Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Home » Bodybuilding

Samir Bannout Names His Favorites and Dark Horses for 2023 Mr. Olympia

"The Lion of Lebanon" looked at some of the biggest names in the Open ahead of Olympia and discussed where they could all improve.

Written by Doug Murray

Published on8 October, 2023 | 12:50 PM EDT

Ask Question?
Samir Bannout

Samir Bannout (Photo Credit: @nick_walker39 @dereklunsford_ Rumble: Old School Labs)

The IFBB Pro League will welcome the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest next month on November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. With a stacked Men’s Open lineup expected to compete, Samir Bannout took to a recent Rumble video published on October 5, 2023, to discuss some of his frontrunners and dark horses. 

In the 1970s and 80s, Samir Bannout built a reputation for himself in the Open with a grueling gym pace and a sculpted back. Having tested his resolve against legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Dickerson, and Frank Zane, Bannout may have retired but carries with him one of the best minds in the sport. 

Last December, the 2022 Mr. Olympia results shook the world with Hadi Choopan emerging as the new titleholder. Former kingpin Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay was unseated as champion, and to the surprise of his fans, decided recently to bow out of the nearing 2023 Mr. Olympia competition. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr. Olympia LLC (@mrolympiallc)

Despite Ramy’s absence, there are a number of Men’s Open Bodybuilders who still intend to ruin Choopan’s plans. With competitors stepping on stage soon, Bannout assessed their chances of earning gold or a top-five spot below: 

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

Samir Bannout Talks 2023 Mr. Olympia, Breaks Down Top Contenders 

According to Bannout, he is still backing Derek Lunsford to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia title. 

“He said [Ronnie Coleman], ‘I have to go with Derek.’ Yeah, I still think Derek Lunsford has the advantage. Again, let’s not say Samson – Samson is very dangerous but let’s hope Samson can peak properly. I always worry about the peaking plans, the modern peaking plans, getting that body that really paper thin skin. I think Hany Rambod he understands peaking properly and whatever he does he’s doing a hell of a job of drying out the athletes and showing high quality.” 

Bannout’s Top 3 Finishers for 2023 Olympia 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_)

 
I have to go with Derek and then Hadi Choopan and perhaps we have who else Samson and Nick Walker – I mean Nick Walker I saw a couple of photos and he seemed to be pretty good even now. So, I would like to see Nick Walker also improve his presentation. You should never be satisfied, ‘Oh, yeah I did good,’ show more of what you have, what you worked hard for this year. I can see Nick right up there too.” 
 
“Look at the quality [of Nick Walker]. Impressive. Huge guy. Well, evidently, his coach is doing a good job with him. He’s a hard worker staying on the same page with someone intelligent and you can see the muscle quality is more like old school looking muscle.” 
  • Winner — Derek Lunsford
  • Second Place — Hadi Choopan
  • Third Place — Samson Dauda/Nick Walker 

Regan Grimes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by REGAN GRIMES (@regangrimes)

Next, Bannout opened up about Regan Grimes’ posing skills and potential chances against the best next month. 

“Regan is an incredible bodybuilder but I still see certain things that he needs to work on. The posing is still very amateur, it’s not a professional John. From my perspective. Then, I always elaborate about posing: when you’re at that level of competitiveness you’ve got to be more professional and showing it. Even Nathan was in really good shape. I think he can still improve in that department. I don’t think these guys are putting so much emphasis on presentation,” added Samir Bannout. 
 
“You look at the physique of Regan — beautiful. He’s complete! But that pose, I disagree with it [front double biceps] I see a lot of flaws.” 
 
“I’m really surprised that if he’s with Milos I mean Milos has extensive experience. They really need to apply the art of flexing and from my perspective, and again, no disrespect, I don’t like the way he [Regan Grimes] is showing his body.” 
Bannout believes Grimes should fix his front lat spread or risk looking like a “funky chicken.” Should he prepare and pose properly, Bannout believes he could make the top five. 
 
“Let’s put it this way: if I stood like that [split legs in front lat spread] in my Mr. Olympia win, I wouldn’t have won. I’m being honest. If you pose like a funky chicken it’s not going – you’re not going to deliver the message the way it should have been.” 
 
“If Regan comes in prepared and he poses properly, he’ll make the top five.” 

Michal Krizanek

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michal Križo Križánek (@ifbb_pro_michalkrizokrizanek)

Even though Krizanek lacks posing refinement and presentation, Samir Bannout can’t say enough about his muscle quality. 

“I’m going to go back and talk about Krizo. How many times I talk about Krizo? It already cost me enough money on sushi. But you know, Krizo… John, really. I’m impressed by his quality and his size that he has. But Krizo… also another horrible poser. I want to say it like that. I love his body. His presentation is also maybe a six.” 

Hunter Labrada

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hunter Labrada IFBB Pro (@hunterlabrada)

As for Hunter Labrada, Bannout believes he made significant improvements, but said he hindered his momentum after losing to Andrew Jacked at the 2023 Texas Pro. 

“Hunter has improved a lot. Hunter has improved a lot in his presentation. He has listened to his dad a little bit more now,” said Samir Bannout. 
 
Andrew Jacked beat him. Remember, Hunter two years ago he was ahead of Nick Walker. About three years ago. So Hunter is also capable. I think Hunter should focus more on quality, which we saw him, we were sitting next to each other in Tampa, he looked very impressive and he won.” 
 
“It was a big mistake for him to compete and lose his last show. Because he would have gone to the Olympia more on the winning side.” 
Lastly, “The Lion of Lebanon” gave his reaction to Big Ramy pulling out of 2023 Olympia. 
 
“I have no idea [why Ramy pulled out]. Hopefully, it’s not health-related,” shared Bannout. “I guess his coaches between Chad Nicholls and Dennis James, you know, I think both of them are his main advisors right now. So maybe they see that it would be in his best interest to rest a year. But I don’t think he retired.” 
This wasn’t Samir Bannout’s first time eyeing up the talent competing in Orlando, Florida next month. In April, Bannout urged Nick Walker to seek out Frank Zane as a posing coach, a practice he believes could be the difference-maker on the Olympia stage when “The Mutant” attempts to move up placings. 
 
With so many contenders headed for 2023 Mr. Olympia, picking a top five or even a winner has become a challenging task. For Bannout, he sees a handful of dark horses finding success, depending on their posing prowess and stage presentation. 
 

Watch the full Rumble video from the Old School Labs channel below: 

RELATED: 2023 Mr. Olympia List of Qualified Athletes

Experience the thrill of the 2024 Mr. Olympia with our complete coverage! From prejudging highlights and event recaps to expert analysis and results, find it all at our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia. Follow our Live Blog for real-time event updates. Stay tuned for every moment of the action!


If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn Pinterest
Categories: Bodybuilding News Videos
Previous Post

2023 Korea AGP Pro Men’s Physique Results

Next Post

2023 Musclecontest Recife Pro Results and Scorecard

Doug Murray

Doug Murray

Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.

Related

Dorian Yates
Bodybuilding

Dorian Yates Shares His Mr. Olympia Bodyweight Ab Routine Inspired by Bruce Lee

Big Ramy
Bodybuilders

Big Ramy Hints at 2025 Bodybuilding Comeback: “I Will Be Back”

Ronnie Coleman
Bodybuilding

Ronnie Coleman’s Condition ‘Remains Serious But Stable,’ Must Undergo Additional Surgical Procedure for ‘Underlying Health Matter’

Exercise Scientist
Bodybuilding

Exercise Scientist Reveals Top 6 Forgotten Movements from the 1980s to Achieve a Jacked Physique

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bodybuilding

Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down How Building Muscle Can Help You Burn Fat and Control Blood Sugar

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Criticizes ‘Blocky’ Standing Relax Pose & Competitors Dancing Onstage

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Dorian Yates Shares His Mr. Olympia Bodyweight Ab Routine Inspired by Bruce Lee

Big Ramy Hints at 2025 Bodybuilding Comeback: “I Will Be Back”

Ronnie Coleman’s Condition ‘Remains Serious But Stable,’ Must Undergo Additional Surgical Procedure for ‘Underlying Health Matter’

Forget Crunches — This Standing 8-Move Dumbbell Flow Torches Abs, Legs, and Arms

Exercise Scientist Reveals Top 6 Forgotten Movements from the 1980s to Achieve a Jacked Physique

Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down How Building Muscle Can Help You Burn Fat and Control Blood Sugar

Fitness Volt

At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more.

For inquiries, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]

About Us | Careers | Contact Form

Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • WSM
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercises
  • Training
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Discussion Forum

More

  • Calculators
  • Fasting
  • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Workout Plans
  • At-Home Workouts
  • Programs
  • Supplements
  • Newsletter
  • Review Process
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2024 WSM
    • Arnold Classic
  • Forum
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Muscle Groups
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Supplements
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Fitness Calculator
  • More
    • DIY
    • Strength Standards
    • Motivation
    • Videos

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.