When Will William Bonac Compete Again?
Print
Two-time Arnold Classic champion and 2019 Mr. Olympia runner-up William Bonac generated some buzz on social media this week thanks to a recent post he made on Instagram. In the video of the post, Bonac can be seen performing single arm cable pressdowns. While his triceps are very impressive, it was the caption of the video that raised eyebrows.
“The Conqueror” spoke about transitioning from competitive life to a more normal role as a family man. He also shared that he’s been contemplating ending his bodybuilding career because of how he’s felt since his last appearance on a stage – the 2023 Arnold Classic.
“I have never felt so good in decades. No more mood swings, and no more forcing 6 meals while compromising with less hours of sleep in order to get the last meal in. No more endless hours of cardio till the point you almost passed out. No more traveling with my meals, no more toxic substances, no more forcing in a workout while exhausted. No more breathing heavily while walking the stairs or even talking with people. No more skipping a heartbeat while asleep.”
By the end of the post, the vibe shifted to one that showed the popular bodybuilder missing the stage and not being involved with the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest in Orlando, FL on Nov. 2-5. He’s been in every Olympia since 2014 with his highest finish being second to Brandon Curry in 2019. He was ninth in the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, Nevada last December. Clearly, not being in prep mode had also affected his mindset.
“Seeing myself downsizing is not an issue to me, but seeing myself not on stage at this year’s O haunts me, knowing that I still got some in the tank, a burning desire deep inside of me. I love bodybuilding it’s my passion it’s everything I know.”
To be clear, Bonac did not announce a retirement in this post, and he’s not made any type of announcement since the previously mentioned post was made. However, the 41-year-old is likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and he wants to be sure that he finishes that career in a way he can be proud. He said as much in his final statement of his post.
“I’ll be back that’s one thing for sure but only on my term.”
If Bonac was to return to the stage in 2024, then there’s a good chance we will see him in the Arnold Classic, scheduled for Mar. 1-3 in Columbus, Ohio. He is a two-time champion and would likely be a big part of that event. He would also be eligible to compete in any show outside of the Olympia.
If and/or when Bonac does step back onstage, the fans should take a few extra moments to offer applause and support for him. He's given a lot to the sport of bodybuilding and has been a source of inspiration for many. Hopefully, whenever that final show comes, he gets to feel that appreciation and love so he can be proud of the incredible career he had.
*© Copyright Notice: Muscle Insider can’t always determine which images are protected by copyrights. We use images that are part of the public record and believed to be under the public domain. If for some reason somebody believes copyrights are violated we will remove or replace the content in question after receiving a DMCA notice.