Next MD Cover June 2022: Rafael Brandão
Rafael Brandão: the Shape of Things to Come
By Steve Blechman
The nation of Brazil has been producing an astonishing amount of top-tier talent in recent years, including Classic Physique sensation Ramon Dino, Bikini Olympia champions Angelica Teixeira and Isa Pecini, and Wellness Olympia champion Francielle Mattos, to name a few. The best hope for a future Mr. Olympia winner rests in the man on this month’s cover, 28-year-old Rafael Brandão, winner of the 2022 Arnold Classic South America in Brazil.
After making his pro debut at the 2017 San Marino Pro in Italy, fans and media pundits alike were impressed by Rafael’s rare combination of gifted structure and aesthetically perfect shape, making bold predictions of his future greatness on the posing stage. As a youngster all Brandão needed was time to gradually grow and fill out his frame. After befriending seven-time 212 Olympia champ Flex Lewis and making regular pilgrimages to the USA to train with him and garner precious wisdom and experience, Rafael is fast approaching the lofty potential ascribed to him as a 215-pounder back in San Marino.
Now 250 pounds with the same small waist and flowing lines and symmetry, Rafael has already qualified for his first Mr. Olympia this December by virtue of his win at the Romania Muscle Fest last fall. Our own Ron Harris spoke with Rafael as he was poised to win the Arnold Classic in his native Brazil, a title he has coveted for several years, about training with Flex, maintaining his shape and small waist as he continues to gain, the exploding bodybuilding scene in Brazil, and his ultimate goals in the sport in “Rafael Brandão: the Shape of Things to Come!”
What comes to mind when you envision a medical doctor? If you’re thinking about the stereotype presented in some films and TV shows of a balding middle-aged or elderly man with a paunch, then think again. With bulging, peaked biceps, melon delts and a tight, etched midsection complete with a deep six-pack, MD’s own “Dr. T” as many of us affectionately refer to him as, is certainly among the best-built medical doctors in the world. At 48, Dr. T a god among most men in his age bracket. You’ve been reading his column in these pages and watching his videos on MD’s YouTube channel for years, and now it’s finally time to meet him in “The Doctor Is In … Shape! George Touliatos aka Dr. Testosterone Is Living the Bodybuilding Lifestyle.”
Some bodybuilders give short shrift to abdominal training, focusing the lion’s share of their time and energy on building bigger pecs, delts, lats, arms, quads and hams. In fact, many guys don’t do anything for abs until summer is approaching when they suddenly realize they are going to be shirtless at the beach or the pool. With that in mind, we have compiled ab-training tips, tricks and routines from some of the best bodybuilders ever in “Pro Secrets to 6-Pack Abs.”
When Brett Wilkin made his Open debut last summer at the Chicago Pro and came close to defeating Hunter Labrada, he was being praised to the heavens as being the next big thing. Update photos leading into the 2022 Arnold Classic only cemented that belief, with many feeling he would be the one to push eventual champion Brandon Curry the hardest. Ron Harris spoke to Brett three weeks after the Arnold, about his new sponsor and a move from Colorado to Florida, and what Brett needs to do moving forward to ensure he is in contention for the win the next time he gets on stage in “Don’t Count The Butcher Out! Brett Wilkin Still Has a World of Potential.”
Dean Caputo was one of the best amateurs to never turn pro when he competed nationally in an era where very few pro cards were available, and the best amateurs were every bit as famous and respected as the pros. But Dean was much more than a great bodybuilder. He’s also a gym owner, sponsored athlete who also worked in product research and formulation, a husband and father of three, and most recently, the owner of a fast-growing website and supplement company, https://stsfit.com/ Learn more about this man of many talents in “The Ohio Powerhouse! Dean Caputo Is an Industry Legend.”
Muscular Development is your number one source for building muscle, and for the latest research and best science to enable you to train smart and effectively. Our team of physicians, industry experts and research scientists has these reports on improving performance this month:
“Getting Ripped: the Best Cutting Stack” Fat Attack
“The Science of Maximum Muscle Hydration” Nutrition Performance
“Top 10 Thermogenic and Brown Fat Activators” Supplement Performance
“Cardio: Will You Burn Fat or Lose Muscle?” Muscle Growth Update
“Anastrozole (Arimidex): Aromatase Inhibitor” Testosterone
“The End of Sit-Ups?” Bodybuilding Science
The rest of the book is packed to the binder as usual – making MD your one-stop, most authoritative source for optimizing muscular development with the latest cutting-edge research on training, nutrition, fat loss, performance-enhancing drugs, muscle growth, and bodybuilding science – and exclusive information from the industry experts, insiders and bodybuilding legends who make it all happen. See you next month!
2022 ARNOLD CLASSIC BRAZIL SOUTH AMERICAN CHAMPION: RAFAEL BRANDAO
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