Judge Terrick El Guindy had a front-row seat for some of the biggest bodybuilding upsets and triumphs of the year. In a recent OlympiaTV YouTube video shared on December 31, 2024, he broke down his top five bodybuilding moments of 2024 and named five shows to watch out for in 2025.
The IFBB Pro League enjoyed a spectacular year of bodybuilding action. In the Men’s Open class, Samson Dauda gambled on himself and competed at the 2024 Tsunami Pro before diving into the deep end at the Mr. Olympia. His efforts paid off as he managed to present his all-time best physique to secure his first Sandow trophy against finalists Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan.
Meanwhile, Chris Bumstead cemented his legacy with a sixth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title. He tried out the Men’s Open division at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro, and while he shocked the world, it was Martin Fitzwater who ultimately got his hand raised. Figure saw Cydney Gillon retire on top while Wellness welcomed a new queen atop the throne in Isabelle Nunes.
Top 5 Bodybuilding Moments of 2024
During the YouTube video, El Guindy provided his top five most memorable moments of the 2024 bodybuilding season.
Retirements of Cydney Gillon and Chris Bumstead
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El Guindy highlighted the retirements of eight-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon and six-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead.
“The first one, the retirements of Cydney Gillon and Chris Bumstead on the same day at the Olympia stage. It was emotional. We spend time with these great champions, we saw them coming from second places to become iconic champions, and then at the Olympia stage, they retired.”
Rising Phoenix Upset
Next, he paid respect to the dramatic upset pulled off by Angela Yeo against Andrea Shaw at the 2024 Rising Phoenix event.
Andrea Shaw, an Olympia champion four times, she’s not going to lose the Rising Phoenix, she’s won it four times. Well, surprise, surprise, Angela Yeo came in at her best and dominated the stage and she won the title. She took the title from the Olympia champion. We haven’t seen this in years. Angela Yeo built all the momentum for the Olympia.
As you know, Andrea Shaw went back and recaptured her momentum by winning Olympia but the Rising Phoenix was an incredible moment for all of us in the bodybuilding industry.”
Isabelle Nunes Uncrowning Wellness Queen Francielle Mattos
El Guindy was also blown away by Isabelle Nunes cementing herself as the new Wellness Olympia champion against Francielle Mattos.
“She was the Brazilian queen, Francielle Mattos, and that was a huge upset. Isa Pereira came in and defeated Francielle Mattos.
Yes, she defeated Francielle Mattos and at the press conference, the tension was there. Right before Bob announced, nobody knew what was going to happen and eventually the impossible happened.”
New Names Who Made Statements
In addition, he underscored the seasons and Olympia performances of Martin Fitzwater and Mike Sommerfeld.
“Martin Fitzwater, Mike Sommerfeld, in 2023, nobody was talking about these guys. Well, these guys made a name for themselves. Martin Fitzwater won in Detroit, went to New York, put on a show against Nick Walker then he goes to the Olympia, first call-out, fourth place. Then he goes to Prague and goes against Cbum and beats him.”
“Mike Sommerfeld. He was right there in the mix. Seventh, eighth place, fifth place, but nobody was predicting that he was going to put on a show and actually some judges had him beating Cbum. Incredible.”
Samson Dauda Staking His Claim as Best in the World
And last but not least, El Guindy celebrated Samson Dauda’s dominant season which culminated with his first Mr. Olympia title.
“One week before [Olympia] he did a show in France and he won. All the YouTubers, ‘He’s not going to win the Olympia. It’s over for Samson Dauda. He’s competing too much. He did the Arnold UK, the Arnold Ohio, he’s going to be burnt out.’ They were all wrong. Samson Dauda comes in at the Olympia at his best ever.
Wins the title. He wasn’t the favorite. Derek was the favorite. Many people mentioning Hadi, but Samson Dauda went in there and defeated both Mr. Olympias and became one himself,” he shared.
El Guindy’s 5 Shows to Pay Attention to in 2025
- 2025 Arnold Classic Ohio
- 2025 Pittsburgh Pro
- 2025 New York Pro
- 2025 Romania Muscle Fest Pro
- 2025 Mr. Olympia
El Guindy gave a brief preview of the Open clash set for the 2025 Arnold Classic.
“Arnold Ohio, two Mr. Olympias — Derek Lunsford against Samson Dauda will collide at the Arnold. This will be a moment where everybody is going to be sitting back and saying ‘Oh boy, what’s going to happen here?’ And Hadi just waiting on the sidelines.”
There’s no denying that the 2024 bodybuilding season left us with much to talk about. Terrick El Guindy and fans look forward to seeing what’s on tap in 2025!
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