First off, I have to commend you on learning English so quickly. When I interviewed you at the 2019 Arnold Classic, or attempted to, you barely spoke any.
At that time I think all I could say was “hello” and “how are you?” Now we can talk.
Let’s start with the last Arnold Classic. I was surprised to see you on the list because you had just done two shows in the fall of 2021, winning in Romania and taking second in Prague. At about five weeks out, you announced you had decided not to do the Arnold after all. Why did you pull out?
I didn’t feel I was ready to fight for the title. I would never want to step on stage in Columbus to be out of the top three, or top five. The last contests I did were almost the same time I would have had to start prep for the Arnold, so there was no time to make any improvements. The Arnold Classic Brazil gave me almost another two months. I didn’t need to do it because I am already qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. But it’s in my country and those are my people. I love their energy. After that I can still have time for a good off-season before I have to start prep for the Olympia.
You took second there in 2019 to Juan Morel.
Yes, then I was training with Flex Lewis for it in 2020, and the show was canceled at six weeks out. It wasn’t held in 2021 either, so I have been waiting a long time to return to that show.
Brazil is your country and you’re a superstar there, so I know you really want that title. Is that title very important to you?
This story is from the June 2022 edition of Muscular Development.
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This story is from the June 2022 edition of Muscular Development.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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