After 11 years away, the 2023 Masters Olympia competition is set to return next weekend from August 26-27 inside the BT Arena in Cluj, Napoca Romania. This edition of the contest will feature 10 bodybuilding divisions for the first time ever. You can find the full roster of athletes below, prize money details, and a guide on how to watch the event live.
The Masters Olympia event was a mainstay in the IFBB Pro League for years. Dexter Jackson was the last man to win the Men’s Open Masters Olympia title back in 2012. However, this year, fans will see a new Open champion emerge.
With an overall prize money total of $229,000, competitors are determined to bring their best physiques next weekend. The winners of all ten Masters Olympia divisions will receive a qualification to compete at the annual Mr. Olympia show, scheduled for November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida.
How To Watch The 2023 Masters Olympia Online
If you’re not attending the show this weekend, you can access a live stream on the Muscle & Fitness website for both Friday and Saturday. The combined stream for the entire weekend is available for $39.99.
LIVE UPDATES: 2023 Masters Olympia Results For All Divisions
2023 Masters Olympia Preview, Full Roster, and Prize Money
Men’s Open
Fans are excited to welcome back the Masters Olympia contest this year. While the lineup is stacked, there are a few names that stood out. Fred Smalls has only improved this season and recently took eighth at the 2023 Tampa Pro, and first in the Masters Over 40 Class.
Another exciting entry into this show was Kamal Elgargni. Elgargni is a former 212 Olympia champ and continues to test his skills in the Open class at 51. Wildcard Joshua Lenartowicz will also be in attendance, who last appeared on stage in 2020 at the Arnold Classic in 11th place.
Phil Clahar at 49 years old, pulled off a major surprise by defeating Hassan Mostafa and earning a spot in the 2023 Olympia after his victory at the 2023 Orlando Pro. Clahar arrives at this event with his Olympia qualification already secured, regardless of his ranking. If he were to win in Romania, it wouldn’t result in an additional qualification for the Mr. Olympia — this season, only winners of pro shows get that Olympia ticket.
- Fred Smalls
- Joseph Piersante
- Joshua Lenartowicz
- Kamal Elgargni
- Ken Jackson
- Logan Robison
- Marek Olejniczak
- Maxx Charles
- Michael Ely
- Michael Lynn
- Philip Clahar
- Robert Burneika
- Ron Stevens
- Rusty Jeffers
- Sergio Lima
- Slavoj Bednar
- Vincent Galanti
- Vladimir Agrinskiy
Men’s 212 Bodybuilding
Having just turned 50, Hidetada Yamagishi came out of retirement for this show and has been training with a chip on his shoulder for the last few months. Judging from his physique updates, he’s on track for gold.
- Anwar Darwish Ali Al Balushi
- Masoom Butt
- Ricardo Plata Duran
- Derik Farnsworth
- Ahmed Fawzi
- David Henry
- Tony LaGrene
- Fernando Moronha de Albeida Maradona
- Milton Martinez
- Jicheng Qian
- Jonni Shreve
- Steve D. Thayer
- Ryan Walters
- Wayne Williams
- Jeff Williamson
- Hidetada Yamagishi
Men’s Physique
In the Men’s Physique class, there are tons of competitors, though the online community believes Arya Saffaie to be a top frontrunner.
- Everett Davis
- Youcef Djoudi
- Michael Ferguson
- Dajuan Rico Freeman
- Myron Griffin
- Terrence Teo Kok Hua
- Kenyon Leno
- Adon Marcus
- Andrea Mosti
- David Odom
- Joshua Petrecky
- Kevin Reeder
- Sharif Reid
- Everton W. B. Ribeiro
- Byron Ross
- Arya Saffaie
- Marcell Shippen
- Harlan Taylor Jr.
Classic Physique
Given Alex Cambronero’s third-place finish at the recent 2023 Arnold Classic, his combination of balance and conditioning could seal the deal at Masters Olympia weekend.
- Ross Caesar
- Alejandro Cambronero
- Richy Chan
- Darrem Charles
- Tom Connelly
- Ali Emre
- Dawid Geler
- Kelvin Hinde
- Vladimir Markov
- Javier Martinez
- Luis Garcia Martinez
- Shanti Mitchell
- Olushomo Oni
- Michel Perez
- Eric Perkins
- Greg Rando
- Peter Sciallo
- Esteban Smith
Women’s Bodybuilding
Fans in Romania are in for a treat as they’ll witness athletes from all six women’s divisions at this event. Among them, there are 17 participants in Women’s Bodybuilding. Notably, Donna Salib, who earned the 14th spot at the 2022 Ms. Olympia, is a prominent name on the roster. Another familiar face from the 2022 Olympia, Reshanna Boswell, will also be part of this exciting competition.
- Reshanna Boswell
- Michelle Brent
- Lori A. Conley
- Leah Dennie
- Jacqueline Fuchs
- Evangelina Guzman
- Tananarive Huie
- Virginia B. Sanchez Macias
- Silvia Matta
- Cheryl Mears
- Vera Mikulcova
- Barbara Moojen
- Donna Salib
- Maria del Carmen Gomez Segura
- Dana Shemesh
- Marcela Venegas
Women’s Physique
The women’s Physique division showcases a lineup with 20 awesome athletes. Look out for Ivie Rhein, who rocked the 2022 Women’s Physique Olympia at fifth place. There’s also Suzanne Davis, a renowned bodybuilder and powerlifter, plus Tanya Chartrand, a two-time Olympia competitor. It’s going to be an exciting show!
- Birgit Andersch
- Candice Carr
- Tanya Chartrand
- Suzanne Davis
- Stephanie Fredrickson
- Heather Grace
- Susan Graham
- Lenore Gregson
- Uta Koehler-Spitzbart
- Maria Queen Liberman
- Robyn Mays
- Alida Opre
- Oksana Piari
- Ivi Rhein
- Joanna Romano
- Caroline Alves Dos Santos
- Nathalie Thompson
Figure
In Figure, there are 20 competitors battling it out. Jessica Reyes Padilla, the runner-up from the 2022 Figure Olympia, is a top contender. And watch out, there’s more Olympia presence: Shelace Shoemaker, who didn’t make the top 15 in Vegas, is also in the mix, aiming for a win.
- Jessica Baltazar
- Zulfiya Bitiyeva
- Alissa Carpio
- Kim Clark
- Her Eun
- Veronica Gallego
- Dee Jackson
- Yelena Larina
- Stella Miliani
- Corrie Morales
- Dorota Ogonowska
- Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Gina Palma
- Larissa Penaloza
- Jennifer Reece
- Shelace Shoemaker
- Roberta Visintainer
- Martyna Yabekova
Fitness
There are only nine competitors in the Fitness lineup, the smallest out of all 10 divisions. However, the field is very competitive, with the likes of Tamara Vahn, Minna Pajulahti, and Stephanie Jones in the show. All three competitors were in the 2022 Fitness Olympia, where Vahn finished in sixth, Pajulahti took eighth, and Jones came in 13th.
- Marta Aguiar
- Maria Laura Cerbelli
- Debbie Fowler
- Stephanie Jones
- Sally Kendall-Williams
- Babette Mulford
- Minna Pajulahti
- Tamara Vahn
- Jenny Worth
Bikini
In the Bikini division, there are 21 competitors, and only Jessica Wilson was at the 2022 Olympia, placing outside the top 15. Others who regularly compete but haven’t been to the Olympia are taking this opportunity. It’s a big chance for them. With the most participants, the Bikini crown will be fiercely contested!
- Merica Abbado
- Gigi Amurao
- Elisangela Angell
- Geri Lara-Berger
- Christy Brown
- Abbi Gaetano
- Larissa Godoi
- Nicole Guggia
- Kerryne Henich
- Janine Herrera
- Michelle Hurst
- Nicole Johnson
- Patricia Lloyd
- Ruth E. Montes
- Chelan Ashley Nour
- Susan Price
- Angela Ruscilli
- Nuca Freitas Samo
- Ayleen Santander
- Aneta Szoltysek
- Jessica Wilson
Wellness
- Nicollette Burns
- Cinzia Massaro Clapp
- Flora Conte
- Case DeLong
- Houda Hmini
- Liliana Velez Marin
- Oana Marinescu
- Joann Norwood
- Alessandra Pinheiro
- Clarissa Sanchez
- Synara Santana
- Nerilde Garcia Strey
- Carly Thornton
- Dani Treiger
- Tania Isabel Cunha Viegas
- Simara Walter
- Elizabeth Williams
Date, Location, Order of Events Schedule
Friday, August 25th
Check-ins
- 10:00am: Women’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Wellness, 212 Bodybuilding
- 2:00pm: Fitness, Figure, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Open Bodybuilding
Legends Seminar
- 4:00pm – 6:00pm: Learn from the legends Jay Cutler and Neil Hill as they share their insights and tips on bodybuilding.
Saturday, August 26th
- 12:00pm: PREJUDGING
- 4:00pm: FINALS
Women’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Wellness, 212 Bodybuilding
Sunday, August 27th
- 12:00pm: PREJUDGING
- 4:00pm: FINALS
Fitness, Figure, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Open Bodybuilding
Prize Money Breakdown for Each Division
Athlete Criteria: Age Requirement 40+ (Participation based on application letters of intent)
Prize Money: $229,000 – (third largest prize purse of the year)
Open Bodybuilding
- 1st: $20,000
- 2nd: $10,000
- 3rd: $5,000
- 4th: $3,000
- 5th: $2,000
212, Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, Bikini, Wellness, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding
- 1st: $10,000
- 2nd: $5,000
- 3rd: $3,000
- 4th: $2,000
- 5th: $1,000
Masters Olympia Former Champions
- Robby Robinson – 1994
- Sonny Schmidt – 1995
- Vince Taylor – 1996
- Vince Taylor – 1997
- Vince Taylor – 1998
- Vince Taylor – 1999
- Vince Taylor – 2000
- Vince Taylor – 2001
- Don Youngblood – 2002
- Claude Groulx – 2003
- Dexter Jackson – 2012
Join us this weekend, from August 26th-27th to celebrate the return of Masters Olympia after more than ten years! When all is said and done, the winners will walk away with gold, a cash prize, and a Mr. Olympia qualification for the November extravaganza.
Published: 25 August, 2023 | 12:22 AM EDT
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