Sadik Hadzovic expresses new challenges in aggressive bodybuilding that he didn’t endure in his 20s.
Bodybuilding is a sport and life-style devoted to enhancing one’s physique by building muscle mass in balanced proportions whereas sustaining minimal body fat. It prioritizes aesthetics over efficiency, counting on weightlifting and disciplined nutrition to attain a sculpted look.
Nonetheless, like all pursuit, bodybuilding comes with challenges, together with harm threat, strict weight loss program calls for, sacrifices required by the life-style, impression on family members, and the inevitable results of aging.
Skilled bodybuilder Sadik Hadzovic just lately make clear the much less glamorous aspect of the game. On March 24, 2025, Hadzovic shared his struggles as a father and a professional athlete navigating the realities of ageing within the aggressive bodybuilding world.
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Hadzovic on Coming into a Completely different Part of Life
Hadzovic present part of life has vital uncertainties alongside the calls for and bodybuilding. He feels it difficult to look at others compete on stage, desirous to be there however feeling disconnected from the drive he had in his 20s.
Within the gymnasium, Hadzovic’s progress is held again by diminished energy and unfamiliar joint pain, making it more difficult to coach laborious.
Whilst you grow old, fingers get shaky, can’t be useful otherwise you sustain, the world’s adjustments.
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic in contrast his present challenges to an instance from his father — a decided and hardworking go-getter who struggled to adapt from pen-and-paper to emails, passwords, and on-line registrations.
Whereas Hadzovic acknowledged such transitions are inevitable, he doesn’t consider he’s reached that stage however acknowledges the problem others may need navigating them.
I don’t know find out how to cope. I don’t suppose I’ll ever cope.
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic believes his life has been higher for by no means having gained the Olympia. In a dialog with four-time Males’s Physique Olympia champion Jeremy Buendia, Hadzovic admitted intense jealousy over Buendia’s Olympia accomplishments, satisfied he deserved to beat him. Hadzovic acknowledged these have been poisonous emotions.
Reflecting on Buendia’s journey — successful the Olympia at a younger age and managing the strain and fame that got here with being on the high — Hadzovic feels ending because the runner-up may need been a blessing in disguise. In hindsight, Hadzovic sees the benefits it allowed for his private development and sponsorship alternatives.
Possibly the actual victory is my household, my profession, the respect I’ve within the sport, my well being. You bought to redefine success.
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic believes lasting success lies in robust household relationships and good well being.
Hadzovic’s Present Mindset
Hadzovic took three years away from competitors to welcome the start of his son after enduring the heartbreaking loss of a kid throughout that point. Returning to the professional stage, Hadzovic re-qualified for the Olympia whereas battling sickness, showcasing the very best physique of his profession on the oldest age he’s ever competed.
He stepped away from the professional scene once more to have a good time the start of his daughter earlier than making a closing return to the stage for one final run.
I’m a person; a goal-seeking creature. I decide my price on my achievements; checking account, titles I win, the usual individuals maintain me to…on the road or in YouTube feedback.
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic’s present purpose is to be the very best father he might be.
After I’m outdated, no person from Mr. Olympia goes to return and go to me, however my children will so long as I put money into that now.”
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic defined that whereas his household stays his high precedence, his ardour for competing nonetheless drives him. Performing on the highest stage is more and more tough to stability. “But, I nonetheless do it yr after yr,” Hadzovic mentioned.
Sadik Hadzovic’s Objectives
Hadzovic likes to compete however there’s the fee to his household. He has participated in 30 professional reveals, peaking for practically all of them — a course of that locations immense stress on the physique “and it does take out of your life.”
I do know the sacrifices that I’ve put by means of my physique and the toll it takes on my well being.
—Sadik Hadzovic
Hadzovic confirmed his return to professional competitors within the Classic Physique division, aiming to step on stage at a full, laborious, ripped 220 kilos — up from his present weight of 205 kilos.
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Featured picture: @sadikhadzovic on Instagram
