Amidst the glitz and glamour of the 2024 Arnold Classic, one snapshot stole the spotlight, featuring none other than the young fitness sensation Sam Sulek and the seasoned bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest. The encounter between these two titans of the fitness world comes on the heels of a remarkable journey that saw Sulek rise to prominence and Priest come to his defense in the face of online criticism over his dietary choices in 2023.

Sulek, at just 21 years old, has quickly become a household name in the fitness industry. With a mere few years under his belt, he has amassed millions of followers on social media. His influence transcends the digital realm, earning him a coveted spot on the poster for the Arnold Classic alongside elite athletes.

A glimpse of the camaraderie between Sam Sulek and Lee Priest

Despite not competing in any major events, Sulek commands respect from the sports fraternity, a testament to his dedication and impact on the community. Even the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger himself couldn’t resist sharing a moment with the young phenom, expressing his excitement through an Instagram post.

Adding to Sulek’s list of accolades is a recent carousel of images posted by Priest, featuring the pair together. Priest’s caption read, “A lady took this picture. She might’ve touched the lens. Yes, it is a blurry big deal. Get over it with your stupid comments. Be happy there is a picture. @sam_sulek @fouadabiad.”  While the images may be somewhat blurry, Priest offered a light-hearted explanation in his caption, urging viewers to focus on the moment captured rather than nitpicking over technical details.

The duo’s encounter at the four-day extravaganza, which saw surprising winners in various divisions, was immortalized in a picture that has set the fitness community abuzz. Even before meeting Sulek, Priest was the one who defended him when he received backlash from the online fitness community.

Priest criticized those who slammed Sulek

In a candid Instagram video, the Giant Killer defended Sam Sulek, emphasizing that the young fitness influencer is enjoying his food and workouts while taking care of his health. Priest urged people not to criticize but to let Sulek live his life. He highlighted Sulek’s learning process and the importance of allowing young individuals to explore different approaches.

Priest dismissed the idea of giving dietary advice, emphasizing that everyone learns for themselves. Referring to IFBB pro-Coach Doucette’s criticism, he cautioned against imposing opinions. Priest, who rescued Sulek from diet criticism, criticized those making videos for views, sharing his own youthful struggles with diet.