The Men’s Open competition at the 2023 Arnold Classic contest is the headlining event of the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival, from March 3-5, 2023, in Columbus, OH. Ten athletes will battle against each other as they vie for the second-most prestigious bodybuilding title outside the Mr. Olympia contest. For reference, here is the roster:
2023 Arnold Classic Roster | Men’s Open
- William Bonac
- Shaun Clarida
- Samson Dauda
- Kamal Elgargni
- Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
- Patrick Moore
- Chinedu Andrew Obiekea “Andrew Jacked”
- Justin Rodriguez
- Akim Williams
- Nick Walker
On March 2, 2023, Bob Cicherillo was joined by bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler, Bikini bodybuilder Camile Periat, and Figure bodybuilder Wendy Fortino on OlympiaTV to discuss their predictions for the 2023 Arnold Classic. Check out the full episode via the video below:
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Flex Wheeler’s Arnold Classic Predictions
- Nick Walker
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
Wheeler joins the majority of renowned bodybuilders who believe that Walker will win the second Arnold Classic title of his career. Flex Lewis, Iain Valliere, and Justin Shier also predict Walker will take home the gold. Fouad Abiad predicted that Dauda would wear the crown. Walker previously won the Arnold Classic in 2021 but did not attempt to defend it in 2022.
After declaring his picks, Wheeler gave a nod to 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida. While he doesn’t believe Clarida will reach the podium, Wheeler does think Clarida will live up to his nickname, “The Giant Killer.”
Bob Cicherillo’s Arnold Classic Predictions
- Nick Walker
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
Cicherillo believes that Dauda has the best overall physique among the competing athletes in the 2023 Arnold Classic lineup but placed his bet on Walker due to Walker’s consistency in hitting his peak. If Dauda comes in “100 percent,” then Cicherillo believes he will become champion. Until he sees Dauda deliver in the way Cicherillo believes he needs to, Cicherillo went with the 2023 Mr. Olympia bronze medalist.
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Camile Periat’s Arnold Classic Predictions
- Nick Walker
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
Periat wasn’t confident in her picks but agreed with Cicherillo’s analysis and echoed his picks.
Wendy Fortino’s Arnold Classic Predictions
- Nick Walker
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
Fortino completed the sweep, predicting the same podium as the rest of her cohorts in the episode. Fortino also feels that Dauda’s muscle fullness is unparalleled at the sport’s top level but has not yet seen the cleanest of conditioning from the “Nigerian Lion.” Similarly, she feels Jacked has the best overall flow to his physique, which is most reminiscent of Wheeler in his prime, but hasn’t seen the quality of conditioning required to claim gold.
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Featured image: @officialflexwheeler on Instagram