Erin Banks Claims Victory in the 2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Competition
Erin Banks Secures Consecutive Victory in Columbus, OH at the 2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Competition
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The Arnold Classic Men’s Physique division saw the return of defending champion Erin Banks, who was also the reigning Olympia champion. Banks faced several challengers in his quest to retain his title.
The final round of the competition took place on March 4, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. Emmanual Hunter and Diogo Montenegro were among the competitors vying for the top spot.
Montenegro secured the second spot, while Hunter finished in third place. Banks emerged as the victor and defended his title, making him the second person to win the competition multiple times.
With his victory, Banks is halfway to achieving his goal of winning the Arnold Classic Men’s Physique title multiple times.
The full results of the competition are listed below.
2023 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Results
Banks has set his sights on successfully defending both the Arnold and Olympia titles for 2023, and he has already achieved half of his goal with this Arnold Classic win.
During the trophy presentation, promoter Arnold Schwarzenegger awarded Banks with his second trophy to match the one he received a year ago. The commentary team noted that what set Banks apart from the rest of the competitors was the fullness of his muscle bellies and the visible conditioning in his back shots.
The prejudging for the Arnold Classic Men’s Physique competition occurred earlier in the day at the Arnold Expo. During the finals, each competitor was introduced to the stage in front of a live and pay-per-view audience. When Banks stepped on stage, it was clear who the crowd was rooting for, as they cheered and applauded loudly. Banks’ routine, which lasted for 30 seconds, was met with even more applause and cheers from the audience. His goal was to join Andre Ferguson as the only other man to win the Arnold Classic Men’s Physique twice, with Ferguson having won three times in a row from 2018 to 2020.
Head judge Steve Weinberger placed the nine men in comparisons, ultimately grouping Banks, Montenegro, Hunter, and Vitor Chaves in the final group. The fact that Banks and Montenegro were positioned in the center of the group signaled that the title would go to one of them. Banks’ victory in Columbus, OH marks his continued success in elite contests and adds to his streak of wins. With his title defense at the 2023 Arnold Classic, Banks proves himself as the man to beat in the division.
Final Moments:
Courtesy Image @ Arnoldsports (Instagram)
