IFBB Pro Big Ramy plans to hit the bodybuilding stage again this year, speaks on mental state and preparation.
It has not been an ideal year for Big Ramy. Despite his recent performances, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay is a bodybuilding competitor known for his massive size and physique. The 2-time former Olympia champ details that he is motivated to get back on stage and make necessary improvements to his physique in 2023.
In a recent interview with The Menace Podcast, Ramy spoke on returning to the stage and his overall mental state heading into the summer. During the 2022 Olympia, Ramy fell to fifth after entering as the two-time reigning champion. He competed again right away during the 2023 Arnold Classic and finished fourth.
After his last two competitions, there are many that believe Ramy would benefit from some time off. This is something he is not interested in and wants to keep training to compete.
Big Ramy: “I Can’t Take A Year Off”
Head judge Steve Weinberger spoke on Ramy’s physique and saw issues with his lats, triceps, and lower back. He knows the improvements that need to be made moving forward. For Ramy, it would be beneficial to improve those while prepping for a show.
“Maybe that is the best thing for me but I’m still finding my head to compete. Not today, not tomorrow. I can’t wait for one year.
Dennis knows that because he’s close to me. You know how I respect Steve. First show, him in New York and he’s always nice to me but the problem, it’s important to give people support to compete. I feel bad when somebody tells me you have to stop. The only thing you can tell someone is competing is ‘yeah, you can do it.'”
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After competing at the Olympia and Arnold, Ramy received criticism from many fans. The problem is, there is no consistency in the problems they are addressing.
“I respect everyone but what’s the meaning of someone saying something is wrong when they’re talking about something they’ve never done? Sometimes they say ‘okay, Ramy is too big,’ and second day they say ‘Ramy is small.’ I don’t know. Am I big or am I small?”
Big Ramy Discusses Weak Points In His Physique
Big Ramy believes that he came in flat during the Arnold. He believes that time off between the Olympia and Arnold hurt his progress.
“When you come so flat, you’re weak points, they go up. When you’re full, you never had that. I will tell you what happened actually between Olympia and the Arnold. I think like two or three weeks off because I needed to think about what I needed to do.”
Big Ramy shared that he entered the Arnold at 307 pounds. This was after coming in around 282 pounds at the Olympia three months prior.
Moving forward, Ramy will focus on improvements but still believes he has what it takes to be successful.
“In my opinion, and I respect all of the competitors, but I believe I had some of the best arms on the stage. They’re not small. My side chest is not smaller than my shoulder. It should look nice. Maybe it’s not too big but it’s not small like it’s thinning.
I’m still the guy. I’m still firing to compete tomorrow, it’s like my first show. I need to give everything.”
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