Ericka Morgan is the 2024 Zhanna Rotar Pro Figure division champion. Morgan was one of 13 IFBB Pro League competitors onstage in Anaheim, CA. She was the last to leave the stage sporting a crown, the gold medal, and her qualification for the 2024 Figure Olympia, a part of the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024.

Gabriela Consolmagno ranked as the runner-up. Gabriela Cadena rounded out the podium. The full results for all 13 competitors are below:

2024 Zhanna Rotar Pro Results

Ericka Morgan (Guatemala)

Gabriela Consolmagno (Brazil)

Gabriela Cadena (United States)

Osiris Trumpe (United States)

Daniella Means (Hong Kong)

Bailey Gutierrez (United States)

Jessica Baltazar (United States)

Amanda Winston (United Kingdom)

Karen Vitor (United States)

Alexandria Cochran (United States)

Ashley Martinez (United States)

Christine Cave (United States)

Stephanie Kay (United States)

The head judge for this competition was Patrick Fulgham.

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Winner — Ericka Morgan

Morgan was coming off a third-place finish at the 2024 Pittsburgh Pro. She was the defending champion of this show, having won it in 2023. Morgan earned all first-place votes on the judges’ scorecards in 2024.

This is Morgan’s second pro win and Olympia qualification. She did not compete in the 2023 Figure Olympia, which Cydney Gillon won. If Morgan enters the 2024 Olympia, it will be her debut on bodybuilding’s grandest stage.

Second Place — Gabriela Consolmagno

Consolmagno previously placed 10th at the 2024 New York Pro on May 18, 2024, but was much improved here and appeared more confident onstage. Consolmagno was a part of the 2023 Olympia but has yet to qualify for the 2024 edition.

Consolmagno must win a pro show by Sept. 15, 2024, to qualify for the 2024 Olympia. Only pro show winners advance to the Olympia stage.

Third Place — Gabriela Cadena

This is Cadena’s second top-three finish in as many shows. She won bronze at the 2024 Optimum Classic Pro in Shreveport, LA, on May 25, 2024, won by Madison Dinges.

This is Cadena’s first pro season as a Figure competitor. She previously competed in the Wellness division. She has yet to win a pro show or qualify for the Olympia in either division.

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National Physique Committee (NPC) bodybuilder Daniel Broadhurst has passed away. He was 32 years old. Broadhurst’s death had first been reported on social media but later confirmed by multiple news outlets.

There is no confirmed cause of death at the time of this article’s publishing, but Broadhurst’s death came unexpectedly and left many in the bodybuilding community shocked and saddened. Various fans and fellow athletes shared condolences on posts acknowledging his passing and on his personal Instagram page.

According to NPC News Online, Broadhurst competed at the amateur level since 2016. His most recent contest was the 2024 NPC Worldwide Mexico Supershow Regional & Pro Qualifier on June 22, where he placed fourth overall in the heavyweight division. His full contest history, as recorded by the NPC is below:

Daniel Broadhurst’s Bodybuilding Competition History

2016 NPC San Francisco Championships — Novice, 1st; Heavyweight, Second Place

2018 NPC Contra Costa Championships — Heavyweight, Second Place

2018 NPC USA Championships — Heavyweight, 10th Place

2019 NPC National Championships — Heavyweight, Did Not Place

2021 NPC Mother Lode Championships — Heavyweight and Overall, First Place

2021 NPC California State Championships — Super-Heavyweight, Second Place

2021 NPC National Championships — Super-Heavyweight, Sixth Place

2022 NPC North American Championships — Super-Heavyweight, Ninth Place

2022 NPC Legion Sports Fest (Amateur) — Super-Heavyweight, Fourth Place

2024 NPC Worldwide Mexico Supershow Regional & Pro Qualifier — Heavyweight, Fourth Place

Broadhurst was pursuing an IFBB Pro League card before his death. There was no word on what his next contest was going to be. Away from the stage, Broadhurst had recently celebrated his engagement with his partner, Angela.

Broadhurst worked as a coach to other competitors and non-competitor clients. His passing comes not long after the deaths of IFBB Pro League Men’s Open bodybuilder Doug Fruchey and Figure pro competitor Cintia Goldani. 

Broadhurst’s funeral arrangements were not confirmed at the time of this article’s publication. BarBend will update this article with further developments and information as they are released.

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The post NPC Bodybuilder Daniel Broadhurst Has Died at 32 Years Old appeared first on BarBend.

Bodybuilding is frustrating in the way a date at an art museum might be; everything is up to interpretation. With no truly objective measurement for quality or achievement, physique competitors live and die by the subjective opinions of judges, fans, and each other. 

The 2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford is at the top of his game — but could he go toe-to-toe with the likes of Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Levrone, or Dorian Yates? Yates himself, in a Jul. 10, 2024, episode of the Shadow Talk with Dorian Yates podcast, said no. 

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Prompted by guest Derek of More Plates, More Dates, Yates theorized on how he’d do in the modern bodybuilding arena, and whether any of today’s pros can truly “match up” against the best bodybuilders of the ’90s. 

“It’s Not the Same”: Dorian Yates on Modern Bodybuilding

Yates and Derek (who withholds his surname online) discussed how the landscape of bodybuilding has changed compared to Yates’ heyday.

“It’s not the same standard anymore,” Yates said. “I’m happy I had my career when I had it, because I could actually be ‘the Shadow.’”

Yates, who won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles between 1992 and 1997, was notoriously reclusive. His penchant for remaining clothed in the back room of bodybuilding contests and his aversion to the press earned ‘the Shadow’ his nickname. 

I’m happy I had my career when I had it.

Dorian Yates

He and Derek then got specific on how social media shines a spotlight on the career bodybuilder that never switches off.

“The pressure to maintain appearances is higher [than in the ’90s],” Derek offered. Yates agreed: “In my day, people only saw you at competitions or right after.” 

Derek then pitched Yates on a hypothetical. “How do you think you’d do today with the physique you had in the ’90s?”

Dorian Yates on Why No Bodybuilder Today “Matches” the 90s

Yates balked a bit at the question but decided to throw his hat in the ring. “It’s not the same standard anymore,” he said, referring to his perception that conditioning standards have dropped. “It’s like, ‘Why are all the guys very short? Why do they not have calves or forearms?’” 

Yates then cited a handful of bodybuilders who, in his mind, helped define the sport in the 90s:

“I mean, look; Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, Ronnie Coleman … There’s nobody that can match those guys in proportion, size, conditioning, the whole mix.” 

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To Yates’ point, the Men’s Open division in recent years has struggled to crown an athlete who can usher in their own bodybuilding dynasty. 

In the seven years since Phil Heath ended his reign in 2017, the Sandow has changed hands on a yearly basis save for a back-to-back performance by Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, who won in 2020 and 2021. 

Is Bodybuilding Less Popular Than in the 1990s? 

Yates chewed on the supposed lack of “outstanding genetic specimens” in bodybuilding and what he perceives to be a shallower pool of talent than existed in the ‘90s. 

“More people are going to the gym now, but there are fewer bodybuilders,” Yates said. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, every dude wanted to be a bodybuilder … Nowadays, there are so many different avenues and divisions.” 

Yates is on the money here. According to Statista, gym memberships in the U.S. have experienced a “near continual increase” since the turn of the millennium, from about 33 million to just over 64 million in 2019. 

But what of Yates’ claim that Open bodybuilding has shrunk to make room for other physique-related opportunities? There are certainly more divisions now than at any other time in the sport’s history (in 1994, Men’s Open was the only male division). 

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Not to mention that “fitness influencers” weren’t a ‘thing’ back then, either. Sam Sulek is a social media darling at just 22 but has yet to earn his pro card. While there are more diverse pastures awaiting would-be physique athletes, determining whether Open bodybuilding is truly more niche than in the ‘90s is harder to answer: 

Per Muscle Memory, the IFBB held 20 Men’s pro shows in 1994. The IFBB Pro League has 22 events on its 2024 schedule, not counting Masters or natural shows.

BarBend reached out to the IFBB for information on their membership in the Men’s Open category over the last 30 years. The organization declined to comment.

“[Fewer] people want to compete in bodybuilding competitions. If less people do it, you’re gonna get [fewer] outstanding specimens,” Yates closed. Is he right? Only time will tell. The next Ronnie Coleman could very well be waiting in the wings. 

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Speculation abounds. As of the date of this article’s publication, the 2024 Olympics are a mere 11 away. After three full years since weightlifters took to the stage in Tokyo, fans are eager to see new records set, medals won, and history made. 

Which begs the question — who the heck is going to win the 2024 Olympics in weightlifting? After all, the qualification pathway to Paris was particularly grueling; a sieve that separated the 10 best athletes in each weight class from the rest of the world. 

[Roster: Every Weightlifter Competing at the 2024 Olympics]

BarBend teamed up with Team USA athlete and 2020 Olympian Caine Wilkes to figure out who has the best chances of winning gold in Paris this summer. Here are our predictions, and stay tuned for BarBend’s live coverage of all weight class events at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which officially begins on Jul. 26! 

2024 Olympics Predictions | Men’s Weightlifting

Below, you’ll find BarBend and Wilkes’ podium predictions for each Men’s weightlifting event at the 2024 Olympics, as well as the finalized top-10 athlete roster published by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The athlete lists do not include weightlifters who qualified for the summer Games via continental, refugee, or universality slots. 

The notation below reads as “Athlete Name (Country): Highest qualification Total”.

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Men’s 61-Kilogram

Li Fabin (CHN): 314

Hampton Morris (USA): 303

Sergio Massidda (ITA): 302

Eko Yuli Irawan (INA): 300

John Ceniza (PHI): 300

Theerapong Silachai (THA): 299

Shota Mishvelidze (GEO): 298

Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq (MAS): 296

Trinh Van Vinh (VIE): 294

Ivan Dimov (BUL): 293 

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Li Fabin (CHN)

Silver: Hampton Morris (USA)

Bronze: Sergio Massidda (ITA)

“As the defending Olympic Champion, Fabin is the clear favorite due to his qualification Total,” says Wilkes. “Although it’s a tight race for the remaining medals, Morris is my pick for silver. He’s really hit his stride towards the end of this quad.”

Wilkes continues: “I expect Morris to hit a decent snatch that will set him up for a big clean & jerk later on. Massidda has also been consistently improving over the quad and hit a 317-kilogram Total recently at a slightly heavier body weight.” 

BarBend

Gold: Li Fabin (CHN)

Silver: Sergio Massidda (ITA)

Bronze: Hampton Morris (USA)

We agree with Wilkes for the most part, but we’re actually a bit warmer on Italy’s Massidda. He’s made tremendous progress in his clean & jerk in the last few months, jumping from 162 to 172 kilograms between February and April while weighing around 65 kilos. 

If he can retain that top-end strength while cutting to 61, he’s in great shape for silver thanks to his consistency in hitting mid-130-kilogram snatches. 

Men’s 73-Kilogram

Rizki Juniansyah (INA): 365

Shi Zhiyong (CHN): 356

Masanori Miyamoto (JPN): 350

Weeraphon Wichuma (THA): 349

Bozhidar Andreev (BUL): 348

Bak Joohyo (KOR): 345

Ritvars Suharevs (LAT): 341

Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (TUR): 341

Juli Mayora (VEN): 339

Luis Mosquera (COL): 337

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Rizki Juniansyah (INA)

Silver: Shi Zhiyong (CHN) 

Bronze: Masanori Miyamoto (JPN)

Wilkes thinks it’s “hard to bet” against Shi Zhiyong, but “Juniansyah surprised everybody at the World Cup when he kicked his teammate, Rahmat Erwin Abdullah, off the leaderboard. I expect [Zhiyong] to be competitive in the snatch but fall behind in the clean & jerk.” 

“I see a three-way battle for the bronze medal,” says Wilkes. “Although Wichuma and Andreev look capable of a big Total, whose performance at the IWF World Cup gave him a lot of momentum going into the Olympics. This battle may come down to smart decisions made in the back room by the athletes and their coaches.” 

BarBend

Gold: Rizki Juniansyah (INA) 

Silver: Shi Zhiyong (CHN) 

Bronze: Bozhidar Andreev (BUL) 

We concur with Wilkes on the Zhiyong “situation” — China’s powerhouse athlete has battled a slew of damaging injuries since before his win in Tokyo. He’s looked good in training, but doesn’t have the consistency in the clean & jerk that Juniansyah displays at or above 190 kilograms. 

We like Andreev for bronze, though. Miyamoto had the meet of his life at the World Cup, but failed to crack a 340 Total at his three prior competitions. Andreev, meanwhile, has Totaled 348 and 349 at his last two meets, and is a notoriously fierce competitor. He’s riding a high from his home-turf win at the European Championships in Sofia, which should buoy his spirits heading into Paris. 

Men’s 89-Kilogram

Karlos Nasar (BUL): 396

Yeison Lopez (COL): 392

Keydomar Vallenilla Sanchez (VEN): 385

Mir Mostafa Javadi (IRI): 384

Karim Abokahla (EGY): 381

Antonino Pizzolato (ITA): 380

Marin Robu (MDA): 378

Andranik Karapetyan (ARM): 377

Yu Dongju (KOR): 375

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Karlos Nasar (BUL) 

Silver: Yeison Lopez (COL) 

Bronze: Keydomar Vallenilla-Sanchez (VEN) 

“Nasar is the clear frontrunner and has been a top contender throughout the qualification period,” Wilkes remarks. “Lopez may beat him in the snatch, but Nasar will easily overtake him in the clean & jerk and then some.” 

BarBend

Gold: Karlos Nasar (BUL) 

Silver: Yeison Lopez (COL) 

Bronze: Antonino Pizzolato (ITA) 

As before, we think Wilkes is on the money with his gold and silver-medal predictions. Lopez rattled the board with his return to international weightlifting last year, but thus far lacks the raw strength required to clean & jerk more than 210 kilograms — a weight Nasar will probably hit in the back room or on his opening attempt.

But for bronze, we’re going to go out on a limb and back Italy’s Pizzolato. Pizzolato was hot off a podium finish in Tokyo when he set the inaugural world record in the clean & jerk as an 89-kilogram athlete. 

He’s failed to pace with Nasar, Lopez, and China’s Li Dayin since mid-2022, but we also watched him valiantly and confidently clean 222 kilograms at this year’s European Championships. If Pizzolato can snatch 175 kilograms or more, he’ll position himself to make a big jump in the second half of the session for a medal. 

Men’s 102-Kilogram

Liu Huanhua (CHN): 413

Garik Karapetyan (ARM): 401

Meso Hassona (QAT): 400

Akbar Djuraev (UZB): 400

Yauheni Tsikhantsou (AIN): 400

Jang Yeonhak (KOR): 399

Lesman Paredes Montano (BRN): 398

Davranbek Hasanbayev (TKM): 392

Irakli Chkheidze (GEO): 391

Don Opeloge (SAM): 391

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Liu Huanhua (CHN) 

Silver: Meso Hassona (QAT) 

Bronze: Garik Karapetyan (ARM) 

“China’s Huanhua is the favorite for gold. His clean & jerks routinely pass 230 kilograms, which gives him a big edge,” says Wilkes. “After that, things are much less clear. I like Hassona for silver — he has a strong clean & jerk and if he’s healthy in Paris, he may be able to keep up with Huanhua.” 

BarBend

Gold: Liu Huanhua (CHN) 

Silver: Akbar Djuraev (UZB) 

Bronze: Meso Hassona (QAT) 

Huanhua is the only sure-fire podium athlete of the 102-kilogram pack barring a bomb-out, which he’s not had — in fact, Huanhua has made 75% of all competition attempts in IWF-recognized events. 

Beyond that, we think people are sleeping on Djuraev. After his unsuccessful attempt at bulking up to the super-heavyweights, the 109-kilogram Olympic Champion made a late weight cut to the 102s for the 2024 Asian Championships, where he Totaled 400. 

It’s unknown whether Djuraev’s performance suffers dramatically from cutting weight, but what is certain is that he has more experience handling ultra-heavy weights than Huanhua or Hassona. 

Men’s +102-Kilogram

Lasha Talakhadze (GEO): 474

Gor Minasyan (BRN): 464

Varazdat Lalayan (ARM): 463

Ali Davoudi (IRI): 454

Man Asaad (SYR): 445

Mohamed Elsayed (EGY): 433

Ali Rubaiawi (IRQ): 427 

Walid Bidani (ALG): 426

Eishiro Murakami (JPN): 421

David Liti (NZL): 413

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Lasha Talakhadze (GEO) 

Silver: Gor Minasyan (BRN) 

Bronze: Varazdat Lalayan (ARM) 

“Maybe it’s because I compete in this category against these athletes, but I feel this is the most cut-and-dry,” Wilkes says. “You don’t bet against Talakhadze.” 

Continuing, Wilkes notes that he “likes Minasyan for second place; a 460+ Total is pretty routine for him. Lalayan has shown promise in this quad, but I think Minasyan has the tenure to stay ahead of him.” 

BarBend

Gold: Lasha Talakhadze (GEO)

Silver: Varazdat Lalayan (ARM) 

Bronze: Gor Minasyan (BRN)

“You don’t bet against Talakhadze,” is right. However, last month we did wonder if he is strong enough to win the Olympics. Luckily, his recent training footage has indicated the Georgian giant is preparing well for what fans speculate will be his final Olympics.

However, we’re big fans of Lalayan. He’s younger than either Talakhadze or Minasyan, is more explosive than the latter, and has impressively consistent technique in the snatch. He’s a bit wobbly in the clean & jerks, but his best lifts from the quad — 215 kilos in the snatch and 253 in the jerk, from different meets — are theoretically enough to make even Talakhadze a bit nervous. 

2024 Olympics Predictions | Women’s Weightlifting

These are BarBend and Wilkes’ podium predictions for each Women’s weightlifting event at the 2024 Olympics, as well as the finalized top-10 athlete roster published by the IWF. The athlete lists do not include weightlifters who qualified for the summer Games via continental, refugee, or universality slots.

The notation below reads as “Athlete Name (Country): Highest qualification Total”.

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Women’s 49-Kilogram

Hou Zhihui (CHN): 217

Mirabai Chanu (IND): 200 

Surodchana Khambao (THA): 200

Jourdan Delacruz (USA): 200

Mihaela Cambei (ROU): 199

Rira Suzuki (JPN): 197

Nina Sterckx (BEL): 193 

Katherin Enchandia Zarate (VEN): 193

Fang Wan-Ling (TPE): 192

Beatriz Piron Candelario (DOM): 191 

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Hou Zhihui (CHN) 

Silver: Jourdan Delacruz (USA) 

Bronze: Surodchana Khambao (THA) 

From Wilkes: “Zhihui’s 17-kilogram Total lead on the rest of the board makes her a clear favorite. She should win with her opening lifts. But any of the next four athletes can suck up the two remaining medals.” 

“I like Delacruz for second place,” Wilkes says of his Tokyo 2020 teammate. “She’s been recovering from an injury but looks primed and ready for a big Total after clean & jerking 114 kilograms at the 2024 National Championships.” 

After that, Wilkes is endorsing Thailand’s Khambao for bronze. “Chanu Totaled 200 early in the quad, but has since trended downward. Cambei could also sneak in, but her clean & jerk isn’t quite as strong as the others.” 

BarBend

Gold: Hou Zhihui (CHN) 

Silver: Jourdan Delacruz (USA) 

Bronze: Mihaela Cambei (ROU) 

We agree with Wilkes on gold and silver; Zhihui has put too much airspace between herself and any other 49-kilogram weightlifter save for her own teammate and North Korea’s athlete, who was not eligible for Paris.

When it comes to bronze, we’re throwing down for Cambei, who has steadily built momentum over the quad. She’s Totaled 194 kilos or more since Worlds in ‘22, while Khambao and Chanu each have logged results just a bit lower or failed to perform altogether, opting only to weigh in at big meets. 

Cambei has hot hands, having taken every opportunity to compete on international stages throughout the quad and increasing her Total basically linearly along the way. 

Women’s 59-Kilogram

Luo Shifang (CHN): 248

Kamila Konotop (UKR): 236

Maude Charron (CAN): 236

Yenny Alvarez (COL): 234

Kuo Hsing-Chun (TPE): 232 

Anyelin Venegas (VEN): 229

Elreen Ann Ando (PHI): 228

Rafiatu Lawal (NGR): 227

Janeth Gomez Valdivia (MEX): 223

Lucrezia Magistris (ITA): 217

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Luo Shifang (CHN) 

Silver: Maude Charron (CAN) 

Bronze: Kuo Hsing-Chun (TPE) 

“China is the clear front-runner once again, but I like Charron for second place,” notes Wilkes. “She’s gained a lot of momentum heading into the Olympics and is incredibly consistent.” 

“Third place might go to Konotop from Ukraine, but I think Hsing-Chun might show up ready for a big clean & jerk. I could see her going big, since this is possibly her final Olympics.” 

BarBend

Gold: Luo Shifang (CHN) 

Silver: Kuo Hsing-Chun (TPE) 

Bronze: Maude Charron (CAN) 

We agree with Wilkes almost uniformly, save for one distinction. Hsing-Chun is one of the most accomplished and tenured athletes in women’s weightlifting ever. Approaching the sunset of her career, we sense she’s played things close to her chest to stay healthy and in the conversation until Paris, where she’ll drop the hammer one last time for a silver medal before retiring.

Wilkes is right about Charron, though — she’s got one of the highest rates of successful lifts of any female weightlifter in Paris and has only trended upward since her historic gold-medal finish in Tokyo at 64 kilos.

Charron won the Women’s 64-kilogram event in Tokyo with a 236-kilogram Total. Come the end of the Paris qualification cycle and she put up the same Total while five kilograms lighter; an extraordinary feat for a weightlifter at this level. 

Women’s 71-Kilogram

Olivia Reeves (USA): 268

Angie Palacios Dajomes (ECU): 261

Loredana Toma (ROU): 256

Vanessa Sarno (PHI): 249

Naema Said (EGY): 246

Chen Wen-Huei (TPE): 246

Mari Sanchez Perinan (COL): 244

Siuzanna Valodzka (AIN): 242

Joy Eze (NGR): 239

Amanda Da Costa (BRA): 238

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Olivia Reeves (USA) 

Silver: Angie Palacios-Dajomes (ECU) 

Bronze: Loredana Toma (ROU) 

“Olivia has a great shot at gold. I don’t see anyone giving her a real challenge in the 71-kilogram session. She’ll just keep doing what she does, hitting personal records decisively on the platform,” says Wilkes.

He continues, saying, “…neither Palacios-Dajomes nor Toma have hit their top Totals recently, both are experienced weightlifters who will show up ready to do what it takes.” 

BarBend

Gold: Olivia Reeves (USA) 

Silver: Angie Palacios-Dajomes (ECU) 

Bronze: Vanessa Sarno (PHI) 

We’d bet the house on Reeves winning the Paris Olympics. Beyond that, Palacios-Dajomes is the only non-Asian woman weightlifter to hold a Senior world record (121 kilograms in the snatch) at the closure of the qualification period. 

But for third, we’re going to cast our vote for Sarno. While a superstar in the world of weightlifting, Toma has stumbled since her big day at the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships, only totaling above 240 kilograms one time since then. 

On the other hand, Sarno is only moving upward. Exactly one year prior to Paris, she Totaled 216 kilograms weighing 66 at the Asian Junior Championships. Six months after that, she set her quad-best result of 249 at the IWF Grand Prix II in December of last year. 

Women’s 81-Kilogram

Neisi Dajomes (ECU): 269

Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY): 268

Solfrid Koanda (NOR): 266

Eileen Cikamatana (AUS): 263

Kim Suhyeon (KOR): 256

Ayamey Damiana Medina Roca (CUB): 254

Laura Amaro (BRA): 253

Yudelina Mejia Peguero (DOM): 252

Ankhtsetseg Munkhjantsan (MGL): 243

Rigina Adashbaeva (UZB): 243

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Neisi Dajomes-Barrera (ECU) 

Silver: Solfrid Koanda (NOR) 

Bronze: Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY) 

Wilkes: “This is a tough class to call. Many of the top lifters here have hit their stride just in time for Paris. I like Koanda for second place — most of her performances were in the 87-kilo class, but I think she can go for a big clean & jerk in Paris.”

“Ahmed hit her 268 early in the quad, and I don’t know if she’s ready for a Total like that. I also think Australia’s Cikamatana is a dark horse candidate, as she’s steadily crept up her Total throughout the quad,” Wilkes notes. 

BarBend

Gold: Neisi Dajomes-Barrera (ECU) 

Silver: Solfrid Koanda (NOR) 

Bronze: Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY) 

We are in full agreement with Wilkes here. Expect the 81-kilogram category to possibly offer the most contentious, back-and-forth weightlifting of any Women’s category in Paris. Koanda is likely stronger than Dajomes-Barrera, but she lacks experience compared to Ecuador’s first female Olympic Champion ever. 

Women’s +81-Kilogram

Li Wenwen (CHN): 325

Park Hyejeong (KOR): 296

Emily Campbell (GBR): 287

Duangaksom Chaidee (THA): 286

Mary Theisen-Lappen (USA): 283

Lisseth Ayovi Cabezas (ECU): 276

Halima Abbas (EGY): 275

Naryury Perez Reveron (VEN): 267

Iuniarra Sipaia (SAM): 267

Crismery Santana Peguero (DOM): 263

Caine Wilkes

Gold: Li Wenwen (CHN) 

Silver: Park Hyejeong (KOR) 

Bronze: Chaidee Duangaskom (THA)

“Once again, Wenwen from China is the clear favorite with her 30-kilogram Total lead on the rest of the division,” says Wilkes. “Park also holds a sizeable lead in second place.” 

“The bronze medal could go to Campbell of Great Britain, Thailand’s Duangaskom, or Theisen-Lappen of Team USA,” Wilkes continues. “I’m choosing Duangaskom mostly because Campbell has been battling injuries of late.” 

“Theisen-Lappen is the dark horse here. She has a sizeable clean & jerk, but she needs a solid snatch day to be in medal contention.” 

BarBend

Gold: Li Wenwen (CHN) 

Silver: Park Hyejeong (KOR) 

Bronze: Mary Theisen-Lappen (USA) 

Wilkes is on point, but we’re going to endorse Theisen-Lappen for bronze, though it truly is anyone’s game. Duangaskom is formidable, but has Totaled 280 or less in 2024 and 2023, and has only clean & jerked 160 once. 

Theisen-Lappen lacks consistency in the snatch, but is extremely powerful in the clean & jerk. She lifted 166 kilograms at Worlds in ‘23, but a tough jury call invalidated the attempt. Moreover, she’s also recently hit a whopping 183 kilograms in the jerk from blocks. If Theisen-Lappen bags a snatch at or above 120, she’ll do what she has to do to win a medal later on. 

2024 Olympics Weightlifting Schedule

Disagree with our or Wilkes’ picks? Well, you won’t have to wait long to find out whether what we’re prophesying comes to pass. The 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, officially begin on Jul. 26, 2024. However, weightlifting events won’t start until Aug. 7. 

Here’s the full schedule for all weightlifting events at the 2024 Olympics. Times are listed in Eastern Standard Time and all scheduling is subject to change.

Wednesday, August 7

9:00AM: Men 61KG

1:30PM: Women 49KG

Thursday, August 8

9:00AM: Women 59KG

1:30PM: Men 73KG

Friday, August 9

9:00AM: Men 89KG

1:30PM: Women 71KG

Saturday, August 10

5:30AM: Men 102KG

10:00AM: Women 81KG

2:30PM: Men +102KG

Sunday, August 11

5:30AM: Women +81KG

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Featured Image courtesy of USA Weightlifting

 

The post 2020 Olympian Predicts 2024 Olympics Weightlifting Results appeared first on BarBend.

Cycling is experiencing a resurgence, according to new data that shows a notable increase in indoor cycling usage rates

Strength training may get top billing this year as the leading fitness modality, but a new report demonstrates the strength of cycling, which is gaining popularity among Garmin users, who are riding more this year with an impressive 7% rise in cycling activities and a 12% increase in indoor cycling.

Using cycling mileage data from the Garmin Connect community, the tech company also discovered that female cyclists are the fastest-growing demographic, showing a 9% increase in cycling activities this year. Cyclists in Italy are leading in stamina, participating in the longest rides (more than two hours on average), while cyclists in the UAE are the fastest, averaging an impressive 16 mph on their rides.

Garmin’s findings come as basketball great LeBron James and Canyon Bicycles have partnered on a new initiative where Canyon will provide bikes to the LeBron James Family Foundation’s ‘I Promise’ students, which began in 2011 to encourage young students to be active and complete school.

Fitness Brands Promote Fun ‘Behind the Bars’

Crunch Fitness is also meeting the needs of cycling enthusiasts, investing in its indoor cycling offerings at its Crunch Signature premium facilities through a partnership with Struct Club, a music-oriented programming platform and app. The two will also roll out a certification and continuing education program for new and current indoor cycling instructors.

In Sherman Oaks, California, Spinergy has opened to offer a fully immersive indoor cycling and yoga experience with the help of a 300-square-foot projection screen and cinematic visuals. The 45-minute cycling classes are suitable for all levels, as attendees can adjust the resistance knob on their bikes. 

Iconic HIIT fitness brand Barry’s has also expanded its Ride x Life class format to its West Hollywood location, bringing a 50-minute indoor cycling experience that was once exclusive to Barry’s Chelsea location in New York City.

“Cycling is low impact and is less of a barrier to entry,” Charlie Meredith, Ride’s chief curriculum lead, told Athletech News, adding that Ride is not just a great workout but is fun for class attendees. “We ride to the beat of the music, something we don’t get to do in the (treadmill) class.  It’s a vibe, but still kicks your ass.”

Cycling On 

Despite the challenges faced by some indoor cycling studios and at-home cycling brands like Peloton in the post-pandemic era, other platforms are certain there’s a bright future for the modality.

Zwift, an at-home online cycling and running company that raised $620 million last year, recently debuted an adjustable, space-saving gamified smart bike for $1,299.

Zwift cyclists can engage in a multiplayer online game, competing in virtual worlds and routes or participate in races, social rides or train in a structured program. 

Garmin’s full report on cycling can be viewed here. 

The post Indoor Cycling Is on the Rise, Garmin Finds appeared first on Athletech News.

The 2024 Strongman Classic was a blistering display of strength at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, on July 13. During the competition, 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and two-time Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) champion Mitchell Hooper added the Axle Press world record of 218 kilograms (480 pounds) to his long list of achievements.

The Axle Press kicked off the strength festivities in London, and it only took Hooper two attempts to rewrite the record books. Both of Hooper’s attempts can be seen below, courtesy of the Giants Live YouTube channel:

On the second attempt, Hooper took a mixed grip of the Axle bar with wagon wheel plates and pulled the massive weight off the ground to his midsection. He swapped his grip to clean the bar up to his chest. 

“The Moose” rolled his hands and split-jerked the axle overhead, locking out his arms and standing tall with world-record weight. The judge gave the down command, and Hooper celebrated as fireworks flared and the sold-out audience roared. Hooper wore wrist wraps and a weight belt during his attempts.

The new record lift breaks the previous 217 kilograms (478.4 pounds) held by Cheick Al-Hassan Sanou, better known as “Iron Biby.” That feat was performed at the 2021 Strongman Classic in the same venue. Before that, 2017 WSM Eddie Hall held the record at 216 kilograms.

Hooper won the 2024 Strongman Classic, defeating Tom Stoltman, who had beaten Hooper for the 2024 WSM title in Myrtle Beach, SC, in early May. The replay of the competition is available to watch via the Official Strongman website.

2024 Strongman Classic Results

Mitchell Hooper (CAN) — 49 points

Tom Stoltman (UK) — 47 points

Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR) — 38.5 points

Mathew Ragg (NZL) — 37 points

Tristain Hoath (CAN) — 36.5 points

Oleksii Novikov (UKR) — 35 points

Andrew Flynn (UK) — 34 points

Kane Francis (UK) — 32 points

Pa O’Dwyer (IRL) — 28 points

Eddie Williams (AUS) — 24 points

Gavin Bilton (UK) — 15 points

Evan Singleton (USA) — Nine points (withdrew)

[Related: Mitchell Hooper & Will Tennyson’s 10,000-Calorie Eating Challenge — All Healthy Food?]

More Strongman Content

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2024 Strongman World Cup Results — Dmitrii Skosyrskii Victorious

Featured Image: @giantslivestrongman on Instagram 

The post Mitchell Hooper Breaks Axle Press World Record With 218 Kilograms (480 Pounds) appeared first on BarBend.

On Friday, July 12, 2024, Bulgarian phenom Karlos Nasar posted his latest feat of strength to social media — a 185-kilogram, or 407.8-pound snatch, three kilograms above the official 89-kilogram world record.

Nasar has spent the last three months leading up to the 2024 Olympics signaling to his adversaries that the Men’s 89-kilogram event will be a battle for silver.

But his latest achievement got us thinking. Does Nasar also have the strength to win gold in the heavier 102-kilogram category?

[Related: Best Weightlifting Shoes]

Let’s look at Nasar’s latest streak of weightlifting achievements and compare his unofficial records with the best offerings in the 89- and 102-kilogram categories. Nasar might have enough gas in the tank to win Olympic gold in two of five Men’s events in Paris.

Karlos Nasar: The Favorite

When the qualification period for the 2024 Olympics began in 2022, Nasar was in the conversation; but only just. Paris qualification kicked off in earnest with the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) 2022 World Weightlifting Championships. Yet it was Nasar’s longtime rival and Tokyo 81-kilogram bronze medalist Antonino Pizzolato who was, at the time, the talk of the town.

Pizzolato hit an inaugural 217-kilogram clean & jerk world record at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships. Two years on, and that record now belongs to Nasar, who has advanced it nearly singlehandedly to 223 kilograms.

Now-retired weightlifter Tian Tao is the only 89-kilogram athlete to contend with Nasar’s capabilities in the clean & jerk between Tokyo and Paris. Tao briefly sniped the 222-kilogram record from Nasar in Aug. 2023.

[Related: 5 of the Greatest Weightlifting Battles of All Time]

When the qualification period for Paris wrapped shortly after the IWF World Cup in early summer, Nasar was on top of the world but officially ranked at number two on the 89-kilogram leaderboards behind Tao’s countryman (and still the official Total record owner) Li Dayin.

Dayin would not be selected to represent Team China in weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics. Fans speculate his absence is due to both inconsistent performances on the international stage and, more believably, Nasar’s more consistent progress.

With less than a month until the weightlifting events in Paris, Nasar has published a slew of would-be record-setting performances:

Three unofficial world records from the Bulgarian National Weightlifting Championships.

A 230-kilogram clean & jerk attempt, which he has publicly tried several times since.

226 kilograms in the clean & jerk at a multi-sport event in Germany.

Nasar either weighed above 89 kilograms, partook in events not recognized by the IWF, or hit these lifts in non-competition settings. As such, none of them stand as official records. And yet…

Can Karlos Nasar Win Gold in Two Different Weight Classes?

We think so. It’s hypothetical, of course, but Nasar’s 185-kilogram snatch, coupled with his 226-kilogram clean & jerk, gives him a training Total of 411 kilograms. Let’s put that in context:

The 96-kilogram Total world record stands at 416 kilograms, held by modern great (and now-retired) weightlifter Sohrab Moradi of Iran.

In the 102-kilogram division, the Total world record belongs to China’s Liu Huanhua, who holds it at 413 kilograms.

The 96-kilogram division won’t be showcased at Paris 2024 as a consequence of weightlifting’s bureaucratic failures to police anabolic steroid usage among its athletes.

But the 102-kilogram category will. And while Huanhua stands atop that class’s qualification leaderboard, Nasar’s 411 ranks him quite impressively in the heavier division:

Men’s 102 Kilogram Leaderboard | 2024 Olympics

Liu Huanhua (CHN) — 413KG

Garik Karapetyan (ARM) — 401KG

Meso Hassona (QAT) — 400KG

Akbar Djuraev (UZB) — 400KG

Yauheni Tsikhantsou (AIN) — 400KG

Jang Yeonhak (KOR) — 399KG

Lesman Paredes Montano (COL) — 398KG

Davranbek Hasanbayev (TKM) — 392KG

Irakli Chkheidze (GEO) — 391KG

Don Opeloge (SAM) — 391KG

If Nasar could string together a snatch and clean & jerk that matched his gym personal records, he would have a real shot at dislodging Huanhua, who will arrive in Paris as the presumptive 102-kilogram gold medalist.

So, could Nasar theoretically win gold in two different Olympic events this August? Maybe, were he not subjected to a weight cut for the 89-kilogram class (and were it possible to win two Olympic medals at the same event in the first place).

Nasar would be a safe bet for a podium position on a good day and is strongly favored in the 89s.

History Repeats?

Nasar’s trajectory somewhat mirrors that of men’s weightlifting’s last modern prodigy—Kazakhstan’s Ilya Ilyin. Ilyin originally won two gold medals in 2008 and 2012 in the now-defunct 94-kilogram class. He bagged his first Olympic Champion title at age 20. Nasar is also 20.

Ilyin would go on to bulk up into the heavier 105-kilogram class, where in 2015, he would set the final world records in the clean & jerk (246 kilograms) and Total (437 kilograms) before the division was abolished in 2018.

Weightlifting historians can see the parallels in the careers of Nasar and Ilyin taking shape. If Nasar wins it all in Paris, we may well see him move up to a heavier class ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles with the intent of winning gold there, too.

Nasar is slated to compete in the Men’s 89-kilogram event at the 2024 Olympic Games at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

More Weightlifting News

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Featured Image: Weightlifting House / @weightlifting_house

The post Is Karlos Nasar Strong Enough To Win Gold in Two Divisions at the 2024 Olympics? appeared first on BarBend.

It sounds too good to be true — and it might be. But a new study out of the academic journal Nutrients is suggesting exactly that; if you want to increase your strength in the weight room, you might not need to double-up on your favorite pre-workout supplement.

You might just need to swish some soda around before attempting a new 1-rep max. At least, that was among conclusions offered in the Apr. 2024 randomized crossover study, which examined the performance-boosting effects of “carbohydrate mouth rinsing” on strength and power.

Credit: Dragon Images / Shutterstock

[Related: Best Muscle Recovery Supplements]

We’re going to break down the methods, findings, and limitations of this study in 500 words or less so you can decide whether carbohydrate mouth rinsing can help you fast-track your strength and muscle gains.

What the Study Says

The paper from Nutrients is titled, “Carbohydrate Mouth Rinses before Exercise Improve Performance of Romanian Deadlift Exercise: A Randomized Crossover Study” (1) and was authored by Yang & colleagues.

The researchers set out to determine “effect of carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) on … resistance exercise performance,” specifically measured by strength and power during the Romanian deadlift.

[Op-Ed: Can Everybody Stop Mixing Up the Romanian and Stiff-Leg Deadlifts?]

Methods & Findings

The authors recruited 20 “healthy adult” males around age 22 who had resistance training experience, competence in the hip hinge Romanian deadlift (RDL) movement pattern, and no contraindicative health conditions.

Subjects were sorted into a CMR group and a placebo group; the carb-rinse group swished a sugary 6% maltodextrin beverage, while the placebo group received mineral water. Both groups then performed 5 sets of 6 repetitions of RDLs.

The carb-rinse group displayed “significantly higher peak concentric power” compared to the control group.

The CMR group also showed higher eccentric force production while lowering the weight.

Both groups exhibited similar patterns in heart rate and RPE, or rate of perceived exertion.

Authors Yang et al. began the discussion portion of their reporting by saying, “The results indicate that mouth rinsing with the carbohydrate solution … significantly improved exercise performance.”

Limitations

At a glance, this study paints a compelling picture of the potency of sugary swishing, but no study is without limitations. Before you start backwashing a bottle of Gatorade in the gym, consider some of these confounding factors:

While the authors describe their findings as “significant,” know that this word does not mean the same thing in academia as it does colloquially. It merely describes a distinction; the “effect size,” which refers to magnitude, was categorized as moderate.

Notably, the authors remarked that half of all participants were able to differentiate between the sugary beverage and the placebo, which they described as “unsatisfactory.”

The study was not longitudinally designed, meaning any changes were not observed over a long period of time. It is thus unclear if CMR suffers from diminishing returns in efficacy.

Authors Yang et al. acknowledge that their research was unable to deduce a specific mechanism explaining how CMR affects the nervous system.

Only 20 participants were recruited, all of whom were males around the same age and weight.

[Related: Best Post-Workout Supplements]

What You Should Do

More than anything, this study by Yang & colleagues deserves praise for taking an innovative approach to boosting gym performance. Intra-workout supplementation is nothing new — electrolytes, anyone? — but swish-and-spitting a sugary drink is a fresh take on enhancing workouts.

This study may present a convincing argument for anyone who competes in strength sports like powerlifting, weightlifting, or strongman. Performing CMR before attempting a max could be worth experimenting with.

Credit: Day Of Victory Studio / Shutterstock

There’s a use case for bodybuilders here as well. Physique athletes, especially those in contest prep, must rigidly control their food intake to maintain a calorie deficit. Prolonged deficits often impair gym performance, an effect which a bodybuilder may mitigate by incorporating CMR — without the consequences of raising their caloric intake.

Give CMR a shot and see if it works for you; just be prepared to catch a few dodgy looks from other gymgoers here and there.

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References

Yang T-J, Shiu Y-J, Chen C-H, Yu S-Y, Hsu Y-Y, Chiu C-H. Carbohydrate Mouth Rinses before Exercise Improve Performance of Romanian Deadlift Exercise: A Randomized Crossover Study. Nutrients. 2024; 16(8):1248.

Featured Image: carlesmiro / Shutterstock

The post New Study: Swishing Sugary Drinks in Your Mouth Can Immediately Increase Strength appeared first on BarBend.