💪 9 Most Controversial Olympia Moments

New month, same Ripped Report. Check out all the bodybuilding content and workout tips you could ever want below.

But first, today's newsletter is presented by Crystal Pump. This pre-workout provides the focus and energy you need to power through any marathon training session without crashing halfway through. Find out more about Crystal Pump here.

The Olympia ​​is no stranger to questionable winners and divisive rule changes. And we’re taking a look at nine of the event’s most controversial moments.

Squats are the foundation of most people’s leg day. But if you feel yourself plateauing under the bar, these 15 accessory moves will help you bust through to the other side.

Michal Križo Križánek is officially qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Is this up-and-comer a potential dark horse candidate to crack the top five?

The Washington Post recently published a report on the alleged exploitation of women in bodybuilding. Check out the full story here, as well as our breakdown below.

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Most Controversial Olympia Moments

The Olympia is the main event of the men’s and women’s bodybuilding calendar. With a single victory at this annual competition, an athlete can forever cement their reputation as an icon of the sport. But while the Olympia’s history of turning bodybuilders into legends is undeniable, the contest has also been the subject of a number of controversial moments over the decades.

Since its inception in 1965, there has been no shortage of questionable winners, mid-pose scuffles, and eyebrow-raising rule changes at the show. Some of these episodes are so embedded in the sport’s lore that fans still debate them decades after the fact. Here are nine of the most controversial moments in Olympia history.

WORKOUT TIPS

15 Accessory Exercises to Improve Your Squat

Few exercises are as universally beloved as the squat. This gym staple is ideal for muscle growth, building raw strength, and chiseling away at a top-tier physique. That said, even world-class squatters aren’t immune to the dreaded plateau. Don’t worry, though, because there’s actually a relatively simple fix for that: accessory exercises.

These exercises can help build the different muscles used during squats, allowing you to iron out weaknesses you never knew you had. For instance, did you know that a stronger core could improve your squat form? Same goes for your upper back. We’ve compiled 15 of these squat-friendly accessory lifts to help you overcome any stubborn slump.

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OLYMPIA UPDATE

Krizo Is Coming!

Bodybuilding fans have been hearing the hype around Michal Križo Križánek for months. Some — like Olympia winners Jay Cutler and Samir Bannout — have even said Križo could make some serious noise at this year’s Mr. O in Las Vegas.

The only problem is that there was no guarantee Križo would even qualify for the show. After all, he just earned his pro card at the 2022 Amateur Olympia Europe back in early October. After that, he still needed to win a pro qualifier to get a shot at the Olympia. It wasn't impossible, but it was far from simple considering the time constraints.

Well, the stars aligned this past weekend when Križo pulled off a victory at the Prague Pro, officially sending him to the O for a titanic showdown against Big Ramy, Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan, and the rest of the crowded field.

BODYBUILDING NEWS

WaPo Investigates Alleged Exploitation in Women's Bodybuilding

On October 25, 2022, The Washington Post published an article based on its investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of women in bodybuilding. The piece and allegations focus primarily on J.M. Manion, the official photographer for NPC News Online. His father is Jim Manion, the president of the National Physique Committee (NPC) and the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Pro League (IFBB Pro League), the two biggest bodybuilding organizations in the U.S.

During its investigation, the outlet says they spoke to 20 women bodybuilders. In the Post's article, they write that some of the women alleged that Manion and other bodybuilding officials would routinely pressure them to pose partially or fully nude for photographs, which Manion would then post on a series of explicit websites he controlled.

One of the women quoted in the story says that she left bodybuilding altogether once it "became clear she wouldn’t get a top win unless she had sex with power brokers," according to the authors of the piece.

The story is ongoing and mainly deals with allegations at this point. Some other information for context:

• One of the journalists behind the story is Desmond Butler, son of Pumping Iron director George Butler.

• He began working on the story in early 2022 after a meeting with Wayne DeMilia, who used to promote the Mr. Olympia.

• At the meeting, Butler writes that DeMilia “​​laid out alarming stories of recent abuses” of women in bodybuilding.

• In emails obtained by The Washington Post, the Manions reached out to bodybuilding promoters and responded to the accusations by saying these were "unsubstantiated tales from unreliable sources." The emails were signed by Jim Manion and his grandson, Tyler, the VP of the NPC and IFBB Pro League.

• The day the article was published, the National Organization for Women (NOW), a leading women’s advocacy group, called for prosecutors to open an investigation into the claims against Manion.

There will likely be more to come over the next weeks and months. For now, you can read the entire story below.

THE DROPSET

Hunter Labrada Weighs In

• Hunter Labrada took home a fourth-place finish at the 2021 Mr. Olympia. Can he improve upon that this year? His upgraded 280-pound physique certainly gives him a fighting chance.

• Every competitor hangs it up eventually, but that doesn't mean they leave the iron life behind. And bodybuilder Evan Centopani recently showed fans his post-retirement training routine.

• The 2022 Olympia is still two months out, but Jeremy Buendia is already thinking about 2023. Here’s the coach he chose to help him get there.

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Election Day is right around the corner in the U.S. And in the spirit of the democratic process, we recently asked what you want to see more of in The Ripped Report. Here are the results:

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