Brandon Curry Reflects On His History Mr. Olympia Wins As Olympia Returns To Orleans Arena
19 men hold the title of Mr. Olympia since the competition was founded in 1965. It is considered the most elite group in bodybuilding and perhaps in any strength or physical sport. From 2005 until 2019, Olympia called the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada its home. That’s 15 versions of the biggest bodybuilding weekend. No other venue has hosted Olympia more times in its illustrious history.
The Orleans Arena is where the legacies of several champions were cemented, including Ronnie Coleman (who won his eighth and final title there), Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Phil Heath, the late Shawn Rhoden, and the last man to hold Sandow in Orleans, Brandon Curry.
Curry Looks Back on Historic Night
When the Olympia returns to the Orleans Arena on Sept. 25-26, Curry will make his 14th Olympia appearance, more than any Men’s Open competitor on the roster. Curry is in a unique position because he is the only former Orleans champion still competing in this tournament.
Other men qualified for the 2026 tournament are Mr. Olympia doesn’t know what it’s like to stand on the biggest stage in bodybuilding, but Curry assures that in his career, there’s nothing like facing a huge audience in Orleans and hoisting the Sandow Trophy while the famous song of Mr. Olympia echoes within its walls.
“For me, it was surreal because that’s when I went to my first Olympia in 2006, when Jay beat Ronnie, and I saw it in the Weider skybox,” Curry recalled. “I remember being on stage that night (he won) and I was trying to cut down the time so I could get in every time.”
When Curry won the title that night defeating runner-up William Bonac, experts in the game talked extensively about who was not in the competition. 2018 champion Rhoden was unable to compete due to legal issues, seven-time winner Heath also bowed out recovering from hernia surgery, and the legendary Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay also missed the competition.
Despite the reputation that happened during the time of the native of Tennessee, the trophy had the same weight, the prize of $ 400,000 was still the same price, and the title was as valid as some of the previous years. Curry’s job was to beat everyone on the stage, not the ones who weren’t, and he expected that moment to be his.
“I felt like it was going to go my way that night.”
Different Governance
Curry may also have one of the most unique reigns of any champion ever. A few months after winning the title, the world changed a lot because of the epidemic. Many gyms were closed or restricted throughout 2020, athletes had to find different ways to train and prepare for shows, and competitions were rescheduled to different cities, including the 2020 Olympia. Las Vegas regulations at the time led new owner Jake Wood and President Dan Solomon to move the annual event to Orlando, Florida and move it from September to December of that year.
The issues surrounding the pandemic also meant that Curry’s travel was restricted, and he would not be the champion and ambassador for the game that he felt he could be.
“It closed the door for me when I started traveling and developing sports. That made everything bitter because I was disabled when I was carrying the title as a champion that should be celebrated around the world.”
Still, bodybuilding needed reason for optimism, and Curry’s behavior during those 15 months helped with that. Heath announcing his return to the stage in hopes of returning to the top brought more buzz.
Curry’s reign as champion ended at the 2020 Olympia. Some experts thought Heath would come back and take the win, but Elsbiay actually left the stage with his first of two Sandows. Curry and Heath took silver and bronze, respectively. Curry hasn’t won a second Olympia yet, but his one title still makes him a big part of bodybuilding history and has been a boon to him and his family.
“Seeing the top of the mountain will always be special to me. I don’t take it for granted and I still appreciate it today.”
It returns to Orleans in 2026
The Olympia is back in Las Vegas but has been held elsewhere, until now. In 2026, Olympia will return to the Orleans Arena for the first time in seven years, and it will be even bigger than it was in 2019. The Wellness and Fit Model brings the total number of categories to 12, but the main event is still the Men’s Open prejudging on Friday night and the finals on Saturday evening.
Many new fans have joined the bodybuilding community and know the excitement that the Olympia brings every year, but those with several years under their belts will confirm that the Olympia in Orleans is simply unique and a must-experience. Curry gives similar advice to athletes who have joined the pro ranks in recent years but have never taken the field in that area.
“There is no other place that welcomes the fans,” said Curry. “The entrance and the arena are ready for the show, and there will be plenty of space behind our competitors. It will be interesting to see how the athletes who have never been there will react to it because they will feel the difference when they step on the stage.”
Curry is looking forward to returning to this building that he will be associated with forever, but he knows that he is not considered the favorite to enter this year’s tournament, as he has been a previous champion. However, he also knows that anything can happen when men enter the stage, especially in Orleans. That’s why Curry is preparing like the champion he was and always will be. Many historic moments have been created at the Orleans Arena. Who’s to say he couldn’t create another one, or at least be a spoiler and throw some favorites out and be in the mix?
“Every time I come on stage I bring a miracle, I can still compete and be dangerous at the highest level, I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do.”
To see what’s happening and be a part of bodybuilding history, get your 2026 Olympia weekend tickets and World Fitness Expo passes at www.mrolympia.com.
