Olympia Coverage Sponsored By BODYPRO Gym
The sold out theatre in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida was buzzing even before the start of the Saturday night Finals of the 2021 Olympia Weekend. Among the topics being discussed was whether Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay would repeat as Mr. Olympia or if Brandon Curry could reclaim the title that was his one year ago. There was also the Classic Physique, Bikini, and Men’s Physique finals to be determined as well. Bodybuilding history was going to be made by the end of the night.
Before the Evening Started
There were two other contests decided earlier in the day at the World Fitness Festival stage. Harold “King Kong” Kelley won his fourth Wheelchair Olympia title in dominating fashion. There was also the inaugural Wellness Olympia. The first champion is Francielle Mattos. Angela Borges would finish as the runner-up, and taking the bronze position was Isabelle Nunes.
Mr. Olympia
The main event was the 57th Mr. Olympia contest. It was obvious that we would have a two-time champion. The question was if it was Brandon Curry or Mamdouh Elssbiay. Both men went back and forth in both rounds of prejudging.
Before the placings were announced, Hadi Choopan was awarded the “People’s Champion” title for the second time in his career. He also won it in 2019. Choopan would place third overall.
The big moment had finally arrived and it was time to see who would be the champion for the second time. That man would be Elssbiay, who was joined by four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. He is the first man since Phil Heath to repeat.
- Winner - Mamdouh Elssbiay, $400,000 USD
- Runner-up - Brandon Curry, $150,000 USD
- 3rd Place - Hadi Choopan, $100,000 USD
Classic Physique Olympia
Canadian and defending Classic Physique Olympia Champion Chris Bumstead knew that former champion Breon Ansley and Arnold Classic winner Terrence Ruffin wanted to win badly this year. He left no rep too short and no calorie unconsumed. As a result, he came in bigger and better this year. He was never on the outside of any callout in prejudging or the Finals. In what was likely the easiest prediction to make, Bumstead three-peated on the Olympia stage. Ruffin and Ansley finished in the same positions as they did one year ago.
The most touching moment of the evening came in Bumstead’s victory speech when he acknowledged the memory of George Peterson, who had been one of his rivals in years’ past. This led to a standing ovation from the crowd.
- Winner - Chris Bumstead, $50,000 USD
- Runner-up - Terrence Ruffin, $15,000 USD
- 3rd Place - Breon Ansley, $10,000 USD
Men’s Physique Olympia
Brandon Hendrickson went in as the champion of this division, and he showed no signs of losing it in prejudging. Kyron Holden and Erin Banks were competing for the runner-up position. Banks would take that spot, and Diogo Montenegro actually took third place. Holden would finish the Finals in fourth place.
- Winner - Brandon Hendrickson, $50,000 USD
- Runner-up -Erin Banks, $15,000 USD
- 3rd Place - Diogo Montenegro, $10,000 USD
Bikini Olympia
Canada scored two Olympia champions on this evening. As a matter of fact, the first and second place finishers represented Canada. Jennifer Dorie won the Bikini Olympia to match her Bikini International title she earned last month at the Arnold Classic. Lauralie Chapados finished as the runner-up, and former Olympia winner Ashley Kaltwasser rounded out the top three.
- Winner - Jennifer Dorie, $50,000 USD
- Runner-up - Lauralie Chapados, $20,000 USD
- 3rd Place - Ashley Kaltwasser, $10,000 USD