Preparations for the upcoming Olympia 2022 are in full swing. From powerhouse Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay to rising prospects like Andrew Jacked, this year’s season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and competitive. In a recent video uploaded to the YouTube channel of Muscle and Fitness, Chris Cormier and Terrick El Guindy shared their top five Olympia competitors of all time.
Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier has become one of the most respectable voices in the sport after his retirement. He regularly provides his insight on the current bodybuilding scene. Last month, he cautioned bodybuilder Hadi Choopan, who enters the Olympia as a top contender, to fix his shoulders if he wanted a higher placing at the show. Cormier believes Choopan was one of the hardest people to beat last year and can repeat the same if he brings a different look to his shoulders that combats the synthol accusations.
Cormier joined forces with Lee Priest, George Farah, Milos Sarcev, and other elite bodybuilding gurus for a roundtable discussion about the lineup for the Olympia 2022. They gave their predictions for the top six at the Olympia. Cormier argued reigning two-time Mr. Olympia ‘Big Ramy’ could handily win a third Sandow trophy.
Andrew Jacked, real name (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) is a Men’s Open division standout who quickly made his name known in the bodybuilding community. He earned his Pro card with a dominant win in March at the 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur contest. Along with Jacked, Michal Krizo is another emerging talent who can pose a serious threat at the Olympia. Krizo’s switch to the NPC added a lot of excitement to the roster. He recently earned his Pro card with a commanding win at the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy. After securing his Pro card, he made his way to the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro, where he earned his Olympia qualification.
Many notable figures in the sport have taken notice of him, including bodybuilding icon Jay Cutler, who believes Jacked has everything to beat everyone except Big Ramy with the right adjustments. Cormier was impressed by Jacked but called for a need to see more definition and clearer lines.
Chris Cormier & Olympia judge give their all-time top 5 Olympia athletes
In a recent video uploaded to the channel of Muscle and Fitness, Chris Cormier and Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy shared their top five greatest Men’s Open division bodybuilders of all time, based on physiques according to their respective eras.
Terrick El Guindy
- Lee Haney
- Phil Heath
- Ronnie Coleman
- Dorian Yates
- Jay Cutler
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Chris Cormier
- Lee Haney
- Dorian Yates
- Ronnie Coleman
- Jay Cutler
- Phil Heath
“Physically he was not as good as these guys. His waist was not the smallest. He had legs that could have been bigger,” El Guindy said about Arnold.
“Lee Haney was so dominant when he won those eight Olympias. He retired early. Nobody really worried about him. If he was in the age of social media, people would go crazy with Lee Haney. He was so good, so dominant, no flaws to his physique. He changed the game.”
“Phil Heath was magical. I think his muscle bellies were something we had never seen before. His 3D look was unprecedented. He was incredible. You gotta give credit to his conditioning.”
“My all time is Lee Haney, Lee totally awesome Haney is my number for sure,” Cormier added.
Earlier this week, Chris Cormier discussed the aesthetics versus size debate. He believes Ramy has some issues back there in the lower area of his body but believes he has a solid overall package.
Terrick El Guindy recently gave his breakdown of the roster for the Olympia 2022, scheduled for Dec. 15-18 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. While he does see Big Ramy being the favorite, he has high expectations from Akim Williams. Cormier shared a similar sentiment with Guindy and stated Akim’s quad could rival Ramy.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 5 November, 2022 | 6:23 PM EDT
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
Hi, be sure that Arnold is the best of all time
Arnold had nothin on none of these guys on the list
Like Ronnie Coleman said put Arnold on today’s supplements and drugs and he’d be miles ahead or put the rest back to the sixties when Arnold built his physique and they would be behind him . So I believe Ronnie’s view all the best .
Arnold changed the industry, an entire industry well before designer drugs and supplements, and kinesiology based functional exercises and equipment. Legend. Had he competed in the same timeframe as the others after him, he would have adapted better and been the best. Cutler didn’t make the list. So subjective and great discussion.