Tag: CLASSIC PHYSIQUE
Bodybuilder Matthew Greggo Inspires with Epic 10-Year Body Transformation
American bodybuilder Matthew Greggo has been on the rise in the IFBB Pro League over the last few years. Much like most other competitors, Greggo has come a long way in his bodybuilding journey. In a recent post made on Instagram, Greggo inspired fans with an epic 10-year body transformation picture highlighting the difference in his physique over time.
Matthew Greggo is one of the fastest-growing athletes in the sport. Having found his passion for lifting weights in his teenage years, he embarked on a mission to become a bodybuilder. He dominated the competition in his debut to win the top prize at the 2016 NPC Lehigh Valley Championships under the NPC league. He continued to gain experience with several contest participations and worked his way up the ranks. After narrowly missing out on gold at the 2020 NPC Universe & National Fitness Championships, Greggo managed to earn a pro card in the IFBB Pro League eventually.
Greggo gained attention for his impressive upper body muscle mass, definition, and overall symmetry in the Men’s Physique division. He turned in a strong showing at the 2021 IFBB Optimum Classic Pro, where he took bronze behind runner-up Rodrigue Chesnier and winner Arya Saffaie. Then, he made his way to the 2021 DC Pro and closed his rookie season with a promising performance at the 2021 Europa Orlando.
Greggo turned heads with his insane package at the 2022 Atlanta Pro last year. He showcased his potential with a sixth-place finish in a stacked lineup. He followed up with another solid appearance at the 2022 Chicago Pro before concluding his run at the 2022 Tampa Pro, where he battled it out with Mr. Olympia contender Andre Ferguson.
Matthew was last seen in action at the 2023 New York Pro last month. He chose to switch gears and made a splash in the Classic Physique division instead of his traditionally favored Men’s Physique class. He rounded out the top six in his maiden Classic Physique outing.
Matthew Greggo inspires with epic 10-year body transformation
In a recent Instagram post, Matthew Greggo inspired fans with an epic 10-year body transformation snap showcasing the difference in his physique from when he started to now that he’s an elite IFBB pro competitor.
“10 YEARS OF WORK,” wrote Greggo.
It’s hard to imagine how different competitors looked before they picked up bodybuilding. While many focus on the end result, it’s inspiring to get insight into the dedication, discipline, patience, and work ethic it takes to become a top athlete in the game.
In June 2020, Men’s Open standout William Bonac showed off his impressive body transformation nine years after starting his bodybuilding career. It was stunning to see the amount of size Bonac had packed on and how different he looked while competing as an amateur bodybuilder.
Former Arnold Classic champ Nick Walker gave fans a look into his bodybuilding progress with a crazy transformation earlier this year. For someone who’s considered a freak in a division full of some of the freakiest mass monsters in the world, it was shocking to see where he started and to comprehend how far he’d come in the sport.
Former 212 Olympia champ Derek Lunsford motivated fitness enthusiasts with his incredible body transformation last month. Lunsford, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up, juxtaposed his contemporary look to his early days of competition to highlight the amount of muscle mass he’s packed on as of late.
RELATED: IFBB VP Tyler Manion Reveals New Height and Weight Restriction Rules for Men’s Physique Division
If his track record is any indication, Matthew Greggo will continue to improve at a rapid pace and may soon find himself competing with the very best of the sport, whether it be in Men’s Physique or Classic Physique.
Published: 13 June, 2023 | 4:59 PM EDT
2023 Fitness Authority Poland Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Fitness Authority Poland Pro Muscle saw Classic Physique and Bikini competitors gather in Sopot, Poland, for gold, a cash prize, and a Mr. Olympia invite. This show was a qualifier for IFBB Pro Athletes aiming to earn a spot on the Olympia stage.
With fewer months to qualify for the prestigious event, pressure is on athletes to qualify in time. Until October 9, bodybuilders can win pro shows to guarantee their passage. However, the top three Olympia finishers from Classic Physique and Bikini are automatically invited back to the 2023 edition of the competition.
The point system has also been removed, so winning a pro show is crucial for any athlete hoping to grace the big Mr. O stage this Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. The newly crowned Classic Physique winner will not only earn an invite, but a chance to face off against reigning four-time Olympia Chris Bumstead. While the Bikini winner in Poland will look to take on Ms. Bikini Olympia Maureen Blanquisco.
Men’s Physique standout Emanuele Ricotti hopes to stand out above the rest with exceptional shoulders and chest development. He’ll face fellow frontrunner 2022 Romania Muscle Fest winner Adam Bomert as well as Ayham Alwas, who hopes to punch his Olympia ticket.
2023 Fitness Authority Poland Pro Winners
Classic Physique: Damian Kuffel
Bikini: Zsofia Rexa Molnar
2023 Fitness Authority Poland Pro Results Breakdown
Classic Physique
Winner — Damian Kuffel
Second Place — Edwin Owusu
Third Place — Emanuele Ricotti
Fourth Place — Adam Bomert
Fifth Place — Antoine Loth
Sixth Place — Hubert Kulczynski
Seventh Place — Florian Hartlage
Eighth Place — Rathnayake Mudiyanselage
Ninth Place — Ayham Alaws
Tenth Place — Andre Gerstner
Bikini
Winner — Zsofia Molnar
Second Place — Kristina Brunauer
Third Place — Antonia Pettersson
Fourth Place — Lisa Reith
Fifth Place — Violeta Palamarchuk
Sixth Place — Rukiye Solak
Seventh Place — Giulia Silvestri
Eighth Place — Vania Maria Mesquita
Ninth Place — Renata Nowak
Tenth Place — Laura Zakharias
2023 Fitness Authority Poland Pro Scorecards
2023 Poland Pro Classic Physique Scorecard
2023 Poland Pro Bikini Scorecard
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 12 June, 2023 | 11:55 PM EDT
Classic Physique’s Stephane Matala Shares Impressive Update Ahead of 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal
The Classic Physique division is one of the most popular and fastest-growing divisions in bodybuilding. It has attracted a plethora of talent since its debut in 2016. In a recent Instagram post, Stephane Matala shared an impressive physique update four weeks from the upcoming 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal.
Classic Physique was introduced in 2016 to provide a platform for athletes who wish to bring back a Golden Era look. It enables competitors to present a refined blend of muscularity and density without going too far in terms of size, an attribute often favored in the Men’s Open class today. Danny Hester created history by becoming the first-ever Classic Physique Olympia champ. After the crowning of Hester, athletes got a better idea of the physique the judges were looking for.
Former two-time champ Breon Ansley emerged as the second winner after Hester but got dethroned by Canadian bodybuilder Chris Bumstead in 2019. Once Bumstead took the throne, there was no stopping him. The reigning four-time Olympia winner proved to be a dominant champion who has yet to be defeated since taking the throne. He’s also one of the most popular bodybuilders on the planet.
Stephane Matala / Instagram
Bumstead’s fame helped take the division to new heights and attract a ton of new talent. Going into the 2022 Mr. Olympia, German sensation Urs Kalecinski and Brazilian standout Ramon Rocha Queiroz were thought to be major threats to Bumstead. Eventually, ‘CBum’ triumphed over all and won his fourth Olympia title in a row.
Now, another potential future contender Stephane Matala is working his way up and has generated a lot of hype behind him.
Stephane Matala shares an impressive update ahead of the Classic Physique contest
In a recent Instagram post, Classic Physique competitor Stephane Matala shared an impressive physique update four weeks from the 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal, scheduled for July 9 in Estoril, Portugal.
Matala went through a strong posing routine with somber music to paint an artistic picture. He displayed refined muscle quality, shape, and definition along with striations in his upper body. It’s clear Matala is genetically gifted and some argue he has a structure similar to Ramon Dino.
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari believes the Classic Physique division is preserving the art of bodybuilding in an era obsessed with mass and size. With the addition of Kalecinski, Ramon Dino, and other rising competitors in the Classic Physique, it’s shaping up to be an exciting time for the division.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead ‘Fell Back in Love With Bodybuilding’ After Winning 4th Classic Physique Olympia
The golden standard Bumstead set for the Classic Physique division has been unbeatable so far and it remains to be seen how Matala will fare in higher-level competitions.
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 11:19 PM EDT
Chris Bumstead Unveils Private Gym In-the-Making, Talks 2023 Olympia Diet & Battling Anxiety
Classic Physique kingpin Chris Bumstead is already laying the foundation for his next title defense in November. In a recent YouTube video, Bumstead detailed his new four-meal nutrition plan and discussed his experiences battling anxiety. Chris Bumstead has quickly become the most successful Classic Physique Olympia of his era. In 2019, he dethroned the two-time champ, Breon Ansley. Since then, no one has challenged his dominance in the category, which has grown tremendously since its inception in 2016. Bumstead’s journey to a fourth title was met with adversity and obstacles. For starters, he and his brother-in-law/long-time coach Iain Valliere parted ways so they could each give their own careers equal focus. At a crossroads, Bumstead teamed up with decorated guru Hany Rambod, who also coaches Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford.
His next roadblock took place on the Olympia stage, as Bumstead was forced to compete with a torn bicep last December. Following his decisive victory, Cbum revealed that with the help of his new coach, he was able to overcome the setback. As a four-time Classic Physique Olympia, fans are eager to see the sport’s most popular man perform once again. He recently took part in Q & A to discuss his current season and further preparations.
Bumstead Says He’s Down to 4 Meals Instead of 6 & Shows Off New Gym Location In the Works
As part of Bumstead’s new four-meal diet, he intends to consume roughly 260 grams of protein daily, roughly 1 gram per pound of body weight.
“How many meals a day do you eat? Basic question but I’m answering this because I recently changed it. I’ve touched briefly on it in my last video but I used to always consistently push myself to eat six meals a day or at least five meals and a shake but now it’s reduced to now four meals and a shake, so I have breakfast, two meals at work, and then a shake, and then one meal before bed. Because I’m still trying to get the same amount of protein content, I’ve just increased the amount of chicken, fish, or whatever I put in my meals. Honestly, my digestion has been so much better. The key to sleeping is not having a full belly when you go to bed,” said Bumstead. “As I always say, there’s no perfect way to do anything, experiment with what works best for your body. But I would say a minimum of four [meals] if you’re a bodybuilder because there’s just too big of a gap between it.”
Next, Cbum offered fans an early look at his private gym, a project he hopes to have completed 18-20 weeks from 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“Here we are. This is the future home of the 2023-2024 and beyond Olympia Prep series. The Bum lifting club if you will. My private little gym. Something everybody dreams of when you start working out, having your own gym. But even more so, having a private gym.” “Just me here if I want to train later at night, other people can come. Being at Revive, a lot of people come to visit, a lot of people come from my work and sometimes it’s hard to be there and get in the right mindset, not my music playing, so it’s just being able to control the environment and I can set my own tone to the workouts. I think it’s going to help me excel into this prep. The goal is to build this thing out 18-20 weeks from the Olympia.”
Bumstead Talks Habits, Mental Struggles, and Stress: “I’m Still Fuc*ing Battling It”
According to the 28-year-old, he suppressed his emotions for most of his life. However, he’s now learning to communicate as a means of mitigating stress and anxiety.
“That’s what I tried to do my whole life, I tried to control certain habits of mine and that’s when you’re fuc*ed. Because when you’re trying to control anxiety you have anxiety about the control you’re putting on it because anxiety is usually from putting pressure on things outside of your control. So now you’re putting more control on your anxiety and you don’t have any help over it and it creates more stress.”
“I’m still fuc*ing battling it. Learning how to relax when it comes. Accept that it’s there and not be too hard on myself. Just understand that it’s part of life whatever I’m doing there’s probably a reason it’s making me anxious because it’s probably important.” “Also, something that took me a long time to learn and still learning is communicating about it. My whole life I’ve fuc*ing held stuff in and I didn’t feel like I should talk about my stuff and felt like I could handle it on my own and thought it would be a burden if I shared it with anyone, and that made my anxiety grow and get bigger.”
This isn’t the first time Bumstead has been open and honest about his competitive spirit. In a recent episode of the Don’t Be Sour Podcast, Cbum reflected on the burden of being a reigning champion. He hopes to leave the sport on top and the dread of losing his status as champion fuels him at each competition. RELATED: Rich Gaspari: ‘Chris Bumstead Needs 40 Lbs to Win Open Mr. Olympia, No One Is Close to Him in Classic’ The stage is set for Bumstead to defend his title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia showdown, happening Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. Fans are excited to witness another clash with rising star, 2023 Arnold Classic winner, Ramon Queiroz.
You can watch this full video on Chris Bumstead’s YouTube channel:
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 12:06 AM EDT
2023 Mid USA Pro Results and Scorecard
The 2023 Mid USA Pro is one of seven IFBB Pro League contests scheduled for this weekend. On Sunday, June 4, competitors from the Classic Physique division met in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to determine who would walk away with gold, a cash prize, and most importantly, an invitation to this year’s Mr. Olympia competition.
Following last year’s Olympia show, the top three finishers from the Classic Physique category were automatically guaranteed invites to this year’s edition of the contest. Time is running out to ensure a spot on the prestigious stage as athletes have until October 9 to earn their invites.
The 2023 Mr. Olympia event takes place November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida, inside the Orange County Convention Center. Whoever emerges with the crown this weekend will have a shot at the reigning four-time Classic Physique kingpin, Chris Bumstead later this year.
As for athletes to watch, Camilo Diaz stands out as he’s been consistent with fourth and fifth-place finishes at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro, respectively. He appeared on the Olympia stage in 2022 but wasn’t able to place in the top 15.
Meanwhile, Damien Patrick is eager to pick up a win as well. He notched second and third-place performances at the 2023 Fitworld Pro and the Charlotte Pro. Lastly, 2023 New York Pro fifth-place contender Eric Abelon will be in attendance looking to do damage.
2023 Mid USA Pro Results
Classic Physique
Winner — Damien Patrick
Second Place — Jeremiah Willies
Third Place — Camilo Diaz
Fourth Place — Julian Castano
Fifth Place — Jordan Tripp-Arthur
Sixth Place — Eric Abelon
Seventh Place — Elijah Dixon
Eighth Place — Jimmy Tonkinson
Ninth Place — Stephen Thames
Tenth Place — Louiege Bascog
2023 Mid USA Pro Scorecard
Fitness Volt congratulates the winner!
Published: 4 June, 2023 | 11:55 PM EDT
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Results (LIVE UPDATES)
This weekend is a feast for bodybuilding fans as seven events will light up the stage across the globe. But the one that stands out from the rest is the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow, where 10 divisions will showcase their best physiques on June 4. The categories are as follows: Men’s Open, 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Men’s Wheelchair, Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique, and Wellness. The Fitness division is the only pro division that will not be featured in this show.
Amateur winners who earn their pro cards on Saturday, June 3, will also have the opportunity to compete in this contest.
Last year, men’s open bodybuilder Mohamed Shaaban claimed victory in Toronto and secured his spot at the Olympia. However, he won’t be defending his title this year as he is absent from the Men’s Open lineup. That leaves the door open for some powerful contenders who are eager to claim gold and the coveted Olympia invite.
The winner of this weekend’s show will join the elite group of athletes who have qualified for the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition, which will take place in Orlando, Florida from Nov. 2-5. The clock is ticking for those who want to make it to the biggest show of the year, as they have until October 9 to earn their tickets.
As the highest-ranking Mr. Olympia finisher, Iain Valliere enters this contest as the favorite. However, Ross Flanigan recently scored gold at the 2023 Musclecontest California Pro, and he’s eager to go two-for-two this weekend.
In addition, fans expect Hassan Mostafa to contend for gold as he won back-to-back competitions in 2022 at the Orlando Pro and Puerto Rico Pro. While he didn’t make it to the Olympia stage for health reasons, the Egyptian native is aiming to make an appearance this year. Other notable entries include Joe Seeman, Slavoj Bednar, and Jangmin Lee.
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Winners
Men’s Open: Coming Soon!
212 Bodybuilding: Coming Soon!
Classic Physique: Coming Soon!
Men’s Physique: Coming Soon!
Men’s Wheelchair: Coming Soon!
Women’s Bodybuilding: Julia Whitesel
Figure: Lola Montez
Bikini: Eil Fernandez
Women’s Physique: Emilija Martin
Wellness: Sandra Colorado Acal
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Results Breakdown
Men’s Open
Coming Soon!
212 Bodybuilding
Coming Soon!
Classic Physique
Coming Soon!
Men’s Physique
Coming Soon!
Men’s Wheelchair
Coming Soon!
Women’s Bodybuilding
Winner — Julia Whitesel
Second Place — Teresa Ivancik
Third Place — Tananarive Huie
Fourth Place — Melina Perron
Figure
Winner — Lola Montez
Second Place — Manon Dutilly
Third Place — Jodi Boam
Fourth Place — Lauren Martin- Stow
Fifth Place — Dalila Algeria
Bikini
Winner — Eil Fernandez
Second Place — Adair Libbrecht
Third Place — Maxine Somov
Fourth Place — Brittany Gillespie
Fifth Place — Kateryna Kauffman
Women’s Physique
Winner — Emilija Martin
Second Place — Romana Skotzen
Third Place — Amandine Kolly
Fourth Place — Alyssa Coppolino
Fifth Place — Nathalee Thompson
Wellness
Winner — Sandra Colorado Acal
Second Place — Kristen Briadwell
Third Place — Emily Azzarello
Fourth Place — Anne-Marie Gobeill
Fifth Place — Lauren Barton
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Scorecards
Coming Soon!
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners on their major victories!
Published: 4 June, 2023 | 5:05 PM EDT
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Preview & Athletes to Watch
The bodybuilding calendar will see a total of seven events take place this weekend. However, the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow is the biggest and will feature 10 divisions on June 4: Men’s Open, 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Men’s Wheelchair, Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique, and Wellness.
Last year, the 2022 Toronto Pro Supershow saw Mohamed Shaaban win gold and an Olympia invitation. While it appears Shaaban is preparing for a competition, his name was excluded from the Men’s Open competitors list. Nevertheless, this weekend’s show is stacked with talent as a few major players are expected to be in the running for gold.
Whoever emerges with the win this weekend will earn an invite to compete at the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition, which is scheduled for Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. Currently, athletes have until October 9 to guarantee their passage to the biggest show of the year. Find a full athletes list and detailed breakdown of the Men’s Open and 212 Bodybuilding contests below.
2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Offical Athlete Lineups
Men’s Open
Iain Valliere
The Men’s Open division will headline this weekend’s attraction and plenty of names have caught the attention of fans. In 2020, Valliere claimed the prestigious title of New York Pro champion and got 7th in Olympia. He carried that momentum into the next year, securing back-to-back victories at the Texas Pro and Tampa Pro, as well got 7th again at the Mr. Olympia contest.
As the highest-ranking Olympian (11th), Iain Valliere enters this show as the odds-on favorite. He won the Vancouver Pro last year en route to performing on the Olympia stage.
Hassan Mostafa
The field of talent is deep, and Hassan Mostafa, who went undefeated last season, is determined to once again earn his invite to Mr. Olympia.
In 2019, Mostafa made an impressive entrance onto the bodybuilding scene, securing third place at the Indy Pro. With his remarkable size, he showed great potential, but he knew there were areas for improvement. Over the years, he diligently worked on sculpting his physique, achieving a shredded look. In 2021, Mostafa consistently placed in the top three at competitions like the New York Pro, California Pro, and Puerto Rico Pro.
Although he finished 13th at the 2021 Olympia, Mostafa didn’t stop there. In the year 2022, he impresses everyone by winning the Orlando Pro and Puerto Rico Pro. Unfortunately, Hassan Mostafa was unable to participate in the 2022 Olympia due to health reasons.
He offered a very promising physique update just days before taking to the event this weekend, leaving fans even more excited for the showdown.
Ross Flanigan
Meanwhile, momentum is on the side of Ross Flanigan. He performed exceptionally well at last weekend’s 2023 Musclecontest California Pro, where his conditioning led him to victory against ”Beef’ Stu Sutherland, Serigo Oliva Jr., and 2023 NY Pro winner Tonio Burton.
Joe Seeman
Joe Seeman also took part in the 2023 New York Pro, though found himself in fourth. He’s on the hunt for a Mr. Olympia invite this year and hopes to reach his goal by claiming a pro show victory against a stiff Open lineup.
Jangmin Lee
Contender Jangmin Lee plans to make a statement this weekend. While he made one appearance last year in the IFBB Pro League, he capitalized on the opportunity. Lee finished first at the NPC Regional Chan Classic.
Slavoj Bednar
Another threat this weekend was Slavoj Bednar. He’s remained very active in 2023 and has competed at three contests so far: Arnold Classic Brazil (10th), New York Pro (12th), and the California State Pro (5th).
Slavoj Bednar
Ross Flanigan
Eiren Gauley
Mike Hulusi
Hossein Kalateh
Sahar Kazes
Jangmin Lee
Jason Lowe
Morgan MacDonald
Hassan Mostafa
Joe Seeman
Robin Strand
Iain Valliere
212 Bodybuilding
Sung Yeop Jang
Heading into this weekend, there was notable hype behind a pair of contenders. Last year, Sung Yeop Jang competed at just one show but showed immense promise with an aesthetic and shredded physique. Ultimately, he finished fifth at the 2022 New York Pro, won by Noel Adame.
Hwang Shin
As for Shin, he’s making his 212 debut and also participated in a single show last year, which saw him earn fifth at the Monsterzym Pro in the Men’s Open, an event which was won by Mohammad Alnsoor.
Piotr Borecki
Chris Buhr
Ming Chun Hon
Sung Yeop Jang
Hwang Shin
Nate Telow
Jordan Wise
Classic Physique
Edgard John Augustin
Maurice Burgess
Gregory Dawson
Javier Duarte
Ali Emre
Carl Gauthier
Farzad Ghotbi
Shane Makan
Tyler Okowinsky
Samuel Paquin
Josue Isai Cortes Vargas
Dimitri Williams
Men’s Physique
Austin Belanger
Bhuwan Chauhan
Rodrigue Chesnier
Julian Colley
Gary Cooper
Francisco Alberto de la Cruz
Rory Gissing
Harrett Jenkins
Mehdi Kabbadj
Clarence Lau
Daniel Rabiela
Jason Alan Robinson
Mario Stewart
Serge Victor
Men’s Wheelchair
Tim Caldwell
Jack McCann
Jason Metcalf
Bryan Williams
Women’s Bodybuilding
Tananarive Huie
Theresa Ivancik
Melina Perron
Julia Whitesel
Figure
Dalila Alegria
Desiree Alferes
Jodi Boam
Theresa A. Dekker
Manon Dutilly
Amanda Jessica Elliott
Sally Forse
Nelly Gonzalez
Giselie Heathcote
Lauren Martin-Stow
Taylor Mauro
Lola Montez
Nina Paulus
Carmen Garcia Penalver
Nora Prado
Tamika Robinson
Paige Sabedra
Bikini
Eli Fernandez
Brittany Gillespie
Racquel Hutchinson
Nikki Kiani
Adair Libbrecht
Maritza Romano Pacheco
Sophia So Wai Pik
Ayleen Santander
Maxine Somov
Courtney Ustrzycki
Women’s Physique
Josefa Paloma Barba Bedolla
Alyssa Coppolino
Georgina D’Abreo
Leona Lynn Gairy
Cara Kerluck
Amandine Kolly
Wai Chun Virginia Kwok
Emilija Martic
Angela Noury
Renee Reefschlaeger
Diana Schnaidt
Romana Skotzen
Kyna Squarey
Nathalee Thompson
Wellness
Sandra Colorado Acal
Emily Azzarello
Lauren Barton
Anne-Marie Gobeil
Winglam Lee
With 10 Olympia invitations on the line and plenty of prize money, pressure is mounting for athletes to ensure their presence on this year’s Olympia stage. Given the prestige of the Toronto Pro, fans expect the winner of the Men’s Open division to do some damage in November.
RELATED: Iain Valliere Shares Shredding Diet 2 Weeks from 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow
All roads lead to the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, who continues to train tirelessly in preparation for his first title defense later this year.
Published: 2 June, 2023 | 12:22 PM EDT
2023 Optimum Classic Pro Results and Scorecards
There is no shortage of bodybuilding action this weekend as multiple shows take place around the world. The 2023 Optimum Classic Pro will see four divisions battle for gold including Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Physique, and Bikini on May 20.
This event serves as a qualifier for the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition which is set to take place Nov. 2-5, in Orlando, Florida. Athletes have until the Oct. 9 deadline to earn their qualifications. The point system has been retired therefore athletes must win a pro show to earn an invite.
In the Classic Physique division, online discussions have centered around a few threats, such as Eric Wildberger Lisboa, Kendahl Richmond, and dark horse Luca Corrado. Find the full results below:
2023 Optimum Classic Pro Winners
Classic Physique: Eric Wildberger Lisboa
Men’s Physique: Derrick Stevenson
Women’s Physique: Elena Aviles Romero
Bikini: Sierra Swann
2023 Optimum Classic Pro Results
Classic Physique
Winner — Eric Wildberger Lisboa
Second Place — Tomas Adame-Hernandez
Third Place — Barry Hulbert Irving
Fourth Place — Luca Corrado
Fifth Place — Caleb Robinson
Sixth Place — Bernardo Costa
Seventh Place — Keith Jenkins
Eighth Place — Stephen Thames
Ninth Place — Harold Bright Jr.
Tenth Place — Taj Parham
Men’s Physique
Winner — Derrick Stevenson
Second Place — Benquil Marigny
Third Place — Bhuwan Chauhan
Fourth Place — Furkan Er
Fifth Place — Marcus Champion
Sixth Place — Mark Robinson
Seventh Place — Gary Cooper
Eighth Place — Da’Marchityz T White
Ninth Place — John Ezra Dew
Tenth Place — Zach Savoie
Women’s Physique
Winner — Elena Aviles Romero
Second Place — Marie-Solange Essoh
Third Place — Ana Harias
Fourth Place — Emiloja Martic
Fifth Place — Yarelis Ramos Perez
Sixth Place — Donna Williams
Seventh Place — Marika Jones
Eighth Place — Alyssa Coppolino
Ninth Place — Jessica Martin
Tenth Place — Toni McMurtre
Bikini
Winner — Sierra Swann
Second Place — Tamekia Carter
Third Place — Gina Scafoglio
Fourth Place — Racquel Hutchinson
Fifth Place — Lucia Malavaze
Sixth Place — Lauren Kralovec
Seventh Place — Marina Maliden
Eighth Place — Tianna Weymouth
Ninth Place — Kimber Bonilla
Tenth Place — Shey Webb
2023 Optimum Classic Pro Scorecards
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 20 May, 2023 | 11:38 PM EDT
2023 New York Pro Results and Scorecards (Live Updates)
The 2023 New York Pro is the third most important event on the IFBB Pro League calendar and will take place this weekend, May 20, 2023, in Teaneck, New Jersey. This show served as a qualifier for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest taking place in November.
A total of nine divisions will be in attendance including Men’s Open, Classic Physique, 212 Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Bikini, and Wellness.
Last year’s 2022 New York Pro champion, Blessing Awodibu, will not compete at this year’s event. Therefore, a new champion in the Open class will be crowned. In addition, Nick Walker took New York Pro gold in 2021 but has opted not to compete in favor of making improvements for November.
Whichever athlete comes out on top in their division this weekend will have the opportunity to face the reigning Olympia winner of their category. As far as the Men’s Open division is concerned, fans expect Tonio Burton and ‘Beef’ Stu Sutherland to put on a show, who have both shared consistent progress photos through the entirety of their preps.
2023 New York Pro Winners
Men’s Open: Coming Soon!
Classic Physique: Michael Daboul
212 Bodybuilding: Kerrith Bajjo
Men’s Physique: Ryan Terry
Women’s Bodybuilding: Coming Soon!
Women’s Physique: Natalia Abraham Coelho
Figure: Coming Soon!
Bikini: Coming Soon!
Wellness: Gisele Machado
2023 New York Pro Results
Men’s Open
Coming Soon!
Classic Physique
Contenders from the Classic Physique division delivered an exciting contest. While Junior Javorski and Alexander Westermeir brought impressive physiques, Michael Daboul’s thin skin and conditioning were too hard to ignore. Just like in Pittsburgh, Michael Daboul walked off stage with another trophy and cash prize.
Winner — Michael Daboul
Second Place — Junior Javorski
Third Place — Alexander Westermeier
Fourth Place — Camilo Diaz
Fifth Place — Eric Abelon
212 Bodybuilding
During prejudging, fans and the judges acknowledged it was a battle between Jason Hebert, Diego Guerra Montoya, and Kerrith Bajjo. While Montoya and Hebert brought an impressive level of muscle density, Kerrith Bajjo’s deep separation in his quads and abs guided him to victory at the 2023 New York Pro.
Winner — Kerrith Bajjo
Second Place — Diego Guerra Montoya
Third Place — Jason Hebert
Fourth Place — Jose Marte
Fifth Place — Sung Yeop Jang
Men’s Physique
Ryan Terry entered this competition with a chip on his shoulder, having recently placed runner-up to Corey Morris at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro last weekend. During prejudging and through the finals, he was pushed by Vitor Chavez and Sidy Pouye. Despite impressive efforts by the finalists, Ryan Terry’s chest and back detail closed the show.
Winner — Ryan Terry
Second Place — Vitor Chavez
Third Place — Sidy Pouye
Fourth Place — Daniel Ammons
Fifth Place — Juan Manuel Gochez
Women’s Bodybuilding
Coming Soon!
Women’s Physique
Winner — Natalia Abraham Coelho
Second Place — Emily Schubert
Third Place — Joseli Schoenherr
Fourth Place — Yuna Kim
Fifth Place — Ann Gruber
Figure
Coming Soon!
Bikini
Coming Soon!
Wellness
Winner — Gisele Machado
Second Place — Tefani-Sam Razhi
Third Place — Lili Dong
Fourth Place — Edna De Souza
Fifth Place — Daisha Johnson
Sixth Place — Carol Cantarero
2023 New York Pro Scorecards
Coming Soon!
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 20 May, 2023 | 6:24 PM EDT
2023 New York Pro Preview, Competitors List & Top Names to Watch
The 2023 New York Pro takes place this weekend and serves as the third most significant event of the IFBB Pro League calendar. With Blessing Awodibu away from the stage, a new champion will be crowned on May 20. This contest will feature a total of nine divisions: Men’s Open, Classic Physique, 212 Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Bikini, and Wellness.
In addition to 2022 champion Blessing Awodibu’s absence, the 2021 New York Pro winner, Nick Walker, has opted to use the extra time to prepare for 2023 Mr. Olympia. Whoever claims Steve Weinberger’s New York Pro title over the weekend will gain substantial momentum in their quest to shine on the Mr. Olympia stage in November.
With the event set to kick off Saturday in Teaneck, NJ., fans are eager to see their favorite athletes vie for gold and a coveted 2023 Mr. Olympia invitation. Find a full competitors list and names to watch below:
2023 New York Pro Lineup
Men’s Open Bodybuilding
Heading into New York, fans expect Tonio Burton to make a statement. Having competed in 212 and the Open, Burton continues to make strides and sports a freaky physique. Last year, he won a Men’s Open show at the 2022 Legion Sports Fest Pro and plans to secure another title this weekend.
However, Burton will have to get through a couple of threats, such as veteran Maxx Charles and Nate Spear. At the 2022 New York Pro last year, Charles took third and intends to inch closer to gold in his next appearance.
On the other hand, Stuart Sutherland has shown promising updates during prep for his New York debut, weighing as much as 253 pounds. Spear, who last competed at the Boston Pro (7th) appears to have added size as well. Other notable standouts include Joe Seeman and Slavoj Bednar.
Slavoj Bednar
Tonio Burton
Maxx Charles
Lionardis Cardoza Delfino
Walter R. Debbs
Jason Hebert
Mike Hulusi
Josef Kveton
Keunwoo Park
Joe Seeman
Nathan Spear
Robin Strand
Stuart Sutherland
Brent Swansen
Mariusz Tomczuk
Eric Wood
Classic Physique
Having just claimed gold at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Michael Daboul is an obvious favorite heading into this weekend’s event. Considering he’s already in shape and riding momentum, it will take a massive effort to overshadow him on stage. As a former Men’s Physique competitor, fans expect a big turnout from Matthew Greggo in his debut for Classic Physique. Greggo’s last contest came last year in seventh place at the 2022 Tampa Pro.
In addition, Junior Javorski is in the running for gold. He competed against the 2023 Arnold Classic champion Ramon Dino but ultimately left town in sixth. He also has ambitious plans this weekend and is aiming to earn his Olympia invitation.
Eric Abelon
Munkhsaruul Altangerel
Zeek Andrews
Kherlan Batbayar
Brandon Coope
Michael Daboul
Camilo Diaz
Javie Duarte
Jorge Luis Guerrero Gallegos
Matthew Greggo
Callum Hinze
Junior Javorski
Hubert Kulczynski
Tyler Okowinsky
Rickoy Palmer
Rob Van Sant
Herbert Surita Sotillo
Alexander Westermeier
Jeremiah T. Willies
Andrew Wilson
212 Bodybuilding
Defending champion Noel Adame plans to silence any doubters on Saturday. He dominated the show last year to win his first New York Pro title, showcasing an impressive blend of conditioning and balance.
Kerrith Bajjo plans to steal the 212 spotlight again after a successful season last year. He won the Texas Pro before taking seventh at 2022 Olympia. In light of his recent physique updates, fans believe Bajjo could make a run for first place.
Noel Adame
Kerrith Bajjo
Peter Castella
Anthony S. Dellaventura
Ralph Farah
Ho Yeon Jang
Sung Yeop Jang
Jason Joseph
Shuqing Lin
Marc Lobliner
Jose Marte
Diego A. Guerra Montoya
Babacar Niang
Jicheng Qian
Michael Schneider
Nate Telow
Jordan Wise
Men’s Physique
Men’s Physique favorite Ryan Terry will make a quick turnaround after narrowly finishing second to Corey Morris at last weekend’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro show. Given his record of success and massive chest, he hopes to earn a victory after the close call in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Charjo Grant also stands out as an early favorite. He last appeared in December on the Mr. Olympia stage where he impressed in fourth place. And while Vitor Chaves took 13th at the 2022 Olympia, many in the bodybuilding community refuse to dismiss his chances on the East Coast.
Daniel Ammons is a surefire frontrunner as well as he found loads of success on stage in 2022. He enters this show on the heels of back-to-back wins at the Tampa and Texas Pro.
Philip Acevedo
Daniel Ammons
Joseph Angell
Vitor Chaves
Andrew J. David
Matthew J. Gelia
Juan Manuel Gochez
Maxim Golovatii
Charjo Grant
Aaron Harvey
Jarrett Jenkins
Dennis Kloster
Ephfram Lawhorne
Joseph Mencel
Gage Moran
Sidy Pouye
Francisco Rodriguez
Ryan Terry
Dawid Wachelka
Deke Walker
Richard Young
Miguel A. Zapata
Women’s Bodybuilding
In Women’s Bodybuilding, 2022 Toronto Pro Supershow fourth-place finisher Gisela Nunes Chan is determined to shine in her latest outing. Tamara Makar, who took ninth at last year’s Tampa Pro, is on track to bring her best look to date. However, the biggest favorite of the night is likely Donna W. Salib, who enters the contest as the defending New York Pro champion. Before calling it a season last year, she took 14th at 2022 Olympia.
Saqweta Barrino
Gisela Nunes Chan
Tamara Makar
Rene Marven
Vera Mikulcova
Donna W. Salib
Andrea Saurer
Towanda D. Smith
Julia Whitesel
Women’s Physique
Saturday will feature the reigning 2022 Women’s Physique Olympia Natalia Abraham Coelho. She brought exceptional conditioning to Las Vegas last year and defeated former two-time Olympia champ, Sarah Villegas in a huge upset. Coelho enters this contest with added momentum as she won the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro title a week ago.
Candice Carr
Natalia Abraham Coelho
Sarah Crail
Debbie Gaccione
Ann Gruber
Yuna Kim
Amandine Kolly
Alexis Lowery
Angela Noury
Diana Schnaidt
Joseli Schoenherr
Tanja Schroder
Becky Short
Christine Siegrist
Michele Steeves
Jennifer Taylor
Christina Wilson
Figure
Top five Figure Olympia finisher Natalia Soltero is aiming for another pro show victory. Last weekend, she walked away in second following a very close competition against Cherish Richardson at the Pittsburgh Pro. The event was certainly memorable as it featured a star-studded lineup of Open class guest posers.
Yukhno Aksana
Jessica Baltazar
Danielle Barros
Yukina Betz
Lynn Centino
Angelika Chapman
Lu Faustin
Annelies Charlotte Fortuin
Rebecca Godwin
Constance Jones
Julie R. Medina
Rene Miller
Traci Miller
Nina Paulus
Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz Pereira
Danielle Rose
Kelly Sammut
Nakeisha Scruggs
Jiyoon Seo
Natalia Soltero
Andrea Villalobos
Thais Cabrices Werner
Aksana Yukhno
Jennifer Zienert
Bikini
Aimee LeAnn Delgado is on a roll in 2023 with three consecutive pro show victories. Earlier this year, Delgado dominated the Klash Series Pro, the Wasatch Warrior Pro, and most recently, claimed gold at the Pittsburgh Pro, where she defeated popular three-time Bikini Olympia winner Ashley Kaltwasser.
Maria Acosta
Marnie Al-Saraf
Bridget Bailey
Shenese Case
Aimee LeAnn Delgado
Ivi Escandar
Valerya Fedorenko
Eli Fernandez
Christina Friscia
Rudie Guerrero
Reijuana Harley
Langsha He
Yume Kurokawa
Noemi Lavacca
Alice Rocha
Angely Rojas
Rachel Schartz
Areum Song
Nedjie Thompson
Petra Voldanova
Jessica Wilson
Wellness
Even with a smaller competitors list, fans expect a fiery Wellness contest given that Gisele Machado is participating. She last competed at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro and took first place. Since she earned an Olympia invite already, she’s aiming to prevent other competitors from making their way to the Olympia stage in November.
Carol Canrarero
Lili Dong
Daisha Johnson
Edna F. De Souza
Gisele Machado
Tefani-Sam Razhi
RELATED: Dan Solomon Reveals 2023 Olympia Will Return To Orlando, Florida In First Week of November
As it stands, the 2023 Mr. Olympia Qualification System has undergone notable changes. Most importantly, IFBB Pro League athletes can no longer qualify for the annual Mr. Olympia competition based on points. The point system has been removed and bodybuilders must win a pro show to guarantee passage to the biggest event of the year.
With the 2023 New York Pro set for November 20, fans are excited to see the bodybuilding season move forward. The 10 winners from this contest will have the opportunity to face the respective champions of their division in less than six months.
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 5:19 PM EDT