Rafael Brandão THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME!
Muscular Development|June 2022
In the fall of 2017, MD's own Giles Thomas was in San Marino, Italy covering the pro show. Two future stars made their pro debut that day. One was the tank-like Hadi Choopan, and the other was a study in shape and symmetry named Rafael Brandão from Brazil. Giles immediately recognized the vast potential in the young man, and as time went by the rest of the bodybuilding world caught on. Fast-forward to 2022 and "Rafa," as many know him, is one of the best up-and-coming competitors in Open Bodybuilding. We spoke about training with Flex Lewis, the true power and rewards of bodybuilding beyond the superficial muscles, the meteoric rise of Brazilian athletes in the IFBB Pro League, and his first Mr. Olympia coming up later this year.
RON HARRIS
Rafael Brandão THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME!

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?

この記事は Muscular Development の June 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Muscular Development の June 2022 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

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