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