The annual custom continues. The 2023 Olympia Weekend kicked off with the annual press convention, however this version had a brand new forma. Olympia President Dan Solomon spoke to the gang briefly recognizing proprietor Jake Wooden and IFBB Professional League president Jim Manion.  The athletes then made their entrances and sat at the old fashioned tables with contenders and champs from all 11 IFBB Professional League divisions.

One other distinction with the convention was {that a} panel of media members and bodybuilding dignitaries requested the questions alongside MC Bob Cicherillo, they usually challenged the oldsters on stage to specific their confidence and delight of their skill.

The spotlight of the occasion got here when seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath passionately requested the highest contenders within the males’s Open why they weren’t wanting on the Sandow Trophy, offered entrance and heart of the stage. He then requested defending champion Hadi Choopan if another person’s title can be on it by the tip of Saturday night time, Nov. 4th.

“I’ll hold my title,” he stated by way of his translator.

One other huge second for the followers got here when Heath requested four-time Basic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead if enjoyable was right here to enjoyable or dominate.

“I’m leaving with that trophy. Everybody else right here goes for second place.”

All of the reigning world champions spoke about their intentions to repeat whereas the contenders shared they weren’t right here for second place. A kind of contenders was three-time Health Olympia champ Whitney Jones, who sat out 2022 resulting from well being points. She is right here to take her fourth win.

“I’m able to go. We practice to win and battle. Tomorrow, it’s taking place.”

Health upstart Taylor Learmont then stole the present by doing a handstand and cut up on the entrance of the stage to point out she is able to upset the favorites to win her first Olympia.

Should you’re not in Orlando, FL for the 2023 Olympia weekend, go to www.olympiaproductions.com to buy the Olympia pay-per-view and watch all of the motion from the Orange County Conference Heart reside.