Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest
Qualifying for the Olympia became a bigger challenge.
While previous Mr. Olympia winners, including reigning champion Hadi Choopan and 2019 champion Brandon Curry, needn’t worry, other Olympia hopefuls suddenly face a steeper climb to secure a spot in the hottest bodybuilding show. prestigious in the world.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest scheduled for November 3-5, there is now even more pressure on the competitors’ sculpted shoulders to impress the judges with their physiques and posing routines. In a move that could have race-altering implications, the Olympia Qualification System (OQS) It will only grant the top three Mr. Olympia finishers an automatic spot in the following year’s contest..
On October 23, 2023, Olympia owner Jake Wood shared an Instagram post detailing the rationale for the groundbreaking decision:
“In recent years, the top five finishers in the Mr. Olympia division have received automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia, but after consulting with the IFBB Pro League we have decided to make a change.
Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 of the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional stars to the various regional events taking place around the world. “This change is made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League, as we all share the interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels.”
The new rule applies not only to the men’s Open division, but also to the other 10 divisions: 212, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, Wheelchair, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Fitness, Wellness and Bikini.
The most important thing is that the change will be effective. immediately, which should make the upcoming show in Orlando, FL much more competitive. Finishing in the top five in the sport’s most renowned competition has always been considered a significant achievement. However, the athletes in this year’s lineup may be much hungrier for a higher spot and more likely to view a finish outside the top three as a significant disappointment.
Of course, this is just the latest change to the Olympia’s qualifying setup. In December 2022, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) decided to eliminate the points system that gave competitors the opportunity to qualify for the Olympia. Previously, athletes who finished with the three highest point totals throughout the season automatically punched their ticket to the biggest show of the year.
But with the points system no longer in play, even more emphasis has been placed on performing well when it matters most. With the qualification period running from November 21, 2022 to October 9, 2023, this is the path athletes from all divisions (except wheelchair bodybuilding) faced to earn a spot in the show This year’s Mr. Olympia:
- The top five of the 2022 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open
- The top three from other divisions of the 2022 Olympia
- Winner of each Open competition held during the qualification period.
That benefited someone like Samson Dauda, who nearly finished in the top five at the 2022 Olympia with a sixth-place finish in his Olympia debut. However, by taking home the title at the 2023 Arnold Classic, “The Nigerian Lion” earned a prize of $300,000. and a spot in the 2023 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open lineup.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see how the rule change impacts the competitive landscape. Reducing the number of automatic bids from five to three certainly increases the importance of the other qualifying shows on the calendar.
With two fewer spots up for grabs at the Olympia, some athletes may need to shift their priorities and attack their training more aggressively to come out on top in other key competitions.
Dauda did just that by getting into excellent shape for the Arnold Classic and earning top honors for his efforts. The same goes for Justin Shier, who made the most of his IFBB Pro debut in July by winning the 2023 Chicago Pro and securing his own spot in the Men’s Open lineup for the 2023 Olympia.
Most recently, Charles Griffen achieved his goal of having the opportunity to compete against the best at the Orange County Convention Center. Despite suffering a torn pectoral in April, the determined bodybuilder completed his return to championship form by winning the title at the Legion Sports Fest Pro 2023 on October 8, 2023. Griffen may face an uphill battle to finish high among a crowded field of accomplished competitors, but he certainly deserves credit for landing the final qualifying spot.
Ultimately, allowing only the top three Olympia finishers to qualify for the following year’s contest could be seen as both a positive and a negative. On the one hand, the stakes are raised significantly when everyone takes the stage for the most anticipated show of the year. On the other hand, some competitors could be left on the outside looking in if they do not emerge victorious in one of the qualifying events on the 2024 calendar.
Featured image: @mrolympiallc / Instagram
