Bodybuilding fans have been spoiled with non-stop action during this season, having witnessed history after Derek Lunsford’s legacy-defining Mr. Olympia victory. Now, attention is shifting to future events, and Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy took to a recent YouTube video to break down three of his most promising contenders for 2024. This included Rubiel “Neckzilla” Mosquera, who continues to draw lofty comparisons to greats such as Ronnie Coleman — and now, Tom Platz.
“This is my favorite segment of the year. This is where I tell you the competitors to watch in 2024 based on their performance in the last couple of years, their potential, and their abilities to overcome adversities.”
As an IFBB Pro League and Mr. Olympia judge, Terrick El Guindy has a developed eye for the sport, boasting years of experience assessing physiques based on strict criteria. With a brand new Open class landscape settling in, fans are highly curious as to who will dominate the next season.
For Terrick El Guindy, three names stick out: Michal ‘Krizo,’ Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera, and Brazil’s Rafael Brandao. Below, he explains why each of these bodybuilders have the potential to shake up the division in the coming months.
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Terrick El Guindy Breaks Down His Top 3 Threats of the 2024 Season
Michal Krizanek
The first name that El Guindy mentioned was Michal Krizanek. He turned IFBB Pro last year and qualified and placed 12th in his debut at Olympia during his rookie season. This year, Krizo earned a swift victory in July at the 2023 Empro Classic Pro. When stepping up for 2023 Olympia, he pushed into seventh place.
El Guindy underlined that Krizo’s physique is getting better, a promising sign of his future as an IFBB Pro.
“Here we go, Michal Krizo, yes he came from another federation to the IFBB Pro League and he started with a bang. The first Mr. Olympia was not as good as he expected but if you didn’t pay attention this guy moved up 5-6 places at the [2023] Mr. Olympia.
If I’m not mistaken he placed 12th at the first Mr. Olympia and now he moved to seventh. His physique is getting better. It’s more balanced and his conditioning is improving. I predict Michal Krizo to continue his ascent to become one of the best in the world,” said Terrick El Guindy.
Rubiel “Neckzilla” Mosquera
Rubiel Mosquera used Krizo’s blueprint to embark on his own journey in the IFBB Pro League. He switched from a rival federation to the NPC, earned his Pro card, and notched a third-place Pro debut at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro, a remarkable accomplishment considering his lack of experience. El Guindy, like other bodybuilding veterans, believes Mosquera has a bright future.
El Guindy compared his legs to bodybuilding icon Tom Platz’s. Platz was revered for his quads and lower body strength. He was made famous as a result of his tortuous workouts, which other veterans of the sport have likened to a heart attack.
El Guindy also offered constructive criticism, advising the up-and-comer to balance his physique and add more lats, upper chest, and conditioning.
“I’m also going to mention, yes Rubiel Mosquera from Colombia. Guys you just can’t deny his mass. That’s a lot of mass. The legs are Tom Platz-like.
He’s got calves and he’s also big on top. He needs to balance his physique because right now the lower half is a lot more prominent than the upper half. We need more lats. We need a little bit more upper chest and obviously, the conditioning.”
El Guindy believes Mosquera could ‘possibly’ conquer a Pro show in 2024.
“I believe Chris Cormier, my co-host from Prime Time Muscle will bring him into 2024 to possibly conquer a qualification for the Olympia. This guy is that good. You can’t deny the amount of mass he has on that frame.”
Rafael Brandao
Having placed 10th at the highly competitive 2022 Mr. Olympia, Rafael Brandao is carrying the bodybuilding torch for Brazil. His dedication to training and nutrition has catapulted him into the limelight.
This wasn’t the first time El Guindy had brought up Brandao. He recently explained that the aesthetics and mass of competitors like Andrew Jacked and Brandao are ‘bad news’ for athletes such as Nick Walker who rely on freak factor.
From what he’s seen from Brandao, he is confident he could improve on the Mr. Olympia stage next year.
“I’m also going to mention Rafael Brando from Brazil. He did not compete in 2023 but he said ‘I’ve made improvements. I’m bigger. My conditioning will be impeccable and I’m not going to lose my lines. I’m going to have the beautiful lines with a little bit more size.
I believe Rafael Brandao will make some noise not only during the season but I believe he has a chance to qualify to the Olympia and move up. The last time he competed he was already top 10. Let’s see if Rafael fulfills his prophecy as the best bodybuilder from Brazil,” shares Terrick El Guindy.
Qualifying for the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition has been more challenging as of late. The Olympia Qualification System abandoned the point system. In addition, Olympia organizers announced only the top three Mr. Olympia finishers will receive automatic qualifications moving forward.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia competition celebrates its 60th anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 10-13, at the Resorts World, Las Vegas Convention Center. Competitors have until September 15 to earn qualifications by winning Pro shows.
RELATED: Nick Walker Says He’ll ‘Win Something’ If He Doesn’t Receive 2024 Mr. Olympia Special Invite
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
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