Since stepping away from the bodybuilding stage, Samir Bannout has developed a unique eye for the sport. On the latest Muscle Maturity Podcast, Bannout took issue with William Bonac‘s decision to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic after he revealed kidney issues that require medication.
“Take care of that kidney issue and come back stronger. That would be very intelligent to do,” Samir Bannout shared.
During last year’s off-season and contest prep, Bonac constantly turned heads with monstrous meal plans and freaky physique updates. Last December, more than 25 Men’s Open competitors battled in Las Vegas, Nevada. And while fans expected Bonac to vie for gold, the former two-time Arnold Classic champion took to the stage looking noticeably off.
Fans and veterans were in agreement that William Bonac was one of Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay‘s biggest threats before the event. However, in an unforgettable night, Big Ramy fell to fifth place with Hadi Choopan asserting himself as the new Mr. Olympia. Meanwhile, Bonac failed to make the first call-out and endured a career-low Olympia finish of ninth place.
With preparations for the nearing Arnold Classic underway, Bonac is ‘taking measures’ to treat his inflamed kidneys. He mentioned there’s a medication for his kidneys he should be taking but is unable to while in the midst of a bodybuilding prep. He added that he’s eliminated oral steroids during these preparations to keep his health issues at bay.
Samir Bannout Weighs in On William Bonac’s Kidney Issues: ‘Not A Smart Decision to Do’ The 2023 Arnold Classic
Samir Bannout believes Bonac is risking his health and advised him against the 2023 Arnold Classic. Even if Bonac stops taking oral steroids, Bannout said he will have ‘pressure’ on his kidneys until he starts taking his medication.
“If he’s going to do the show taking orals or not, and he said he must stop his medication that he’s using to release the pressure off his kidneys, so that also will interfere with the absorption of the anabolics he’ll be taking. Overall, it’s not a smart decision to do that show [2023 Arnold Classic] in my opinion. I like Bonac, don’t get me wrong. He’s a good guy, but sometimes the money tempts you to do things,” says Samir Bannout.
According to Bannout, William’s coach Chad Nicholls should have reasoned with Bonac not to compete. He compared Bonac’s situation to Derek Lunsford, who recently opted out of the Arnold Classic to preserve his health after a strenuous 2022 season.
“If I was Chad, I would say, ‘listen buddy, I care about you, you’re a young man, you have family, I want you to stay healthy. Let’s get back next year and I’ll be glad to coach you and take you all the way to the top again.’ He should listen, really. He should listen to his health first. I like Bonac, don’t get me wrong, I like the guy.”
“Hany [Rambod] is supporting the athletes. He looks at their health and wellbeing, and says, ‘no, time out.’ And they are listening. I think Chad should do that too. ‘Hey, listen guy, you should not be doing that show and honestly I wouldn’t want to be your coach at this point because it’s risky and I don’t want you to get hurt on my watch.'”
Bannout: Bonac ‘Could Compete Till 50 Comfortably’ If He ‘Takes Care of His Health’
Known for calling attention to dangerous bodybuilding practices, Samir implored Bonac to take a year off for his health.
“Bonac is awesome. He’s got a great body, but the thing is when you have health issues, your body is not going to function properly pushing the envelope, pushing yourself to the point where you’re going to get ill… not very smart. I told Bonac don’t do it. Don’t do it. Wait till next year,” Bannout shared.
“Not good. Not good John. Whatever the medication is – I mean we don’t want the guy to be on dialysis the next year. You know the majority of bodybuilders who take excessive amounts of oral anabolics and androgenic steroids – they end up doing dialysis, you know that, John. Why take this route Bonac? Don’t do it buddy, don’t do it. You’re still young, wait a year.”
Bannout suggested Bonac could compete until he was 50 if he responds accordingly to his health issues.
“His body won’t be as responsive but to have a health issue, that’s going to make things a lot more difficult. If I were him, I would sit for a year and come back strong again. He’s still got a few — 10 years to go. He could compete till 50 comfortably if he can take care of his health.”
Bannout Warns Against Anadrol and Growth Hormone Abuse: ‘It’s Extremely Toxic’
After speaking with a sports medicine doctor, Bannout urged competitors to steer clear of Anadrol and excessive amounts of Growth Hormone. He specified that any coach telling an athlete to take four or five IUs of Growth is ‘out of their mind.’
“I know this doctor, he was a professor at UCLA, sports medicine. He says, ‘Samir, anybody after the age of 40 that touch Anadrol, they are out of their mind.’ You don’t want to touch Anadrol, it’s extremely toxic. It’s much more toxic than dbol. But, they say, ‘oh I’m not going to take oral steroids,’ just don’t do it period. Clean your liver.”
“GH in moderation is not a health issue, it’s fine. You’d be healthy using a little bit of GH. But any coach that thinks you should take four and five IUs, I’m sorry but those coaches are out of their mind. You don’t need to take more than two IU to have that more quality look,” Bannout explained. “Even Godzilla don’t need four IUs.”
Bannout shared that Sergio Oliva Jr. and Victor Richards never used GH during their respective careers.
“Do you need too much GH? No, did Sergio Oliva use GH? No. Did Victor Richards use GH? He was over 300 pounds… he didn’t,” added Bannout
Samir has been vocal about the dangers of other bodybuilding drugs as well. He called out athletes for injecting the site-enhancement oil Synthol into their calf muscles. Bannout also warned against ‘garbage’ Insulin consumption and said people using it won’t make it past 60 years old.
Bonac will face a stacked lineup at the 2023 Arnold Classic, where he will have the chance to cement himself as a three-time champion. As for Bannout, he would like to see William use the next year to refresh his physique instead of jumping back into another competition.
Check out the full video below:
Catch full coverage of the 2023 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analysis, and final and full results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
Published: 9 February, 2023 | 11:32 AM EDT
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