When James “Flex” Lewis speaks about the current state of bodybuilding, people in the community tend to listen to the retired legend. As the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) approaches this March – a competition that already has a whopping $300,000 in prize money – the former dynastic seven-time 212 Olympia champion (2012-2018) shares some of his views on Columbus, OH, event .
On January 27, 2023, Lewis appeared on a podcast episode with Fouad Abiad Media in part to break down what will happen beyond 2023 AC on Mar. 2-5, 2023. The icon of strength does not seem to need some details, predict his top 10 finishers for the major competition.
With the 2023 AC barely five weeks away at the time of writing, here’s how Lewis sees the competition shaking out for some of bodybuilding’s elite:
The 2023 Arnold Classic Top 10 Predictions by Flex Lewis
- Nick Walker | champion
- Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
- Andrew Jacked
- Samson David
- William Bonac
- Shaun Clarida
- Akim Williams
- Justin Rodriguez
- Kamal Elgargni
- Patrick Moore
Lewis sees Walker as the odds-on favorite to win his second AC title in the last three years. However, he cleared some names – such as the former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay and rising star Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, aka “Andrew Jacked” – who he thinks can push Walker and keep going. the athlete from standing on top of the podium.
“I can’t wait to see if Ramy [Elssbiay] able to bring a better view next to Nick [Walker],” said Lewis. “Andrew [Jacked] is my dark horse. Samson [Dauda] needs one to two years more muscle in the right places, and maturity, and then you’re talking about a completely different monster. I’m like Samson [Dauda] be a threat to anything [expletive] show that his step in the future.”
Importantly, Lewis stated that the two-time 212 victory (2020, 2022) Shaun Clarida can make noise. However, it seems like a tall task for the 5’2″ athlete to topple the lineup of competitors at the Men’s Open.
“If they judge and look at Shaun [Clarida] with [blinders] on, he [expletive] Ronnie Coleman at 212 size,” Lewis explained. “He is [Clarida] never miss. He gets to the point every time … It’s hard for me to see someone that I have an interest in, as a 212 champion, but I just think he’s going to lose at the height of what’s out there.
As AC rises in prominence and prestige as a competition, it’s hard not to imagine the spotlight getting bigger and getting more attention from the established titans. Plus, if Lewis gives Walker his blessing — the second former Olympia mainstay to do so recently — it looks like the superstar could use the upcoming AC as another starting point for his young career.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram
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