Bodybuilder Andrei Lincan Announces Switch to Classic Physique Division

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For roughly the past half-decade, bodybuilder Andrei Lincan made a name for himself in the Men’s Physique division. After winning the 2017 Men’s Physique Amateur Olympia and earning his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card, the 26-year-old competitor became a mainstay. He finished in the top five in the 2020 Men’s Physique Olympia and captured noteworthy victories in contests like the 2021 Republic of Texas Pro. Accordingly, he’s about to make a leap in a different direction.

On Nov. 7, 2022, in a video on his YouTube channel, Lincan announced that he would be making the transition to the Classic Physique division for the 2023 competitive season. Among the bigger reasons for the switch is he feels his ceiling is limited as a bodybuilder within the constraints of the Men’s Physique category.

Lincan’s realization that he might have to change something up as a competitor is relatively new. After a second-place performance at the 2022 Texas Pro in August, Lincan began to reflect on whether he has a future as a Men’s Physique competitor. That was when it hit him that he wanted to test his body and use various poses that his current division didn’t allow.

“After my last show at the [2022] Texas Pro, where I came second, the feedback I got from them was that my arms were getting a little too big,” Lincan noted. “Honestly, I haven’t even trained them in the last year or so and haven’t even done anything to make them grow. I think the physique they are looking for in the Men’s Physique category is not a look that I actually fit.”

At the moment, Lincan is coached by the legendary Hany Rambod, who is also working with other bodybuilders like reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia champ Chris Bumstead and former 212 Olympia winner Derek Lunsford. According to Lincan, he hasn’t been able to train or pose how he wants with Rambod, contributing to his mounting reservations.

“Every time I do a session with Hany Rambod, or even on my own, I like to flex,” Lincan said. “I like to hit double biceps, side chest, and so on. These bodybuilding poses are not Men’s Physique poses. I feel like my physique looks more impressive when I hit these poses rather than just doing a Men’s Physique pose like front and back.

On top of that, I haven’t even been training the way I want to train. I feel like if I do train a bit heavier on my back or my chest, they’re telling me I’m getting too big and too far out of the Men’s Physique criteria. … If I can’t enjoy the way I train, then I don’t think it’s for me anymore.”

At the time of this writing, while he’s still a Men’s Physique competitor, Lincan hasn’t earned his qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Based on the current IFBB point standings — where Lincan sits way outside of the necessary top three with just nine points — he will likely miss the contest barring a victory that would earn him an automatic berth. Qualification on a points basis ends on Nov. 20, 2022 and the Olympia contest will be held in mid-December.

With that kind of slate lined up, outside of his specific frustrations, it’s probably no wonder Lincan wants to shift gears in 2023. If his competitive transition goes well, perhaps he can continue to flourish and shine with high placings in another division.

Featured image: @andreideiu_ on Instagram

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