Joe Pietaro
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The 2023 Arnold Sports Festival (ne' Classic USA) competitors lists were released and the men's open bodybuilding is one that may not be long, but does have some names on it that will make this a very interesting show and one that can go in many different directions. The official invite lists were released by the show's promoters this week and all eight names on it have what is called in journalism a 'good story' to them.
1 - BLESSING AWODIBU
"The Boogeyman" Blessing Awodibu made a grand entrance at the Olympia Press Conference and has a lot of character, as well as an impressive physique, for sure. Although he did not place in the top 15, he put his name and face out there and judging by the loud ovations he received, is certainly a fan favorite. Awodibu has a bright future and a decent placing at another highly prestigious show will go a long way in his growth.
2 - WILLIAM BONAC
A two-time Arnold Classic winner (2018, 2020), William Bonac, "The Conquerer" is the early favorite to win this show. He fell all the way to ninth place at the Olympia (a show he has placed as high as runner-up in) and behind much younger and less experienced bodybuilders, which may be a red flag that Bonac's best days are behind him now that he has turned 40. This will be an excellent litmus test for that possibility.
3 - SHAUN CLARIDA
Coming off a successful Olympia where he regained the 212 title, Shaun Clarida, the New Jersey native will try to see how much damage he can do against the big boys in a big show. Don't scoff at that; Derek Lunsford (the then-defending 212 champion who unseated Clarida for the 2021 212 Olympia) competed in the open class in Las Vegas and nearly won the Sandow, just missing out to Hadi Choopan. Clarida had success in his one open pro show, winning the Legion Sports Fest, but is also 40 and this line-up is much better than what he faced there.
4 - SAMSON DAUDA
The towering Samson Dauda made a statement at the 2022 Arnold Classic with a fourth place finish, then followed that up with an impressive sixth at the Olympia. So he is not going to be overlooked anymore, if he may have had that advantage a year ago. This is definitely a show that he can win and perhaps the only thing that may work against him is his lack of experience and having to peak three times in a 12-month period; his body may be in need of some rest after killing it in this period. During his Olympia prep, he weighed 330 pounds and that is a lot of bulk to have to carry around and sculpt into a show-winning physique. But he is only 30 years of age and can certainly get himself in shape to not only do well ate the Arnold, but win it all.
5 - KAMAL ELGARNI
A former Arnold (2018) and Olympia (2019) 212 champion, Elgarni is yet another smaller bodybuilder going after the top spot in the open category. Is he the wildcard here? Perhaps, especially since there are a number of competitors who lack height and super mass. The native of Libya is on the wrong side of 50, however, and has been competing for over two decades.
6 - CHARLES GRIFFEN
At the time of this writing, it appears that Griffen has decided to withdraw from the show to give his body a rest. Most recently, the Arizonian placed 14th at the Olympia.
7 - JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
Justin Rodriguez was not at his best at the Olympia and ended up in 15th place. Yes, that is still an accomplishment when you factor in that there were 28 total competitors, but the buzz that he had earlier in his career just was not present at Planet Hollywood. The Dominican made a lot of noise in 2020 and 2021, winning the 2021 Indy Pro and being the runner-up at both the 2020 Chicago and New York Pro. He took length and eighth, respectively, at the 2020 and 2021 Olympias and fourth at the 2021 Arnold. Rodriguez came out of the gate strong at last year's Arnold during the prejudging round, but lost some of his conditioning the following day at the finals to end up in fifth place.
8 - AKIM WILLIAMS
The massive New Yorker had been on a nice run until not placing at the Olympia. Because of his size, Akim Williams, "The Beast" needs to be shredded and that was simply not the case in December. He has competed multiple times a year in the past and can very well do some damage in Columbus if he can find the right formula that worked for him the past few years. He had to withdraw last year due to injury, but finished in the top five at the 2020 Arnold.
So who will stand in the winner's circle in March? Let us know who you think and why in the comments below.
1 - BLESSING AWODIBU
"The Boogeyman" Blessing Awodibu made a grand entrance at the Olympia Press Conference and has a lot of character, as well as an impressive physique, for sure. Although he did not place in the top 15, he put his name and face out there and judging by the loud ovations he received, is certainly a fan favorite. Awodibu has a bright future and a decent placing at another highly prestigious show will go a long way in his growth.
2 - WILLIAM BONAC
A two-time Arnold Classic winner (2018, 2020), William Bonac, "The Conquerer" is the early favorite to win this show. He fell all the way to ninth place at the Olympia (a show he has placed as high as runner-up in) and behind much younger and less experienced bodybuilders, which may be a red flag that Bonac's best days are behind him now that he has turned 40. This will be an excellent litmus test for that possibility.
3 - SHAUN CLARIDA
Coming off a successful Olympia where he regained the 212 title, Shaun Clarida, the New Jersey native will try to see how much damage he can do against the big boys in a big show. Don't scoff at that; Derek Lunsford (the then-defending 212 champion who unseated Clarida for the 2021 212 Olympia) competed in the open class in Las Vegas and nearly won the Sandow, just missing out to Hadi Choopan. Clarida had success in his one open pro show, winning the Legion Sports Fest, but is also 40 and this line-up is much better than what he faced there.
4 - SAMSON DAUDA
The towering Samson Dauda made a statement at the 2022 Arnold Classic with a fourth place finish, then followed that up with an impressive sixth at the Olympia. So he is not going to be overlooked anymore, if he may have had that advantage a year ago. This is definitely a show that he can win and perhaps the only thing that may work against him is his lack of experience and having to peak three times in a 12-month period; his body may be in need of some rest after killing it in this period. During his Olympia prep, he weighed 330 pounds and that is a lot of bulk to have to carry around and sculpt into a show-winning physique. But he is only 30 years of age and can certainly get himself in shape to not only do well ate the Arnold, but win it all.
5 - KAMAL ELGARNI
A former Arnold (2018) and Olympia (2019) 212 champion, Elgarni is yet another smaller bodybuilder going after the top spot in the open category. Is he the wildcard here? Perhaps, especially since there are a number of competitors who lack height and super mass. The native of Libya is on the wrong side of 50, however, and has been competing for over two decades.
6 - CHARLES GRIFFEN
At the time of this writing, it appears that Griffen has decided to withdraw from the show to give his body a rest. Most recently, the Arizonian placed 14th at the Olympia.
7 - JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
Justin Rodriguez was not at his best at the Olympia and ended up in 15th place. Yes, that is still an accomplishment when you factor in that there were 28 total competitors, but the buzz that he had earlier in his career just was not present at Planet Hollywood. The Dominican made a lot of noise in 2020 and 2021, winning the 2021 Indy Pro and being the runner-up at both the 2020 Chicago and New York Pro. He took length and eighth, respectively, at the 2020 and 2021 Olympias and fourth at the 2021 Arnold. Rodriguez came out of the gate strong at last year's Arnold during the prejudging round, but lost some of his conditioning the following day at the finals to end up in fifth place.
8 - AKIM WILLIAMS
The massive New Yorker had been on a nice run until not placing at the Olympia. Because of his size, Akim Williams, "The Beast" needs to be shredded and that was simply not the case in December. He has competed multiple times a year in the past and can very well do some damage in Columbus if he can find the right formula that worked for him the past few years. He had to withdraw last year due to injury, but finished in the top five at the 2020 Arnold.
So who will stand in the winner's circle in March? Let us know who you think and why in the comments below.
