For someone who hasn’t yet qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, industry veterans can’t stop buzzing about bodybuilder Michal Križo Križánek. Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler took to his podcast at the end of July 2022 to say Križánek could be “dangerous” should he qualify for the grandest show in the sport, held on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.
Now, 1983 Mr. Olympia champion Samir Bannout thinks Križánek could win the Mr. Olympia title on his first try. Check out Bannout’s thoughts in the video below, courtesy of the Old School Labs™ YouTube channel:
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During an appearance on the Muscle Maturity Podcast, Bannout praised Križánek, saying, “I think he could actually win — not make the top five. He could win. It would be easy for him to make the top five — very easy.”
Bannout then talked about what Križánek brings to the table. “Shoulders are incredible, arms are incredible, round chest, small waist, hamstrings,” he says. “I think he’s got it all.”
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According to Bannout, Križánek’s most significant competition at the show won’t be two-time reigning champ Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay — it’ll be 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry.
Brandon is the most dangerous. [If] Brandon comes in shredded, it’s going to be between [Križánek] and Brandon.
Bannout says it all comes down to the posing routine. He thinks if Križánek can lock down a posing performance similar to what Chris Bumstead brings to the stage, Križánek will earn a Sandow trophy by the end of the night.
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Of course, Križánek isn’t qualified for the Mr. Olympia show this December — nor does he even have a pro card yet. Bodybuilder Nick Trigili, a co-host on the podcast, mentioned that Križánek is aiming to enter the Amateur Olympia in Italy this October to get his IFBB Pro League Pro Card.
From there, he can try to qualify by winning a pro show before the Olympia. Križánek will not have time to qualify through the Olympia Qualification System.
Michal Križo Križánek Physique Update
Amid the speculation surrounding a potential Olympia bid, Križánek has posted no shortage of updates on Instagram to show off the physique that’s garnering all that buzz. According to one post from Aug. 16, 2022, he’s already tipping the scales at 293 pounds.
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According to Big Bodies, the last show Križánek competed in was the Mr. Universe Elite Pro in October 2021, which he won. Fittingly, Križánek’s next show might come nearly one year later at the Amateur Olympia in Italy, where his road to the Olympia could become much more clear.
Featured Image: @ifbbmichalkrizokrizanek on Instagram