Antoni Khadroui and Anand Arnold Withdraw from the 2023 Arnold Classic Wheelchair – Preview

Will “King Kong” Kelley be able to secure his sixth Arnold title?

Written By Tahir Malik

The Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH will host four men’s events at the 2023 Arnold Classic, including the Pro Wheelchair Championship scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023. Harold Kelley, a five-time Arnold Classic Wheelchair winner, will aim to secure his sixth Arnold title, while nine other men will attempt to follow in Gabriele Andriulli’s footsteps and upset Kelley to emerge victorious.

On March 1, 2023, Nick Scott, the founder and CEO of Wheelchair Bodybuilding, informed Colosseumstrength that Antoni Khadraoui and Anand Arnold withdrew from the 2023 Arnold Classic contest. Khadraoui withdrew due to travel issues that will prevent him from attending the event, while Arnold pulled out as a result of an undisclosed injury.

As a result, the initial 10-man roster was reduced to the following eight athletes listed in alphabetical order:

Arnold Classic Wheelchair Division Roster 2023

Woody Belfort
James Berger
Bradley Betts
Tim Caldwell
Dillon Depiazza
Tory Jones
Harold Kelly
Bryan Williams
Anand Arnold — withdrew
Antoni Khadraoui — withdrew

Jan Pasky-Jaquin, the first female IFBB Pro Wheelchair athlete, will be making a guest appearance as a poseur

Harold Kelley is a past champion of the event.

Harold Kelley has been the most successful athlete in the short history of the Wheelchair division, having won the Olympia championship and the Arnold Classic five times. However, at the 2022 Arnold Classic Pro Wheelchair show, he was defeated by Andriulli, which marked his first loss since he took third place in the 2014 Dallas Pro Wheelchair show, won by Nick Scott, who now heads the IFBB Pro League’s Wheelchair division.

After losing to Andriulli at the 2022 Arnold Classic Pro Wheelchair show, Harold Kelley sought revenge and achieved it by winning the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV. Andriulli finished in second place and is not included in the current lineup. Many are expecting Kelley to win his sixth title and maintain his position as the top athlete in the division.

Antoni Khadroui

Apart from Harold Kelley, Antoni Khadroui from Algeria was the highest-placing finisher in the 2022 Wheelchair Olympia, securing the third position. In the 2022 Arnold Classic UK contest, Khadroui was the runner-up to Gabriele Anduilli. He has won the 2018 Toronto Pro Supershow title and was placed fifth in the 2017 Arnold Classic and seventh in the 2018 Arnold Classic.

Anand Arnold

Anand Arnold was expected to make his second appearance at the Arnold Classic in 2023. He had previously placed third in this contest in 2019 and had also participated in the Olympia twice. In the 2018 Olympia, he was the runner-up to Harold Kelley, but his ranking dropped to 12th place in 2022.

Athletes Expected to be Strong Contenders in the Upcoming Event

The following athletes have previously challenged Kelley and are expected to be strong contenders for the upcoming event:

Woody Belfort

Woody Belfort, who earned his pro status at the 2022 Toronto Pro Qualifier sanctioned by the Canadian Physique Alliance (CPA), is entering his second season as a pro. He earned his 2022 Olympia qualification by winning the Toronto Pro Supershow unopposed the next day.

Despite competing with several veterans in the show, Belfort surprised everyone by finishing in sixth place. This will be his first appearance at the Arnold Classic as a pro competitor.

Bradley Betts

Bradley Betts, the 2019 NPC National Wheelchair champion, finished in third place at the 2022 Arnold Classic Wheelchair. He had momentum going into the 2022 Olympia due to his win in Dallas, but his ranking dropped to 10th place in that event. Betts will be making his third consecutive appearance at the Arnold Classic in 2023. He had previously placed third in 2020, and the event did not take place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tory Jones

Tory Jones followed a similar path to the 2022 Olympia as Belfort did. Jones won the CPA Toronto Pro Qualifier in 2021 and the Toronto Pro Supershow the next day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic regulations, Jones’ qualification applied to the 2022 Olympia, where he finished in eighth place. He will make his debut in the Arnold Pro Wheelchair show in 2023, aiming to win the competition.

Dark Horses

Although they may not be the most favored contenders to dethrone Kelley due to their lack of experience, there is a possibility that they might emerge as surprise winners.

James Berger

Berger, who has been competing in amateur contests since 2013, will be making his pro debut in the Arnold Classic Wheelchair division. He secured his IFBB Pro League status by clinching the 2022 NPC Wheelchair National title. Based on his physique, which looks impressive in side and back shots, he may have an advantage in those poses and impress the judges.

Tim Caldwell

Caldwell earned his IFBB Pro League status by winning the Wheelchair Nationals in 2022, and he will be making his pro debut at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Despite being an Over 40 Masters competitor, Caldwell has been competing as an amateur since 2016 and has shown consistency in his performances over the years. It will be interesting to see how he performs on the pro stage against more experienced competitors.

Dillon Depiazza

Depiazza, a first-time pro competitor, earned his pro status at the 2021 Wheelchair Nationals but didn’t compete in the 2022 season. His physique is accentuated by his wide lats, which give him an advantage in poses like the front double biceps.

Bryan Williams

Williams is a relatively unknown competitor in the upcoming Arnold Classic Wheelchair contest. He earned his pro status at the NPC Wheelchair Nationals in 2014 but has not competed professionally until now. Despite his lack of experience, Williams could surprise the field with a refined physique that has not been seen on a competitive stage for nine years.

Fans who wish to watch the Arnold Classic Wheelchair contest and all seven IFBB Pro League shows during the Arnold Classic weekend can purchase the pay-per-view on the Arnold Sports website through Fanmio. The event will be part of the 2023 Arnold Expo held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Expo tickets serve as entries for the contest, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Courtesy image @haroldkelley071 (Instagram)