The 2024 edition of the Bikini International contest is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus, OH. The Bikini International is one of seven pro bodybuilding contests held during the 36th edition of the Arnold Sports Festival.
Twelve of the world’s best Bikini competitors in the IFBB Pro League have their sights set on the gold and the winner’s interview with promoter Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Bikini International champion qualifies for the 2024 Bikini Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024, if not qualified already.
With three former Arnold champions and several Olympia top-15 athletes in the lineup, the 2024 Bikini International is arguably the most star-studded of any roster outside of the Men’s Open contest.
2024 Bikini International Athletes
- Rhoda Allie
- Vania Auguste
- Tamekia Carter
- Lauralie Chapados*
- Aimee Delgado
- Ivanna Escandar
- Eli Fernandez
- Phoebe Hagan
- Ottavia Mazza
- Elisa Pecini
- Amanda Marques Pereira
- Angelica Teixeira
*Defending champion
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Past Champions
This is the 14th annual edition of the Bikini International. There has never been a three-time champion in its history. Two athletes have the opportunity to be the first in 2024 — the outliers India Paulino, who won in 2013 and 2016. and Ashley Kaltwasser, who wore the crown in 2014 and 2015.
Two-time reigning champion Lauralie Chapados will attempt to three-peat in 2024. Her previous two showings could be described as dominant. Her 2023 physique is considered the best of her career by many fans.
Even though Chapados is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Bikini Olympia, won by Jennifer Dorie, many experts and fans see Chapados as the frontrunner in The Buckeye State.
Chapados is not yet qualified for the 2024 Olympia, so that’s even more incentive to don the crown for a third time. If successful, Chapados will have over seven months of prep for the 2024 Olympia.
The other major headliner is two-time Bikini International and two-time Bikini Olympia champion Angelica Teixeira, returning to the competitive stage after being absent for over three years. Teixeira’s last Arnold appearance was in 2020, where she ranked as the runner-up.
Of seven divisions at the Arnold Sports Festival, the 2024 Bikini International is the only one to feature three past champions. In addition to Chapados and Teixeira, 2020 Bikini International champion and 2019 Bikini Olympia winner Elisa Valentin Pecini will compete in Columbus to become the fifth two-time champion in the contest’s history.
Top Contenders
Nine contenders seek their first Bikini International title in 2024. Keep a sharp eye on Aimee Delgado. 2023 was a breakout year for her — she won five pro contests, including the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro and 2023 New York Pro, en route to a sixth-place finish at the 2023 Olympia. Delgado will make her Arnold debut in 2024, with a strong chance to reach the first callout.
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Ivanna Escandar ranked sixth in the 2023 Bikini International. The fourth-year pro will return to improve upon that in her second straight Bikini International appearance in 2024. Escandar won the 2023 Bigman Weekend Pro but placed outside the top 15 at the 2023 Olympia.
If the first callout features five or more athletes, 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow winner Eli Fernandez, who was seventh in the 2023 Bikini International, is likely to claim the final spot.
Dark Horses
The big names are the early favorites, but several athletes flying under the radar could impress the judges. Tamekia Carter ranked 15th at the 2023 Olympia. The 2024 Bikini International will be her 10th contest since turning pro in 2021. She has one win at the 2023 Sasquatch Pro.
2021 Arnold Classic UK winner Phoebe Hagan will make her second career Arnold appearance in 2024. She ranked ninth in the 2022 contest and 11th at the 2023 Olympia.
Olympia Debuts
Second-year pro Rhoda Allie will make her Arnold debut with the hopes of securing her first Olympia qualification. Vania Auguste kicks off her sixth pro season as a debutant on the Arnold stage.
Ottavia Mazza has been on Arnold stages internationally, but 2024 is her Bikini International debut. 2023 Olympia competitor Amanda Marques Pereira will debut on the Arnold stage as well.
How to Watch
Pre-judging for Bikini International will be held on the Arnold Expo stage at 11:00 AM Eastern time on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The finals will occur that evening in the Battelle Grand Ballroom.
Tickets for the Arnold Classic and Arnold Expo can be purchased on the Arnold Sports website. Fans who will not be in attendance can see everything unfold from home live on the Arnold livestream provided by ADL Pro. Details of the livestream are expected to be shared before the big weekend in Ohio.
Featured image: @arnoldsports on Instagram
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