The 2023 Ben Weider Natural-Pro, held in Alexandria, Virginia from November 17-18, showcased nine bodybuilding divisions, including Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Open, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Figure, Fitness, Women’s Physique, and Wellness. This event served as a 2024 Mr. Olympia qualifier.
In the dynamic world of bodybuilding, the aftermath of the 2023 Mr. Olympia saw Derek Lunsford emerge as the new champion, while in Classic Physique, Chris Bumstead secured his fifth title defense, building a unique legacy. The Ben Weider Natural Pro witnessed the crowning of seven new champions, with only four titleholders retaining their positions.
Competitors at the 2023 Ben Weider Natural Pro not only vied for bragging rights but also aimed for potential qualification for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Dan Solomon, the organization’s president, disclosed that the next Olympia is scheduled for October.
2023 Ben Weider Natural-Pro Winners
| Division | Winner |
|---|---|
| Men’s Open | Eric Salazar |
| Men’s 212 | Keiva Bundy |
| Classic Physique | Han Jin Choi |
| Men’s Physique | Kadeem Hillman |
| Fitness | Michelle Gales |
| Figure | Shanice Abrams |
| Bikini | Brittany Shulman |
| Women’s Physique | Andrea Alonso |
| Wellness | Alisha Sturkie |
2023 Ben Weider Natural Pro Official Results Breakdown
Men’s Open
In the Men’s Open finals, Eric Salazar and Greg Grant engaged in a heated battle for the top spot. Their individual routines and conditioning stood out, showcasing excellence throughout the contest. Ultimately, Eric Salazar, the 2019 NPC USA Championships winner, emerged victorious, with Greg Grant securing the runner-up position.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Eric Salazar |
| Second Place | Greg Grant |
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Men’s 212 Bodybuilding
In the 212 Bodybuilding category, contenders showcased their skills, with Keiva Bundy vying for the top spot. Displaying remarkable detail and skillful posing, Bundy engaged in a close battle with Peter Boncardo. In the end, Keiva Bundy claimed the gold medal, while Peter Boncardo secured the second-place finish.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Keiva Bundy |
| Second Place | Peter Boncardo |
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Classic Physique
In the Classic Physique division, Lenny Wicks and Han Jin Choi engaged in a closely contested battle for the Ben Weider Natural Pro gold. Wicks’ impressive symmetry and conditioning demanded attention, setting the stage for a tight competition. Han Jin Choi, positioning himself as a strong contender, showcased completeness in his performance. Ultimately, it was Choi’s overall presentation that secured him the title, with Lenny Wicks finishing in second place and DeVon Causey claiming the third spot.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Han Jin Choi |
| Second Place | Lenny Wicks |
| Third Place | DeVon Causey |
| Fourth Place | Chuck Mauceri |
| Fifth Place | Jesse Valencia Jr. |
| Sixth Place | Kim Chan Young |
| Seventh Place | Jamie LeRoyce McTizic |
| Eighth Place | Stephen Webley |
| Ninth Place | John Puskarich |
| Tenth Place | Guifeng Xu |
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Men’s Physique
In the Men’s Physique category, Kadeem Hillman and Chien-Hsin Chen aimed to establish themselves as frontrunners, pushing each other throughout the prejudging rounds. Hillman secured a significant victory, showcasing impressive back shots and overall shape and symmetry. Chien-Hsin Chen claimed the second spot, while Torre Washington earned the third-place finish.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Kadeem Hillman |
| Second Place | Chien-Hsin Chen |
| Third Place | Torre Washington |
| Fourth Place | Cedric Miller |
| Fifth Place | Tyler James |
| Sixth Place | Jamar Watkins |
| Seventh Place | Ikenna Amaliri |
| Eighth Place | Darnell Chatman |
| Ninth Place | Hyung Jae Woo |
| Tenth Place | Toby Owen |
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Fitness
Competitors in the Fitness category delivered their best performances this weekend. Andrea Glass and Michelle Gales emerged as strong contenders for the title during prejudging and finals. Their athleticism and finesse on stage were notable, particularly in their routines. In the end, Michelle Gales claimed the first-place position, with Andrea Glass securing second and Abby Bolton taking the third spot.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Michelle Gales |
| Second Place | Andrea Glass |
| Third Place | Abby Bolton |
| Fourth Place | Ashley Downes |
| Fifth Place | Aurika Tyrgale |
| Sixth Place | Rosie Burr |
| Seventh Place | Ellie Ambs |
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Figure
The Figure category showcased athletes presenting outstanding combinations of conditioning and shape on stage this weekend. Competing for cash prizes and the gold, Shanice Abrams delivered a fantastic package, emphasizing detail and fullness. Rose Black also captured the judges’ attention, with a closer examination of her physique during the finals. Ultimately, Shanice Abrams secured the first-place position, followed by Rose Black in second place and Florencia Hunt in third.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Shanice Abrams |
| Second Place | Rose Black |
| Third Place | Florencia Hunt |
| Fourth Place | Shea Crotty |
| Fifth Place | Chelsea Mooney |
| Sixth Place | Jennifer Johnson |
| Seventh Place | Amy Harris Willock |
| Eighth Place | Dekel Quant |
| Ninth Place | Rebecca Coons |
| Tenth Place | Michelle Soares |
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Bikini
The Bikini category witnessed a fierce battle between Brittany Shulman and Lizzy Cunningham during both prejudging and finals. The competitors showcased exceptional proportions, shape, and aesthetics in one of the most competitive divisions. In the end, the judges awarded Brittany Shulman the first-place position, while Lizzy Cunningham and Toniesha Gaddis secured the second and third spots, respectively.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Brittany Shulman |
| Second Place | Lizzy Cunningham |
| Third Place | Toniesha Gaddis |
| Fourth Place | Africa Sanz |
| Fifth Place | Emily Olivia Harper Hemming |
| Sixth Place | Jennifer Lynch |
| Seventh Place | Noel Zayour |
| Eighth Place | Flora Wang |
| Ninth Place | Shaneeka Harmonson |
| Tenth Place | Janine Herrera |
Women’s Physique
Lee Ann Thompson and Andrea Alonso commanded attention throughout the competition with their impressive looks in the Women’s Physique category. Alonso’s muscularity and slender waist were undeniable for the judges, while Thompson showcased great posing and side detail. Following several comparisons and a thrilling pose down, Andrea Alonso claimed the first-place position. Lee Ann Thompson and Samantha Every secured the second and third spots, respectively.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Andrea Alonso |
| Second Place | Lee Ann Thompson |
| Third Place | Samantha Every |
| Fourth Place | Janessa Roy |
| Fifth Place | Jehina Malik |
Wellness
In the Wellness category, Alisha Sturkie and Carie Bradshaw competed for the gold with eye-catching lower bodies. Bradshaw displayed fullness with adequate density, seemingly bringing her best package to date. Sturkie, also showing improvements from her last outing, engaged in an entertaining on-stage showdown. In the end, Alisha Sturkie claimed the gold medal, with Carie Bradshaw securing the second-place position and Maria Rita Penteado finishing in third.
| Place | Competitor |
|---|---|
| Winner | Alisha Sturkie |
| Second Place | Carie Bradshaw |
| Third Place | Maria Rita Penteado |
| Fourth Place | Cara Schorn |
| Fifth Place | Mizel Cataquiz |
| Sixth Place | Dalila Kindermann |
| Seventh Place | Katharine Yu Huimin |
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2023 Ben Weider Natural Pro Official Scorecards
Colosseum Strength extends heartfelt congratulations to the winners for their remarkable victories this weekend!
Overview
The 2023 Ben Weider Natural-Pro in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 17-18, featured nine bodybuilding divisions, serving as a 2024 Mr. Olympia qualifier. Post-2023 Mr. Olympia, seven new champions emerged across Men’s Open, Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Fitness, Figure, Bikini, Women’s Physique, and Wellness categories.
Featured Image @gilcoproductions, @npconlineofficialpage (Instagram)
