2024 Arnold Classic Predictions
The 2024 Arnold Classic weekend is approaching rapidly, and Muscle Insider is excited to be in Columbus, Ohio to document all the action for you. We simply couldn’t wait to start talking bodybuilding, though. So, we’re providing a sneak peek of what to expect as well as talk about the odds of Canadians returning home with some serious hardware. We’ll break down the men’s side of the stage first, followed by the ladies.
Arnold Classic
- Remeco Bose (has just dropped out)
- Rafael Brandao
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Horse Marcello De Angelis
- Jon Delarosa
- Mohamed Shaaban Elimbabi
- James Hollingshead
- Rubiel Mosquera
- Justin Rodriguez
- Antoine Vaillant
- Akim Williams
Canada’s Chances – Antoine Vaillant
This will be Antoine’s Arnold Classic debut, and if you’ve been following him on social media, then you can tell he’s leaving no stone unturned and no weight unlifted. This may be the best version we’ve seen of the 2022 Chicago Pro champion yet. Even with that being a possibility, he will still have to face defending champion Samson Dauda and 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. While the battle between Samson and Hadi is too close to call at this point, the rest of the field is wide open, and we feel that Vaillant could potentially be a top three finisher in this lineup. We were looking forward to seeing Remeco Bose make his Arnold’s debut, but he has just dropped out because his wife’s due date has moved up by one week. She now expects to deliver their new baby on March 1st, which is day one of the Arnold Classic.
Arnold Classic Physique
- Breon Ansley
- Eric Brown Jr.
- Michael Daboul
- Darren Farrell
- Urs Kalecinski
- Antoine Loth
- Courage Opara
- Damien Patrick
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz
- Emanuele Riccotti
- Wesley Vissers
- Kendahl Richmond
There are no Canadians in this category, but there will be a lot of attention on this show. A late addition that will be interesting to see is Kendahl “The Natural Disaster” Richmond, a natural athlete that earned his IFBB Pro Card last year at the 2023 Arnold Amateur. Richmond received the invitation after Terrence Ruffin was no longer able to compete. The key matchup we’re watching is Ramon vs. Urs. Dino vs. The Miracle Bear is considered by many fans the comparison that will determine Chris Bumstead’s number one contender for the 2024 Olympia, should he continue competing. Bumstead is expected to be in the house as well.
Arnold Men’s Physique
- Mahmood Al-Maghrabi
- Vitor Chaves
- Emmanuel Costa
- Ismael Martinez Dominguez
- Emanual Hunter
- Jonas Jamena
- Vinicius Mateus Vieira Lima
- Diogo Montenegro
- Corey Morris
- Andres Ramos
Canada is not represented in this show, either. A new champion is guaranteed thanks to the absence of two-time winner Erin Banks. Men to watch include Diogo Montenegro, Corey Morris, and Emmanuel Hunter. Don’t be surprised if a new star is born at this show, though. Anything is possible.
Arnold Men’s Wheelchair
- Gabriele Andriulli
- Bradley Betts
- Tyler Brey
- Josue Fabiano
- Gaylon Grigsby
- Leonard Harmon
- Rajesh John
- Harold Kelley
- Antoni Khadraoui
Once again, Canada will be absent in this show. The matchup here will be between the last two champions, five-time winner Harold Kelley and 2022 winner Gabriele Andriulli. Kelley lost the 2023 Olympia contest, and he’s looking for redemption. Andriulli wants to show that what happened two years ago was no fluke.
Fitness International
- Jaclyn Baker
- Jodi Boam
- Abby Bolton
- Tiffany Chandler
- Danielle Chikeles
- Anna Fomina
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah
- Ariel Khadr*
- Minna Helena Pajulahti
- Nikolett Szabo
- Aurika Tyrgale
- Tamara Vahn
Canada’s Chance – Jodi Boam
Jodi Boam was sixth at the 2023 Olympia, and she’s a serious threat to take the win here, fresh off her win at the 2023 Chicago Pro. However, she must take on the two-time defending champion Ariel Khadr. Khadr is looking for serious redemption after placing fourth at the Olympia, and she wants to talk to Arnold for the third straight year. Watch this show if you want to see serious competition and entertainment.
Bikini International
- Rhoda Allie
- Vania Auguste
- Tamekia Carter
- Lauralie Chapados
- Aimee Delgado
- Ivanna Escandar
- Eli Fernandez
- Phoebe Hagan
- Ottavia Mazza
- Amanda Marques Pereira
- Angelica Teixeira
Canada’s Chance – Lauralie Chapados
Like Khadr in Fitness, Chapados is the two-time defending champion. Canada runs the Bikini division thanks to her as well as two-time and reigning Bikini Olympia champion Jennifer Dorie. Dorie won’t be competing in this show, but Chapados is prepared to three-peat. There’s no guarantee though, as she will have another two-time Olympia winner standing in her way, Angelica Teixeira, who will be returning to the sport after a three-year plus absence. Isa Pecini will be missed at this year’s Bikini International competition, as she had to drop out due to an emergency appendectomy. We’re happy to see that she is recovering well and will be back to training in about one month’s time.
Wellness International
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Amanda Burnett
- Johanna Calcano
- Lili Dong
- Anne-Marie Gobeil
- Andrea Hrenko
- Hye Yoon Kim
- Francielle Mattos
- Isabelle Pereira Nunes
- Bruna Seredich
- Courtney Starr
Canada’s Chance – Anne-Marie Gobeil
With 2023 winner and Canada’s own Kassandra Gillis sitting this one out, Anne-Marie Gobeil will represent Canada this year. However, three-time Wellness Olympia champion Francielle Mattos will be making her Arnold debut. Can she hold off 2022 Wellness International winner and 2023 Olympia runner-up Isabelle Pereira Nunes to add a new title to her mantle? We will see next weekend.
Stay tuned to Muscle Insider for news and developments leading up to the massive weekend in Columbus. Don’t forget to follow us on all your major social media outlets as well for all the updates taking you into the Arnold Sports Festival weekend.
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