The 2024 Arnold Classic takes place from February 29 to March 3 inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. In a recent interview, Sergio Oliva Jr. broke down the Men’s Open lineup and gave his top five picks for the nearing competition.
All eyes have shifted to the second-biggest bodybuilding event of the year — the 2024 Arnold Sports Festival hosted by legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. The headlining act will see former Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan square off against the reigning 2023 Arnold Classic champion Samson Dauda. Both men have kept fans in suspense with dueling physique updates.
However, Columbus will welcome more than just Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda. A stable of contenders will aim to shake up the roster, which includes Brazilian stars Rafael Brandao and Marcello De Angelis, who both carry enough mass and aesthetics to push into the first call-out. Other threats such as James Hollingshead, Antoine Vaillant, Akim Williams, and more will be participating as well.
Sergio Oliva Jr. Picks Samson Dauda to Win 2024 Arnold Classic, Gives Top 5
Check out Sergio Oliva Jr.’s picks below:
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- Winner — Samson Dauda
- Second Place — Hadi Choopan
- Third Place — Rafael Brandao
- Fourth Place — James Hollingshead
- Fifth Place — Marcello De Angelis Horse MD
To provide some context behind his predictions, Oliva Jr. discussed why he believes ‘The Nigerian Lion’ will topple ‘The Persian Wolf’ this weekend.
“I have Samson beating Hadi. I do because people want to say that him walking off will have nothing to do with it. I don’t think the bodybuilding world is how it was back in the day where it was very spiteful and vengeful. I don’t think that it’s going to be where they are just writing Hadi off.”
Oliva Jr. argues Choopan’s history of shoulder problems and disproportionate legs could lead to his defeat.
“I just think he’s got his shoulders that have always been a problem. His one leg is way bigger than the other and we saw him lose to a guy who he could have won, already, he could have beat Derek.
If they had put him as the winner no one would have been upset, no one would have lost their shit. Now, you have him coming in after really having kind of a bad attitude. It’s really good he’s hopping back to another show, it really shows him and Hany are putting that shit behind them,” said Sergio Oliva Jr.
He adds that Dauda’s dominant quads will help him win the majority of the front poses.
“The quads on Samson he should win the front shots where I thought Hadi was winning the front shots against Derek. I think the only shots that Hadi would beat Samson in is the back. Yeah, his abs and thigh is really good.”
As for third, fourth, and fifth, Oliva Jr. envisions Rafael Brandao taking bronze with James Hollingshead and Angelis jockeying for position.
“Just because I know talking with Neil, his game plan for Rafael, because it’s so true man. Sometimes, I would be ready days before a show and so would Rafael. You’re just waiting around. It’s good to be ready just a few days out.”
“I’ll put Hollingshead in fourth,” adds Sergio Oliva Jr. “I forgot about Horse. It’s going to be him and Hollingshead battling.”
Sergio Oliva Jr. isn’t the only prominent voice in the community backing Samson Dauda to come out on top. Thus far, Brandon Curry and Milos Sarcev have both extended their support for Dauda’s potential victory whereas Chris Bumstead, Jay Cutler, Dennis James, and Chris Cormier all believe the night will belong to Choopan.
Time will tell who emerges victorious in Columbus, Ohio at the 2024 Arnold Classic. Fans look forward to watching some of the best Men’s Open competitors battle it out for gold and a life-changing $300,000 first prize.
RELATED: Reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford Shares His Top 3 Picks for the 2024 Arnold Classic
Watch the full video from the Jonathan Warren YouTube channel:
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