2023 Chicago Pro Bodybuilding Preview & How To Watch

July 20, 2023

How will it play out at the 2023 Chicago Pro this weekend?

The 2023 Chicago Pro will take place on Friday and Saturday in Tinsley, IL. The 10 divisions in bodybuilding will be on display over the course of two days with winners earning a spot in the 2023 Olympia. As usual, the Men’s Open division will highlight the show and will crown a new champion.

The Olympia qualification system has changed this year. If an athlete did not finish in the top three in the previous year, or top five in Men’s Open, they will have to win a show to qualify. The points qualification system is no more. Also, former winners of an Olympia title have lifetime eligibility.

Reigning champion Antoine Valliant will not appear in the competition to defend his title. As for other divisions, there will be two returning champions from 2022 looking to make it back-to-back.

Below, checkout a breakdown of the Men’s Open division, along with the full rosters from each division.

2023 Chicago Pro: Men’s Open Roster & Breakdown

Blessing Awodibu
Stephen Daniels
Jonathan DeLaRosa
Eiren Gauley
Matt Kouba
Stan de Longeaux
Emmanuel Longoria
Patrick Moore
Erik Ramirez
Justin Shier

Blessing Awodibu

Awodibu will make his first appearance on stage since the 2022 Olympia, where he did not turn in his best performance. He will look to qualify for the 2023 rendition by showing off improvements to his physique. Awodibu was victorious during the Indy Pro and New York Pro in 2022. At the biggest show of the year, Awodibu did not show off the right conditioning and that has been his focus.

Awodibu was expected to make an appearance at the Arnold Classic but backed out late due to a quad injury. Now, he will make his return and expects to be at his best to qualify for the Olympia.

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Stan de Longeaux

Stan de Longeaux will waste no time getting back on stage. He is coming off a second-place finish at the Vancouver Pro just last weekend. Longeaux, who was bested by Hassan Mostafa, showed off an impressive physique that will likely have him in line for a title once again.Longeaux looks like he is building his best physique ever to this point in terms of symmetry and conditioning.

Last season, Stanimal finished fourth during the 2022 Legion Sports Fest Pro. If he is able to win this show, he will punch his ticket to the Olympia for the first time since 2019.

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Patrick Moore

There have been talks about Patrick Moore making the move to Classic Physique but for now, he remains in Men’s Open and will look to punch his ticket to the Olympia. Moore competed at the Arnold Classic and finished 10th in what turned out to be a loaded lineup. Since then, he has been preparing his physique for Chicago. Moore has incredible size and conditioning. If he comes in even and well-balanced, he could be viewed as a dark-horse contender over the weekend.

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How To Watch The 2023 Chicago Pro

For those who are not in the Chicago area to watch the bodybuilding competition, the entire event can be streamed live via the official Tim Gardner Productions website. The live stream will run both on Friday and Saturday.

Each night contains it’s own PPV option. Friday night’s stream can be purchased for $34.99 and Saturday night’s stream can be purchased for $39.99.

2023 Chicago Pro: Full Rosters

Antoine Valliant might not be making an appearance to defend his Men’s Open title but there will be two reigning champs in attendance. Nick Koeu was crowned champion in Men’s Physique last year while Sara Kovach will defend her Fitness title

Below, checkout the full rosters from all divisions of the Chicago Pro.