The 2023 Mr. Olympia contest was hit with yet another potentially abrupt roster shake-up one day before the biggest contest in bodybuilding enters pre-judging. On Nov. 1, Olympia press conference host Bob Cicherillo announced that the 2019 Mr. Olympia, Brandon Curry, had withdrawn from the competition due to illness. However, that information wasn’t accurate, and on Nov. 3, Curry announced that he plans to compete.
Shortly after Cicherillo’s initial announcement, Curry confirmed to BarBend that he wasn’t out of the show but was waiting for approval from both doctors and the IFBB Pro League. In an Instagram video (see below), Curry says he was dealing with an ulcer flair-up but was eventually cleared by all relevant parties and is cleared to compete.
Now that I have clearance…I’m free to compete and I’m ready to battle.
[Tune In: How to Watch the 2023 Olympia]
[Related: Ronnie Coleman’s Top 6 2023 Mr. Olympia Predictions]
The 2023 Mr. Olympia contest has been plagued with unfortunate circumstances for its elite bodybuilders. Curry would be the fifth qualified athlete to withdraw from the contest and the second within the week of the competition’s kickoff if he ultimately pulls out.
On Oct. 31, the 2022 Mr. Olympia bronze medalist, Nick Walker, withdrew from the contest due to a severe hamstring tear. Before that, former two-time Mr. Olympia champion Mamdough “Big Ramy” Elssbiay pulled out of the competition due to pre-existing injuries.
Iain Valliere qualified for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest via a 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow victory but decided to retire from competitive bodybuilding shortly afterward. Valliere was the second athlete to step away from the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Brett Wilkin — the first bodybuilding to qualify for the 2023 contest via a pro show win at the 2022 Mr. Big Man Weekend Pro — withdrew from the 2023 Olympia due to digestive issues.
[Related: Chris Bumstead & Urs Kalecinski Train Arms Together One Week Before the 2023 Olympia]
2023 Mr. Olympia Roster
Here is the 2023 Mr. Olympia roster as of Nov. 2:
- Hadi Choopan (Iran)
- Derek Lunsford (USA)
- Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
- Brandon Curry (USA)
- Behrooz Tabani (Iran)
- Tonio Burton (USA)
- Ross Flanigan (USA)
- Michal Krizanek (Slovakia)
- Phil Clahar (USA)
- Andrea Presti (Italy)
- Hassan Mostafa (Egypt)
- Justin Shier (USA)
- Roman Fritz (Germany)
- Hunter Labrada (USA)
- Chinedu Andrew Obiekea (Andrew Jacked) (UAE)
- Kamal Elgargni (Libya)
- Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
- Regan Grimes (Canada)
- Theo Leguerrier (France)
- Charles Griffen (USA)
- Brett Wilkin (USA) — will not compete
- Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (Egypt) — will not compete
- Iain Valliere (Canada) — will not compete
- Nick Walker (USA) — will not compete
Those who will not be in Orlando can still watch the action in all 11 IFBB divisions live via pay-per-view for $74.99, purchasable on the Olympia Productions website.
Barbend will update this article as more information regarding Curry’s status becomes available.
Featured image: @bisandtris on Instagram
