Mr. Olympia, the competition created by iconic bodybuilder Joe Weider and known for being the pinnacle of professional bodybuilding worldwide, returns in its 2023 edition, which takes place between the 1st and 5th of November in the city of Orlando, USA .
Aiming to determine who is the most qualified, athletically and aesthetically developed bodybuilder, the tournament has a history of transforming ordinary bodies into sculptures of strength, symmetry and muscular definition.
In this article, Novo Post will explore the world of Mr. Olympia, a competition that not only celebrates the dedication and commitment of its participants, but also captivates a global audience passionate about fitness and health. So continue reading to find out more details about bodybuilding and the 2023 Mr. Olympia edition.
See what you will find in your reading:
Find out what bodybuilding is
Bodybuilding, also known as bodybuilding, is a sport and fitness discipline that focuses on building and enhancing the body's muscular development. The main objective of bodybuilding is to create a body with high muscular definition, proportion, symmetry and aesthetics, often displaying very well-developed muscles, a low percentage of body fat and a sculptural appearance.
Bodybuilders, called bodybuilders, follow a rigorous training, diet and lifestyle routine to achieve their goals and the basis of training involves resistance exercises to promote muscle growth. Bodybuilders work on specific muscle groups, aiming for muscle hypertrophy, density and definition, and the exercises they do to achieve their goals are often adapted for very specific purposes.
Diet, as well as a heavy exercise routine, plays a fundamental role in bodybuilding. Practitioners of the modality generally adhere to highly controlled eating plans, focusing on lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The nutritional eating plan is designed to provide the nutrients needed for muscle building and recovery, while controlling calorie consumption to maintain a low percentage of body fat, a very important factor for bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding competition is also a fundamental aspect of the sport. Athletes in the sport compete in several categories divided by body weight and gender, to demonstrate their achievements in muscle development. The most prestigious bodybuilding events include the Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic and other international championships, but we will in this article explore the Mr. Olympia, which now in 2023 is ready to make history once again, showing the power of transforming the human body and inspiring millions to pursue their own health goals and physical conditioning.
Where does the name “Mr. Olympia”?
In Greek mythology – set of stories and beliefs from the culture of Ancient Greece involving gods, heroes, monsters, etc. to explain natural phenomena and social values – the 12 main gods such as Zeus, Athena, Hera…, lived on Mount Olympus and were known as the Olympic gods.
If you remember a little about Greek mythology, you should also remember the appearance of the gods portrayed by it, but if you don't have this memory, don't worry, as below we will provide a visual reference to refresh your memory. But why are we talking about Greek mythology in an article about bodybuilding?
Well, if you've made it this far in your reading, you already know that Mr. Olympia is one of the most prestigious and recognized competitions in the world of bodybuilding. What you may not have noticed is the reference that the name of the tournament makes to Mount Olympus from Greek mythology, the home of the gods mentioned above, and this tribute was not made for nothing.
The allusion brought by the tournament is directly related to the physical appearance of the gods, comparing it to that of bodybuilders. Interesting, isn't it? The coolest thing is that there really is a very strong similarity!
A little about the history of the competition
Now that we understand where Mr. Olympia's name comes from, let's learn a little about the tournament's fascinating history. Starting in 1965, the event was created by Joe Weider, one of the pioneers of bodybuilding and one of the most influential in promoting this sport, and since then, the competition has evolved and become an icon in the world of physical conditioning.
The first Mr. Olympia competition took place in New York, attracting renowned bodybuilders of the time, such as Larry Scott, who became the event's first winner. The trophy Scott received, known as the “Joe Weider Trophy”, now symbolizes Mr. Olympia victory and is one of the most coveted prizes in the bodybuilding world.
Mr. Olympia has grown in popularity over the years, providing a platform for athletes from around the world to demonstrate their achievements in muscle development. In 1970, the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger won for the first time, solidifying his status as one of bodybuilding's greatest figures and contributing significantly to the sport's expanding popularity.
Over the decades, Mr. Olympia has witnessed the rise of many other elite bodybuilders such as Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler and Phil Heath, who have won the title multiple times and established their legacies in the sport. The event has expanded to include several categories, such as classic bodybuilding and female bodybuilding, to accommodate a greater variety of styles and bodies, but still carries a lot of masculine culture that seeks in the categories contested by women an expression of what they consider to be “femininity”. .
Either way, the Mr. Olympia is not considered a focal point for the global bodybuilding community, where athletes, coaches, enthusiasts and fans come together to celebrate the dedication, discipline and determination required to shape and sculpt the human body. Today, the competition continues to be an exciting and inspiring event that attracts strong audiences in nations around the world, and offers substantial prizes and international recognition to the winners.
Joe Weider, the creator of the tournament
Joe Weider, born on November 29, 1919 and died on March 23, 2013 at the age of 93, was an iconic figure in the world of bodybuilding and fitness, recognized mainly for being the creator of the Mr. Olympia, one of the biggest events renown in bodybuilding.
Weider, of Canadian origin, began his career as a fitness entrepreneur in the 1940s and 1950s, when he published his first magazine, “Your Physique.” He saw the opportunity to popularize bodybuilding and bodybuilding, which at the time were almost unknown niches. Joe Weider believed that bodybuilding was more than just physical development, for him it was a philosophy of life that promoted health, self-confidence and well-being.
In 1965, Weider created Mr. Olympia, a competition that became the pinnacle of professional bodybuilding and highlighted the best bodybuilders in the world, including legends such as Arnold Schwarzenegger – who had Weider as his mentor – and Ronnie Coleman, who gained international recognition due to competition. Mr. Olympia not only rewarded winners with cash prizes, but also with global prestige and notoriety.
In addition to his work promoting bodybuilding, Joe Weider founded several other magazines, including “Muscle & Fitness” and “Flex”, which became references in the fitness industry, and also developed a line of dietary supplements and training equipment.
Joe Weider was a passionate advocate of bodybuilding as a means of achieving the best version of yourself and a healthy life. He fought against stigmas associated with bodybuilding and contributed to wider acceptance of the sport. His vision and tireless work in promoting bodybuilding and fitness have left a lasting legacy, influencing generations of enthusiasts and athletes around the world. Joe Weider is undoubtedly remembered as a pivotal figure in the popularization of bodybuilding and the development of the fitness industry as we know it today.
Mr. Olympia 2023, the 59th edition of the event
Mr. Olympia, organized by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), is the main bodybuilding championship in the world. The 2023 edition began on November 1st in Orlando, United States, and will run until the 5th of the same month.
Here are some important details about the event:
– The competition will feature 280 athletes from around the world, competing in 11 different categories. Categories include Men's Bodybuilding, Men's Physique, Women's Physique and Wheelchair, among others.
– The Mr Olympia category is the main event, focusing on muscle volume and mass, while the Men's Physique and Women's Physique categories emphasize the combination of aesthetics and muscle volume.
– The finals will take place on Friday and Sunday (the 3rd and 4th, respectively), with a seminar with the competitors on Sunday, the 5th.
– This year, Mr. Olympia is sponsored by the Brazilian brand Integralmedica, being the first time that a Brazilian company participates in the event as a sponsor.
– The Brazilian delegation is the largest in the competition, with 33 competitors representing the country, including Ramon Dino and Francielle Mattos, both main candidates in their respective categories. Ramon Dino, runner-up from the previous year, is considered Brazil's main hope in the search for the title in the bodybuilding competition.
The competition categories
Each category has its own particularities and specific requirements, but they all require competitors to have a disciplined weight training routine and a strict eating plan to achieve the best physical shape possible. Below, we detail each of the 11 categories:
- 1 – Mr. Olympia: It is the main category of the championship and highlights the muscular volume of the competitors. Athletes in this category must have an extremely muscular and defined body, with symmetrical proportions and pleasant aesthetics;
- 2 – Ms. Olympia: it is the main female category of the championship and follows the same criteria as the male category, with emphasis on muscle volume;
- 3 – Men’s Physique: is a bodybuilding category that evaluates the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies, with a focus on a “beach body”. Athletes in this category are evaluated by height and must have a defined body, but without excess muscle volume;
- 4 – Women’s Physique: is the female category equivalent to Men's Physique, focusing on the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies;
- 5 – Classic Physique: It is a category that refers to the physique of athletes from the past, with proportions and symmetry. Competitors in this category must have a muscular and defined body, but without excess volume;
- 6 – 212: is an exclusively male category that aims to achieve the greatest volume of muscles without exceeding the 212 pounds mark, or 96 kilos;
- 7 – Wheelchair: it is an exclusive category for wheelchair users, which evaluates the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies;
- 8 – Fitness: is a category that assesses the strength, flexibility and endurance of competitors, focusing on an exercise routine that includes dance, gymnastics and weight training;
- 9 – Figure: is a female category that evaluates the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies, focusing on a defined and aesthetically pleasing body;
- 10 – Bikini: is a female category that evaluates the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies, focusing on a defined and aesthetically pleasing body, but without excess muscle volume;
- 11 – Wellness: is a female category that evaluates the symmetry and aesthetics of the competitors' bodies, focusing on a defined and aesthetically pleasing body, but with an emphasis on legs and glutes.
How to watch Mr. Olympia 2023
Mr. Olympia 2023 is the main professional bodybuilding championship in the world and will be held in Orlando, Florida, in the United States between the 1st and 5th of November. Tickets are available on the event's official website, however, the option to attend in person may not be viable for everyone due to location and availability issues. However, there are two ways to follow the championship online:
- Online broadcast: the official broadcast of the event will be carried out by Olympia TV, a streaming platform that offers packages starting at $39.99. To watch live, simply access the event's official website and purchase a subscription to Olympia TV.
- Social media: It is possible to follow some of the event through social networks, such as Instagram It is Facebook, where athletes often post behind-the-scenes photos and videos.
It is also worth checking the pay TV schedule in your region, as some cable TV channels may broadcast the event.
Did you like this content?
During Mr. Olympia 2023, athletes will compete in several categories, so watching this event is an opportunity to follow the inspiring performances of the best bodybuilders in the world. So if you are interested in the competition, now you know how to follow the 59th edition of Mr. Olympia, a grand and world-renowned event. In this article you also got to know the New Post the story of the tournament's founder, the origin of the name, details about the categories and much more! We hope you enjoyed reading, see you next time!
