Bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev has guided many elite contenders in the IFBB Pro League. In a recent video posted on YouTube, Sarcev revealed his top picks for the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic, scheduled for March 2-5 in Columbus, Ohio.
The 35th edition of the annual Arnold Classic, widely regarded as the second most prestigious competition in the sport, will take place in less than six weeks. The organizers announced the full roster for each division earlier this month. They increased the prize money for the winner of the Men’s Open division to a record high $300,000, which attracted more athletes to the lineup.
Men’s Open standout Nick Walker was initially hesitant to participate in the event but later confirmed his involvement. He is entering the contest off an impressive performance at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, where he finished third and won the Olympia People’s Champ award last month.
He gave fans a look into his preparations with a major physique update last week. ‘The Mutant’ believes he’s already in better shape than when he was at this stage of the prep for 2022 Olympia. He will aim to earn his second AC title this March.
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Samson Dauda is another promising contender looking to leave his mark. After a stellar sixth-place finish in his Olympia debut, ‘The Nigerian Lion’ plans to play his own game. Meanwhile, 2022 Arnold Classic UK champion Andrew Jacked joined forces with bodybuilding gurus Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis and Chris Aceto to get ready for the show. He’s confident he has what it takes to win any competition outside of the Olympia.
Former Mr. Olympia winner Samir Bannout backed Dauda to come out victorious if he came in shredded and etched to the bone. Reigning two-time 212 Olympia champ Shaun Clarida will get the chance to make a splash in the Open category once again. In addition, former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay will be on stage to redeem himself after a lackluster showing at the Olympia.
Milos Sarcev shares his top contenders for the 2023 Arnold Classic
In a recent interview with IFBB AMA on YouTube, Milos Sarcev revealed his top four contenders for the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic. He sees it as a clear three-way battle between Dauda, Jacked, and Walker, but added the possibility of ‘The Giant Killer’ emerging as a dark horse.
“It’s going to be a battle between Samson, Andrew, and Nick Walker for sure for top three,” said Sarcev. With Shaun Clarida being a little dynamite, dangerous, if they consider just raw muscularity, hardness, conditioning, enough muscle for the frame.
Sarcev theorized that Walker could win the show based on his freaky muscle mass. However, he believes the judges should not prioritize one element over the complete package.
“Samson and Andrew have beautiful shape, future of bodybuilding. There’s nothing missing and it’s wow. Andrew has a bit wider structure, some things are thicker. This is going to be very close between them. Nick Walker can win this on the wow factor, just pure muscularity, the conditioning. I just don’t think that should be considered over shape, aesthetics, completeness, and balance.”
Sarcev voices disapproval of posing routines not being judged at Olympia
Milos Sarcev shared his thoughts on the Olympia not judging posing routines.
“They’re judging but they’re not scoring. We all know they say the posing routine is not being judged. You can do whatever, not even put the posing routine, bore the audience, forget about fans, don’t care about the presentation, don’t show the sport, don’t show your physique, your professionalism just drop the shoulders and stick your tongue out.”
“Then just do some mandatories,” he added. “It’s completely nonsense. But as I was saying yesterday, if three rounds were judged in boxing, MMA, or another sport, you have to be judging every single one. It can’t be a specific quarter that you don’t score. Pro bodybuilders, these Olympic competitors on the stage, it’s not being judged. How do you explain that? It’s not being judged.”
The 2023 Arnold Classic is under six weeks away. Fans are excited to see a showdown between the likes of Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, Shaun Clarida, and many others who will battle for the top prize.
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You can watch the full video below:
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