Athletes to Look Out For As the 2022 Natural Bodybuilding Season Embarks

Natural Bodybuilding

INBA PNBA athletes to keep on your radar for the 2022 natural bodybuilding season.

The International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) 2022 season will be underway soon. As the upcoming natural bodybuilding shows approach, we want to share some of the top INBA PNBA athletes to watch. 

Athletes to Look Out For

Below we’ll cover the top INBA PNBA athletes competing this year.  

Paul Krueger 

Paul Krueger natural bodybuilding season

Of course, you’ll want to keep an eye on Paul Krueger. Paul Krueger was the Men’s Bodybuilding champ at 2021 Natural Olympia. He plans to win it all again at 2022 Natural Olympia. 

Philip Ricardo Jr. 

Philip Ricardo Jr. natural bodybuilding season

Philip Ricardo Jr. is a legend in the sport of natural bodybuilding. He’s won Natural Olympia on multiple occasions – 2019, 2015, 2008, and 2007 – and he’s the reigning champion of the Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters class. He also won a Harley-Davidson at last year’s Natural Olympia. 

Alondra Chatman

Alondra Chatman 2x reigning Natural Olympia champ

Alondra Chatman is the first woman to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA. And she’s a 2x Figure Open Natural Olympia champion, including this past year. 

Brandon Lirio

Brandon Lirio INBA PNBA champion

Brandon Lirio competes in the Classic Physique division, and he’s a 3x Natural Olympia champion, 2x World champion, 2x Natural Universe champion, and PNBA Hall of Fame Inductee. He was the silver medal winner at the 2021 Natural Olympia. 

Kayla Rowling 

Kayla Rowling 2x Bikini Divas Natural Olympia champ

Kayla Rowling is a 2x Natural Olympia Bikini Divas champ, including this past year. 

Derek Joe

Derek Joe 2021 Natural Olympia
Image via Instagram @djoe.hype

Derek Joe was the 2021 Classic Physique Natural Olympia champ. 

Marc Cheatham

Marc Cheatham wants to deadlift 500 lbs for reps

Marc Cheatham is a rising star who placed in the top six in his first Natural Olympia (2021). 

Arely Ayala

Arely Ayala Bikini Angels Natural Olympia 2021

Arely Ayala is the first international natural bodybuilder to sign a multi-media contract and was the 2021 Natural Olympia Bikini Angels champ. She also received a silver medal in the Bikini Divas category. 

Tamer Barakat

Tamer Barakat Vegan INBA PNBA Natural Bodybuilder

Tamer Barkat is the first vegan to sign a multi-media contract. He’s also one of the top Men’s Bodybuilding competitors, despite a 40-60 lbs weight disadvantage. Barakat placed in the top five of the Men’s Bodybuilding class at last year’s Natural Olympia and received second place in Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters. 

Peter Cichonski

Peter Cichonski signs multi-media contract

Peter Cichonski is a chiropractor and strongly believes in the power of the sun for your body. Cichonski placed well at Natural Olympia 2021, ranking in the top three in the Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters division. 

Other Athletes to Keep on Your Radar

Below are other athletes to pay attention to this upcoming season and their respective natural bodybuilding divisions. 

  • Jon Tsiu
    • Men’s Physique
  • Ken Ross (He will be competing in about 10 INBA PNBA competitions worldwide this year.)
    • Men’s Ink/Tattoo
  • Melanie Pfeifer 
    • Women’s Physique 
  • Andras Mate Gamori 
    • Men’s Classic Physique 
  • Matias Scopinaro 
    • Men’s Classic Physique 
  • Danairo Moore
    • Men’s Physique 
  • Perla Bueno 
    • Bikini (may switch to Wellness)
  • Dennis Davy 
    • Men’s Classic Physique
  • Brian Edwards 
    • Men’s Classic Physique 
  • Manny Menchaca 
    • Men’s Physique 
  • Irving Hernandez 
    • Men’s Physique 
  • Veronica Malloy 
    • Bikini Angels, Figure 
  • Michael Boyle
    • Men’s Bodybuilding Masters
  • Mirco Burger
    • Men’s Bodybuilding Masters
  • Rebekah Rasmussen
    • Bikini Divas Masters
  • Angelo Mastrangelo
    • Men’s Sport Model
  • Claire Burton
    • Women’s Physique Masters

Generation Iron wishes all INBA PNBA athletes good luck this year! We’re looking forward to reporting each show! 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get the latest results on all upcoming INBA PNBA events!

 

Terry Ramos
As a personal trainer and writer, Terry loves changing lives through coaching and the written word. Terry has a B.S. in Kinesiology and is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and ISSA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He enjoys playing music, reading, and watching films when he's not writing or training.