American IFBB Pro bodybuilder Sadik Hadzovic’s most recent Olympia appearance was in 2017 when he ranked seventh in Classic Physique. Although Hadzovic qualified for the Men’s Physique Olympia in 2022, he withdrew a few weeks before the contest.
Following a year-long hiatus from competition, Hadzovic returned to the stage, aiming to qualify for the 2024 Olympia. However, his sixth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2024 Chicago Pro and 2024 Tampa Pro, respectively, did not garner him an Olympia qualification.
On Aug. 9, 2024, Hadzovic announced that he would return to the Classic Physique division. He attributed the move to the limitations imposed by the weight cap in the Men’s Physique division. Check it out below:
The IFBB Pro League introduced weight caps for the Men’s Physique division after the 2023 Olympia, setting them 10 pounds lower than those in the Classic Physique division for corresponding heights. The rationale behind the weight restrictions was to ensure that Men’s Physique athletes don’t appear bigger than the Classic Physique competitors.
The Classic Physique division was introduced as a middle ground between Men’s Physique and Men’s Open bodybuilding. Although the new regulations established a clear distinction between Men’s Physique and Classic Physique competitors, they hindered Hadzovic.
“The things I learned during these past two shows is that the weight cap for Men’s Physique is pretty difficult to make,” Hadzovic admitted, believing the Classic Physique division’s 219-pound weight cap for his height is where he would look his best.
Hadzovic gained 13 pounds in a week following the 2024 Tampa Pro — two pounds lighter than where he feels he looks his most aesthetic.
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Sadik Hadzovic’s Competitive Bodybuilding Career
Per NPC News Online, Hadzovic earned his IFBB Pro card in the Men’s Physique division in 2012 and competed there until the introduction of the Classic Physique division in 2016. He won the bronze medal at the inaugural Classic Physique Olympia but switched to the Men’s Physique division in 2019.
2011 NPC Eastern USA Championships — Third Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 NPC Metropolitan Championships — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 NPC Metropolitan Championships — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 NPC Junior USA Championships Men’s Physique Division — Second Place, Class B (Men’s Physique)
2012 NPC Junior National Championships — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 IFBB Greater Gulf States Pro — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 IFBB Orange County Muscle Classic Pro — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Pro — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2012 IFBB Houston Pro — Fourth Place (Men’s Physique)
2013 IFBB Europa Show of Champions — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro — Fourth Place (Men’s Physique)
2013 IFBB New York Pro — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2013 IFBB Olympia Weekend — Fourth Place (Men’s Physique)
2014 IFBB New York Pro — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2014 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2014 IFBB Olympia Weekend — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2015 IFBB Olympia weekend — Second Place (Men’s Physique)
2016 IFBB Mr. Olympia — Third Place (Classic Physique)
2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia — Seventh Place (Classic Physique)
2019 Arnold Sports Festival — Sixth Place (Men’s Physique)
2022 Pittsburgh Pro — First Place (Men’s Physique)
2022 New York Pro — Third Place (Men’s Physique)
2024 Chicago Pro — Sixth Place (Men’s Physique)
2024 Tampa Pro — Fifth Place (Men’s Physique)
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Featured image: @sadikhadzovic on Instagram
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