In total, 16 men competed at the Orange County Convention Center in prejudging on Dec. 18, 2020. The favorites were those champions. Reigning champion Brandon Curry faced seven-time winner Phil Heath, and 2008 Sandow Trophy holder Dexter Jackson, as well as 13 of the top contenders in the world.
Editor’s Note: The 2021 Olympia is currently underway! Be sure to check out BarBend’s 2021 Mr. Olympia callout report and stay tuned for all of the action.
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[Related: How Bodybuilding is Judged, Different Division, And Scoring]
2020 Mr. Olympia Friday Callout
The fans in attendance were looking forward to seeing how the judges would compare them. After they were individually introduced and numerical comparisons were made, the judges lined them up based on which they felt were the best. Each callout is important, but the middle of the line is what matters. Those men have the most muscle and are in the best condition. They are favorites out of each group.
Group One
- Hadi Choopan, #3
- Mamdouh Elssbiay, #4
- Phil Heath, #6
- Brandon Curry, #16
- William Bonac #1
- Akim Williams, #15
Group Two
- Justin Rodriguez, #12
- Hunter Labrada, #8
- Akim Williams, #15
- Iain Valierre, #14
- Dexter Jackson #7
Group Three
- Juan Morel, #10
- Antoine Vaillant, #13
- Maxx Charles, #2
- Seung Chul Lee, #9
- Lukas Osladil, #11
- Regan Grimes, #5
Group Four
- William Bonac, #1
- Brandon Curry, #16
- Phil Heath, #6
- Mamdouh Elssbiay, #4
Group Five
- Justin Rodriguez, #12
- Hunter Labrada, #8
- Hadi Choopan, #3
- Akim Williams, #15
- Iain Valliere, #14
- Dexter Jackson, #7
Group Six
- William Bonac, #1
- Brandon Curry, #17
- Mamdouh Elssbiay, #4
- Phil Heath, #6
- Hadi Choopan, #3
- Akim Williams, #15
Group Seven
- Hadi Choopan, #3
- Mamdouh Elssbiay, #4
- Phil Heath, #6
- Brandon Curry, #17
The Road to Mr. Olympia
After a season of cancellations, reschedulings, and changing locations, bodybuilding’s biggest event had finally arrived. The 2020 Mr. Olympia will be one to remember, not only because of the road to this point. Three former champions competed on the same stage for the first time since 2013. One of those men was celebrating his 41st birthday by trying to tie the record for most wins, while another wants to reaffirm his spot as the top man in the sport. The third is a legend who is taking his final bow.
How Bodybuilding is Judged
If you’re new to bodybuilding, here’s a video explaining the ins and outs of how competitors are judged — specifically in the Men’s Open.
[Related: Bodybuilder Iris Kyle out of 2020 Ms. Olympia Due to Illness]
The Mr. Olympia finals are set to take place on Dec. 19, 2020. All 16 competitors will present their best physiques to the judges. So far, the 2020 Ms. Olympia, 212 Olympia, and Fitness, Women’s Physique, and Figure winners have been announced. and the was declared, and now fans are eagerly anticipating the 2020 Mr. Olympia. Who will win? Stay tuned to BarBend, as we’ll be keeping up with the action throughout.
Featured image: @w_wittmannphoto on Instagram/photo by Will Wittmann
