Awodibu desires to take a step again earlier than he embarks on his subsequent Olympia journey.
Written by Robert Zeglinski Final up to date on January 11, 2023
Blessing Awodibu entered the 2022 Mr. Olympia with excessive hopes. A certifiable darkish horse contender, some believed Awodibu would get pleasure from one of many higher performances of his profession on the Las Vegas, NV, stage. As a substitute, Awodibu completed outdoors the highest 15 whereas watching Hadi Choopan get his long-awaited second of glory because the champion who efficiently beat Mamdouh “Large Ramy” Elssbiay. Within the wake of such a humbling efficiency, it appears Awodibu would favor to recalibrate first.
On Jan. 10, 2023, Awodibu used his Instagram to announce that he could be declining a proper invitation to the 2023 Arnold Basic in Columbus, OH.
Big due to the [Arnold Sports Festival] for the invite, one among my all-time favorite reveals, however, sadly, I cannot be doing the Arnold [Classic] this yr.
Extra from Breaking Muscle:
Awodibu’s fundamental rationale for stepping down from the 2023 Arnold Basic is specializing in self-care earlier than he can actually attempt to obtain any formidable targets within the coming months. In discussing why he’ll forgo one among bodybuilding’s high competitions, Awodibu didn’t overlook a element. The winner of the 2022 Worldwide Federation of Bodybuilding and Health (IFBB) Indy and New York Professional contests, Awodibu famous that he felt his schedule final yr was too jam-packed.
In the end, it appeared to have a unfavorable impact on his eventual efficiency and introduced physique on the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
“Going off fully for nearly three months after the Indy and New York [Pro] reveals and touring actually affected my Olympia prep negatively,” Awodibu wrote. “I positively misplaced some muscle mass, and I didn’t have sufficient time to fill out my physique earlier than the Olympia. So, proper now, I’m simply giving my physique the much-needed time to convey my form again earlier than any prep. Anticipate a loopy comeback later this yr.”
Awodibu just isn’t the primary notable identify to disclose he wouldn’t be competing within the 2023 Arnold Basic. Quite than divert his power on preparation for an additional contest, Derek Lunsford, the 2022 Mr. Olympia second-place finisher, revealed he would additionally skip the Arnold Basic. As a substitute, he’ll be spending his 2023 fully on attempting to complete the Olympia job initially of this new yr. That contest will happen someday in November 2023 in Orlando, FL.
Extra from Breaking Muscle:
As an elite athlete, it might probably understandably be so much to confess one wants time to recuperate fairly than holding the foot on the gasoline 99 p.c of the time. Such a affected person strategy for Awodibu is theoretically unconventional, however it may repay for him in spades in 2023.
Featured picture: @blessing_awodibu on Instagram
