The 2024 Mr. Olympia contest is approaching and in light of Jon Delarosa’s big win in Tampa, Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo joined forces on August 7, 2024, to discuss his death threats and the ‘on paper’ top four slated to battle at the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
Delarosa managed to inch past Mohamed Foda on the 2024 Tampa Pro scorecards. As a result, he left Florida with his head held high with the first prize. Not only that, but he secured his ticket to the Mr. Olympia, which is a monumental feat for any competitor in the IFBB Pro League. However, the triumph left a bitter taste in fans’ mouths, who have since hurled death threats at Delarosa and his family.
The hostility reached a head online, prompting Mr. Olympia champion Derek Lunsford to come to his defense. Lunsford agreed with the judge’s verdict, and while he could understand why some fans saw it differently, he stressed that there’s no place for that in the world of bodybuilding. Despite the drama, Delarosa is now Olympia-bound. Ray and Cicherillo gave their two cents on the ordeal while also previewing which contenders will likely penetrate the top four at the sport’s greatest event of the year.
Shawn Ray, Bob Cicherillo Say Jon Delarosa’s Death Threats ‘Not Legitimate,’ Gives ‘On Paper’ Top 4 at 2024 Mr. Olympia
Ray mentioned that Delarosa received death threats after his win in Tampa even though he had nothing to do with the decision.
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“Of note, Jon Delarosa mentioned somewhere that he’d been receiving death threats because he won this show. Like he’s got nothing to do with winning and losing, it’s all in the hands of the judges,” said Ray.
Cicherillo said it’s important to ‘keep things in context,’ adding that anyone can say anything on Instagram. He doesn’t believe the death threats are valid.
“I saw that too, we’ve seen that with other things, Derek Lunsford after he beat Hadi, right? Listen, I got death threats because I announced Derek Lunsford as the winner. I would say this to Jon, I know he put that out there but listen people, let’s keep things in context.
This is the internet, it’s Instagram. Anyone can post on there, anyone can say what they want, there’s idiots everywhere. When he says he’s getting death threats, I’m not saying he’s lying or making it up I’m sure he’s right but he’s not really getting death threats, he’s getting idiots online. You read it, you block them, and then you go on with your day,” shares Bob Cicherillo.
He adds that undercover agents aren’t following Delarosa around and that he’s not former 45th US president Donald Trump.
“What you got undercover agents following you around? You’re at Costco shopping you look over and see some guy looking at you and you think they are going to take you out for bodybuilding? Let’s keep this in context people. They’re not legitimate death threats okay? You’re not Trump. Guys come on.”
Despite his recent victory, Ray surprisingly suggested Delarosa hang up his posing trunks as he believes very few bodybuilders have the chance to win a show before committing to retirement.
“He got his wish to go back to the Olympia. Me personally, I probably would have announced my retirement if I was Delarosa. But going to the Olympia, it’s no small task,” says Ray. “The worst case scenario, I’d go to Texas and go for another victory. Very few bodybuilders have the opportunity to win a show and sail off into the sunset.”
Ray discussed top contenders he believes will find success under the bright lights in Sin City.
On paper, our top four we got Samson Dauda, we got Derek, we got Hadi, and we got the other kid Nick Walker. Those are probably going to be our top four. Now, you got five and six, in the past we talked about Hunter Labrada, we talked about Andrew Jacked, this is a guy [Behrooz Tabani] that could be in that conversation with those guys.”
“Someone is going to be the odd man out in seventh place then you’re going to get down into the other ones”
Ray’s Top 4
- Derek Lunsford
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Nick Walker
Jon Delarosa is the latest athlete to earn his right to stand on the 2024 Mr. Olympia stage. Cicherillo and Ray have their opinions about who will be in the top four, but that doesn’t mean someone can’t unexpectedly jump into contention when the curtains rise. Don’t miss the show taking place October 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada later this year.
RELATED: Shawn Ray Says Bodybuilders Today Are Overcompensating With ‘Too Much Food’ and ‘Too Much Drugs’
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