Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov Exits Pittsburgh Pro After Suffering Lat Injury

IFBB Men’s Open bodybuilder Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. Then, he confirmed the event was set for May 10–11 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Moreover, his absence shifts expectations for one of the sport’s most anticipated lineups.

Next, Ugolnikov revealed he suffered a right lat injury during training. Consequently, the injury limited his ability to perform mandatory poses. Additionally, it forced him to scale back his preparations. Therefore, he made the difficult decision to pull out of the show.

Afterward, on May 8, Ugolnikov shared photos and details of the injury on Instagram. In addition, he expressed frustration over the timing. Still, he thanked fans for their support and promised to return stronger.

Finally, Ugolnikov said his sights are now set on the 2025 Mr. Olympia. Indeed, he remains focused on healing and regaining peak form. Overall, he hopes to take the Olympia stage fully recovered later this year.

“It’s with great sadness that I announce I will not be participating in the Pittsburgh Pro championship due to a major back muscle injury I suffered about a week ago and did not report before,” Ugolnikov wrote in the caption of his Instagram post. “Trying to alleviate the symptoms by preparing my body for the championship following a strict routine.”

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Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov Out of Pittsburgh Pro With Injury

Ugolnikov confirmed that the lat tear was not a complete rupture. Still, the injury is serious and requires careful attention. However, he remains optimistic about making a full recovery.

Meanwhile, he has shifted focus toward long-term goals. Specifically, he intends to compete at the 2025 Mr. Olympia. That contest is scheduled for Oct. 9–12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“This is not a complete rupture of the muscles in the back, but a minor rupture of muscle fibers,” Ugolnikov confirmed. “One month from now, I’ll return to my training routine. Thank you to everyone who supported me.”

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Ugolnikov is already qualified for the 2025 Mr. Olympia. He earned that spot by winning the 2025 Arnold South America in São Paulo, Brazil, on April 5.

At the time of this writing, he is one of just 11 athletes qualified for the Olympia stage. That fact makes his withdrawal from the Pittsburgh Pro even more notable.

Originally, Ugolnikov hoped to make history in Pittsburgh. For the first time, the event included a professional Men’s Open division rather than guest posing appearances.

Notably, the winner of the show will receive $100,000. That prize is the third-largest in bodybuilding, trailing only the Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic.

2025 Pittsburgh Pro Men’s Open Roster

With Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov’s withdrawal, 14 athletes are now set to compete for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro Men’s Open title. The roster includes top names like Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Martin Fitzwater, William Bonac, and Michal “Krizo” Krizanek, among others.

Full Lineup:

Joe Ballinger 🇬🇧 (UK)
Pavel Beran 🇨🇿 (Czech Republic)
William Bonac 🇳🇱 (Netherlands)
Douglas Connor 🇺🇸 (USA)
Marcelo Pedro Da Cruz 🇧🇷 (Brazil)
Martin Fitzwater 🇺🇸 (USA)
Ron Gordon 🇺🇸 (USA)
Michal Krizanek 🇸🇰 (Slovakia)
Derek Lunsford 🇺🇸 (USA)
Vincenzo Masone 🇺🇸 (USA)
Justin Musiol 🇩🇪 (Germany)
Leandro Sencini Peres 🇧🇷 (Brazil)
Nicholas Walker 🇺🇸 (USA)
Bartley Weaver IV 🇺🇸 (USA)

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Overview

Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov withdrew from the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro after suffering a right lat injury during training. As a result, the injury limited his ability to perform mandatory poses, forcing him to scale back his preparation. However, the lat tear wasn’t a complete rupture, and Ugolnikov remains optimistic about his recovery. Moving forward, he plans to compete in the 2025 Mr. Olympia in October, for which he is already qualified due to his victory at the 2025 Arnold South America. Despite this setback, Ugolnikov had hoped to make history at the Pittsburgh Pro, which offers a $100,000 prize, the third-largest in bodybuilding.

Featured Image –Vitalii “Goodvito” Ugolnikov Exits Pittsburgh Pro After Suffering Lat Injury– Credit: @goodvito (Instagram)