Two-time Mr. Olympia, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, is not interested in losing the title he worked so hard to claim. Eleven weeks before the 2022 Mr. Olympia, occurring in Las Vegas, NV, the weekend of Dec. 16, Ramy posted a posing video of his most current form.
In the video, Big Ramy performs a series of mandatory poses — a front lat spread, front double biceps, rear lat spread, most muscular, and side chest post. Big Ramy’s bulked-up physique, which is beginning to lean out just over two months out from the Olympia, garnered praise and attention from some of the sport’s biggest names, including Mike O’Hearn and bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev.
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Big Ramy didn’t state his exact weight when the video was taken. However, just one week prior, he posted a series of progress photos to Instagram (see below), stating he weighed 337 pounds — so one can assume he’s not too far off from that number.
Sheer size has always been Big Ramy’s strength, but the level of detail and conditioning displayed in the video above is a relatively new trait.
Putting the Big in “Big Ramy”
Elssbiay made his splash in the IFBB Pro League at the 2013 New York Pro, stepping on stage at around 300 pounds. Bodybuilders at the time were known to be big (ever heard of Dorian Yates?), but not quite this big. Fans and experts were mind-blown by the Egyptian newcomer.
He was immediately considered a top Olympia contender but couldn’t quite find his footing on the grandest of stages. He either showed up too big and soft or sacrificed too much size and ended up looking flat. Between the years 2013 and 2016, his best placing was fourth.
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Then, in 2017, Ramy had a breakthrough — placing second at the Mr. Olympia, proving to fans that he did have the tools to refine his mass monster look.
And 2020 was Ramy’s year. At 36 years old, with his window for greatness closing, Big Ramy hired legendary bodybuilder Dennis James to coach him. The result was Elssbiay’s best package; he beat out 2019 Olympia winner Brandon Curry to become the new king. He repeated in 2021 and is now looking for a three-peat.
Going for Greatness
If Ramy wins the 2022 Mr. Olympia — and he’s got stiff competition in William Bonac, Brandon Curry, Nick Walker, and Hunter Labrada — he’ll become the ninth Men’s Open competitor to claim the title at least three times.
Experts, however, believe that if Ramy can show up looking like he does in these Instagram posts, he’s got the show in the bag.
Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman went on record saying that he thinks Ramy has the stuff to remain Mr. Olympia for the next three to four years. And Phil Heath, a seven-time O winner, says Elssbiay is his favorite to win.
The 2022 Mr. Olympia is set to take place in Las Vegas from Dec. 16-18. As a former Olympia winner, Big Ramy is automatically qualified for the show, which means he’s had a whole year to prepare. And it’s been a productive year for bodybuilding’s current king.
Featured Image: @big_ramy on Instagram
