Marcello De Angelis — known everywhere as “Horse MD” — is a Brazilian IFBB Pro bodybuilder with one of the most decorated amateur records in his country. 🇧🇷
His pro career has been a story of near misses and honest decisions: a pro card won in the Open, a Classic Physique detour that ended in a hospital visit and a failed weigh-in, then a run of Open podiums against some of the biggest names in the sport.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Marcello De Angelis |
| Nickname | Horse MD |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Division | Men’s Open (2023–2024); Classic Physique (announced return, 2025) |
| Pro Card | 2021 — Expo Super Show, Brazil (Men’s Open) |
| Pro Wins | 0 |
| Mr. Olympia Appearances | 0 |
| Best Pro Result | 2nd — 2024 Bigman Weekend Spain Pro |
| @horse.md | |
| Status in 2026 | Active — returning to Classic Physique; no pro contest since December 2024 |
The Amateur Years: Mr. Universe and a Mountain of Titles 🏆
De Angelis built his name in Brazil’s amateur ranks long before the pro league came calling. His shape — a tight waist, broad shoulders and a vacuum pose he could hit with ease — made him stand out early.
The titles piled up: a Mr. Universe championship, the Panamericano title, two Sulamericano titles, two Paulista titles, and the Brasileiro overall championship four times over. Few Brazilian amateurs have matched that haul. 🥇
In 2019 he stepped onto the international amateur stage, winning the NPC Worldwide Amateur Olympia Brazil and placing third at the Amateur Olympia South America.
The only question left was the pro card — and which division a physique like his truly belonged in.
The Pro Card: Expo Super Show 2021
The answer came in November 2021 at the Expo Super Show in Brazil. De Angelis won his IFBB Pro card in Men’s Open bodybuilding.
But the plan he announced next surprised people: despite winning the card in the Open, he intended to build his pro career in Classic Physique, the division his lines seemed made for.
It set up the hardest chapter of his career — a two-year fight with the Classic weight cap that his body simply did not want to make. ⚖️
The Classic Detour: Illness and the Missed Weigh-In (2022)
Weeks before his planned Classic Physique pro debut at the 2022 Expo Super Show in Brazil, disaster struck. De Angelis was hospitalised with a virus, left severely dehydrated and treated with a saline drip.
By his own account, the illness cost him about 9 kilograms. He recovered enough to travel to the show — but the comeback ended at the scales.
He weighed in at 104.8 kg, over the 101 kg limit for his height, and was disqualified before posing a single shot. In July 2022 he announced the decision the whole episode pointed to: he was moving up to Men’s Open for good. 💪
The Open Debut: Third in Romania (2023)
Guided by veteran coach Milos Sarcev, De Angelis finally made his pro debut at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro — and it was worth the wait.
He placed third in a strong Open field, behind winner Samson Dauda and Behrooz Tabani, and ahead of Olympia contender Nathan De Asha in fourth.
It remains one of the strongest pro debuts by a Brazilian in recent years — proof that the Open, not Classic, was where his physique belonged at that stage of his career. 🔥
2024: The Arnold Classic and a European Podium Run
His second season took him to the biggest stage of his career so far. At the 2024 Arnold Classic in Ohio, De Angelis placed 9th in a ten-man Open field won by Hadi Choopan — one place ahead of Mohamed Shaaban.
That November he raced through three European shows in four weeks. He was 4th at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro, then 5th at the EVLS Prague Pro — in the famous line-up where Chris Bumstead made his Open debut.
He saved the best for last: 2nd place at the Bigman Weekend Spain Pro in December, behind Akim Williams and ahead of Emir Omeragic. It is still the best result of his pro career. 🥈
Marcello De Angelis in 2026: Back to Classic Physique
In June 2025, De Angelis announced a full-circle decision: he is returning to Classic Physique, the division he never got to compete in as a pro.
This time the reason is his health. In his own announcement he said the move is about aligning his professional and personal life — prioritising quality of life and longevity while still competing at the highest level for Brazil.
He has not competed at a pro show since December 2024, and he has not announced any retirement. His 2026 status is simple: an active pro, slimming back down toward the Classic cap, with a comeback still to be scheduled. ⏳
Contest Record
Amateur highlights
| Year | Contest | Result |
|---|---|---|
| — | Mr. Universe | Champion 🏆 |
| — | Brasileiro Championships (Overall) | 1st — four times 🏆 |
| 2019 | Amateur Olympia Brazil (NPC Worldwide) | 1st 🏆 |
| 2019 | Amateur Olympia South America | 3rd |
| 2021 | Expo Super Show, Brazil | 1st — IFBB Pro card 🏆 |
IFBB Pro League — Men’s Open
| Year | Contest | Placing |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Romania Muscle Fest Pro | 3rd |
| 2024 | Arnold Classic (Ohio) | 9th |
| 2024 | Romania Muscle Fest Pro | 4th |
| 2024 | EVLS Prague Pro | 5th |
| 2024 | Bigman Weekend Spain Pro | 2nd |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Marcello De Angelis won a pro show?
Not yet. In five IFBB Pro League appearances he has finished in the top five four times, with a best result of 2nd at the 2024 Bigman Weekend Spain Pro, behind Akim Williams.
Has Marcello De Angelis competed at the Mr. Olympia?
No. He has never qualified for the Olympia. His biggest stage so far is the Arnold Classic in Ohio, where he placed 9th in 2024.
Why is he called “Horse MD”?
“Horse” is the nickname he has carried since his earliest days in the sport, long before his pro card. He competes and posts as Horse MD (@horse.md).
Why did Marcello De Angelis leave Classic Physique in 2022?
His body outgrew the division. After a virus put him in hospital and cost him about 9 kg, he recovered but weighed in at 104.8 kg for his planned Classic debut — over the 101 kg limit for his height — and was disqualified. He moved to Men’s Open that July.
Why is he returning to Classic Physique now?
Health and longevity, by his own account. He announced in June 2025 that he wants a career he can sustain alongside a life outside the stage, and that Classic Physique’s weight cap fits that goal.
Is Marcello De Angelis retired?
No retirement has been announced. He last competed in December 2024 and announced a move back to Classic Physique in June 2025; a comeback show has not yet been scheduled.
The Bottom Line
A Mr. Universe title, four national overall crowns, a pro card, an Arnold Classic top-10 and four pro podiums in five shows — Marcello De Angelis has already built a record most pros would take. 💪
The one thing missing is a pro win. If his Classic Physique return lands, “Horse MD” may yet collect that too.