Ramon Rocha Queiroz emerged as the fifth Arnold Classic Physique champion at the 35th Arnold Sports Festival, held from March 2-5 in Columbus, OH. This edition of the show was the largest and most exciting to date, and after an intense competition, Rocha Queiroz emerged as the clear winner.
The 2023 Arnold Classic’s Classic Physique division was a highly anticipated event, particularly with reigning champion Terrence Ruffin not participating. Fans were expecting a fierce competition, and that is precisely what they got. The contestants fought hard to outdo each other, but it was a challenging battle.
All seven Arnold Classic Physique contestants brought their best to the stage, aiming to stand out from the rest of the field. Despite their valiant efforts, however, none could match the Brazilian bodybuilder Ramon Rocha Queiroz. Rocha Queiroz put on an impressive performance and emerged as the deserving winner of the competition.
The Arnold Classic Physique division holds a special place in bodybuilding competitions, offering the second-highest prize money of $60,000, which is 20 percent more than the prize money awarded to the Classic Physique Olympia champion.
With the reigning champion Ruffin not competing and former champ Ansley retiring, the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique presented an opportunity for rising stars. Despite the presence of 2020 champ Cambronero, Ramon emerged victorious.
Ramon Rocha and Urs Kalecinski were considered favorites going into the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique after earning silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2022 Classic Physique Olympia. Their performances in the 2022 Mr. Olympia were a repeat of the 2022 Arnold Classic.Ramon Dino’s impressive physique allowed him to dominate the Arnold Classic Physique division at the 35th Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH. Despite tough competition, Ramon emerged as the clear winner, showcasing his hard work and dedication to the sport.
Pre-Judging stage of the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique competition
First Callout at the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique competition
Arnold Classic Physique competitors brought their A-game to the stage, putting on a spectacular show for the audience. They showed off their toned and sculpted physiques, proving their dedication to the sport. Even though the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique lineup wasn’t too deep, each contestant tried their best to stand out from the rest.
The pre-judging round was particularly intense, with each bodybuilder giving their all to impress the judges. Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, Alex Cambronero, and Mike Sommerfeld caught the judges’ attention and were called out for the first round. This made them the favorites to win the Arnold Classic Physique trophy and the winner’s cheque.
The competition was stiff, and each of the four contestants had an impressive physique. They had worked tirelessly to get to this point, and it showed in their performances. The judges had their work cut out for them, as all four competitors brought their best to the stage. The audience waited with bated breath to see who would come out on top.
Grand finale Knockout
The evening schedule of the Classic Physique division was more exciting than the morning half. Each contestant got in better shape when they showed up for the finals, making the contest tighter.
Courage Opara had some of the biggest quads on the Classic Physique stage. He ended up with a fifth place at the 2023 AC.
Mike “The Bad Ass” Sommerfeld had a great physique. However, his upper body lacked definition compared to his lower body. Sommerfeld gained ground on his competing with his flawless posing routine. He had to settle for fourth place.
Cambronero had an incredibly defined physique and a tiny waist. He was one of the most proportionate physiques on the stage and had mind-boggling lines. The 2020 AC Classic Physique champ had the most defined back in the lineup. His X-frame made him stand out from the pack. He was fuller at the finals than the prejudging while holding onto his conditioning. It helped him lock in a third-place finish, a big improvement from his ninth-place finish at the 2022 Olympia.
Kalecinski’s V-taper is highly regarded in the bodybuilding world. His glutes and hamstring tie-ins were some of the best on the 2023 Arnold Classic Physique stage. Experts believe his overall shape is superior to Ramon’s, but he needs more time to develop his physique. Kalecinski stepped up his game during the posing round, incorporating breakdancing moves, earning him the best poser award and $10,000. Despite this, he had to settle for second place.
Ramon and Kalecinski battled it out during the final confirmation round, going through different poses multiple times, thrilling the audience.
Ramon’s conditioning was the best among the competitors. He was shredded to the core, putting him in the lead. The crowd went wild every time the Brazilian bodybuilder appeared on stage. Ramon brought his best package to the 2023 Arnold Classic, with improved conditioning compared to the 2022 edition. His lower body was incredibly conditioned, making him stand out from the rest of the field.
Winning Moments
Ramon Dino dominated the competition with his impressive size, conditioning, and balance, ultimately securing his victory at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Many believe that his performance makes him a top contender to challenge “CBum’s” Olympia throne at the 2023 Olympia, which is set to take place on November 2-5 in Orlando, FL.
Featured image @gilcoproductionsa (Instagram)
