Big Ramy is looking to take over in 2018.

The 2018 bodybuilding year is already upon us. For competitors at the Mr. Olympia in March, these months are devoted to laying the groundwork for the biggest stage in the world.

Of course, Phil Heath has completely dominated over the past decade, winning seven Olympia titles in a row. But not all of these have been easy wins. One of the biggest threats to Phil’s run is Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. Many Olympia spectators thought he would win in 2017, and many believe he should have won , but in the end Phil took first again. Now, in the build-up to the 2018 show, Big Ramy is showed off his physique on Instagram, looking ready for the bright lights.

Arguably Big Ramy’s biggest asset over Heath are certain elements of his size and proportions. He is an exceptionally large man for the Olympia, yet this massive frame is well paired with a slim waist, uncommon among many top bodybuilders. Many competitors like Greg Kovacs and Günther Schlierkamp have been significantly bigger than Big Ramy, but none could sport his slim waist.

A lot of commentators in recent years have decried what they see as the growing epidemic of ‘bubble gut’ or ‘GH-gut’ among competitors. They see it as a grotesque and unappealing aspect of what has essentially become a sport of size over shapely aesthetic. Of course there is plenty of debate on the matter, but nobody seems to contend that the bubble gut is a desirable part of any physique, and it does make for some unflattering photos when the competitors are shot in profile.

Many people would see a victory for Big Ramy as a symbolic victory for fans who desire proper shape over sheer mass. But overcoming Phil Heath is no small task. As such, Big Ramy is putting his all into his 2018 Olympia prep. This recent back training video shows just how much insane weight Big Ramy is willing to move in order to make even the smallest of improvements.

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A post shared by BIG RAMY (@big_ramy) on Feb 7, 2018 at 1:50am PST

Big Ramy appears to be working hard for the competition, but Phil has made it clear he wants to break the record for consecutive Olympia titles, and a determined Phil Heath is a dangerous man.

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