Prepare to be spooked during the Super Bowl this weekend. Ahead of the big game, Paramount has released a new trailer for Scream VI set to air as a commercial during the Super Bowl. It’s the latest film in in the long-running horror franchise, and even though the first film premiered way back in 1996, Scream VI features several returning characters, including Courteney Cox in her role as Gale Weathers and Ghostface (of course).
The film picks up where the last installment left off and follows four survivors from the last Ghostface killings as they “leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter,” according to the trailer description. From the second the trailer begins, it’s clear the past has come back to haunt them: Ghostface comes knocking at the door.
In the new film, Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin), Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), and Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed) all reprise their respective roles in the series, and they’re joined by newcomers Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.
In the clip, we see Ghostface breaking in and attacking—yes, with a knife. As things get worse, his harried would-be victims attempt a dangerous escape from their apartment into an adjacent building. Even in a big city, it seems no one is safe.
The trailer also hints at some deeper revelations, including a Ghostface “shrine” and a new plot to defeat the killer: lure him in and kill him.
Scream VI was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Deadlinereports, and the script was based on the characters created by Kevin Williamson for the original Scream, released in 1996.
The film will premiere in theaters March 10, 2023.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
One more unbelievably long, hair-raising sprint up the opposite bank later and the hot lap comes to an end. In just those few minutes, however, paying spectators started populating the massive multi-colored grandstands, filtering into the pits and loitering as close as possible to the cars, drivers, and teams. Daytona’s announcers repeatedly boasted this year’s record-setting attendance of over 50,000 and I begin to see why: The prospect of climbing up that steep embankment, signing the start-finish line, peeking into racecar cockpits, and miming the positions of drivers slipped in tight, pretending to fiddle with steering wheel controls—everything brings out the imaginations of children and adults alike.
As the crowd swelled, five-time Daytona winner Hurley Haywood joined us for a quick tour of the pits and shared many of the ways that racecars, racers, and racing in general have evolved since his years on the track.
“When I was racing, we didn’t have any of this stuff,” Haywood laughed. “Things were pretty simple. The driver had to do everything. We now have sequential shifting, power steering, ABS brakes, and traction control that’s very sophisticated. So, as the car goes into the corner, the traction control is alerted and retards the engine so the guys can get back on full power after threshold braking.”
The next generation of professional drivers already spends far more time using simulations to train for all the computer inputs, buttons, sensors, and systems that racing now requires. But nothing can prepare the body for the physical effort of a 24-hour endurance test like Daytona.
“I love the feeling of going through the day and the night and back to the day,” Grosjean told me when I asked about the differences between F1 and his current task at hand. “You want to be rested before the race, for sure, but you want to be able to rest when you finish your stint, too, which is not always easy when you’re full of adrenaline.”
Whenever one checks in on Phillip Herndon, the mammoth powerlifter is likely pulling off some incredible feat of strength. As a usual 110-kilogram competitor, Herndon has amassed a reputation for seemingly impossible displays of power the moment he gets a barbell within his grasp. Herndon’s latest in-gym achievements, as one of his first notable benchmarks of 2023, is undoubtedly one of the athlete’s best to date.
On Feb. 4, 2023, Herndon posted a video to his Instagram page of himself capturing a 412.7-kilogram (910-pound) back squat raw during a recent training session. According to the caption of Herndon’s post, the demonstration of leg poweris an all-time personal record (PR). Herndon had wrist wraps, a lifting belt, and knee sleeves adorned during the squat — which is considered a raw lift by sanctioned powerlifting standards.
In the same post, the athlete revealed he weighs 265 pounds, meaning, after gaining more muscle, he may compete in the 125-kilogram (275-pound) weight class moving forward. The athlete’s next competitive appearance would officially be his first time competing in the division after beginning his competitive career in the 82-kilogram (181-pound) class in 2013 and spending the past four years at 110 kilograms (242 pounds).
More from Breaking Muscle:
While unofficial, Herndon’s squat is 2.7 kilograms (6.1 pounds) more than the all-time raw World Record in the 125-kilogram weight class, according to Open Powerlifting. That record mark belongs to Dennis Cornelius, who squatted 410 kilograms (903.9 pounds) at the 2017 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Freedom Fitness Classic. Herdon currently holds the all-time raw world record in the 110-kilogram class, with a 395-kilogram (870.8-pound) squat, as well as the 110-kilogram class all-time world record squat with wraps at 435 kilograms (959 pounds).
“Best numbers of prep and lifetime PRs. Just getting started.”
Herndon’s squat PR is likely connected to his ongoing preparation for the 2023 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Ghost Clash 2. The contest is scheduled to take place on Feb. 18-19, 2023, in Miami, FL, and will feature other notable powerlifting stars.
Independent of weight class, here’s an overview of Herndon’s all-time raw competition bests:
Phillip Herndon All-Time Raw Competition Bests
Squat — 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds) | 110-kilogram All-Time World Record
Herndon has been alluding to his place in the WRPF Ghost Clash 2 competition for several weeks now, as most of his Instagram posts have included some reference to it. In that respect, he appears to be a lifter on a mission.
More from Breaking Muscle:
It’s barely been a month into 2023, and Herndon already looks locked and loaded for impressive achievements in the gym and on official lifting platforms. Should he transfer his newest strength accomplishment to Southern Florida later this month, it’ll likely only be one of many significant appearances from the record-setting powerlifter.
People who have a healthy lifestyle before COVID-19 infection may have a lower risk of long COVID than their peers, a new study says.
The study, published Monday inJAMA Internal Medicine,looked at almost 2,000 women who reported a positive COVID-19 test between April 2020 and November 2021. The participants were enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II, which has been surveying more than 100,000 US nurses since 1989.
The symptoms of long COVID you need to look out for. (Nine)
The researchers looked at six modifiable lifestyle factors that they defined as healthy: a body-mass index between 18.5 and 24.7, never smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, seven to nine hours of sleep per night and at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
They found that a healthy pre-infection lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 symptoms that lasted four weeks or longer. Women who met five or six of the criteria for a healthy lifestyle had almost half the risk of long COVID as women who met none of the criteria.
“These associations were mainly driven by healthy body weight and adequate sleep,” the researchers wrote in the study.
The women who had a healthier lifestyle and got long COVID had about 30 per cent lower risk of symptoms that interfered with daily life.
The researchers speculated that the findings might be partly explained by the link between these lifestyle factors and chronic inflammation, immunity or blood clotting problems.
Exercise is one element of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. (iStockphoto)
However, they also noted that the study’s generalisability is limited because it looked only at middle-aged female nurses who were predominantly White. Other limitations include the use of self-reported data and a lack of understanding about the risk of long COVID with different strains of the coronavirus.
Previous research has linked lifestyle factors with the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation or death, they noted, as well as overall disease and mortality.
“In the past decades, scientists have accumulated evidence that healthy lifestyle is good for overall health. However, in the U.S. for example, 70 per cent of the population do not have a healthy body weight and 30 per cent do not sleep enough.
Findings from this study suggest that simple lifestyle changes, such as having adequate sleep, may be beneficial for the prevention of long COVID,” lead study author Siwen Wang, a research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a statement.
This article is republished fromCNNunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.
In the history of the CrossFit Games, Justin Medeiros has already entered rare air. As the two-time reigning Fittest Man on Earth®, the 23-year-old has joined the legendary Rich Froning Jr. (2011-2014) and Mat Fraser (2016-2020) as only the third Men’s CrossFit athlete to win the title on at least two occasions. Now, as the start of the 2023 CrossFit Open nears on Feb. 16, 2023 — while Medeiros prepares for his next hopeful title defense — he gave a recent intimate look at his training process.
On Feb. 4, 2023, Medeiros posted a video on his YouTube channel where he gives a full tour of his custom home gym. The facility appears to be appropriately adorned with the requisite equipment Medeiros needs to excel as an elite CrossFitter at the top of his game.
More from Breaking Muscle:
After a short, lighthearted back-and-forth, with girlfriend CrossFit athlete Ellie Turner, about what constitutes a pull-up bar in Medeiros’ home gym, the athlete jumps right into the tour.
Steel Rig
The steel rig in Medeiros’s gym would likely be impossible to miss. After all, the multi-faceted implement comprises an entire wall. Per Medeiros, the athlete seems to utilize it as a storage device, like for his resistance bands. Most often, though, it lets Medeiros factor in various kinds of bars for different movements, such as pull-ups and muscle-ups.
“We have all the pull-up bars set to the height like they have at the CrossFit Games …,” Medeiros said. “We have the boards just to do, like, different types of grips, to do hangs, pull-ups …”
Squat Rack, Storage
Just below Medeiros’s steel rig is a squat rack that has a full set of bumper plates and dumbbells adjacent to one another, including a range of dumbbells from five pounds to 125 pounds. If that weren’t enough, there’s a shelf of kettlebells, up to 70 pounds, and even more bumper plates right next to this additional storage.
Steel Arch
According to Medeiros, where he has his steel arch is the “coolest part of the gym.” The arch connects both ends of his steel rig and lets him hang tools like Olympic rings and ropes over it.
“I’ve never been on a rig that is this sturdy,” Medeiros explained. “It is crazy. It’s not bolted onto any of the walls and it doesn’t shake.”
Belt Squat
Per Medeiros, he has a belt squat machine in his gym — fashioned underneath a pull-up bar — that assists in body maintenance and injury prevention. The athlete maintains he can use it for pull-up and squat movements interchangeably.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Barbells
In another corner of his gym, Medeiros has set aside space for various barbells like the EZ-curl bar, Axle Bar, and cambered bar. There are also some heavier-weighted dumbbells, a Log Lift tool, and a multipurpose lat pulldown machine.
Cardio
In a fundamental section of Medeiros’s gym, he has all of his cardio work in one place. Most everything from row machines and Assaultbikes is represented in this star CrossFitter’s cardio space.
Steel Rig, Continued
On the other side of Medeiros’s steel rig is a reverse hyper attachment, a pad that helps stretch the back and hamstrings, building strength and easing pain. Alongside it are more bumper plates, some medicine balls and sandbags (including a 150-pound medicine ball and 300-pound sandbag), as well as various jump ropes. If that weren’t enough, there is yet another squat rack in this portion of Medeiros’s gym.
Peg Board
In the final main portion of Medeiros’s gym sits a peg board, fashioned with a plexiglass backing to mimic the set-up during many CrossFit competitions. A plyometrics section, along with jerk blocks, also sits next to this last wall.
“My dad came out and installed the plexiglass. We got our pegboard in here. We wanted to make sure we had plexiglass because that’s what we use in competition … The spot where your feet go is different in every gym, I’ve done it on brick, I’ve done it on wood, I’ve done it on plexiglass …” Medeiros said. “So we really tried to replicate everything we do at competition, the best we can, when we train.”
More from Breaking Muscle:
Should Medeiros once again repeat as the Fittest Man on Earth®, he would still have to work to do to catch respective legends like Fraser (five titles) and Froning (four titles). Though, at Medeiros’s rapid pace, with this sort of sport-specific equipment elevating him, it might only be a matter of time before he sits at the top of the Men’s side of CrossFit all-time legends.
When it comes to some of the most powerful lifts in recorded history, powerlifter Jimmy Kolb now stands alone. On Feb. 4, 2023, during the 2023 International Powerlifting Association (IPA) Hillbilly Havoc in Hurricane, WV, Kolb captured a 612.5-kilogram (1,350.3-pound) equipped bench press. The mark is an all-time World Record and is officially the heaviest lift ever achieved in a sanctioned competition. According to Open Powerlifting, Kolb surpassed his own previous World Record of 598.7 kilograms (1,320 pounds) from the 2022 IPA State Championships. The equipped press is also the first lift over 600 kilograms in any powerlifting division or category ever.
In addition to being adorned with appropriate wrist wraps and a lifting belt during his monumental feat, Kolb utilized a bench press shirt. The specialized equipment gives an athlete an assist in getting their weight off their chest while also “resisting” as the weight lowers toward the athlete. Kolb competed in the 140-plus-kilogram weight class, which he has maintained since January 2021, weighing in at an official 147.8 kilograms (326 pounds) for the most recent record-setting contest.
More from Breaking Muscle:
The video of Kolb’s massive lift features several spotters on hand, giving him requisite support. The athlete lowered his loaded barbell to his chest and struggled into position, fighting against the durable bench press shirt, before receiving the judge’s command to lift up. There appeared to be a measure of a strain for Kolb, but he successfully locked out the rep eventually. Once in lockout position, the athlete held the weight securely before the official on hand finally allowed him to re-rack it.
In the same video post, Kolb’s pride in logging his record achievement was evident in displaying his official scorecard with a smile.
“Today was a good day.”
Before Kolb’s new bench press accomplishment, Nathan Baptist was the closest athlete to the 600-kilogram barrier on any single lift, per Open Powerlifting. Baptist successfully squatted 594.7 kilograms (1,311.7 pounds) for a 140-kilogram-plus World Record at the 2021 United Powerlifting Association’s (UPA) Utah Kickoff.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Notably, Kolb mainly participates in bench-press-only meets. Kolb has won his last nine contests dating back to February 2020, only one of which was a full-power meet in the 2022 IPA 814 Strength Spectacular. Ultimately, in a relatively prolific career that began in April 2009, Kolb has only fallen short of a first-place result on eight occasions.
Now, as he notches another legendary mark, Kolb can know all his hard work led to him making history once again.
While the Negroni was born in Florence, it came into its own in Milan, the birthplace of Campari. As such, finding the best Negronis in Milan can be a bit overwhelming—but we love a challenge.
While the origins of the Negroni remain uncertain, the most widely accepted story claims it was first mixed in Florence in 1919 at Caffè Casoni at the request of Pascal Olivier Count de Negroni, who by all accounts was a real person and, at one point, a rodeo cowboy in America. As the story goes, the Count wanted his usual Americano, but with more of a kick, so he requested that the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, replace the traditional cocktail’s soda water with gin. The bartender added an orange peel instead of lemon, which is used for an Americano, and the Negroni was born.
The Negroni falls under the category of an aperitif (or aperitivo). Typically sipped before a meal to stimulate the appetite, aperitifs are lower-ABV libations that comprise vermouth, bitters, liqueur, and spirits that lend an herbal, bitter, or floral quality. The cocktail can be dry or fizzy. In the case of the Negroni, it’s equal parts gin, Campari, and vermouth rosso (semi-sweet red vermouth). The flavor profile is a little sweet and fruity with a backbone of licorice. Of course you can find riffs on the classic; some swap gin for mezcal, aquavit, or prosecco (Negroni sbagliato).
Rather than guide you on a typical tour of the city, we’ve gathered some of our favorite places to enjoy the best Negronis in Milan. Just remember to pace yourself…
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Are you longing for that perfect night’s sleep you so desperately want? Maybe you’re struggling to catch those Zzz’s.
It’s recommended those aged from ages 18-64 years old aim for around seven to nine hours a night.
If you’re over the age of 65 it’s seven to eight hours but who really gets eight hours of sleep a night?
If you’re struggling, do not to worry, sleep experts atBed Kingdomhave revealed five reasons you may struggle to fall asleep and how to establish a better sleep routine.
Getting a good sleep is essential for our bodies. (iStock)
1. Don’t eat before bed
Eating a meal, or even snacks, before bed could keep you awake at night. Eating food at night can throw off your body’s circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), meaning that your body won’t be shutting down to fall asleep.
Digesting food late at night can also keep you awake. When we eat late at night, the muscles that digest our food have to keep working when they should be resting. This can delay your ability to fall asleep and prevent you from getting a deep, restful sleep that you need to feel refreshed the next day.
Make sure to eat your final meal at least two to three hours before bed. It’s also beneficial to try and eat your meals at the same times every day. Consistent mealtimes mean that your body’s circadian rhythm can work more efficiently, resulting in better sleep.
When it is dark, our bodies produce melatonin. Commonly referred to as the “hormone of darkness”, melatonin helps us to fall asleep by regulating our body temperature and putting us into a state of restfulness.
Our bodies naturally produce more melatonin when it is dark, so having bright lights in your bedroom can reduce melatonin production, meaning you’ll feel wide awake. Even if you do manage to fall asleep, you may not get enough REM (rapid eye movement) sleep that the body needs.
Make your bedroom darker by using blackout blinds or curtains. Light from the sun and moon, as well as streetlights, can enter the bedroom through windows, making it difficult to sleep. Close your bedroom door if you get any light from the hallway, or even use an eye mask, and make sure to stow away any electronics when it comes to nighttime.
Many people who are experiencing stress in their lives have a hard time falling asleep. High-stress levels can make falling asleep extremely difficult, which can, in effect, cause more stress due to limited sleep. Problems at work, financial worries, or relationship issues can be reasons why stress is keeping you up at night.
Knowing your stress triggers can be vital to getting the rest you need. You may be able to find ways to get rid of any stresses, like asking for help if tasks get to be too much or dropping some of your responsibilities when possible.
Regular exercise could help combat stress-related insomnia, avoid caffeine, and stick to a strict sleep schedule. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) may also help to reduce stress. By identifying irrational thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones, you may be able to change your behaviours and ultimately sleep better.
4. Limit your alcohol intake
Alcohol has different effects on each individual. However, it’s known to have a rather large impact on the brain when it’s time to sleep. (iStockphoto)
Whilst consuming alcohol might make you tired, it can affect your sleep quality, meaning you may wake up more often than usual.
Sleep is separated into two types: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, and alcohol can affect both. REM sleep is the deepest and most restorative sleep, and drinking alcohol can reduce the amount of REM sleep you have at night, meaning you will feel tired in the mornings the next day.
Drinking alcohol before bed can also worsen sleep apnea. This common disorder occurs when the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. Alcohol can work as a muscle relaxant, meaning that this problem can worsen when you sleep.
Stop drinking at least four hours before bed, and drink lots of water to flush the alcohol out of your system before bed.
5. Switch off your screen
Put the phone away before bed. (iStockphoto)
Screen time before bed can stimulate the brain, meaning you will feel wide awake when it is time to doze off. Your mind will stay active even after scrolling through social media or checking your emails before bed.
The light from the screen can also repress melatonin levels, meaning your body won’t be telling you it’s time to sleep. The light from a screen too close to your face can also be bad for your vision, meaning you can feel dizzy or get a headache just before you sleep, which will negatively affect your sleep quality.
Try to stop using your electronic devices at least one hour before bed. Reading a book, having a bath, or even going for a walk are better ways to wind down just before you sleep.
How many hours of sleep does an adult need?
Although the amount of sleep you get each day is important, other aspects of your sleep also contribute to your health and well-being. Good sleep quality is also essential, so it’s important to limit any factors affecting your sleep quality. For an adult, between seven and nine hours each night are recommended. If you need support or further advice on your sleep schedule, speak to your GP or a health professional.
Hafthor Björnsson is best known in the strength sports world for his stellar work with Atlas Stones, log lifts, and deadlifts. Such a steadfast commitment to the former 2018 World’s Strongest Man champion’s strength work has earned him a deserved spot among some of the greatest athletes in history.
On Jan. 31, 2023, it was revealed that Björnsson would be a part of the International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Class of 2023. Björnsson will enter the ISHOF alongside fellow luminaries like two-time judo Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016) Kayla Harrison and four-time Super Bowl champion (1981, 1984, 1988-1989) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Dr. Robert Goldman initially created the ISHOF in 2012.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Björnsson is the third professional strongman to be recognized by the ISHOF.
Mark Henry, the inaugural 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) winner and a former WWE World Heavyweight champion, was inducted into the ISHOF as a part of the first class in 2012. Three-time WSM champion (1980-1982) Bill Kazmaier would join Henry in 2017. Now Björnsson can count himself among their exclusive company.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Six-time Olympic track and field medalist (spread between 1984 and 1996, including three gold medals)
Richard Sorin: Founder of Sorinex Exercise Equipment, grip strength icon
In addition to Björnsson’s sterling competitive record — which also includes noteworthy achievements such as five Europe’s Strongest Man titles (2014-2015, 2017-2019) and three WSM runner-up finishes (2014, 2016-2017) — he possesses an assortment of strength records.
The most recognizable might be Björnsson’s 501-kilogram (1,104.5 pounds) World Record deadlift from the 2020 World’s Ultimate Strongman “Feats of Strength” series. Another is the Weight Over Bar World Record from the 2022 Strongman Rogue Invitational. The athlete threw a 25.4-kilogram (56-pound) weight over a 20-foot, three-inch high bar to extend his own previous record mark.
In terms of recent athletic exploits outside of a strongman context, Björnsson defeated former strongman rival and 2017 WSM winner Eddie Hall in a March 2022 boxing match. In a December 2022 return to professional powerlifting at the 2022 Thor’s Christmas Powerlifting Meet, the athlete attained a 970-kilogram (2,138.5-pound) total in the 140-kilogram-plus weight class.
More from Breaking Muscle:
Björnsson’s ISHOF honor might be even more noteworthy, considering he likely isn’t done as a strongman or powerlifting competitor. In October 2022, the Icelander alluded to a potential future where he’s moonlighting as both an elite strongman and powerlifter while continuing to pursue new World Records. In this case, the 34-year-old’s Hall of Fame honor and resume could only shine brighter in the coming years.
From the end of 2022 to the start of 2023, various notable figures in and around bodybuilding have had frank thoughts about the state of the sport. There was the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger expressing his fandom of reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead while noting the division should be the Olympia weekend’s main event. There was 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout lamenting that the Olympia qualification isn’t rigid enough and allows too many competitors. Now, Iain Valliere, an active bodybuilder, shared some recent strong thoughts on a prominent modern competitive category.
On Feb. 2, 2023, Valliere appeared in a podcast episode with Fouad Abiad Media, discussing some of the latest pertinent bodybuilding topics like the 2023 Arnold Classic. Among the more notable revelations was that the 2022 Vancouver Pro championbelieves the 212 division should no longer be a viable professional division.
More from Breaking Muscle:
As standards for training and quality nutrition continue to grow, Valliere professed that he doesn’t see a place for 212 bodybuilders in the long run. He maintained that recent successful examples of 212 competitors like Derek Lunsford and Shaun Clarida, who have transitioned to and competed well in the Men’s Open, demonstrate that there isn’t much of a need for the 212 anymore.
As such, the athlete said the division’s existence is redundant and that it should be absorbed into the Men’s Open.
“If a 175 or 180-pound Shaun [Clarida] comes in and is beating 290-pound, 6-feet guys, you really have no [expletive] case for keeping the 212 [division], to be honest.” Valliere said. “Because I still think the guys that are really [expletive] driven to be the best, would stick out a few years of getting [expletive] on if they believed in their heart. Like the Derek’s (Lunsford] of the world, would have stuck that [expletive] out and been in the Men’s Open and would have ended up where they are.”
After receiving pushback and counterarguments from his fellow podcasters, including retired 212 bodybuilder Guy Cisternio and retired Men’s Open competitor Fouad Abiad, Valliere made a reasonable analogy between basketball and bodybuilding, pointing out how the cream usually rises to the top without accommodations.
“That’s the same thing as saying guys that are, like, 5-foot-10 shouldn’t pursue basketball and that we should make a shorter net for the guys that are shorter. It’s stupid.” Valliere explained. “With 212, I just think a lot of those guys could end up in the [Men’s] Open just like it used to be, and be fine.”
Ultimately, to Valliere, nixing the 212 division is about the more talented athletes winning out and allowing them to compete in the most elite circumstances.
“No matter how much I train, I’m not going to be as big as Ramy [Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay] or as fast as Usain Bolt,” Valliere said. “Some guys won’t be as good as Derek [Lunsford], some guys won’t be as tall as Yao Ming, it’s just the [expletive] reality. People are not all created equally and just because they aren’t, it doesn’t mean we should fill the gap.”
More from Breaking Muscle:
Valliere might have a right to possess his strong opinion on the future of the 212, but, at the time of this writing, competitive organizers don’t appear to have any meaningful plans toward falling in lockstep with his idea.
As for Valliere’s individual exploits, the Men’s Open bodybuilder is coming off an 11th-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. According to NPC News Online, the result was the second-lowest of his career, with a 14th-place finish at the 2018 iteration standing as his worst. To this day, Valliere’s best Mr. Olympia output was back-to-back placings in seventh in 2020 and 2021.
With the 2023 competitive season still in its early stages, if he qualifies for the contest, he’ll undoubtedly be seeking a rebound during the 2023 edition, November 3-5 in Orlando, FL.
