Blessing Awodibu

Blessing Awodibu is an Irish bodybuilder known for his huge and aesthetic physique. ‘A force of nature,’ as he’s called by some people, Blessing is a highly successful bodybuilder – boasting 2 Arnold Classic Titles, along with 4 IFBB Overall Titles.

However, Blessing wasn’t always a picture of strength or success. He was underweight growing up. The gym was initially only a hobby through which he hoped to gain some strength and size. At the time, his priorities lay in academia – Blessing hoped that he’d enroll in a great college after his high school graduation.

But after his dream of becoming an academic was shattered and he realized he couldn’t join a college that he wanted, Blessing turned to the only outlet that he had left – bodybuilding.

Career Awards and Accomplishments

2x Arnold Champion
4x IFBB Overall Champion
IFBB Pro Card – IFBB Diamond Cup Czech Republic overall winner (2017)

Awodibu’s bodybuilding carrer experince

“His first international show, and PRO Qualifier was IFBB Diamond Cup in the Czech Republic in May 2017. He won the super heavy weight class and the Overall title, winning me the Pro card – He can’t describe that feeling of happiness but He did not stop there!

A week later He flew to Portugal where he competed at the IFBB Diamond Cup, Espinho. He also won the super heavy weight class and the Overall title, winning my second Pro Card – 3 Overall’s in 2 months – not too bad some might say!”

Turning to the Gym “Full-Time”

With his dreams in academia shattered, Blessing only knew of one place that could help him vent his frustrations – the weight room.

From that moment on, he decided to take the bodybuilding lifestyle more seriously, and even try to pursue it as his career if the right opportunities would arise.

By the age of 18, his physique started looking muscular and strong. Thrilled with his own progress, Blessing decided to test his improved physique by competing in a bodybuilding contest.

Training hard day in and day out, along with practicing the traditional bodybuilder’s poses, Blessing ultimately ended up in the 4th place in the contest.

Training

Blessing’s training regimen consists of two workouts per day. During each workout, he focuses on one muscle group with maximum intensity. He starts each workout with a warm-up set followed by 15 minutes of intense ab exercises.

He trains only once on Saturday, and takes Sundays off. In total, that’s 11 workouts per week for Blessing.

Blessing Awodibu’s Workout

Day 1 – Session 1: Shoulders/Traps
Upright Rows, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Shrugs, 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Standing Behind The Back Shrugs, 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Behind The Back, 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press, 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Front Raises, 3 sets to failure
Seated Shoulder Press, 5 sets of 12-15 reps
Barbell Front Raises, 4 sets to failure
Bent-Over Lateral Raises, 5 sets of 15-20 reps
Seated Bent-Over Lateral Raises, 5 sets of 15-20 reps
Incline Bench Lateral Raises, 3 sets of 15-20 reps
Incline Bench Barbell Front Raises, 4 sets to failure

Day 1: Session 2: Legs
Calf Workout, 15 minutes of various exercises
Lunges, 3 sets of 20 reps
Squats, 6 sets of 12-15 reps
Lying Leg Press, 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Leg Extensions, 6 sets of 15-20 reps
Leg Curls, 8 sets of 15-20 reps

Day 2 – Session 1: Back
Pull-Ups, 6 sets of 15-20 reps
Lat Pull-Downs, 5 sets of 15-20 reps
Lat Pull-Overs, 3 sets of 15-20 reps
Barbell Bent-Over Rows, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Cable Rows, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Bent-Over Rows, 4 sets to failure

Day 2 – Session 2: Chest
Incline Dumbbell Press, 6 sets of 8-10 reps
Incline Bench Press, 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Bench Dumbbell Flyes, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Incline Dumbbell Flyes, 4 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Bench Press, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Pec Decks, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Bench Press, 6 sets of 12-15 reps

Day 3 – Session 1: Arms
Barbell Curls, 9 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Barbell Curls, 3 sets to failure
Seated Dumbbell Curl, 4 sets to failure
Standing Hammer Curls, 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Seated Hammer Curls, 4 sets to failure
Cable Triceps Extensions, 4 sets of 15-20 reps
Barbell Triceps Press, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Decline Skull Crushers, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Cable Triceps Extensions, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Skull Crushers, 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Dips, 4 sets to failure

Day 3 – Session 2: Lower Back/Glutes/Hamstrings
Lunges, 3 sets of 20 reps
Leg Curls, 8 sets of 15-20 reps
Back Extensions, 3 sets of 15-20 reps
Deadlifts, 5 sets of 15-20 reps

Day 4 – Session 1: Shoulders/Traps
Repeat Day 1 Session 1

Day 4 – Session 2: Back
Repeat Day 2 Session 1

Day 5 – Session 1: Chest
Repeat Day 2 Session 2

Day 5 – Session 2: Legs
Repeat Day 1 Session 2

Day 6: Arms
Repeat Day 3 Session 1

Day 7: Rest
Full body recovery

Blessing Awodibu’s diet

Meal 1: Pre-Workout

Oatmeal, 75 grams
Milk, 10 ounces
4 Eggs
Whey Protein, 2 scoops
Meal 2: Post-Workout

Tuna, 129 grams
Whey Protein, 2 scoops
Meal 3: Pre-Workout

Pasta, 550 grams
Ground Beef, 8 ounces
Whey Protein, 2 scoops
Meal 4: Post-Workout

Chicken Breast, 500 grams
Whey Protein, 2 scoops
Meal 5

Noodles, 170 grams
Duck Eggs, 4 eggs
Meal 6

Pasta, 550 grams
Grilled Chicken, 8 ounces
Cashews, 100 grams
Meal 7

Cereals, 100 grams
Milk, 10 ounces

Shawn Rhoden

Shawn Rhoden (born April 2, 1975) is a Jamaican-American IFBB professional bodybuilder. He is the current Mr. Olympia, having won the 2018 Mr. Olympia contest by defeating seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath. He is the oldest bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia title, at the age of 43 years and five months.

Career

An aspiring soccer player in his early teens, Rhoden started bodybuilding in 1992 with inspiration from former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger and, after an amateur career ruptured with several injuries and alcohol dependence, won his IFBB Pro card by 2010.He was the 11th at the 2011 Mr. Olympia (Mr. Olympia debut), 3rd at the 2012 Mr. Olympia, and 4th at the 2013 Mr. Olympiacompetition. In 2014, Shawn Rhoden took 3rd place at the 2014 Mr. Olympia competition and again 3rd place at the 2015 Mr. Olympia. Rhoden followed up in 2016, with a 2nd place finish at the 2016 Mr. Olympia. In 2018, Rhoden became the new Mr. Olympia replacing Phil Heath. He is the oldest bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia title, at the age of 43 years, 5 months.

About Shawn

Born: 2 April 1975 (age 44 years), 

Height: 1.78 mWeight: 105 kg

Nationality: American

Predecessor: Phil Heath

Other names: Flexatron, Eeyore, Jamaican Muscle Machine

Competition history

Professional

  • 2018 Mr. Olympia – 1st[
  • 2017 Mr. Olympia – 5th
  • 2016 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
  • 2016 Kuwait Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – 3rd place
  • 2015 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
  • 2015 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2014 IFBB San Marino Pro – 1st
  • 2014 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
  • 2014 Dubai Pro – 2nd
  • 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd
  • 2014 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2014 IFBB Australian Pro – 1st
  • 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd
  • 2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 4th
  • 2013 Mr. Olympia – 4th
  • 2012 IFBB EVL’s Prague Pro – 2nd
  • 2012 IFBB British Grand Prix – 1st
  • 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 1st
  • 2012 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2012 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow – 1st
  • 2012 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro – 1st
  • 2012 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic – NP
  • 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic – 8th
  • 2012 IFBB FLEX Pro – 4th
  • 2011 Mr. Olympia – 11th
  • 2011 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 3rd
  • 2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 6th

Amateur

  • 2009 IFBB North American Championships – 1st
  • 2009 NPC Delaware Open Bodybuilding – 1st
  • 2001 NPC Team Universe Championships – 2nd
  • 2000 NPC Team Universe Championships – 4th
  • 1999 NPC Team Universe Championships – 3rd