The IFBB Pro League’s next stop was the 2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro, which took place from October 7-8 in Reno, Nevada. This event was one of the last opportunities for athletes who wished to qualify for the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia competition. It featured competitors from the Men’s Open, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Fitness, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique, and Wellness divisions.
Pressure has been on athletes for the last few weeks as time is running out to ensure their spots on the prestigious Mr. Olympia stage. The 2023 Mr. Olympia extravaganza goes down in Orlando, Florida from November 2-5 housed inside the Orange County Convention Center.
The point system has been removed and in order to grace the Olympia stage, athletes must win a Pro show. With fewer months to qualify this season, it’s been more challenging to secure their respective spots for the marquee show.
While the 2023 season was winding down, there were still plenty of bodybuilders to keep tabs on. Charles Griffen and Justin Rodriguez were two favorites for gold, but the roster was stacked with other threats such as John Jewett, Vitor Boff, Mokhamed El Emam, Jan Turek, and Dorian Haywood.
2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro Winners
- Men’s Open: Charles Griffen
- Classic Physique: Terrence Ruffin
- Men’s Physique: Kyron Holden
- Fitness: Taylor Learmont
- Figure: Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Bikini: Aimee Delgado
- Women’s Physique: Julia Monroe
- Wellness: Victoria Reyes Villa
2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro Results Breakdown
Men’s Open
It was a memorable night in Reno, Nevada, with a group of Men’s Open contenders eager to punch their ticket to the upcoming Olympia contest. During prejudging, Charles Griffen picked up momentum early with dried-out hamstrings, a great V-taper, accentuated with a vacuum pose that made his waist look smaller. Griffen tore his pec earlier this year but didn’t let the setback stop him from bringing his best. His last competition took place at the 2022 Olympia contest in 14th place.
In addition to Griffen, John Jewett, a former 212 standout, looked to have filled out his frame better than ever. Riding high off a Men’s Open win at the 2023 Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro, Jewett’s momentum clearly gave him more confidence to show off his improvements on stage. While Justin Rodriguez also brought a great package to the stage, it was Charles Griffen’s night! John Jewett ended the show in second place and Justin Rodriguez took third.
- Winner — Charles Griffen
- Second Place — John Jewett
- Third Place — Justin Rodriguez
- Fourth Place — Vitor Boff
- Fifth Place — Eric Wood
- Sixth Place — Maxx Charles
- Seventh Place — Joel Thomas
- Eighth Place — Martin Hernandez
- Ninth Place — Dorian Haywood
- Tenth Place — Denis Reinhold
Classic Physique
After claiming gold at the recent 2023 Dubai Pro, Ruffin, a two-time Arnold Classic champ, gambled this weekend with another contest. Ruffin’s physique tonight compared to his sixth-place 2022 Olympia performance was night and day. Aside from improved conditioning, he also looked less watery and more detailed, with his signature shredded back.
Opposite Ruffin was Logan Franklin, who worked with former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout on his posing sequences for this season. When Franklin’s conditioning is on point, he has the shape and posing skills to give any top-tier Pro a run for their money. Franklin last appeared at the 2023 Texas Pro in third place. However, Ruffin continued to refine his physique for this show and took first place. Logan Franklin settled for second place and Daryn Shirbayev claimed third.
- Winner — Terrence Ruffin
- Second Place — Logan Franklin
- Third Place — Daryn Shirbayev
- Fourth Place — Kellen Wilson
- Fifth Place — Jorge Herrera
- Sixth Place — Yosef Karimyan
- Seventh Place — Jerark Toribio Perez
- Eighth Place — Wilfredo Victoria
- Ninth Place — Michael Lopez
- Tenth Place — Lucas Di Santi
Men’s Physique
It was an unforgettable Men’s Physique masterclass over the weekend in Reno, Nevada. Erin Banks, the reigning Arnold Classic and Men’s Physique Olympia, put his record on the line just a few weeks before his scheduled title defense. Banks last competed at the 2023 Arnold Classic in first place. As with his previous looks, Banks’ back development was off the charts in terms of width and thickness.
However, fighting for center stage was also Kyron Holden, and fans were blown away online after witnessing the battle between Banks. Despite the Olympia champ’s momentum, Kyron Holden’s abs were deeper and displayed absolutely insane serratus muscles while still holding his own from the rear.
Holden last stepped on stage in first at the 2023 Daytona Pro/Am in first place. In the end, Kyron Holden defeated Banks in an epic contest by only one point on the scorecards! Erin Banks took runner-up and Andre Ferguson finished third.
- Winner — Kyron Holden
- Second Place — Erin Banks
- Third Place — Andre Ferguson
- Fourth Place — Reuben Glass
- Fifth Place — Tyler Smith
- Sixth Place — Sharif Reid
- Seventh Place — Jamal Everette
- Eighth Place — Serge Victor
- Ninth Place — Tan Dhaliwal
- Tenth Place — Roberto Lima
Fitness
Contenders from Fitness were hellbent on leaving with an Olympia qualification for next month. In the finals, Taylor Learmont commanded the stage and the attention of the audience early, mostly due to her creative individual routine where she used artful posing to display her impressive physique.
Meanwhile, Kristin Pope was in attendance and highly motivated following her third-place finish at the 2023 Rising Phoenix & Arizona Pro. Given her conditioning and shape, she’s always a dangerous contender on stage. Following the finals, Taylor Learmont took home first prize! Kristin Pope finished second place and Kayla Rossi claimed third place.
- Winner — Taylor Learmont
- Second Place — Kristin Pope
- Third Place — Kayla Rossi
- Fourth Place — Andrea Glass
- Fifth Place — Jenny Worth
- Sixth Place — Corina Harkelroad
- Seventh Place — Danielle Chikeles
- Eighth Place — Trishanti Rocke
- Ninth Place — Heather Coscia
- Tenth Place — Danielle Delikat
Figure
Figure competitors brought their best to Reno, Nevada on Sunday. In the running for gold was Jessica Reyes Padilla, whose consistency and veteran savvy have seen her become a staple name in the category. Padilla last tested her resolve at the 2023 Masters Olympia and won the prestigious title, so she carried a lot of energy and momentum into this weekend.
On the other hand, Christine Stearns was also in the running to cement herself as the champion. Sterans’ balanced muscularity and shape give her a unique advantage against many of her peers. Stearns last appeared at the 2023 Rising Phoenix Pro & Arizona Pro in fourth place. While it was a close contest, Jessica Reyes Padilla secured gold. Christine Stearns finished in second and Sophie Jenkins took third.
- Winner — Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Second Place — Christine Stearns
- Third Place — Sophie Jenkins
- Fourth Place — Stacey Steiner
- Fifth Place — Lacy Schlimmer
- Sixth Place — Jennifer Johnson
- Seventh Place — Stephanie Koerber
- Eighth Place — Crystal Garcia
- Ninth Place — Daniella Means
- Tenth Place — Shelace Shoemaker
Bikini
Bikini competitors wasted no time in Reno, Nevada this weekend. Aimee Delgado asserted herself as a title contender early with great shape, balance, and proportions. She last shared a stage at the 2023 New York Pro in first place.
In her way was Lacy Rutland, whose last contest saw her take home fourth place at the 2023 Rising Phoenix & Arizona Pro, which was won by Iulia Baba. Rutland’s ability to present her physique with polished posing has turned her into a consistent force in the category. Following some comparisons in the finals. Aimee Delgado picked up another Pro show victory. Lacy Rutland and Aisha Kaipova finished in second and third place.
- Winner — Aimee Delgado
- Second Place — Lacy Rutland
- Third Place — Aisha Kaipova
- Fourth Place — Erika Devera
- Fifth Place — Abbi Gaetano
- Sixth Place — Lena Okanovic
- Seventh Place — Tianna Weymouth
- Eighth Place — Nikia Hovey
- Ninth Place — Courtney Walton
- Tenth Place — Jill Humphrey
Women’s Physique
Heading into Sunday night, competitors from the Women’s Physique category were determined to walk away with gold. Julia Monroe was one of the frontrunners and her shredded physique certainly supported her chances of success. She last took seventh at the 2023 Sasquatch Pro show.
Aside from Monroe, Susan Graham was also making a play for gold this weekend. She brought some of the best conditioning of her career and always gets fans excited during her posing routines. Graham last appeared at the 2023 Masters Olympia competition, where she turned in a fifth-place showing. In the end, Julia Monroe got the job done, taking first. Susan Graham placed second and Rachel Reid took third.
- Winner — Julia Monroe
- Second Place — Susan Graham
- Third Place — Rachel Reid
- Fourth Place — JiHye Lee
- Fifth Place — Jodi Marchuck
- Sixth Place — Anna-Lena Prinz
- Seventh Place — Laura Richards
- Eighth Place — Katie Nyland
- Ninth Place — Laura Pyszora
- Tenth Place — Suzan Oktay
Wellness
With an Olympia qualification hanging in the balance, competitors were on a mission to ensure their spot on the great stage. Prejudging saw Victoria Reyes Villa emerge as a favorite with excellent lower body density.
Jennifer Zollars was another name to watch in the Wellness division this weekend. Her graceful posing coupled with her hamstring definition gave her a definite edge over some of the other contenders. Zollars last tested herself at the 2023 Rising Phoenix & Arizona Pro in fifth place. Following some close comparisons, Victoria Reyes Villa pulled off the big win! Jennifer Zollars and Simara Walter took second and third place.
- Winner — Victoria Reyes Villa
- Second Place — Jennifer Zollars
- Third Place — Simara Walter
- Fourth Place — Rian Choi
- Fifth Place — Elena Sandaevskaia
- Sixth Place — Sina Maria Teresa
- Seventh Place — Jasmine Payne
- Eighth Place — Natasha Peay
- Ninth Place — Christine Ford
- Tenth Place — HyeYoon Kim
2023 Legion Sports Fest Pro Scorecards
That wraps up all of the action in Reno, Nevada. Our team at Fitness Volt looks forward to seeing the winners shine on the Olympia stage!
Published: 9 October, 2023 | 1:04 AM EDT
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