The 2023 Men’s Physique Olympia, going down on the weekend of Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, FL, will characteristic 2022 champion Erin Banks defending his title for the primary time. His aim is to repeat as each Arnold Classic and Olympia champion in the identical 12 months twice. He’s the one athlete to perform that feat within the division’s historical past.
Previous to the Olympia, Banks shared his intentions to compete within the 2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro in Reno, NV, on Oct. 7, 2023 — one month previous to the 2023 Olympia. Banks confirmed the information to BarBend whereas in attendance on the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro in Pittsburgh, PA.
Whereas it’s not the primary time an Olympia champion has competed outdoors of the massive contest, it’s not widespread follow. It has already occurred thrice in 2023. Ladies’s Physique Olympia champion Natalia Abraham Coelho entered and received the identical Pittsburgh Professional present that Banks was in attendance for.
It offers me an opportunity to see the place I’m at earlier than the Olympia.
Banks and Ms. Bikini Olympia Maureen Blanquisco each entered their respective division’s contests on the Arnold Basic in Columbus, OH. Banks received his contest, however Blanquisco positioned second to two-time Bikini Worldwide winner Lauralie Chapados.
Within the Males’s Physique division, Brandon Hendrickson entered two exhibits outdoors of the Olympia throughout three years as champion, and he received each. 4-time Males’s Physique Olympia winner Jeremy Buendia competed solely on the Olympia from when he first received the title in 2014 till he misplaced it to Hendrickson in 2018.
[Related: Here Is Men’s Physique Bodybuilder Steven Cao’s 3,040-Calorie Prep Diet]
How This Impacts Different Athletes
Athletes should win a pro show throughout the 2023 season to qualify for the 2023 Olympia. Banks is certified for all times as an Olympia champion. He’s an early favourite to win the 2023 Legion Sports activities Fest Professional. If he’s victorious, he would block one other athlete from incomes an Olympia qualification, because it received’t move down.
Banks’ introduced entry to the 2023 Legion Sports activities Fest Professional might forestall different athletes from coming into as a result of, by that time within the season, there’ll solely be a handful of spots left to earn. Competing in that also needing the invite means having to beat the reigning Olympia champion a month earlier than the 2023 Olympia — fairly a tall activity.
However, some athletes might even see this as a possibility to check themselves to Banks earlier than the 2023 Olympia. Those that are already certified and in form might wish to go head-to-head with the champ.
Banks is unlikely to concern himself with what different athletes do. He’ll give attention to bringing in his greatest and making any wanted changes previous to his first Olympia title protection.
Featured picture: @e_bankssss on Instagram
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