The energy in Sofia, Bulgaria crackled as the 2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro took place on October 7. That night, Radoslav Angelov, Hasan Alibrahim, and Lena Ramsteiner rose to the top. In Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, and Figure, they each claimed victory and the spotlight.
Now, time is running out. With the Olympia qualification deadline looming on October 9, every win matters. In fact, a victory here secured one of the final tickets to the 2023 Mr. Olympia. The contest, held in Orlando from November 2–5, remains the sport’s most coveted stage.
This season has brought sweeping changes. Previously, athletes could accumulate points across shows. However, only a win counts this year. Therefore, the pressure has never been greater. The Balkan Grand Prix proved how much was at stake.
By the end of the night, the champions had etched their names in history. Notably, Angelov commanded the 212 stage with poise and power. Meanwhile, Alibrahim delivered a masterclass in Classic Physique. Finally, Ramsteiner’s commanding performance secured her place at Olympia.
2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show Winners
- Men’s 212 Bodybuilding: Radoslav Angelov
- Classic Physique: Hasan Alibrahim
- Figure: Lena Ramsteiner
2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show Official Results Breakdown
Men’s 212 Bodybuilding
Under Bulgaria’s electric night sky, the 2023 Balkan Grand Prix stage came alive. The energy surged as athletes battled for one of the final tickets to the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Right from prejudging, Radoslav Angelov stood out. His lower body detail and sharp back development demanded attention. Clearly, he was after redemption following a ninth-place finish at the 2023 Dubai Pro.
Still, Angelov wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Marco Ruz came in as the favorite. With his sharp conditioning and trademark structure, he posed a serious threat. Just weeks earlier, Ruz pushed Oleh Kryvyi to the limit at the 2023 Europa Pro. Because of that, fans saw him as the likely winner in Sofia.
However, Angelov delivered when it mattered most. His polish, presence, and physique earned him the nod from the judges. Meanwhile, Ruz held strong but came up short. He settled for second place despite an impressive effort. At the same time, Dobromir Deley captured third, holding off several close contenders.
Altogether, the contest added fresh drama to the Olympia season. With the qualification deadline fast approaching, every Pro show carried weight. Now, Angelov moves forward with momentum and a mission. He’ll join bodybuilding’s elite in Orlando this November. The road to Olympia just got more interesting.
- Winner — Radoslav Angelov
- Second Place — Marco Ruz
- Third Place — Dobromir Delev
- Fourth Place — Zhaofeng He
- Fifth Place — Mirnes Husanovic
- Sixth Place — Muhammet Kurutas
- Seventh Place — Mohammad Alissa
- Eighth Place — Ayat Najdbaghri
- Ninth Place — Gabor Berek
- Tenth Place — Reza Kakavand
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Classic Physique
As the Classic Physique competitors emerged, the atmosphere turned palpable. Every contender knew the stakes – an Olympia qualification was up for grabs. Among them, Hasan Alibrahim unmistakably stood out. Presenting perhaps the finest physique of his career, his deeply striated chest and shoulders, juxtaposed with intricate lower body detailing, commanded attention.
Not to be overshadowed, Zhivko Petkov’s entrance was marked by a sense of anticipation. Recognized for his artistic posing and a remarkable X-frame silhouette, Petkov’s stature often gives an illusion of dwarfing his competitors. Yet, memories of his 10th place finish at the 2023 T.R.U. Athlete Pro in August lingered, making his every move on stage even more consequential.
After a series of intense face-offs and comparisons, the decision was in: Hasan Alibrahim clinched the gold, underscoring his stellar presentation. Zhivko Petkov, with his undeniable artistry, secured the second spot, while Valeria Enchev rounded off the top three in this electrifying contest.
- Winner — Hasan Alibrahim
- Second Place — Zhivko Petkov
- Third Place — Valeri Enchev
- Fourth Place — Roberto Martinez Pizana
- Fifth Place — Ruben Lopez Reyes
- Sixth Place — Saverio Mangione
- Seventh Place — Karol Rogaczewski
- Eighth Place — Valentin Petrov
- Ninth Place — Denis Romanov
- Tenth Place — Alireza Aghayi Behjani
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Figure
The Figure category at the 2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show lit up the stage in Sofia. Each competitor stepped forward with precision, poise, and peak conditioning. As the spotlight hit, the athletes knew that only the very best would earn a place at the top.
First place belonged to Lena Ramsteiner. Her balance, symmetry, and sharp conditioning left no doubts in the judges’ minds. With each pose, she reinforced why she deserved to lead the pack.
In second, Paula Ranta delivered a standout performance. Her flow, stage presence, and overall shape kept her firmly in the running. Through every transition, she showed the discipline and poise of a seasoned professional.
Veronica Gallego rounded out the top three. Her look combined muscularity and aesthetics in perfect proportion. By the end of the night, she had firmly secured her spot among the division’s rising stars.
- Winner — Lena Ramsteiner
- Second Place — Paula Ranta
- Third Place — Veronica Gallego
- Fourth Place — Maria Wattel
- Fifth Place — Kristina Bodnariuk
- Sixth Place — Behnaz Nasrollahi Azar
- Seventh Place — Hannah Prause
- Eighth Place — Glynis Van Drunen
- Ninth Place — Katja Nowack
- Tenth Place — Snezhana Vlahova
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Bikini
- Nelly Stoyanova- Winner
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2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show Official Scorecards
Coming Soon!
And with that, the curtains fall on an unforgettable night in Bulgaria. The stage pulsed with energy, athleticism, and elite physiques from start to finish. As the applause fades, one truth remains clear—the 2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show delivered breathtaking performances.
From all of us at Colosseum Strength, congratulations to the deserving champions who rose above the rest. Their dedication and hard work shone through every pose and every moment on stage. These victories mark important milestones on their journeys.
Looking ahead, the Olympia stage now awaits, just weeks away and brimming with anticipation. The excitement is building for what promises to be an epic showdown among the world’s best athletes. The road to Olympia continues with fresh momentum.
To every athlete preparing for that final test, we send our best wishes. We’ll be watching, cheering, and celebrating every pose, every flex, and every triumph to come. The 2023 Olympia promises to be unforgettable.
Overview
In Sofia, Bulgaria, the 2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show unfolded on October 7, spotlighting fierce competition in Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Figure, and Bikini divisions. Notably, Radoslav Angelov, Hasan Alibrahim, and Lena Ramsteiner claimed top honors, while Nelly Stoyanova shone bright with a gold in Bikini. With the Olympia qualification deadline just days away, the stakes were high, and every athlete gave their all. Consequently, these victories secured tickets to the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando. As the night ended, the team at Colosseum Strength sent their best wishes to all champions preparing for the world’s biggest stage.
Featured Image – 2023 Balkan Grand Prix Pro Show Official Results and Scorecards (Live Coverage) – Credit: @Ifbbprobulgaria (Instagram)
