2023 Arnold Classic Announces Bodybuilding Rosters

By
Greg Patuto
-
Investment Bodybuilding

The full slate of bodybuilders competing were revealed on Friday.

The 2023 Arnold Classic will take place from March 2-5 in Columbus, OH. It has grown to include many divisions in bodybuilding and the full rosters have been announced. On Friday, the IFBB Pro League shared the full list of competitors in each division that will be present during the event.

Men’s Open

William Bonac highlights Men’s Open as a two-time Arnold Classic champion. He will be challenged by the likes of Shaun Clarida and Samson Dauda. Clarida will be making his Men’s Open debut at the event after regaining his title in 212 at the Olympia. As for Dauda, he is ready to prove that he can build a championship physique. Many were impressed with his performance on the biggest stage.

Classic Physique

Terrence Ruffin announced that he would sit out the 2023 Arnold Classic, which means there will be a new champion for the first time since 2020. Arnold Schwarzenegger has urged Chris Bumstead to take on the event but he has decided to skip another year. This leaves the door open for Ramon Rocha Queiroz, who will enter as the favorite after a great performance at the Olympia. He will be challenged by Urs Kalecinski and former champion Alex Cambronero.

  • Jason Brown
  • Alex Cambronero
  • Neil Currey
  • Urs Kalecinski
  • Kyrylo Khudaiev
  • Mehdi Larijani
  • Courage Opera
  • Ramon Rocha Queiroz
  • Mike Sommerfeld
  • Darwin Uribe

Men’s Physique

Erin Banks pulled off the feat of winning both the Arnold Classic and Olympia in 2022, marking his first victory in each and being the first male to do so last season. Emmanuel Hunter will return as the runner-up to Banks last season looking to take the crown. With Banks coming back to defend his title, he will be considered a heavy favorite.

  • Erin Banks
  • Ali Bilal
  • Vitor Chavez
  • Carlos DeOliveira
  • Juan Manuel Gomez
  • Emmanuel Hunter
  • Diogo Montenegro
  • Jahviar Mullings
  • Edvan Ferreira Palmeira
  • Antoine Weatherspoon

Bikini

This year’s Bikini lineup might be the best ever at the Arnold Classic. Lauralie Chapados will be back to defend her title against the last two Olympia champions — Jennifer dory (2021) and Maureen Blanquisco (2022). Dorie was also Crowne champion during the 2021 Arnold Classic. Ashley Kaltwasser is a three-time champ at the Olympia and also has two victories in Columbus.

  • Romina Basualdo
  • Maureen Blanquisco
  • Lauralie Chapados
  • Jennifer Dorie
  • Ivanna Escandar
  • Eli Fernandez
  • Phoebe Hagan
  • Ashley Kaltwasser
  • Ukachi Onyejiaka
  • India Paulina

Fitness

Fitness will be another division returning a champion with Ariel Khadr coming to defend her title from 2022. She followed it up with a third-place finish at the Olympia. Jaclyn Baker is also on the roster after a third-place finish last year and runner-up finish at the Olympia. Missy Truscott returned to the pinnacle during the Olympia but will not compete in Columbus. Oksana Grishina is another former champion to return in 2023.

  • Jaclyn Baker
  • Tiffany Chandler
  • Oksana Grishina
  • Ariel Khadr
  • Allison Kramer
  • Michelle Fredua-Mensah
  • Minna Pajulahti
  • Terra Plum
  • Kristin Pope
  • Tamara Vahn

Wellness

The Wellness competition appeared at the Arnold Classic for the first time in 2022, where Isabelle Nunes was crowned inaugural champ. She will return to defend her title in 2023. Angela Borges, runner-up last year, will also return in hopes of taking home the title.

  • Marissa Andrews
  • Sunny Andrews
  • Yarishna Ayala
  • Angela Borges
  • Julia Chitarra
  • Rayane Fogel
  • Kassandra Gillis
  • Andrea Hrenko
  • Giselle Machado
  • Isabelle Nunes

Pro Wheelchair

Harold Kelley remains at the top of Wheelchair bodybuilding as he won his fifth Olympia in December. Prior to that show, Gabriele Andruilli pulled off the upset during the Arnold Classic. This will be another matchup to watch between the two at the top of the division.

  • Gabriele Andriulli
  • Anand Arnold
  • Woody Belfort
  • James Berger
  • Bradley Betts
  • Tim Caldwell
  • Tory Jones
  • Harold Kelley
  • Antoni Khadraoui
  • Bryan Williams

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Greg Patuto
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.

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