The 2023 Arnold Classic, scheduled between Mar. 2-3 in Columbus, OH, was full of surprises. Lauralie Chapados wins the 2023 AC Bikini International title, making her only the second athlete to win multiple Arnold Bikini International titles.
Chapados entered the 2022 Olympia as the favorite to dethrone Jennifer Dorie. The Canadian, however, ended up taking the fifth spot. She returned to 2023 AC for redemption, and it’d be an understatement to say that she delivered.
Chapados’s win at the 2023 Arnold Classic completely changes the dynamics of the division.
The Bikini division at the 2023 Arnold Classic had the most stacked lineup in the show. We had three Bikini Olympia champs — Dorrie, Ashley Kaltwasser, and Maureen Blanquisco — compete for the AC trophy. Dorrie is a former Arnold Classic champ who won the title in 2021, whereas Kaltwasser is a two-time AC champ (2014 and 2015). On the other hand, the 2022 Olympia champ Blanquisco came into the show with momentum behind her to pick up her maiden Arnold Classic title.
Dorie and Kaltwasser were among the frontrunners for the AC Bikini International throne and had placed at the second and third spot behind Blanquisco at the 2022 Olympia. Although each Bikini girl showed up in crisp shape, it wasn’t enough to hold Chapados from winning her second Arnold Classic title.
Prejudging
The Bikini girls kicked off the second day of the 35th edition of the Arnold Classic, and it’d be safe to say they set the stage on fire.
Chapados led the charge with the individual callouts and came in with her signature conditioning and tiny waist. Her proportions were dialed in, and she had bested her figure from the 2022 AC.
Kaltwasser is the winnigest IFBB Pro. She has more Pro show wins than any other athlete, including the men’s divisions. Her experience shows on stage, as she knows how to display her figure in its full glory.
Dorie’s lower body is the most proportionate in the division. She stepped on the 2023 AC stage with a vengeance. Winning the Bikini International title would make her the biggest threat to Blanquisco’s Bikini Olympia title at the 2023 Mr. O, scheduled for Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, FL.
Blanquisco, however, had plans of her own and had improved her physique from the 2022 Olympia. The Norwegian athlete brought her best package to the AC stage. Her confidence at the 2023 AC was through the roof.
As expected, Chapados, Dorie, Blanquisco, and Kaltwasser made the first callout. The same girls were also in the final callout, making them the frontrunners for winning the 2023 Arnold Classic Bikini International.
Finals
Chapados, Dorie, Blanquisco, and Kaltwasser made the final callout in the confirmation round. Each contestant had a unique figure, and there was a lot of diversity in the physiques in the top four.
Chapados was much fuller from the Olympia and slightly more conditioned from the prejudging round later in the evening. She knew she had it under control from the moment she stepped on the stage. She brought the hammer down hard, winning her second AC title.
Kaltwasswer is one of the most consistent athletes in the IFBB Pro League. She also was one of the most conditioned athletes at the AC finals. Kaltwasswer finished fourth at the 2023 AC.
Dorie brought a bigger and fuller package than the 2022 Olympia. She took home the bronze medal at the 2023 AC.
Blanquisco brought the healthier, rounder physique back to the Bikini division. The Norwegian is one of the shorter figures that is very well-balanced, and she improved on her conditioning from the Olympia, solidifying her contention for the 2023 AC title. However, she had to settle for a silver medal.
Wrapping Up
The 2023 Arnold Classic Bikini International outcome has sent the division into a frenzy. It has established Chapados as the honcho of the division. Chapados’s win also sends a clear signal to the athletes in the division about the direction the IFBB Pro League judges want the division to head toward.
Will Blanquisco hoist her second Bikini Olympia title when the Super Bowl of bodybuilding returns to the sunshine state in November, or will we see a new and 11th Bikini Olympia champ crowned in Florida? Only time will tell.
2023 Arnold Classic Results
Day One
Day Two
- Arnold Classic Open Bodybuilding Results
- Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Results
- Arnold Classic Bikini Results
- Arnold Classic Pro Wheelchair
Catch full coverage of the 2023 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analysis, and final and full results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
Published: 4 March, 2023 | 10:30 PM EDT
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