Rafael Brandao Withdraws from 2020 Olympia Due to Covid Complications After Europa Pro

Rafael Brandao is out of the 2020 Olympia.

The 2020 Olympia seems to be losing quite a few competitors. While Big Ramy has been granted a special invite, other bodybuilders are dropping out for one reason or another. James Hollingshead decided to sit out to give himself the best chance in 2021. Veteran bodybuilder and Arnold Classic champion Cedric McMillan will likely be out due to injury. Now it seems Rafael Brandao is joining their ranks.

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The Brazilian bodybuilder qualified for the 2020 Olympia at the Europa Pro back in October. Rafael Brandao had punched his ticket to the big show, yet it appears that he’s choosing to sit out.

Renting out a conference room to make the announcement, Rafael Brandao had this to say about sitting out the 2020 Olympia.

Apparently it appears that Rafael Brandao contracted Coivd-19 while in Spain for the Europa Pro. Since then he hasn’t been operating at one hundred percent. Brandao goes on to state that he has been dealing with bronchitis, breathing issues as well as a deviated septum. His lungs have been affected as well. These factors have led him to make the decision to take off the rest of 2020 and return in 2021.

Rafael Brandao also indicated that he would be undergoing surgery for the deviated septum.

What do you think of Rafael Brandao sitting out the 2020 Olympia?

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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Jonathan Salmon
Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.