The most popular division of bodybuilding’s flagship’s event set the table for a doozy of a Saturday Finals.
Over 30 athletes were in Las Vegas, NV, to try and capture the 2022 Mr. Olympia title. Though, with the only competitors who had previously won the championship being two-time reigning victor Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (2020-2021) and Brandon Curry (2019), anything could be possible. In terms of the only two former champions, Elssbiay was on the hunt to notch a three-peat and become just the eighth person ever to win at least three Mr. Olympia titles. Meanwhile, Curry has been on a mission since falling short over the last Olympias. A win would give him give his second Mr. Olympia championship in four years.
The main event of bodybuilding’s flagship competition started with pre-judging on Friday, Dec. 17, 2022, and left the door open for quite the battle on the ensuing Saturday. Any number of other contenders like Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Hunter Labrada could make a name for themselves after initial results, and as they try to topple Elssbiay and Curry.
Here is how pre-judging went for the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia:
Comparison 1
- Hadi Choopan
- Andrew Jacked
- Tonio Burton
- James Hollingshead
- Vladyslav Sukhoruchko
- Antoine Vaillant
Comparison 2
- Derek Lunsford
- William Bonac
- Vitor Boff
- Patrick Johnson
- Andrea Presti
- Charles Griffen
Comparison 3
- Iain Valliere
- Nick Walker
- Michael Krizanek
- Justin Rodriguez
- Mohamed Shaaban
- Akim Williams
Comparison 4
- Theo Leguerrier
- Brandon Curry
- Hunter Labrada
- Rafael Brandao
- Joel Thomas
- Mohammad Alnsoor
Comparison 5
- Blessing Awodibu
- Andrea Muzi
- Samson Dauda
- Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
Eventually, the callouts over these respective comparisons shook out like this:
Callout 1
- Samson Dauda
- Brandon Curry
- Hadi Choopan
- Derek Lunsford
- Nick Walker
- Mamdouh Elssbiay
Callout 2
- Iain Valliere
- William Bonac
- Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea
- Hunter Labrada
- Rafael Brandao
- Michael Krizanek
Callout 3
- Antoine Vaillant
- James Hollingshead
- Patrick Johnson
- Charles Griffen
- Justin Rodriguez
- Akim Williams
Callout 4
- Tonio Burton
- Vladyslav Sukhoruchko
- Blessing Awodibu
- Joel Thomas
- Mohamed Shaaban
- Mohammad Alnsoor
Callout 5
- Andrea Presti
- Vitor Boff
- Theo Leguerrier
- Andrea Muzi
Callout 6
- William Bonac
- Samson Dauda
- Hunter Labrada
- Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea
Callout 7
- Samson Dauda
- Hadi Choopan
- Brandon Curry
- Nick Walker
- Derek Lunsford
- Mamdouh Elssbiay
Curry and Walker had the pleasure of coveted center position during their final callout. Meanwhile, Elssbiay never stood in the center on his first callout, which also included Curry, Choopan, Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, and Nick Walker. Ultimately, it is this group of six competitors sitting in a solid contending position for Saturday’s Finals.
Here is the entire schedule for the 2022 Olympia weekend. (Note: All listed times are in Pacific Standard time.) Here is how to watch and keep up with the action.
Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
9:00 a.m. — Pre-Judging
- Fitness Olympia
- 212 Olympia
- Figure Olympia
- Women’s Physique Olympia
- Ms. Olympia
- Wellness Olympia
6:00 p.m. — Finals
- 212 Olympia
- Fitness Olympia
- Figure Olympia
- Women’s Physique Olympia
- Ms. Olympia
- Wellness Olympia
6:00 p.m. — Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022
9:00 a.m. — Pre-Judging
- Classic Physique Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Wheelchair Olympia — Pre-Judging and Finals
7:00 p.m. — Finals
- Mr. Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Classic Physique Olympia
Saturday night will officially sort out whether Elssbiay can join some all-time legendary company, whether Curry can put himself in the conversation of more esteemed icons, or whether an ascending Men’s Open star can capture their first Mr. Olympia title.
Featured image: @mrolympiallc/Instagram
