As the 2024 Mr. Olympia approaches, bodybuilding legends Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev are offering their insights into the top contenders in the Men’s Open division. In a recent YouTube discussion, the two veterans focused on Brandon Curry and Hunter Labrada, shedding light on what each athlete needs to do to have a real shot at the title.
With just eight days left until the ultimate showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada, their analysis has sparked interest in what to expect from these bodybuilding stars.
Brandon Curry: Conditioning is Key
Brandon Curry, the 2019 Mr. Olympia winner, has been a major player in the Men’s Open division for several years.
Known for his aesthetic physique and impressive muscle mass, Brandon Curry has consistently finished among the top athletes at the Olympia.
However, as Cutler and Sarcev pointed out, conditioning will be the determining factor if Brandon Curry wants to reclaim his throne.
Milos Sarcev emphasized that while Brandon Curry has the physique to compete at the highest level, he needs to come in with “crazy condition” to stand a chance against the current crop of athletes. “Brandon is tremendous.
If he fills up the legs and comes in crazy condition, it’s still hashtag bodybuilding,” Sarcev explained. Sarcev believes that with fuller legs and sharper conditioning, Curry can challenge the likes of reigning champion Hadi Choopan and other top contenders.
Cutler echoed this sentiment, stating that even though Curry’s former coach Abdulla Alotaibi recently remarked that Brandon Curry looked like a Men’s Physique competitor, it would be unwise to underestimate him.
Cutler referenced how other bodybuilding greats, such as Kevin Levrone, have also transformed dramatically in the weeks leading up to a competition.
Brandon Curry’s downfall in past Olympias, according to Sarcev, has been his size and conditioning.
“In 2022, Brandon was a little bit too big, no separation in his quads,” Sarcev said, referring to why Curry struggled to stand out. In 2023, a bout of dehydration left Curry looking flat on stage, yet he still managed to make the top four. Sarcev remains optimistic, saying, “If Brandon is in shape, he’s a contender.”
Related: Wesley Vissers Shares The Top 3 Exercises He’s Using to Build His Quads for the 2024 Mr. Olympia
Hunter Labrada: Ab Control—The Missing Piece
Hunter Labrada, who secured his qualification for the 2024 Mr. Olympia by winning the Promuscle Italy Pro, is another athlete in the spotlight.
Labrada has consistently impressed with his muscularity and structure, but according to Cutler and Sarcev, there is one glaring weakness holding him back—his abdominal control.
Sarcev pointed out that Hunter Labrada is close to having a complete physique but needs to improve his ab definition and control.
“The only thing missing on Hunter would be ab control. I would keep my abs in check 24 hours a day,” Sarcev advised.
He explained that while Labrada has impressive muscle density, striations, and tie-ins, his stomach issues could prevent him from standing out against other top competitors like Andrew Jacked and Samson Dauda.
Jay Cutler added that posing practice would be crucial for Hunter Labrada in the lead-up to the competition.
“Are you posing like crazy if you’re him right now?” Cutler asked, stressing the importance of perfecting his stage presence to improve his chances.
Labrada vs. Nick Walker: A Stomach Showdown
This isn’t the first time that Jay Cutler and Sarcev have discussed Labrada’s potential. In previous conversations, Sarcev suggested that Labrada’s abs would be a weakness in a direct comparison with Nick Walker, also known as “The Mutant.”
According to Sarcev, Hunter Labrada’s stomach issues make it difficult for him to hold his own against Nick Walker, who is known for his dense, thick muscle and conditioning.
Jay Cutler agreed that while Hunter Labrada’s abs are a problem, they are something that can be corrected with consistent posing practice.
Both bodybuilding legends believe that if Hunter Labrada can address this one issue, he could become a serious contender at the Olympia.
Related: Nick Walker Confident Weeks from 2024 Mr. Olympia: “I’m Coming to Take Everybody Out”
What to Expect at the 2024 Mr. Olympia
As the 2024 Mr. Olympia draws nearer, the excitement is building for what promises to be one of the most competitive lineups in recent memory. Brandon Curry and Hunter Labrada will both have their work cut out for them, with each needing to address specific weaknesses to reach their full potential on stage.
Curry’s conditioning and Labrada’s ab control will be the key factors to watch when the athletes step onto the Olympia stage in Las Vegas next weekend, October 10-13.
Bodybuilding fans won’t want to miss the action as these athletes vie for the coveted title, with the possibility of seeing new champions crowned.
Whether Brandon Curry’s conditioning or Hunter Labrada’s abs will be enough to push them into the top call-out remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the 2024 Mr. Olympia will be a battle for the ages.