2023 – A year of surprises and new champions

December 28, 2023

2023 – A year of surprises and new champions.

The 2023 bodybuilding competitive season has come to an end, and Evolutionofbodybuilding.net takes a look at the major events of the year.

The NPC/Pro League and the IFBB/IFBB Elite Pro had several exciting events, with some champions defending their titles, and others missing out and having to step aside for the new champions.

Evolutionofbodybuilding.net takes pride in covering all major events from several federations, giving more exposure to the great sport of bodybuilding and the athletes who work so hard to build their physiques.

A big thank you goes to all the promoters that invest their time and money, in promoting and organizing all these great events.

The Olympia Weekend

The story of the weekend was Derek Lunsford, defeating 2022 Mr. Olympia champion, Hadi Choopan, to be the first-ever bodybuilder to win the 212 Olympia and Mr. Olympia title.

It was a very close battle between Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda.

Samson was the biggest bodybuilder, but he did not have the condition to match his size. Hadi was very sharp, but the judges preferred the slightly more balanced Derek Lunsford and awarded him the 2023 Mr. Olympia title.

Keone Pearson also shocked the bodybuilding world by defeating two-time champion Shaun Clarida in the 212 event.

Shaun stepped on stage looking in great condition, making everybody believe he was on his way to winning his third 212 Olympia title, but he was not expecting Keone Pearson to step in his way.

While Clarida presented a massive and shredded physique, the judges gave the nod to Keone’s more balanced and aesthetic physique.

Moving over to the Men’s Classic Physique event, the world’s most popular bodybuilder, Chris Bumstead defended his title for the fifth consecutive time.

It was not an easy task for Bumstead, as the younger Ramon Queiroz pushed him the entire time. We can expect an exciting battle at the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia, with Ramon edging closer every year.

In other events, Cydney Gillon won her seventh consecutive Women’s Figure title, Sarah Villegas won her third Women’s Physique title, after she was defeated in 2022. Oksana Grishina returned from injury in 2022, to win her fifth Women’s Fitness title. Andrea Shawn continues to dominate Women’s Bodybuilding by winning her fourth consecutive Ms. Olympia title.

Francielle Mattos remains undefeated in the Women’s Wellness division by winning her third consecutive title. Karol Milewski defeated Harold Kelley to be crowned the new Men’s Wheelchair Olympia champion.

Ryan Terry is the new Men’s Physique Olympia champion, defeating a very deep line-up of competitors, and finally, Jennifer Dorie returned to victory to claim her second Bikini Olympia title.

Read More: 2023 Olympia Weekend

2023 Arnold Classic USA, South America, Europe, and Africa

The Arnold Classic continued to promote events all over the world, supporting the NPC/Pro League and the IFBB/IFBB Elite Pro.

Arnold Classic – USA (Pro League)

The most popular event, which takes place in Columbus, Ohio, was the highlight of all the events.

Samson Dauda started a run of incredible results by winning the Arnold Classic USA. Samson’s victory propelled him to be one of the favorites to win the Mr. Olympia title.

Ramon Queiroz established himself as a contender for the Classic Physique Olympia title by winning the event.

The other winners were Erin Banks (Men’s Physique), Harold Kelley (Wheelchair), Ariel Khadr (Women’s Fitness International), Lauralie Chapados (Bikini), and Kassandra Gillis (Wellness).

Arnold Classic – South America (Pro League)

Behrooz Tabani was allowed to compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic South America, and he made sure he walked away with the title and his Mr. Olympia qualification. Unfortunately, due to visa issues, Behrooz was refused entry into the USA, so he has to again miss the 2023 Mr. Olympia.

The only other pro event was the Men’s Wheelchair, which Josue Gorila Albino won.

Arnold Classic – Africa (IFBB Elite Pro)

The 2023 Arnold Classic Africa was back on IFBB’s contest schedule and it was another exciting weekend of events.

Hundreds of amateur athletes competed in the amateur events, with 19 IFBB Elite Pro cards awarded to the top athletes in various divisions.

The IFBB Elite Pro event had several new champions winning the prestigious title.

Bodybuilding – Venancio Bento Epolua (Angola), Men’s Physique – Samuel Nzagi (Angola), Master Bodyfitness – Luigia Baggetta (Italy), Bikini – Anastasia Zolotaia (Elite Pro Flag), and Master Bodybuilding – Pedro Quiala Pereira (Angola)

Read More: 2023 Arnold Classic Africa

Arnold Classic – Europe (IFBB/IFBB Elite Pro)

The 13th edition of the Arnold Classic Europe took place in Madrid, Spain.

This event attracted close to 1000 amateur athletes, who all had the goal of being declared Arnold Classic amateur champion.

The overall amateur bodybuilding title went to France’s Jonathan Rouch.

The IFBB Elite Pro World Championships has been integrated into the Arnold Classic Europe, giving the top athletes in the world, the best platform to battle for IFBB Elite Pro’s most prestigious pro title of the year.

This was the sixth edition of the 2023 IFBB Elite Pro World Championships. This year, the venue was at the Magic Box, Real Madrid, Spain.

Mika Sihvonen had a very difficult year, with injury and a battle with cancer, but he successfully defended his Open Bodybuilding title to win it for the second consecutive time.

The other winners were Dmytro Horobets (Men’s Physique), Yuri Valentin (Classic Physique), Marina Mocanu (Bikini), and Alina Yaman (Body Fitness).

Read More: 2023 Arnold Classic – Europe.

2023 New York Pro

The New York Pro is one of the biggest events on the Pro League calendar, attracting some of the best pro athletes, aiming to win this great event and earn their Olympia Weekend qualification.

Steve Weinberger leaves no stone unturned when it comes to organizing this great event.

Not the biggest bodybuilder in the lineup, Tonio Burton presented a physique with the best condition, and great balance of size and symmetry. The judges made the decision and declared Tonio the new King of New York.

Moving onto the 212 Division, Kerrith Bajjo, went on to deservedly win the 212 edition of the event. Kerrith definitely presented the best physique, and the judges got it right in giving him the nod for victory.

Michael Daboul won the Men’s Classic Physique event, defeating a very difficult lineup, that was made up of some of the best physiques in the industry.

The Men’s Physique division had the UK’s Ryan Terry taking the top prize, and qualification to the 2023 Olympia Weekend.

Other results: Pro Figure – Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz Pereira, Women’s Bodybuilding – Natalie Kovaleva, Pro Bikini – Aimee LeAnn Delgado, Women’s Physique – Natalia Abraham Coelho, and finally Wellness – Gisele Machado.

Read More: 2023 New York Pro.

2023 NPC/Pro League Results

All the pro winners NPC/Pro League – Click HERE

2023 IFBB Elite Pro Results

All IFBB Elite Pro Results: Click HERE.

2023 Amateur Highlights

The 2023 season was also an exciting year for several amateur athletes who dominated the sport.

Featured Athlete Jonathan Rouch — Jonathan Rouch

Focussing on bodybuilding, the athlete who stood out at the IFBB was French athlete Jonathan Rouch.

Jonathan had a very successful year winning the 2023 IFBB Amateur World Championship Overall title and the Arnold Classic Europe Overall title.

2023 NPC National Championships — Trever Burch

Moving over to the NPC, Trever Burch was declared the 2023 Men’s Overall National Champion.

The 2023 USA Championships was also an exciting event, with Joseph Palacios winning the Men’s Overall title.

One of the most popular bodybuilders at the moment is Rubiel Mosquera. Rubiel made the switch from the IFBB Elite Pro to the NPC, hoping to earn his pro status and compete in the Pro League.

Rubiel competed at the EVLS event in Prague, and won the overall bodybuilding title to earn his pro card. The next day, Rubiel placed third at the 2023 EVLS Prague Prop Show in his pro debut.