Ali Bilal will take a break from competing ahead of the 2025 Olympia due to personal reasons.
Reigning Arnold Classic Men’s Physique champion Ali Bilal will no longer be competing at prominent shows on the bodybuilding schedule. He was preparing to take part in the Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro this year but will step away due to personal reasons, according to reports.
Bilal has been on an upward climb in the division for years now. He finished as the runner-up during the 2024 Olympia and entered the Arnold as one of the favorites. He was able to defeat 2024 Arnold champion Diogo Montenegro and two-time champ Erin Banks. This victory has solidified Bilal in the Men’s Physique division moving forward.
While Bilal will not compete in Pittsburgh or New York, he plans to take the stage during the 2025 Olympia. He will be one of the contenders for the title after his victory in Columbus.
Ali Bilal made headlines after his performance at the Arnold Classic claiming that he is boycotting the event following comments made by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bodybuilding legend had made negative comments about Men’s Physique during the show.
Ali Bilal Will Not Take Part In Future Arnold Classic
Arnold’s comments about Men’s Physique were surrounding the attire and how legs are not taken into account when judging. He understands how the change in shorts are not under his control but discussed the important of symmetry in bodybuilding.
Following the event, Ali Bilal took to Instagram to respond to comments and claim he is finished with the show.
“I’ve decided that this was my last ever Arnold Classic. I’m not going to go to a show where my division, I get treated with disrespect. I don’t think it’s fair how Open division gets $500,000, Classic gets $60k, and Men’s Physique only gets $10k.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Comments On Men’s Physique Shorts
Arnold remains a fan of the Men’s Physique division and continues to have the event at his show. While discussing the action over the weekend, Schwarzenegger commented on the attire on stage and wondered why the legs are eliminated.
“Let’s see the whole body. That’s what we’re judging. Why would you hide the legs all of a sudden?
The interesting thing is they also have really well developed thighs, a lot of those guys. So, I don’t know why they make them wear those long shorts. For me, that’s bogus.”
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