William the Conqueror

William Bonac proved that a 212 can slay in the open. Will he take it all at the 2018 Arnold Classic?

“Stay in your lane!”

“Know your role!”

These are directives many 212 competitors believe are never actually spoken yet are mutually understood to be accepted. You’re too short to compare with the open guys. You’re too light. It doesn’t matter how good you are; this is bodybuilding. A great bigger man will always beat a great smaller man. Most 212 athletes either consciously or subconsciously believe this, and choose to compete exclusively in the division specially created to give guys like them a chance to shine. Others, like William Bonac, decide to buck the status quo and compete in the open ranks, where there are no scales limiting anyone to a particular bodyweight. In days gone by when there were no weight classes for the pros, lighter men like Franco Columbu, Frank Zane, Danny Padilla, Mohamed Makkawy, Momo Benaziza, Lee Labrada and Lee Priest routinely triumphed over men as much as a foot taller and 70 pounds heavier. Inspired by their examples, William Bonac left the 212 division behind after his rookie season in 2012, even though he certainly scored respectable placings: sixth at the British Grand Prix, third at the Europa Supershow and fourth at the Prague Pro. Those events were won respectively by James “Flex” Lewis, David Henry and Lewis again.

Yoda Trains the Young Jedi

The turning point was when Flex Lewis introduced Bonac to his longtime coach and mentor, Neil “Yoda” Hill. Hill listened to William’s plan to switch over to the open division. Not only did he agree it could be a successful move, he vowed to help Bonac be one of the best in the unlimited class. William immediately started training in Hill’s Y3T system of varying rep ranges and intensity phases, and his physique began to transform and grow. The duo didn’t wait long to unleash Bonac 2.0. In 2013, he entered just one contest, the Prague Pro. The lineup had a few heavy hitters, yet Bonac still managed fifth place after winner Kai Greene, Dexter Jackson, Branch Warren and Fred Smalls. It was apparent that William belonged in the open, and he would never again appear in a 212 lineup.

Rising to the Top

It’s ironic that many critics doubt that even six-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis would fare well in the bigger open shows. Not only has William Bonac beaten open stars like Big Ramy, Dexter Jackson, Roelly Winklaar and Shawn Rhoden en route to six open pro wins and counting, he has also steadily been climbing the ranks of the ultimate event, the Mr. Olympia. Though his Olympia debut in 2014 only resulted in a forgettable 15^th place, since then he has steadily improved in terms of both his physique and his placing. In the three Mr. Olympia events since then, he has finished eighth, fifth and most recently, third place. Now, we are days away from Bonac’s first appearance at the Arnold Classic in Ohio. The lineup this year is a formidable one, featuring five-time Arnold winner Dexter Jackson, defending Arnold champ Cedric McMillan, former winner Dennis Wolf, and Roelly Winklaar. Yet many have William Bonac pegged as their odds-on favorite to take it all in Columbus. Not too shabby for a former 212 competitor, huh? Whether or not he wins this Arnold Classic, Bonac has proven that it’s possible for a 212 pro to successfully switch over to the open stage. After all, bodybuilding isn’t judged on a man’s height or weight, but by how good he looks. And with a physique featuring excellent mass, shape and condition, Bonac can stand next to anyone in the world.

Other Successful 212 Transitions

Several other 212 athletes have competed successfully in open shows. The reigning and six-time 212 Olympia champion, Flex Lewis, did both in his rookie year of 2008. Then, he placed seventh at both the Europa Supershow and the Tampa Pro. Three years later, in 2011, he once more tested the open waters, placing fifth at the Arnold Classic Europe and third at the European Pro. Since then, he has only competed as a 212, and has been undefeated in 16 consecutive outings. Speculation as to how well he would do in the open today continues, as well as how much longer he will remain in the 212 division.

Hailing from the Czech Republic, Lukas Osladil spent his first three seasons as a pro in the 212 division, winning the Toronto Pro in his rookie year of 2012. Beginning in 2015, he has only competed in the open division, and scored victories at the 2015 Phoenix Pro as well as the 2017 Arnold Classic Brazil. He also placed 12^th at the most recent Mr. Olympia contest.

Last, but not least, 212 stalwart Jose Raymond has ventured into the open twice, taking second to the aforementioned Lukas at the 2015 Phoenix Pro, and fourth at the 2017 Ferrigno Legacy.

William’s Training Split

Monday: Back width and triceps

Tuesday: Chest and biceps

Wednesday: Legs

Thursday: Shoulders

Friday: Back thickness, biceps and triceps

Saturday: OFF

Sunday: Shoulders

William Bonac Contest History

2008 IBFA European Championships

Fourth, Short

2008 IBFA Universe

Fourth, Short

2008 NAC Universe

Fifth, Medium

2009 Pro Battle of Giants

Fourth Place

2009 IBFA Universe

Short and Overall Champion

2011 IFBB Arnold Amateur

Third, Heavyweight

2012 IFBB British Grand Prix

Sixth, 212

2012 IFBB Europa Supershow

Third, 212

2012 IFBB Prague Pro

Fourth, 212

2013 IFBB Prague Pro

Fifth Place

2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Brazil

Seventh Place

2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe

Sixth Place

2014 IFBB Golden State Pro

Winner

2014 IFBB Australia Pro

Second Place

2014 IFBB Russian Grand Prix

Winner

2014 IFBB Mr. Olympia

15^th Place

2014 IFBB Prague Pro

Eighth Place

2014 IFBB San Marino Pro

11^th Place

2014 IFBB Tampa Pro

Second Place

2015 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe

Sixth Place

2015 IFBB Dayana Cadeau Pro

Winner

2015 IFBB Nordic Pro Finland

Winner

2015 IFBB Mr. Olympia

Eighth Place

2015 IFBB Prague Pro

Fifth Place

2015 IFBB San Marino Pro

Second Place

2016 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe

Third Place

2016 IFBB Kuwait Pro

Fifth Place

2016 IFBB Mr. Olympia

Fifth Place

2016 IFBB Mr. Olympia Europe

Third Place

2016 IFBB Prague Pro

Winner

2017 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe

Second Place

2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia

Third Place

2017 IFBB Prague Pro

Second Place

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