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Chief Olympia Officer and President Dan Solomon confirmed that Winklaar had to drop out of the contest due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Winklaar has yet to share a statement as of this writing. His removal from the lineup is the latest in a string of competitors that have withdrawn from the contest. Cedric McMillan is out due to injury, and seven-time 212 Olympia Champion James “Flex” Lewis, who was set to make his Men’s Open debut in Orlando, is also out. James Hollingshead withdrew from the competition by choice so that he can focus on the 2021 contest. And Nathan DeAsha is also out of this contest, citing personal reasons.
Winklaar’s last victory came at the 2019 Yamamoto Cup. He was expected to be a favorite going into the 2020 Arnold Classic in March, but he withdrew from that contest as well. He was also considered a top contender for the Mr. Olympia and expected to be among the top five finishers. Winklaar’s highest finish in the Mr. Olympia is third in 2018, which was the same year that he won the inaugural People’s Champion award — an honor voted on by the fans. He qualified for the Olympia this year by finishing fifth at the 2019 Olympia, which Brandon Curry won.
Winklaar has yet to share a statement as of this writing. His removal from the lineup is the latest in a string of competitors that have withdrawn from the contest. Cedric McMillan is out due to injury, and seven-time 212 Olympia Champion James “Flex” Lewis, who was set to make his Men’s Open debut in Orlando, is also out. James Hollingshead withdrew from the competition by choice so that he can focus on the 2021 contest. And Nathan DeAsha is also out of this contest, citing personal reasons.
Winklaar’s last victory came at the 2019 Yamamoto Cup. He was expected to be a favorite going into the 2020 Arnold Classic in March, but he withdrew from that contest as well. He was also considered a top contender for the Mr. Olympia and expected to be among the top five finishers. Winklaar’s highest finish in the Mr. Olympia is third in 2018, which was the same year that he won the inaugural People’s Champion award — an honor voted on by the fans. He qualified for the Olympia this year by finishing fifth at the 2019 Olympia, which Brandon Curry won.