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Three-time Arnold Classic champion Ariel Khadr will focus on her health moving forward.
Fitness International standout Ariel Khadr has announced that she will miss the 2024 Olympia as she continues to deal with a neck injury. She shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, claiming that she has been unable to train and is focused on her overall health.
| Full Name: Ariel Khadr (IFBB Pro Fitness Competitor) | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 115 lbs | 5’0 | 09/08/1992 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Fitness | 2000, 2010, 2020 | American |
“Unfortunately, my neck has become an issue again. Recently, I’ve been unable to train or practice my routine due to pain from these disc extrusion’s in my neck. After medical evaluation, I’ve made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2024 Fitness Olympia to prioritize my health.”
Khadr continues to be one of the most underrated competitors in the IFBB Pro League as a whole. She became the youngest athlete ever to earn an IFBB Pro Card when she won the 2009 NPC Team Universe Fitness competition at just 17 years old. Just two years later, Khadr decided to focus solely on Fitness events.
Khadr made her debut in 2015 and would go onto make her Olympia debut in 2016, where she finished seventh. Khadr has totaled seven victories in her career, highlighted by three consecutive Arnold Classic Fitness titles (2022-24).
Ariel Khadr Will Miss 2024 Olympia
Ariel Khadr has competed at the Olympia seven times in her career. She logged her highest finish in 2022 when she came in third. Khadr has been dealing with a neck issue for years now and has overcame all odds up to this point.
“In 2018, I discovered a severe neck issue that left surgeons telling me I needed surgery or risk paralysis. I chose to forego surgery & took all of 2019 to focus on recovery. Against the odds, I competed again in 2020. Every year since, I have also qualified for the olympia”
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The Fitness Olympia lineup will miss Khadr, who was expected to contend for the title once again. Fitness will also be without five-time and defending champion Oksana Grishina, who is expecting a child. Three-time champion Whitney Jones is also not expected to compete.
This means 2023 runner-up Taylor Learmont will enter as one of the favorites to win the competition. Learmont recently won the 2024 Titans Grand Prix show on Sept. 21. Two-time champion Missy Truscott will also return to the competition after missing last year’s final with a knee injury.
Ariel Khadr will focus on recovering from her neck injury before training again. She will look to qualify for the Olympia moving forward.
“This is one of the hardest realities to accept, but health comes first.
Thank you all for the love and support 🥹❤️🙏🏽”
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