Australian bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest He doesn’t hesitate to mess with his hot takes. Outspoken pros have been vocal about their distaste for the evolution of some elements of the sport. In a recent IFBB AMA YouTube video, Priest responded to the backlash he received after advocating the elimination of the men’s 212 and above categories during a debate with renowned bodybuilding coach Milos Sarsev.
Lee Priest made a name for himself in the men’s open division in the 90s and 2000s for his massive muscle mass, size and symmetry. He dominated the Australian provincial circuit with significant muscle development in his arms before competing in international competitions such as the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia.
Priest didn’t win the Sandow Trophy, but provided a big challenge to the likes of eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman and six-time winner Dorian Yates in six Mr. Olympia appearances. In his last appearance, he won the gold medal at the 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Earlier this year, Priest announced his disapproval of the men’s 212 division. Given the performances of former 212 players such as Derek Lansford and Haddy Chupan, Priest proposed dissolving the division entirely and consolidating prize money into the men’s open class. He argued that the best competitors would be able to match the monsters of the British Open crowd.
Four months ago, Priest put together some great tips for maxing out your preacher curls to tone your biceps and get better pumps. He detailed the different ranges, machines and grip variations to utilize for the best results. Next, she challenged a Minnesota court ruling on US powerlifting that allowed transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
Three months ago, the 51-year-old criticized the eligibility criteria for the Masters Olympia, which will return in 2023. Priest said the show should raise his age to over 50 instead of 40, and only allow players who have been out of the game for about two to three years.
Two months ago, Lee Priest shared his secret to maintaining a high level of fitness after retirement. He mostly follows the same training plan as in his 20s, but adjusts the weight he lifts in case of injury. He also reported that it became harder for him to burn body fat with age.
Two months ago, Priest hosted a “Golden Age” seminar, where he pitched the idea of a guest appearance after the 2023 Masters Olympia, facing off against four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. And to entertain his fans, he suggested facing off against Kai Greene in an Olympia-themed superhero showdown at a bodybuilding show.
Lee Priest responds to backlash over 212 removal calls
In a recent YouTube video, Lee Priest lashed out at defending his claims to remove categories such as the men’s 212 category while discussing coach Milos Sarsev.
Priest believes that regardless of division, the best players should rise to the top and those who don’t should get pro cards.
“I said a long time ago that the 212 should be done away with, and then I heard people say, ‘Yeah, Lee, but without the 212 they wouldn’t have a chance to compete professionally. It’s true, but do you know why they haven’t had the chance to compete professionally?Because they aren’t good enough,” said the priest continuation. “To be a pro, you have to be the best of the best. You have to win the national championship overall or win your class. What other sport, if I want to be in the NBA, they’re not going to put the hoop five feet down and do a layup in the ball and shit. I won’t spoil it.”
Priest blamed the organizing divisions, including the men’s physique and women’s wellness and bikini divisions.
“Hey, you might want to be a pro, what do you think?” Be a good amateur. There are a lot of people who don’t compete, but who train and compete to earn a lot of money. But now there are classics, physiques, women’s wellness and bikinis.
“Do you want to do that? Go to the tropics of Hawaii and be a male model or a girl in a bikini. Sit in a bodybuilding show and get bored watching guys do their hands and other crap.” You don’t have to look.Their legs are so beautiful and they’re wearing board shorts.If you don’t want to train your legs, go to the wheelchair department.You don’t need all these classes.”
Priest named Lee Labrada, Franco Colombe, and Lansford to solidify his case. Sarsev pushed back on his own claims, but also found some common ground.
“Labrada played the Open, Franco played, I played, Derek Lansford, all the 212-year-olds were able to play the Open because they had the genes. ‘ said Priest. “If you don’t have the genes to compete in the Open, you shouldn’t be a pro.”
“At the time, they gave Mr. Olympia in the lightweight and heavyweight divisions a chance at the Open Championship, and then the whole,” Sarsev replied. “Derek Lansford, it took me many years to feel confident that I was competitive and switch from 212 to Olympia.”
Priest replied, “If I had to play Phil Heath like Flex Lewis in the overall fight, yes, I would agree with that.” That’s the best of the best. ”
‘212 is not Mr. Olympia,’ says Sarsev
Both men agreed that the winner of 212 was not Mr. Olympia. Sarsev supported the idea of giving smaller athletes a chance, but Priest argued that it had thinned out the pool of professional candidates.
Sarsev said, “Honestly, the 212 is not Mr. Olympia. This is the winner of the 212 class, but there is one Mr. Olympia, so it shouldn’t really be called Mr. Olympia. Stand on them. It’s a different story if you’re given the opportunity to compete on the scale of the competition, and you’re right.
“The open division is the best bodybuilder in the world. But the best he can do is 5th at the Arnold Classic.”
“He’s good enough for the Open Championship and he’s proven it,” Priest said. “When you go back to our days and look at the professional stage line-up, almost every professional show was like the Arnold Classic or Olympia, and generally the only one missing was Mr. Olympia. Iron Man knew you, Dillett, Chris Cormier, Flex Wheeler, you knew everyone there.. Now, sadly, when you go to a professional show, half the people on stage are potted plants. looks like but actually potted plants look better half looks like a piece of crap standing there like stage decoration nothing is wrong with them they’re sure to practice hard We don’t know their names or who they are, but they can’t have pro cards, so they look like bad amateurs on the professional stage.”
Lee Priest spoke about his diet last month while preparing for a contest. He says he will be on a strict diet for at least 16 weeks from the show, with the goal of being stage-ready in about four weeks.
Two weeks ago, Priest called for the removal of the “useless” bodybuilding division, which covers everything but open and fitness categories.
Priest’s latest comments could hurt some competitors, especially those in the division he wants to get rid of. But that would bring renewed interest in open classes.
You can watch the entire video below.
