2022 Arnold Classic Europe: Mika Sihvonen is the new champion.
The second day of events at the 2022 Arnold Classic Europe was exciting, with a new champion crowned in the IFBB Elite Pro bodybuilding event.
Taking place in Seville, Spain, between 16-18 September 2022, this is event is one of the best editions in its 12 year history.
Hundreds of amateur and pro athletes from all over the world made the trip to Spain, to take part in this great event.
IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja and his hard working executive committee, left no stone unturned to make sure this event is perfectly organized. We cannot forget to mention Dr. Rafael Santonja’s wife, Nieves Santonja, for all the organization behind the scenes to make this event run smoothly.
Registrations took place on Thursday, 15 September 2022. It was an exciting day, with hundreds of athletes meeting again, from all over the world.
Bodybuilding legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger, could not make it to the event, but he spoke to the athletes and fans, live through a video call with IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja.
The second day of events was packed with action in both the amateur and pro divisions.
The highlight of the day was the IFBB Elite Pro World Championships and as well the amateur events, which included the popular bodybuilding and Bikini divisions.
Mika Sihvonen crowned Arnold Classic Europe Champion
The highlight of the day was the IFBB Elite Pro Open Bodybuilding event. Multiple Arnold Classic Europe champion Mika Krizo, would not be defending is title after leaving the IFBB Elite Pro League.
With the Arnold Classic Europe (IFBB Elite Pro World Championship) title vacant, a fierce battle would take place between nine of the IFBB Elite Pro’s best bodybuilders.
The favorite going into the show was Finland’s Mika Sihvonen. Dominating the up to 95kg division, Mika would eventually move up to the Open Division and push former champion Mika Krizo to the edge for a number of years.
Many believed Mika should have been declared champion at previous Arnold Classic Europe events, but the judges favored Mika Krizo’s size of the incredible condition of Mika Sihvonen.
Mika is coming back from a serious leg injury, and there was many doubts if he would manage to be on par with the other competitors.
Not only did Mika arrive for the 2022 Arnold Classic Europe, but he stepped on stage bigger and in great condition. duroing the event, Mika’s main rivals were Poland’s Mateusz Zagorowski and Bulgaria’s Stanimir Etov.
Columbia’s Rubiel Mosquera was another big name going into the event, but had to settle for fourth place.
The judges had a very difficult task on their hands with the top three, Mika, Mateusz and Stanimir.
Finally, Mika would be declared the 2022 Arnold Classic Europe Champion, with Mateusz Zagorowski finishing in second and Stanimir Etov taking the bronze medal.
Surely, the battle between these champions will not end here, we can expect these champions to face each other in a number of IFBB Elite Pro events in the near future.
IFBB Elite Pro Results Day 2
Bodybuilding Open – Mika Sihvonen (Finland)
Bikini – Anastasiia Zolotaia
2022 Arnold Classic Europe Results Day 2 (Stage 1)
Beginners Women’s Bikini up to 164 cm – Ugne Ruksenaite (Lithuania)
Beginners Women’s Bikini over 164 cm – Zuzanna Jedrzejczak (Ireland)
Beginners Women’s Bikini OVERALL – Zuzanna Jedrzejczak (Ireland)
Women’s Bodyfitness up to 163 cm – Svitlana Hordiienko (Ukraine)
Women’s Bodyfitness up to 168 cm – Kateryna Ishchenko (Ukraine)
Women’s Bodyfitness over 168 cm – Sonja Tvanov (Germany)
Women’s Bodyfitness OVERALL – Kateryna Ishchenko (Ukraine)
Master Women’s Bikini 35-44 yrs, up to 164 cm – Alejandra Rodriguez (Mexico)
Master Women’s Bikini 35-44 yrs, over 164 cm – Kateryna Spievakova (Ukraine)
Master Women’s Bikini 45+ yrs – Kamila Pardamcova (Spain)
Master Women’s Bikini OVERALL – Kateryna Spievakova (Ukraine)
Junior Men’s Physique 16-23 Years Open – Francisco Duenas (El Salvador)
Master Men’s Physique 40-44 Years – Bright Eze (Belgium)
Master Men’s Physique 45+ Years – Jesus Espigares (Spain)
Master Men’s Physique OVERALL – Bright Eze (Belgium)
Junior Women’s Bikini up to 164 cm – Viktorija Volodkovic (Lithuania)
Junior Women’s Bikini over 164 cm – Mara Zidarescu (Romania)
Junior Women’s Bikini OVERALL – Viktorija Volodkovic (Lithuania)
Master Women’s Bodyfitness 35+ Years – Svitlana Hordiienko (Ukraine)
2022 Arnold Classic Europe Results Day 2 (Stage 2)
Junior Men’s Bodybuilding 16-23 Years Open – Hugo Barajas (Mexico)
Beginners Men’s Bodybulding Open – Ricardo Morales Zuniga (Mexico)
Men’s Bodybuilding up to 70 kg – Bruno Amateis (Italy)
Men’s Bodybuilding up to 80 kg – Peter Socha (Slovakia)
Men’s Bodybuilding up to 85 kg – Yevhen Ponomaryov (Ukraine)
Men’s Bodybuilding up to 90 kg – Dmytro Hrabarchuk (Ukraine)
Men’s Bodybuilding over 90 kg – Stanimir Gaserov (Germany)
Men’s Bodybuilding OVERALL – Stanimir Gaserov (Germany)
Photos courtesy of Eastlabs Photo
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