After six shots on goal, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay finally claimed the ultimate prize.
On Dec. 19, 2020, standing on stage at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay was crowned the 2020 Mr. Olympia and awarded a check for $400,000. The 2019 winner Brandon Curry came in second and Phil Heath, who has won seven Mr. Olympia titles, placed third. Here’s the complete 2020 Mr. Olympia top five:
2020 Mr. Olympia Top Five
Winner — Mamdouh Elssbiay, $400,000
Second Place — Brandon Curry, $150,000
Third Place — Phil Heath, $100,000
Fourth Place — Hadi Choopan, $45,000
Fifth Place — William Bonac, $40,000
Big Ramy, who hails from Egypt, has competed in seven total Olympias, including this year’s show. His lowest placing was in his 2013 debut, where he got eighth. His highest placing, prior to 2020, was 2017. He got second in that show. Big Ramy was also awarded the People’s Champ Award — an award voted on by the fans — which debuted in 2018. With his 2020 win, Big Ramy is the only bodybuilder to win both Mr. Olympia and the People’s Champ Award.
Leading up to this year’s Olympia, the roster was in a state of flux. Cedric McMillan, Flex Lewis, and James Hollingshead all withdrew. Then, a week out from the big event, Roelly Winklaar tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw to the disappointment of many fans. Yet, despite so many worthy contenders out of the lineup, the 2020 Olympia still delivered.
This marked Phil Heath’s first time on stage since 2018 when he was dethroned by Shawn Rhoden. Also, this was easily (and obviously) Big Ramy’s best package to date. At 290 pounds, Big Ramy managed to maintain a tight, ripped midsection and an overall level of conditioning that is rarely seen from a competitor of that size. Hadi Choopan and William Bonac also looked great and were able to take fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Notably, this was Dexter Jackson’s swan song. At the age of 51, and after four decades of competing, the 2008 Mr. Olympia came out to a standing ovation and performed a moving posing routine. He then gave a speech, thanking God, everyone at the IFBB and Olympia, and his fans — who he credits for the stunning length of his career.
With this O win, Big Ramy becomes the 16th man to win Mr. Olympia since the contest’s inception in 1965. And with that, the Superbowl of bodybuilding is in the books, and another champion is crowned.
2020 Mr. Olympia Official Scorecard
Mr. Olympia Winners History
- 2020 Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay Orlando, FL
- 2019 Brandon Curry Las Vegas, NV
- 2018 Shawn Rhoden Las Vegas, NV
- 2017 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2016 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2015 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2014 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2013 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2012 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2011 Phil Heath Las Vegas, NV
- 2010 Jay Cutler Las Vegas, NV
- 2009 Jay Cutler Las Vegas, NV
- 2008 Dexter Jackson Las Vegas, NV
- 2007 Jay Cutler Las Vegas, NV
- 2006 Jay Cutler Las Vegas, NV
- 2005 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 2004 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 2003 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 2002 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 2001 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 2000 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 1999 Ronnie Coleman Las Vegas, NV
- 1998 Ronnie Coleman New York, NY
- 1997 Dorian Yates Los Angeles, CA
- 1996 Dorian Yates Chicago, IL
- 1995 Dorian Yates Atlanta, GA
- 1994 Dorian Yates Atlanta, GA
- 1993 Dorian Yates Atlanta, GA
- 1992 Dorian Yates Helsinki, Finland
- 1991 Lee Haney Orlando, FL
- 1990 Lee Haney Chicago, IL
- 1989 Lee Haney Rimini, Italy
- 1988 Lee Haney Los Angeles, CA
- 1987 Lee Haney Gothenburg, Sweden
- 1986 Lee Haney Columbus, OH
- 1985 Lee Haney Brussels, Belgium
- 1984 Lee Haney New York, NY
- 1983 Samir Bannout Munich, Germany
- 1982 Chris Dickerson London, England
- 1981 Franco Columbu Columbus, OH
- 1980 Arnold Schwarzenegger Sydney, Australia
- 1979 Frank Zane Columbus, OH
- 1978 Frank Zane Columbus, OH
- 1977 Frank Zane Columbus, OH
- 1976 Franco Columbu Columbus, OH
- 1975 Arnold Schwarzenegger Pretoria, South Africa
- 1974 Arnold Schwarzenegger New York, NY
- 1973 Arnold Schwarzenegger New York, NY
- 1972 Arnold Schwarzenegger Essen, Germany
- 1971 Arnold Schwarzenegger Paris France
- 1970 Arnold Schwarzenegger New York, NY
- 1969 Sergio Oliva New York, NY
- 1968 Sergio Oliva New York, NY
- 1967 Sergio Oliva New York, NY
- 1966 Larry Scott New York, NY
- 1965 Larry Scott New York, NY
