Arnold Classic 2023: Results, Prize Money, Surprises, & Pro Analysis
The 35th Annual Arnold Classic championships took place on March 2-5, 2023 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. After an initial weak line-up coming only 11 weeks after the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition, the competition turned out to be one of the best Arnold Classic competitions in years, especially after the prize money was raised to $300,000 for Open Division first place.
Pro Wheelchair
After losing the title last year, 5x winner Harold “King Kong” Kelley was back to win his sixth Arnold Classic Wheelchair division title. Last year’s winner, Gabriele Andriulli, was not competing this year which left the door wide open for Kelley to win an unprecedented sixth title. Kelley is also the reigning Olympia Wheelchair champion.
Second place went to Tory Jones with Bradley Betts in third place. Woody Belfort landed in fourth place followed by James Berger in fifth and Tim Caldwell in the sixth place position.
Wellness International
Kassandra Gillis was the surprise winner of the 2023 Wellness International at the Arnold Classic. Kassandra was fourth at the Wellness Olympia last year so she defeated top contender Angela Borges for this title. Last year’s Wellness International champion Isabelle Nunes was not competing this year at the Arnold.
2nd: Angela Borges looked like the front runner at the beginning of the prejudging but she was pushed back to the runner up position after several comparisons with Gillis. Borges placed third at the Wellness Olympia last year, beating Gillis who was fourth so this was an upset.
3rd: Rayane Fogal took the third place spot at the 2023 Wellness International. Rayane was in fifth at the Wellness Olympia in December so she is moving up the ladder with her third place finish here.
4th place went to new competitor Alexis Adams who did very well competing in her first Arnold Classic. 5th place was awarded to Marissa Andrews followed by 6th place Andrea Hrenko.
Results & Prizes:
- Winner — Kassandra Gillis, $7,000
- Angela Borges, $4,000
- Rayane Fogel, $3,000
- Alexis Adams, $2,000
- Marissa Andrews , $1,000
- Andrea Hrenko, $1,000
Men’s Physique
Reigning Men’s Physique Olympia champion Erin Banks won his second consecutive Arnold Classic title this year. Banks is on a roll, showing his recent dominance by winning the top two titles in the Men’s Physique division and doing it quite decisively. He is much taller with a flowing symmetry combined with impressive muscle size in the right places and this seems to be the winning formula for the ideal Men’s Physique competitor.
2nd: Diogo Montenegro moved up from third place last year to the runner-up spot at this year’s Arnold Classic. Diogo has excellent conditioning and good muscle size and he improved on his physique from last year.
Emanual Hunter dropped down to third place this year after his second place a year ago. Emanual didn’t display the sharp conditioning from last year.
Vitor Chaves was in fourth place with massive Carlos DeOliveria in fifth place in this division.
Results & Prizes:
- Erin Banks, $10,000
- Diogo Montenegro, $6000
- Emanual Hunter, $4000
- Vitor Chaves, $3000
- Carlos DeOliveira, $1500
- Edvan Ferreira Palmeira, $1500
Bikini International
Top professional Bikini competitor Lauralie Chapados won a convincing victory at the Bikini International. Lauralie has been fighting for that top position, taking 3rd at the 2021 Arnold Classic Bikini International and second at the Bikini Olympia three weeks later. Chapados embodies the lean, athletic look and the sexy bikini curves together and the judges rewarded her for it at this contest.
2nd: Maureen Blanquisco was a surprise second place. Maureen is the reigning Bikini Olympia champion and was hoping to add the Bikini International title to her resume at this contest. Like Lauralie, she displayed the right combination of full curves and conditioning but she was beat for the title this night by the excellent physique of Lauralie.
3rd: Jennifer Dorie, 2021 Bikini Olympia champion, took third place in this tough line-up. Jennifer was in second place at last year’s Bikini Olympia so she was looking for redemption at this contest but she was again defeated by Blanquisco and Lauralie. These three competitors are the leading contenders going into the Bikini Olympia later this year.
4th: The most winning IFBB professional of all the categories, Ashley Kaltwasser, was a strong fourth place with her excellent conditioning. Romina Basualdo moved up in the rankings to take fifth place at this contest.
Results & Prizes:
- Lauralie Chapados, $10,000
- Maureen Blanquisco, $6,000
- Jennifer Dorie, $4,000
- Ashley Kaltwasser, $3,000
- Romina Basualdo, $1,500
- Ivanna Escandar, $1,500
Fitness International
Ariel Khadr won her second consecutive Fitness International title at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Ariel was coming off a disappointing third place finish at the Fitness Olympia in December so this win was a sweet victory and it establishes her as one of the top competitors for the Fitness Olympia in 2023. Ariel performed an excellent routine that showed innovation as well as incredible strength and aerial moves that put her ahead of the pack.
2nd: Jaclyn Baker was hoping to win her first Fitness International title after placing a strong second place at the Fitness Olympia but she had to settle for the runner-up spot again at this contest. She is one of the rising stars in this division and will be one of the top competitors at the Fitness Olympia.
3rd place went to Michelle Freda-Mensah with a very energetic routine, Allison Kramer took 4th place followed by Terra Plum in 5th.
Results & Prizes:
- Ariel Khadr, $25,000
- Jaclyn Baker, $13,000
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah, $8,000
- Allison Kramer, $5,000
- Terra Plum, $3,000
- Tiffany Chandler, $2,000
Classic Physique
The Classic Physique at the Arnold Classic this year only featured 7 competitors. Although missing top competitors like Chris Bumstead, Breon Ansley and last year’s winner Terrance Ruffin, this year’s event was still full of top talent including established competitors and some rising stars.
5th: Courage Opara – $4,000
Old School Labs Ambassador Courage made a comeback into the competition with a strong fifth place at the Arnold Classic. He was in the top 10 at the 2019 Classic Physique Olympia and was also in third place at this contest that same year. Courage has good proportions and is always an excellent poser.
4th: Mike Sommerfeld – $7,000
Mike is a rising star in the Classic Physique division. Hailing from Germany, Sommerfeld has a big frame with wide shoulders and a big ribcage which he uses effectively in his vacuum poses. He took a strong fifth place at the Classic Physique Olympia last year, beating out Terrance Ruffin. With some added muscle mass in the right places to his upper body, he will be a top contender at the Olympia this year.
3rd: Alex Cambronero – $20,000
Alex, 2021 Classic Physique champion at this competition, was back in the mix at this contest and finished in the top three. Alex has amazing shape with a small waist the perfect physique for this division. He was in top shape and he redeemed himself at this contest coming off his disappointing 9th place at the 2022 Classic Physique Olympia.
2nd: Urs Kalecinski – $30,000
Everyone was looking forward to the showdown between Urs and Ramon Rocha Querioz this year at the Arnold Classic. Moving up one spot from the third place he took a year ago at this contest, Urs showed the improvements to his physique with his top conditioning, incredible aesthetic shape and outstanding posing (he won the Best Poser award this year). At only 24 years old, Urs is one of the youngest competitors onstage and is sure to be a winner in this division soon.
1st: Ramon Rocha Querioz – $60,000
After taking second at this contest last year and then placing runner-up to Chris Bumstead at the 2022 Classic Physique Olympia, Ramon was the heavy favorite going into this contest and he did not disappoint. Showing outstanding conditioning and great muscle density and thickness, Ramon was the dominant winner of the 2023 Classic Physique at the Arnold Classic.
Ramon has so much muscle that it is a difficulty getting his weight down to the required limit for this division. The result this year was a look that was extremely ripped and conditioned. If he can bring this same look to the 2023 Classic Physique Olympia, we will be in for a treat with the great rematch with reigning champion Chris Bumstead.
Results & Prizes:
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz, $60,000
- Urs Kalecinski, $30,000
- Third Place — Alex Cambronero, $20,000
- Mike Sommerfield, $7,000
- Courage Opara, $4,000
- Junior Javorski, $2,000
Men’s Open Bodybuilding
This year’s Men’s Bodybuilding division at the Arnold Classic was one of the strongest line-ups in years. With four of the top contenders from the 2022 Mr. Olympia entering this show (including 2x Mr. Olympia Big Ramy), the excitement was palpable before the contest even began. Shaun Clarida, 2022 212 Olympia Champion, also decided to try his luck in the open division which made this contest even more exciting.
6th: Akim Williams – $12,500
Big Akim Williams was in excellent shape for his return to the Arnold Classic stage. Always one of the biggest competitors in the line-up, Akim just needs good conditioning to place high. He was out of the money at last years Mr. Olympia contest was this was a good comeback for Akim with a strong sixth place.
5th: Shaun Clarida – $20,000
What an amazing showing for 212 Olympia Champ Shaun Clarida. Nicknamed “The Giant Killer”, Shaun showed off his excellent physique in a field of competitors who out weighed him by nearly 100 pounds and stood much taller. Clarida’s combination of muscle density, excellent proportions, hardness and great stage presence make him stand out in any line-up. He commands attention not only with this physique but by radiating his desire out to the audience and judges with his great charisma onstage.
4th: Big Ramy – $37,500
2x Mr. Olympia champion Big Ramy was coming off a devastating fifth place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. He boldly announced that he would enter the Arnold Classic this year to make a statement that he was not finished yet. Looking much improved from the Olympia, Ramy was bigger and in better condition than last year. His wide frame takes up the stage and his incredibly massive quads have no equal. He still could have been harder and he should improve for the Mr. Olympia later this year but Big Ramy did well by his showing at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
3rd: Andrew Jacked – $70,000
Making his professional Arnold Classic debut, Andrew Jacked shocked the bodybuilding world with his amazing physique. One of the tallest competitors onstage, Andrew has amazing proportions with wide shoulders, a small tapered waist and great leg development. His conditioning for this contest was much improved over the Mr. Olympia where he took 8th place. Andrew’s incredible muscle separation and quality is some of the best in the sport and he looks like a future Mr. Olympia winner as he continues to add more muscle to his magnificent frame. Showing great confidence and personality onstage, Andrew also won the Ed Corney Best Poser award in a routine in which he showed off full splits from the front and back. What an exciting Arnold Classic debut for this promising new bodybuilder!
2nd: Nick Walker – $120,000
Nick Walker was hoping to add a second Arnold Classic win to his growing resume at this contest. Coming off a strong third place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Walker was in fantastic condition, even improved over his Olympia look. He showed more polish and hardness to his physique than ever before and he continues to improve with each contest. Nick Walker can be called Mr. Consistency for his reliable contest condition with each event he enters. His level of thickness and mass is some of the best in the professional ranks and he was also awarded with the Franco Columbu Most Muscular trophy on this night. Nick’s only weakness is his structure with his shorter legs and longer torso. He overcomes this by virtue of his incredible muscle mass and conditioning and also in the way he poses to disguise his structural flaws. He was very disappointed in second place and he should be even better for the Mr. Olympia later this year.
1st: Samson Dauda – $300,000
Samson Dauda wins his first Arnold Classic title in 2023 with a massive and proportionate physique that is one of the most dominating in the sport. Coming off a strong 6th place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Samson looked even bigger and more developed at this contest with improved conditioning. He stood out at the Friday night prejudging because of his proportions and size but his conditioning improved by Saturday night which allowed him to pull ahead of both Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked to win the title. Samson is also an excellent poser and his transitions and style onstage are a welcome addition to the pro bodybuilding stage. With a little more refinement and conditioning and some improvements to his back width, Samson will be one of the top contenders for the Mr. Olympia in 2023.
Results & Prizes:
- Samson Dauda, $300,000
- Nick Walker, $120,000
- Andrew Jacked, $70,000
- Big Ramy, $37,500
- Shaun Clarida, $20,000
- Akim Williams, $12,500
A Great Contest & Festival
Congratulations to all participants of the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival, especially the winners, runner-ups, and top place finishers. Special congrats to Ramon Rocha Querioz & Samson Dauda on their 1st place placings in the Classic Physique & Open Bodybuilding divisions.
That rounds up our recap of the contest. What was the biggest upset in your opinion? What can we look forward to at the next Arnold and Olympia? Drop a comment with any thoughts or questions.
Till next time, keep it Old School.
