It’s officially peak week, and bodybuilders are dialing in last-minute preparations for the second biggest show of the year. In a recent The Menace Podcast, Urs Kalecinski discussed his rivalry with Ramon Rocha Queiroz and revealed his top six picks in the Open competing at the 2024 Arnold Classic taking place from February 29 to March 3.
Known for a golden-era look courtesy of jaw-dropping aesthetics, it didn’t take long for Urs Kalecinski to emerge as a star in the growing Classic Physique division. In addition to his knack for artful posing routines, Kalecinski presents fresh muscle and a complete physique, having made improvements to his arms and back over the last few years.
Kalecinski and Ramon Queiroz have endured many battles against each other on stage with both men finding success. However, last year, at the 2023 Arnold Classic, Kalecinski was unable to stop the mass and definition of Queiroz in the finals despite coming close. When they met for round two on the 2023 Mr. Olympia stage, Queiroz improved drastically, giving the reigning champion Chris Bumstead a run for his money whereas Kalecinski took third place.
Even though the Brazilian Pro has gotten the better of Kalecinski in the last two contests, the German native is confident he can come out on top in Columbus, Ohio. Not only did he lay out how he can defeat Queiroz, but Kalecinski also gave his predictions for those competing in the Men’s Open this weekend.
Urs Kalecinski Says He Is ‘Going to Win’ 2024 Arnold Classic, Talks ‘Real Enemy’ Ramon Queiroz
Kalecinski shared that his rivalry with Queiroz has fueled him to come out on top in Ohio.
“Imagine stepping on that stage and not having a real enemy. I go to the gym every morning and I have a picture of Ramon right in front of me. When I stay up, I go right out of bed, and I see in his eyes, and say, no, this day, I’m going to win.”
He believes competitive tension is an essential ingredient to attaining championship status.
“That’s the only way how to improve. If you don’t have this rivalry, you’ll never be a great champion. And I want to be a great champ for a long time. It kicks my ass and gets me fired up. I don’t want to win against some guys, I want to win against the best in the world and I also want to win against Chris.”
While he acknowledges Queiroz as his greatest threat, Kalecinski doesn’t appear concerned with former champion and two-time Olympia titleholder Breon Ansley.
“Honestly not [Breon Ansley is not a threat],” said Urs Kalecinski. “Because, I beat him at the Olympia, I beat him at the last Arnold. Since that, I definitely improved and he did also, great improvement from the Arnold to the Olympia but I just think I’m fresher and younger and I have more room to grow.”
Kalecinski emphasized that his sole focus is on defeating Queiroz when they rematch on March 1, adding that his weight limit was set at 226.6 pounds.
“Right now, I don’t have my mind – I always look at the next one in front of me and that’s Dino. That’s the guy I want to beat next. When I accomplished it like I did in 2019 and 2020 then yeah, then I can say okay, now it’s time to battle it against Chris,” said Kalecinski.“My weight limit is now 103 kilograms (226.6 pounds),” shares Kalecinski.”
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After Milos Sarcev asked about Kalecinski’s strengths, the contender laid out where he has the edge over his rival:
“What would be your strengths that you know judges would have to consider when they compare you and give you a nod?” asks Milos Sarcev.“Details, posing, overall flow, my lines I would say, and then my dominant legs.”
Even though posing routines aren’t technically scored during a contest, Kalecinski said it doesn’t matter to him. Whether he earns gold or not, Kalecinski says creative posing can be remembered forever.
“Fuck that if it’s [posing] is judged or not because I want to do it. In 20 years, the young guns are going to say wow that’s the pose Urs always hit like, that’s his routine, they are absolutely crazy and we all know, I mean Kai Greene’s Dirty Diana choreography, I was sitting there like this like what the fuck is happening there? That’s the thing, you know.”“Maybe you lose, last year, I got second, but I was outside the Arnold and watched Saturday’s finals, and the people came and stopped by and said wow, your routine it was absolute, I mean it was the best thing of the evening. I was like wow okay.”
Urs Kalecinski’s 2024 Arnold Classic Top 6 Picks
Find Urs Kalecinski’s top six picks for the 2024 Arnold Classic below:
Winner — Samson Dauda
Second Place — Hadi Choopan
Third Place — Rafael Brandao
Fourth Place — Marcello De Angelis (Horse MD)
Fifth Place — James Hollingshead
Sixth Place — Antoine Vaillant
Kalecinski plans to win the 2024 Arnold Classic, but that hasn’t stopped him from pumping iron with fellow contenders taking to the stage. He recently joined Wesley Vissers for a heavy and intense back training session, where the pair of bodybuilders pushed each other days from competing in Ohio.
If Kalecinski can defeat Ramon Queiroz, he will not only earn his first Arnold Classic title but will be one step closer to challenging the throne of the reigning five-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead. Don’t miss the 2024 Arnold Classic live stream for free, courtesy of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Watch the full video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
Catch comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analyses, and complete Arnold Classic results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
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