Raphael Brandao: The Aesthetic Giant with Unfinished Business

by Mr. O
Posted On October 11, 2024

Raphael Brandão is one of the most aesthetic competitors in the Open division, known for his pleasing lines, symmetry, and an ever-improving physique. Brandão has been on a mission to add size to his already beautiful frame while maintaining the classic lines that have garnered him so much attention. In 2024, Brandão has significantly bulked up, but the question remains—can he bring the conditioning to match his newfound mass?

Brandão has often been criticized for lacking the deep separation and conditioning in his glutes and hamstrings, an area that has been a weak point in his overall package. Recent updates have shown that while he has made noticeable improvements in size, there are still concerns about whether his conditioning will hold up on the Olympia stage. In a field where striated glutes and deep muscle separation are often the deciding factors between placing in the top six or not, Brandão will need to be at his absolute best to compete with the likes of Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, and Samson Dauda.

Despite these concerns, Brandão’s combination of size, shape, and symmetry still makes him a strong contender for a top-10 finish. He placed third at the Arnold Classic South America earlier this year, standing next to the best in the world, including Hadi and Samson. If he can bring improved conditioning to the Olympia stage, Raphael Brandão may very well find himself in the conversation for a top-six finish.