Nathan De Asha, a well-known figure in the bodybuilding world, has made headlines once again—but this time, it’s not for stepping onto the Mr. Olympia stage.
Despite qualifying for the 2024 Mr. Olympia, the British bodybuilder will not be competing at the prestigious event.
Instead, he and his coach have revealed that Nathan De Asha has decided to focus on improving his physique and preparing for “bigger plans” in the future.
This unexpected move comes just two weeks before the Mr. Olympia event in Las Vegas, leaving fans both surprised and curious about what’s next for the bodybuilding star.
A Successful Season for De Asha
Nathan De Asha’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 Mr. Olympia is particularly surprising given the momentum he’s built this year.
In June, Nathan De Asha clinched an impressive victory at the 2024 Mr. Big Evolution Pro, defeating none other than former two-time Arnold Classic champion William Bonac.
This win highlighted his incredible form and dominance on stage, reestablishing him as a top contender in the Men’s Open division.
Shortly after, De Asha competed at the 2024 Flex Weekend Pro, where he earned a respectable second-place finish behind the champion Behrooz Tabani.
His back-to-back performances showcased his consistency and hunger for victory.
These results earned him a qualification for the Mr. Olympia stage, setting the stage for what many believed would be a dramatic return after visa issues kept him out of last year’s competition.
However, De Asha’s run didn’t end there. He once again found himself competing against Behrooz Tabani at the 2024 Dubai Pro, where he narrowly took second place.
While his conditioning was on point, it wasn’t enough to secure the top spot.
Nonetheless, his overall performance this season left fans excited for his return to Mr. Olympia—until now.
Related: Nathan De Asha Dissects the 2024 Arnold Classic UK: Insights, Observations, and Predictions
Why De Asha Won’t Compete at the 2024 Mr. Olympia
On September 25, 2024, Nathan De Asha‘s coach, Stefan Kienzl, broke the news that Nathan De Asha would not be competing at the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
The announcement came via an interview on the RepOne YouTube channel, where Kienzl explained that the decision was not related to legal issues or injuries.
Instead, Nathan De Asha has decided to focus on improving his physique and preparing for even bigger goals in the future.
According to Kienzl, De Asha had an extremely long and grueling season, and rather than risk overextending himself, he opted to take time off to perfect his form.
“Nathan has bigger plans and wants to improve after having such a long season,” Kienzl shared, adding that De Asha is determined to come back stronger for future competitions.
Related: Nathan De Asha Diet Plan and Workout Routine
A Trend in the 2024 Mr. Olympia Lineup
Nathan De Asha isn’t the only prominent bodybuilder to pull out of the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Tonio Burton, another top-tier Open Pro, also decided to step back from the competition after winning the 2024 California State Pro.
Similar to De Asha, Burton and his coach cited the need for more time to improve his physique as the main reason for the withdrawal.
In Burton’s case, health concerns were also a factor, with a focus on taking time off from performance-enhancing drugs to prioritize long-term well-being.
For De Asha, the decision to skip this year’s Mr. Olympia was not made lightly, especially after being forced to sit out the 2023 event due to visa complications.
Nonetheless, his coach’s remarks suggest that this is a calculated move, aimed at building an even better version of Nathan De Asha for the future.
Related: Nathan De Asha Bodybuilder, Age, Height, Weight
What’s Next for Nathan De Asha?
Although fans were eager to see Nathan De Asha compete on the 60th anniversary of Mr. Olympia, they will have to wait a little longer to see him back on stage. For now, De Asha is focusing on refining his physique and taking the necessary time to prepare for his “bigger plans.”
While it remains unclear exactly what those plans entail, there’s no doubt that Nathan De Asha is committed to coming back better than ever.
In the competitive world of bodybuilding, the decision to skip an event as significant as Mr. Olympia is a bold one, but De Asha’s track record shows that he knows what it takes to win.
As he takes this time to improve, fans can only speculate about what he’ll bring to the stage in the future.
For now, Nathan De Asha’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in the 2024 Mr. Olympia lineup, but it also builds anticipation for his return.
Bodybuilding enthusiasts will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his progress, waiting to see what “bigger plans” Nathan De Asha has in store for the coming years.