The top three in each division will automatically punch their ticket to next year’s competition.
There has been some recent changes to divisions in bodybuilding and the Mr. Olympia competition just made another one. On Monday, the biggest show of the year announced on its official Instagram page that only the top three finishers from each division will automatically qualify for next year’s show. Previously, the top five finishers from the Men’s Open division would qualify for the show next year. This change will be effective immediately, and makes it much more competitive to make the top 3.
In year’s past, competitors were able to total points over the course of the season and qualify for the Olympia by finishing in the top three. In December, the IFBB announced that this would not be the case starting at the 2023 Olympia. Athletes will have to win a show in order to punch their ticket to the Olympia, other than the Wheelchair division.
Automatic qualifications based on the 2022 Olympia are now as follows:
For all Divisions except Wheelchair Bodybuilding
- Top 3 from all other divisions in 2022 Olympia
- Winner of each OPEN contest held during the qualification period
For Wheelchair Bodybuilding
- Top 3 from 2022 Olympia
- Winner of each OPEN contest held during the qualification period
- Top 5 in the Points Standing
Mr. Olympia Makes Rule Change
The official Olympia Instagram page shared the news on Monday:
“Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 in the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional star power to the various regional events held worldwide.
This change is being made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League as we all share an interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels.”
View this post on Instagram
With this new rule change, it opens up possibilities of seeing bigger names in Men’s Open compete over the course of the year. Going from five to three automatic bids means that two more competitors each year will have to qualify at an outside show, making Olympia qualifying shows much more competitive. This could be exciting for fans to see some of their favorite bodybuilders over the course of the season. With the new competitive aspect, rivalries could become much more prominent, and the sport of bodybuilding could become that much more interesting.
The Mr. Olympia competition is always looking to improve its product and believes that this will do just that.
“Here at the Olympia, we pay close attention to the hundreds of Olympia qualifier events held around the world. In recent years, the top 5 finishers in the Mr. Olympia division have received an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia, but after consulting with the IFBB Pro League we have decided to make a change.”
What do you think of the Mr. Olympia changes?
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