from Matt and Jay that they didn’t say – they didn’t confirm that Nick Walker was going to do the Arnold Classic before anyone knew… and just the way they said it… you guys know something nobody else does. Yesterday or the day before, there was a moment when Jay had that smirk and ‘No, that’s not what I’m saying.’ Just watch, Phil Heath is doing the [2024] Arnold Classic, you heard it here first.”
“We were kind of hoping he could pose with Regan and Jay,” added Sarcev.
Given that Heath has never won an Arnold Classic title, should he enter and win, his legacy would continue to grow despite his latest hiatus. In addition, if Heath found success, he would once again prove that he has the ability to compete at the highest level.
Despite taking time away from the sport, Heath is fully committed to his health, wellness, and maintaining a quality physique. Over the past year, the 43-year-old has implemented renewed recovery practices to put him ‘in the best position to win.’
Heath also doesn’t shy away from discussing gear protocols. In a special sit-down discussion with Chris Williamson, Heath explained why he wasn’t concerned with health consequences caused by steroid use. According to “The Gift,” he used less ‘than everybody,’ and never needed compounds like Trenbolone or Insulin.
Milos Sarcev hints that Heath may be closer to making a comeback than we think. Fans hope to learn more about “The Gift’s” plans when Sarcev joins Cutler for another podcast soon.
RELATED: 7x Mr. Olympia Phil Heath Names the Only 10 Exercises Needed for Optimal Muscle Growth
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