William Bonac puts health at risk to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
In a recent interview on Muscular Development, with Giles Thomas, bodybuilding star, William Bonac revealed that he put his kidney medication on hold, to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
William Bonac was very open, while talking to Giles, maybe revealing more than he should have.
In the past, bodybuilders would practically never reveal their protocols to the media, but fast forward to 2023, bodybuilders are talking freely on social media about their protocols and health problems.
It takes a lot of courage for a top bodybuilder to reveal their problems, especially when it concerns health, especially if it’s related to the professional bodybuilding lifestyle.
In his latest interview, William Bonac revealed that to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic, he had to get positive results from his blood tests. The tests were positive to Bonac’s amazement, after such a grueling prep for the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
Bonac also revealed that his kidney’s are inflamed, and he was prescribed medication to solve this issue.
To the shock of a number of viewers, Bonac revealed that he can’t take the medication during his prep for the 2023 Arnold Classic, as it will conflict with his current PED protocol.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net was contacted by a number of top officials in the industry, revealing their concern about the risks Bonac is taking, to compete this March.
William explained in detail, how he felt after his poor placing at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, and what convoinced him to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t even plan to do the Arnold Classic. I was so in belief of myself that I would do well at the Olympia, that I’d at least be in the top five and that I could sit a year out and prepare myself for the 2023 Mr. Olympia, but it didn’t work out that way. And I still didn’t want to do it because I had my blood check done.”
“I was worried you know. I didn’t feel good. I thought maybe that something was wrong. I did my blood work. I told them [Arnold organizers], because they were asking me and I told them, ‘listen, if my blood work is okay, I’ll compete. If not, don’t bother me.’ Yeah, so I did that. To my surprise, everything was okay. A little bit of inflammation in my kidneys. I have to take measurements for that. I have some medicine to take but I can’t take it right now because I’m in prep because it goes against each other,” says William Bonac.
“So right now, like my whole prep that I’m doing, I’m not even taking orals. Yes, no orals. Just to save myself and not to make it worse,” added Bonac.
The increase in prize money for the open bodybuilding division, could have convinced Bonac to compete.
“I have little bit of inflammation in my kidneys. I have to take measurements for that. I have some medicine to take but I can’t take it right now because I’m in prep because it goes against each other,” says William Bonac.
Is the health risk worth it?
Bonac did not reveal how serious his kidney inflammation is, but after all the deaths, and bodybuilders revealing their health problems, one would believe, the modern day bodybuilder would not take the risk.
A number of popular bodybuilding podcasts on social media, have been preaching to put health before any event.
Just recently, pro bodybuilder, Fouad Abiad, who is now retired, confirmed that he is trying everything possible to avoid a kidney transplant, as he is allegedly battling kidney disease. It is not confirmed if Fouad’s condition is related to his previous PED use. Fouad was a guest on Flex Lewis’ podcast when he revealed the news.
With Bonac himself confirming that he has health issues, how is it possible that any promoter or federation, take the risk with an athlete, such as Bonac, competing with evident health problems?
This should be looked into for future events.
“So right now, like my whole prep that I’m doing, I’m not even taking orals. Yes, no orals. Just to save myself and not to make it worse,” added Bonac.
European Athletes getting taxed heavily on earnings
An important point was brought up during the interview, in regards to international athletes getting taxed heavily.
Bonac revealed that he was taxed 30% in the USA, and he was taxed again when he arrived back in the Netherlands. Bonac was actually double taxed on his winnings.
This has become a problem for international athletes, with many considering if it is actually worth it to compete in the USA.
When travel and accommodation expenses are taken into consideration, not much is left, when the event is over.
This could be one of the reasons that Bonac decided to put his health on the line, to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic, with $300,000 on the line.
Bonac suggests Olympia Weekend should be organized worldwide
The Mr. Olympia has been organized in the USA since 1993. The last Mr. Olympia that was organized out of the USA was in 1992, in Helsinki, Finland.
Dorian Yates started his Mr. Olympia reign outside of the USA, in 1992.
Since 1993, the Olympia Weekend was held in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Orlando.
Before 1993, the Mr. Olympia was an international event, being organized in various countries.
Bodybuilding fans in their 40 or 50’s, will remember events taking place in Paris, South Africa, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, and finally Finland.
The international events were very popular with the fans, giving more opportunities for athletes to compete from all over the world.
Travel restrictions have ruined the plans of many Olympia qualified athletes, preventing them from entering the USA.
Bodybuilding is an international sport, more than ever in 2023, and the major events should be organized worldwide.
Editor’s Note
William Bonac made some valid points during his interview with Giles Thomas.
But, in regards to his health, we want to continue to see William shine on the bodybuilding stage, extending his career, as long as possible.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net believes that the athletes health is more important than any event or amount of prize money.
We hope that Bonac’s decision to compete won’t cause him more health complications!!
