The top names in the fitness industry from the past year
The 2023 bodybuilding season was certainly packed with some close competitions, unexpected upsets, and standout moments that gave fans plenty to talk about, both good and bad, over the last year. Aside from that, there also were plenty of continuing victories and new faces that have emerged as household names over the last 12 months, showing that the industry is still continuing to grow. That being said, the Generation Iron team has gathered up the best bodybuilders of 2023 that really stood out to us.
The list of best bodybuilders of 2023 is in no particular order, only divided up by the category that they fall under. Without further ado, let’s dive into each of these bodybuilders and their accomplishments.
The Best Bodybuilders of 2023
- Men’s Open: Derek Lunsford
- Classic Physique: Chris Bumstead
- Men’s 212: Keone Pearson
- Men’s Physique: Ryan Terry
- Ms. Olympia: Andrea Shaw
- Women’s Physique: Sarah Villegas
- Figure: Cydney Gillon
- Fitness: Oksana Grishina
- Fitness Influencer: Sam Sulek
Derek Lunsford
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A new Mr. Olympia winner being crowned is always a big deal, but Derek Lunsford went a step further. He ended up becoming the first-ever two-division winner, having the title in both 212 division and now Men’s Open. Back in 2021, Lunsford dethroned then-reigning Olympia 212 champ, Shaun Clarida, to win that title for the first time. Lunsford received the special invite to the Olympia in 2022, but lost to Hadi Choopan. Then this year, Lunsford had dethroned the champ, Hadi Choopan, who looked as good as ever.
Chris Bumstead
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Chris Bumstead was the favored Classic Physique Olympia contender, and he unsurprisingly took home his fifth consecutive title in the division in November of 2023. However, even though he was favored, Bumstead was up against an absolutely stacked roster for this victory, going up against some of the top names in the division such as Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and Breon Ansley who came in as good as ever, but they still couldn’t take down Bumstead.
Aside from that, Chris Bumstead’s social media presence has grown more than ever, with all different generations looking up to him, and he is someone that has remained humble despite his incredible fame.
Keone Pearson
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It was quite the year for Keone Pearson, a former Classic Physique competitor. After switching from Classic to 212, Keone Pearson was having a hard time even getting close to the Olympia title, taking home as much as a 14th placing. However, in 2023, Pearson won the Texas Pro, qualifying for the Olympia. He then went on to beat out Shaun Clarida and win the Olympia, in a shocking victory that caused a lot of controversy amongst the fans.
Ryan Terry
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Ryan Terry is one of the veterans of the Men’s Physique division, and up until 2023 he had never had an Olympia win, which left many fans and experts assuming that his window of opportunity to win the Olympia had closed. However, the United Kingdom resident never gave up, winning the 2023 New York Pro, which qualified him for the 2023 Olympia. As a result, Ryan Terry is now forever a holder of an Olympia title.
Andrea Shaw
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MUTANT athlete Andrea Shaw went into 2023 looking to defend two different titles, Rising Phoenix World Championship and Ms. Olympia. Shaw had already won each show for the past three years, and she wanted a four-peat, which she did, and made it look easy. Shaw defended her Rising Phoenix title in September, and then less than 8 weeks later she took home her fourth Olympia win. It is not easy to stay in prep like that and peak twice within two months.
Angela Yeo came in second, right behind Andrea Shaw in both Rising Phoenix and Ms. Olympia. That being said, Yeo appears to be the biggest threat to dethrone Shaw in 2024. However, it is to argue that Shaw won’t be the favorite going into any contest she enters with the impressive resume she has built.
Sarah Villegas
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Sarah Villegas took home the Women’s Figure title at the Mr. Olympia yet again, after being dethroned last year by Natalia Abraham Coelho. During the prejudging, it was evident that Villegas was looking to take home the title, and that she did!
Cydney Gillon
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When you look at the list of bodybuilders who have won seven or more Olympia titles, is a short one. For example, the people on the list include Phil Heath and Arnold Schwarzenegger with seven Mr. Olympia titles each. Then you have Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney tied with eight wins a piece. Those are the men. When it comes to the women’s Olympia, there are only three who hold seven or more titles: ten-time Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle, eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray, and now seven-time Figure Olympia champion Cydney Gillon.
Gillon is a legend in bodybuilding after showing how dominant she can be over the stage, and with the 2023 win, she only solidified her legacy even more. It is impossible to predict the future, but based on how Gillon came in this year, it seems she has no signs of slowing down, and therefore next year competitors will be competing for second place.
Oksana Grishina
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After the prejudging at the 2023 Fitness Olympia, it seemed like Missy Truscott was the one who would be emerging as the victor. It was truly a stacked class, with others such as Ariel Khadr and Whitnery Jones putting on an impressive display. However, in the end, Oksana Grishina took home the Fitness crown, automatically qualifying her for the 2024 Olympia.
Sam Sulek
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Though he has not stepped on stage and competed, Sam Sulek has become one of the most popular names in the fitness industry this past year. He is well known for his massive physique with incredible definition, interesting diet, and some intense workouts. Aside from that, the college student is someone who seems to truly love training, and does not just do it for a paycheck or to be “influential”. Watching Sam Sulek videos feels like you are just watching someone document their own fitness journey, rather than pushing products, as he goes into the gym, trains, and heads home to eat; it is a simple life.
That being said, fans of fitness have rallied behind Sulek, putting him up on a pedestal and truly growing his following to incredible numbers. Though he receives a lot of backlash for his alleged steroid use, Sulek still continues to do his thing, just lifting and improving himself.
Best Bodybuilders Wrap Up
That’s a wrap on our list of the best bodybuilders of 2023! All of that being said, there are plenty of different faces in the fitness industry, both rookies and veterans, that have had quite the year. We are excited to see what the New Year brings these athletes and the industry as a whole.
Who are your favorite bodybuilders of 2023?
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