After an 11-year absence, the 2023 Masters Olympia returned this weekend August 25-27 in Cluj, Napoca Romania. This event featured athletes from ten divisions including Men’s Open, Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Bikini, Fitness, Wellness, and Figure. The respective winners of each category were awarded qualifications for the upcoming Mr. Olympia competition taking place from Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida.
The Masters Olympia is a stage where the legends of bodybuilding can relive their glory days and challenge their peers. The event has been on hiatus since 2012, but the anticipation for its comeback has been soaring ever since Olympia Owner Jake Wood’s announcement earlier this year.
Bodybuilding legend Dexter Jackson was the last man to win the coveted Masters Olympia title. However, he won’t be in attendance, so a new champion will be crowned. Details on the festivities for the Masters Olympia Weekend can be found here.
2023 Masters Olympia Winners
- Men’s Open: Kamal Elgargni
- 212 Bodybuilding: Hidetada Yamagishi
- Classic Physique: Alejandro Cambronero
- Men’s Physique: Arya Saffaie
- Women’s Bodybuilding: Reshanna Boswell
- Women’s Physique: Ivie Rhein
- Figure: Jessica Padilla Reyes
- Fitness: Minna Pajulahti
- Bikini: Jessica Wilson
- Wellness: Nerilde Garcia
2023 Masters Olympia Results & Breakdown
Masters Olympia (Men’s Open)
- Winner — Kamal Elgargni
- Second Place — Maxx Charles
- Third Place — Philip Clahar
- Fourth Place — Fred Smalls
- Fifth Place — Ken Jackson
- Sixth Place — Slavoj Bednar
- Seventh Place — Michael Lynn
- Eighth Place — Sergio Lima
- Ninth Place — Logan Robison
- Tenth Place — Rusty Jeffers
Sunday welcomed heavy hitters from the Men’s Open class. Prejudging was full of exciting comparisons and call-outs. Ultimately, Maxx Charles and Kamal Elgargni appeared to be in the running for first place.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Elgargni, a former 212 Olympia winner (2019), continues to improve from season to season even as he enters his fifties.
Last appearing on the 212 Olympia stage in third place, Elgargni was determined to add a Masters title to his mantle, having gained considerable mass for this competition in the Open. Maxx Charles pushed Elgargni in the finals, where his dry hamstrings and carved-out midsection impressed the judges early. He last took to the stage at the 2023 New York Pro in sixth place.
After a tough battle, with some of the best conditioning of his career, Kamal Elgargni secured the Masters Olympia title! Elgargni is now qualified for both the Open and 212 Olympia this year. Maxx Charles took second place and Phillip Clahar finished third.
212 Bodybuilding
- Winner — Hidetada Yamagishi
- Second Place — David Henry
- Third Place — Anwar Darwish Ali Al Balushi
- Fourth Place — Steve D. Thayer
- Fifth Place — Jonni Shreve
- Sixth Place — Fernando Moronha de Albeida Maradona
- Seventh Place — Derik Farnsworth
- Eighth Place — Masoom Butt
- Ninth Place — Jicheng Qian
- Tenth Place — Milton Martinez
It didn’t take long for men from the 212 division to take to the stage in Romania. During prejudging rounds, the sharp conditioning of Hidetada Yamagishi was hard to ignore. However, David Henry’s back development made for an exciting battle in the finals. “Hide’s” last show came in 2020 at Olympia (14th place in 212), while Henry, a former 202 Olympia winner (2008), last impressed fans at the 2022 Japan Pro in third place.
After coming out of retirement at 50, Hidetada Yamagishi won the 212 Masters Olympia title, with his win, he is now qualified for the upcoming 212 Olympia contest in Nov! David Henry finished second and Anwar Darwish Ali Al Balushi took third.
Classic Physique
- Winner — Alejandro Cambronero
- Second Place — Kelvin Hinde
- Third Place — Ross Caesar
- Fourth Place — Luis Garcia Martinez
- Fifth Place — Tom Connelly
- Sixth Place — Eric Perkins
- Seventh Place — Greg Rando
- Eighth Place — Peter Sciallo
- Ninth Place — Michel Perez
- Tenth Place — Richy Chan
It had been a while since he competed (2018 at the Europa Dallas – first place), so Alejandro Cambronero emptied the gas tank on stage. He brought an imposing look, combined with a full chest and balanced arms.
He squared off in the finals against Kelvin Hinde, an extremely active competitor in the Classic Physique category. He last graced the 2023 Tupelo Pro stage where he nabbed a first-place victory. In the end, Alejandro Cambronero’s physique was too overpowering. He secured the Masters Olympia victory after an entertaining contest. Kelvin Hinde took second and Ross Caesar finished with bronze.
Men’s Physique
- Winner — Arya Saffaie
- Second Place — Sharif Reid
- Third Place — Dajuan Rico Freeman
- Fourth Place — Myron Griffin
- Fifth Place — Andrea Mosti
- Sixth Place — Michael Ferguson
- Seventh Place — Everton W. B. Ribeiro
- Eighth Place — Everett Davis
- Ninth Place — David Odom
- Tenth Place — Kenyon Leno
The upper bodies of the top two Men’s Physique competitors made for an unpredictable contest. Sharif Reid was in attendance, having brought arguably some of the best detail his body has ever displayed. Reid was last seen in action at the 2023 Los Angeles Grand Prix Pro, where he took 14th place.
Arya Saffaie, a veteran of the category, gave it his all on stage in Romania. He snowballed into this contest with a lot of force, having recently claimed first place at the 2023 Tampa Pro. In the end, Arya Saffaie clinched first place and became a Masters Olympia titleholder. Sharif Reid finished second and Dajuan Rico Freeman took third.
Women’s Bodybuilding
- Winner — Reshanna Boswell
- Second Place — Barbara Moojen
- Third Place — Virginia Sanchez
- Fourth Place — Donna Salib
- Fifth Place — Silvia Matta
- Sixth Place — Cheryl Mears
- Seventh Place — Jacqueline Fuchs
- Eighth Place — Vera Mikulcova
- Ninth Place — Leah Dennie
- Tenth Place — Dana Shemesh
A few Women’s Bodybuilding contenders shined on the Olympia stage Saturday. Barbara Moojen last earned eighth at the 2022 Musclecontest Brazil Pro, so she came in eager to make a statement. She brought exceptional conditioning and dense muscularity.
It was clear by the finals that Reshanna Boswell was also in the running for gold. Extra motivated after her 2022 Olympia performance where she placed outside the top 15, Boswell turned heads with stage presence and a detailed upper body. Ultimately, the judges favored Reshanna Boswell’s look the most; she earned first place. Barbara Moojen and Virginia Sanchez rounded out the podium in second and third.
View this post on InstagramGet Fitter, FasterLevel Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Women’s Physique
- Winner — Ivie Rhein
- Second Place — Caroline Alves Dos Santos
- Third Place — Heather Grace
- Fourth Place — Joanna Romano
- Fifth Place — Susan Graham
- Sixth Place — Stephanie Fredrickson
- Seventh Place — Alida Opre
- Eighth Place — Maria Queen Liberman
- Ninth Place — Suzanne Davis
- Tenth Place — Candice Carr
Women’s Physique talent got busy Saturday with Caroline Alves Dos Santos and Ivie Rhein establishing themselves as top contenders. Dos Santos came into this show with some momentum and a ripped body, having recently claimed gold at the 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro.
In her way was 2023 Tampa Pro runner-up Ivie Rhein. It appeared close from the front, but Ivie Rhein’s back shots carried her to victory in Romania. She won first place and qualified for 2023 Olympia. Caroline Alves Dos Santos took second place and Heather Grace finished third.
Figure
- Winner — Jessica Padilla Reyes
- Second Place — Dee Jackson
- Third Place — Gina Palma
- Fourth Place — Corrie Morales
- Fifth Place — Zulfiya Bitiyeva
- Sixth Place — Jennifer Reece
- Seventh Place — Her Eun
- Eighth Place — Kim Clark
- Ninth Place — Jessica Baltazar
- Tenth Place — Martyna Yabekova
Figure talent swarmed the stage on Sunday in Cluj, where early standouts got to work with great individual routines. Dee Jackson, who brought an aesthetic combination of muscularity and fullness, got a huge pop from the crowd. Jackson’s last show was at the 2022 Chicago Pro in seventh place.
In her way was a savvy veteran in Jessica Padilla Reyes. Known for leading an active schedule, Reyes has a knack for getting the judge’s attention and tonight was no different. Riding high into Romania, Reyes took out the competition at the 2023 Texas Pro recently en route to claiming gold. Tonight, Jessica Padilla Reyes once again took home gold and became a Masters Olympia titleholder! Dee Jackson claimed silver and Gina Palma took third place.
Fitness
- Winner — Minna Pajulahti
- Second Place — Stephanie Jones
- Third Place — Tamara Vahn
- Fourth Place — Jenny Worth
- Fifth Place — Debbie Fowler
- Sixth Place — Maria Laura Cerbelli
- Seventh Place — Sally Kendall-Williams
- Eighth Place — Babette Mulford
- Ninth Place — Marta Aguiar
Fitness athletes brought unique and enthusiastic individual routines combined with muscularity, flexibility, and stamina. Stephanie Jones commanded the crowd’s attention during prejudging. Her stage presence and conditioning added to her overall momentum on stage. In her last outing, Stephanie brought a stellar look at the 2023 Tampa Pro, where she secured sixth place.
Minna Pajulahti also brought the heat during the finals. Having last competed at the 2023 Arnold Classic in eighth place, Pajulahti used the time to improve her physique and routine. In the end, Pajulahti was crowned the Masters Olympia Fitness champion! Stephanie Jones and Tamra Vahn placed second and third.
Bikini
- Winner — Jessica Wilson
- Second Place — Janine Herrera
- Third Place — Nucia Freitas Samo
- Fourth Place — Kerryne Henich
- Fifth Place — Elisangela Angell
- Sixth Place — Ayleen Santander
- Seventh Place — Nicole Guggia
- Eighth Place — Aneta Szoltysek
- Ninth Place — Nicole Johnson
- Tenth Place — Gigi Amurao
Bikini contenders received huge reactions from the crowd in Cluj. Janine Herrera brought an exceptional look with the perfect balance of flow, condition, and fullness. She last took 11th at the 2023 Tampa Pro a few weeks ago.
Herrera faced off with Jessica Wilson in the finals, who impressed judges early with great posing and transitions. Jessica Wilson is riding high off her victory in June at the 2023 DC Pro. While it could have gone either way given the packages of both competitors, Jessica Wilson secured the Masters Olympia Bikini victory. Janine Herrera and Nucia Freitas Samo rounded out the podium in second and third, respectively.
Wellness
- Winner — Nerilde Garcia
- Second Place — Simara Walter
- Third Place — Oana Marinescu
- Fourth Place — Tania Isabel Cunha Viegas
- Fifth Place — Case DeLong
- Sixth Place — Alessandra Pinheiro
- Seventh Place — Clarissa Sanchez
- Eighth Place — Cinzia Massaro Clapp
- Ninth Place — Synara Santana
- Tenth Place — Houda Hmini
The Wellness category continues to grow in popularity, and judging by the crowd’s reaction this weekend, it delivered on action. Simara Walter, who last took fourth at the 2023 Southern California Pro, brought a balanced and aesthetic look.
Meanwhile, Walter was up against the 2023 Musclecontest Rio Pro fourth-place finisher, Nerilde Garcia. Garcia impressed the judges in the finals and during comparisons with eye-catching stage presence. After a close-fought battle, Nerilde Garcia came out on top and won the Masters title! Simara Walter finished second and Oana Marinescu took third.
2023 Masters Olympia Scorecards
Our team at Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Experience the thrill of the 2024 Mr. Olympia with our complete coverage! From prejudging highlights and event recaps to expert analysis and results, find it all at our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia. Follow our Live Blog for real-time event updates. Stay tuned for every moment of the action!
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
