The IFBB Pro League has arguably never been more loaded with talent. In a collection of Instagram posts, fans were blown away by recent guest posing appearances from Hunter Labrada, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, and Keone Pearson.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition approaching, athletes are on a mission to secure their qualifications. They have until the October 9 deadline. One competitor who has yet to earn his invite is Hunter Labrada, son of bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada.
Last year at the Mr. Olympia show, Labrada slipped placings. However, in 2022 he encountered difficulties as he dropped to seventh. In the aftermath, Labrada mentioned that problems arose with his prep and peak.
Moreover, fans and judges alike took notice of his washed-out midsection, which prevented him from placing higher. That hindrance is something Hunter has worked diligently on to fix. In addition to gut health shakes, he regularly practices vacuum poses for abdomen control. He and his father announced that Hunter planned to compete at the 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro on the horizon. With five weeks away, Hunter appears to be close if not, at his all-time best.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, meanwhile, traveled a different path en route to becoming an IFBB pro. Last year he switched from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the NPC (just like Michal Krizo). He wasted no time in earning his IFBB Pro card at the 2022 Musclecontest International Brazil Nationals. Vito, who has gone viral several times online for his freaky physique, has ambitious plans this year like Hunter.
Good Vito has kept fans updated on his progress before his next show. Considering his jaw-dropping physique updates, many consider him a frontrunner heading into the 2023 European Pro Championships in nine weeks.
And the 28-year-old Keone Pearson is another big name in the sport ready to dominate. Having found success in the Classic Physique division, fans are excited to see Pearson’s continued transformation in 212. He plans to compete in the 2023 Texas Pro in approximately five weeks. En route to the big day, Pearson has let fans in on his 3,500-calorie diet.
Hunter Labrada Looking Massive in Guest Posing Appearance
Check out Labrada’s recent guest posing appearance at the 2023 NPC South Central USA.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov Guest Poses, Falls Off Stage, and Reportedly Hospitalized
During Good Vito’s guest posing obligation at the 2023 Musclecontest International Brazil, his freaky muscularity and huge arms/quads were on full display. However, when he attempted to exit the stage by jumping off from the front, he appeared to injure himself. He gave fans an update on his injury via Instagram stories.
GoodVito also posted a video on social media, showing himself in a wheelchair and receiving medical treatment. He hasn’t disclosed the full extent of his injury yet, but he’s expected to provide updates as soon as he gets more information. Over the past 24 hours, numerous individuals have reached out to Ugolnikov to express their support and concern.
“I MADE A MISTAKE TODAY. I HURT MY KNEE LANDING FROM TOO HIGH A HEIGHT. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO STEP ON MY LEG, I MAY HAVE TORN A LIGAMENT IN MY KNEE. IT WAS A RASH MOVE THAT COST ME MY HEALTH. A SECOND OF RECKLESSNESS THAT AFFECTED MY LIFE.”
“I CONTINUED TO POSE FOR YOU, MY DEAR AUDIENCE, IN PAIN, LEAVE THE STAGE AND IMMEDIATELY FALLS. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES, LET THIS SITUATION SERVE AS A LESSON FOR YOU, WHICH CAN SAVE YOU FROM UNNECESSARY ACTIONS.”
“I WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT. I HAVE RECEIVED OVER 500 MESSAGES WISHING ME A SPEEDY RECOVERY! I’M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE SOME MANY PEOPLE SUPPORTING ME. I READ ALL THE MESSAGES RECEIVED. YOU GUYS GIVE ME STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING! I HUG EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO PAID ATTENTION TO ME.”
Keone Pearson Teases Statue-Esque Physique While Guest Posing Before 2023 Olympia
Keone Pearson is five weeks from taking to the stage in Texas. You can find clips from his latest guest posing session at the NPC Twin Cities Open below:
All three of these competitors are after the same thing: a ticket to the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia contest – the biggest bodybuilding show of the year. There is no point system now so athletes who intend to enter Mr. Olympia must win a pro event. This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia will take place in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Having re-introduced deadlifts back into his workout routine, Labrada is optimistic about his chances in Texas, where he’s expected to face the reigning champion, Andrew Jacked. They actually competed against each other at Olympia last year with Hunter getting the upper hand.
Should Good Vito prove successful in getting an Olympia invite, many in the sport already see him as a promising threat. Top Men’s Open competitor Iain Valliere told Fouad Abiad during a recent Bro Chat Podcast that most athletes from North America are afraid to stand against Vito on stage.
Keone Pearson’s balance, muscularity, and symmetry have also gotten the attention of some big names in the sport, such as former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout. While Bannout thought Pearson had the tools to win the 2022 Olympia show, he ended the contest in sixth.
RELATED: Samson Dauda Shows Off Monstrous 327-Lb Physique Guest Posing at 2023 USA Fit Games
Time will tell if Hunter Labrada, Good Vito, and Keone Pearson earn invites. Regardless, fans are in store for some epic contests in the weeks to come as 2023 Olympia inches closer.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 3:36 PM EDT
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