Forget the Mr. Olympia… Michal Krizo still needs to turn pro.
Former IFBB Elite Pro champion, Michal Krizo, is still one of the most talked about bodybuilders in the industry.
Since he decided to switch over to the NPC, the media have been very busy discussing his chances at the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
As with every NPC amateur competitor, they first have to earn their pro status and then win a pro event to qualify for the Mr. Olympia.
Michal had to choose between IFBB Pro and IFBB Elite Pro in 2017
Way back in 2017, the bodybuilding world would change forever when the IFBB Amateur (Rafael Santonja) and NPC (Jim Manion) went their separate ways.
Rafael Santonja held on to a number of Arnold Sport Festival events, while Jim Manion took over the IFBB Pro League and continued to sanction the Olympia Weekend and Arnold Classic USA.
Athletes that were already registered with the NPC were not affected by this split.
The athletes that turned pro with the IFBB after the split, would earn their pro status within the newly formed IFBB Elite Pro league.
Immediately after the split in 2017, Jim Manion gave the opportunity to athletes that turned pro prior to 2017 within the IFBB to compete as professional athletes with the IFBB Pro League.
If the athletes presented the documents that proved they earned their pro status, Jim Manion did not hesitate to bring them over to the IFBB Pro League.
The time frame for such a switch was very limited and athletes had a deadline to show their documents to Jim Manion and the NPC.
Immediately after the split in 2017, there was some confusion, but it was not long before both the IFBB Pro and the IFBB Elite Pro league settled and started their competition season.
With all this happening between Dr. Rafael Santonja and Jim Manion, Michal Krizo had just turned pro at the 2017 Prague amateur show and had a big decision to make.
Michal could have easily presented his documents to the NPC and would have been awarded pro status within the IFBB Pro League, but Michal decided to remain with the IFBB Elite Pro.
Michal competed as an IFBB Elite Pro from 2017 to 2021, winning multiple events, such as the Arnold Classic Europe and Africa, the Mr. Universe, and the IFBB Elite Pro World Championships.
Michal was only defeated once in 2019 when he finished fourth at the IFBB Elite Pro World Championships.
After proving himself as the best bodybuilder within the IFBB Elite Pro, in 2022, Michal decided it was time to switch to the NPC.
Contrary to what many bodybuilding fans and media believe, Michal cannot be granted automatic pro status to the IFBB Pro League, regardless of his proven success with the IFBB Elite Pro.
Michal has to compete at an NPC Pro qualifier to try and earn his pro status to compete within the IFBB Pro League.
After he eventually earns his pro status, Michal would then have to win a Mr. Olympia qualifier to eventually step on the Mr. Olympia stage.
Michal Krizo confirms he will not be competing at the 2022 Prague Pro qualifier
Immediately after switching over to the NPC, Michal signed a contract with the EVLS Prague Pro organizers to be his management.
Soon after the signing, Michal went on a tour with his team all over the USA, visiting a number of legendary gyms, athletes, and coaches.
During his tour, the media started to discuss which event Michal will compete at to earn his pro status.
The media and fans believed that Michal would compete in Prague this August to earn his pro status, it was the most obvious decision. His manager organizes this event, so it was the perfect event for Michal.
If Michal did win the amateur event in Prague and earned his pro status, he would have the opportunity to earn his Mr. Olympia qualification at numerous events before the Prague Pro, which is scheduled for 29 October 2022.
Prague Pro too close to the 2022 Mr. Olympia qualification deadline
The 2022 Prague Pro is taking place on 29 October 2022, while the Mr. Olympia qualification deadline is on 20 November 2022.
If Michal fails to win the Prague Pro show, he would not have enough time to qualify for the Mr. Olympia.
At the time of writing this article, there are approximately 12 Olympia qualifiers that give Michal the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
If Michal does earn his pro status in the next few weeks, he has numerous opportunities to earn his ticket to the 2022 Mr. Olympia, either by a victory or by qualification points.
Finances will surely not be an issue for Krizo, as his new manager Adam Kindl, allegedly has the funds to spend on Michal for his travels.
Even if Michal does earn his 2022 Olympia qualification before the Prague Pro event, his manager would definitely want him to compete at his own event in Prague.
EVLS Prague Event Dates
2022 EVLS Prague Pro Qualifier – 27 August 2022
2022 EVLS Prague Pro – Olympia Weekend Qualifier – 29 October 2022
Read More: “Michal Krizo is the real deal” – Jay Cutler… “He ain’t shit” – Nick Walker
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