December is a month of celebration—Christmas, New Year, and the beast of events, Mr. Olympia. The excitement, rage onstage, aspirations, prayers, and a myriad of emotions have always been the biggest attraction about the event year after year. The first-ever Mr. Olympia was conducted in 1965. Five years later, the Austrian Oak came into the spotlight to change the landscape of the sport forever. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former bodybuilding icon, needs no further introduction whatsoever. However, bodybuilding fans would be keen to learn about the comparison between the reigning champion, Big Ramy, and the 7x Mr. Olympia.
The reigning champion Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was a fisherman before becoming an internationally acclaimed bodybuilder. The 2x Mr. Olympia undoubtedly carries one of the most intimidating physiques ever. While the two top names—Schwarzenegger and Ramy—are from different eras, it is insightful to learn the elements that comprise these champions.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Big Ramy differ in several aspects
Schwarzenegger trained in the iconic Gold’s gym in California throughout his competitive career. The 6-ft 3-in Austrian-American weighed 225–235 lbs during the contesting season. Whereas the 5-ft 9-in Egyptian is said to weigh between 295 and 310 lbs.
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Bigger compared to Schwarzenegger, Ramy’s biceps measure 24 in compared to Schwarzenegger’s 22 in. However, they are inches apart in chest size. Arnold had a 57 ” chest while Ramy’s with a few inches less at 53.” Speaking of the most important metric of the physique that’s instrumental in creating a striking appearance is the waist.
Arnold’s waist measured 30 ” while Ramy has a 36 “. On the whole, Arnold’s aesthetically appealing symmetry and proportion still serve as a template for the newbies. Ramy has made great strides to look shredded and more competitive.
The way forward to Big Ramy
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The bodybuilding legend and the defending champion are non-natives of the U.S. Rightly called as the land of dreams and endless opportunities, Schwarzenegger and Ramy delved into the world of possibilities to leave a mark as bodybuilders.
While the Austrian achieved it on a massive level with seven Mr.Olympia titles and five Mr. Universe titles, Ramy undoubtedly has demonstrated his caliber and sincerity in the sport with two titles already. Besides, one can’t dispute his potential to achieve great heights.
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Watch This Story | Revealed Here Are the Final Qualified Athletes for Mr. Olympia From All-Division
While bodybuilding standards since its inception have evolved manifolds, the debate over two bodybuilding celebrities across generations provides a fresh look at evolving aesthetics of the game. The paradigm shift hints at the changing parameters and what constitutes the ideal has been defined and redefined constantly. Share your insights on the matter in the comments.