With the window to qualify for this year’s Olympia closing fast, competitors in San Antonio, Texas put on a highly competitive event on September 23 at the 2023 San Antonio Pro. This 2023 Olympia qualifier featured athletes from Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Figure.
As mentioned above, competitors have limited opportunities to guarantee their presence at the nearing Olympia. Currently, athletes have until October 9 to secure their respective qualifications. This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia competition takes place in Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center from November 2-5.
After a thrilling competition, Courage Opara raised gold above his head in Classic Physique. In Men’s Physique, Charjo Grant took first following some intense comparisons. Jourdanne Lee pulled off the big win in Bikini with Nicole Zenobia Graham closing out the show in first place as the Figure champion.
2023 San Antonio Pro Winners
- Classic Physique: Courage Opara
- Men’s Physique: Charjo Grant
- Bikini: Jourdanne Lee
- Figure: Nicole Zenobia Graham
2023 San Antonio Pro Results Breakdown
Classic Physique
Classic Physique talent brought their best on Saturday in Texas. In prejudging, the symmetry and balance of Kellen Wilson stood out, especially during many of the back poses. While Wilson’s last competition came in ninth place at the 2022 Vancouver Pro, he looked to have corrected many areas of concern holding him back from gold.
Opposite to Kellen Wilson was Courage Opara, who continues to showcase better conditioning at each of his contests. Opara last saw a stage at Columbus Ohio’s annual 2023 Arnold Classic, and with some of the best quads, managed to nab a fifth-place finish.
On this day, Courage Opara’s package impressed the judges most, and he won first place. Kellen Wilson took runner-up honors and Oshanda Rhoden rounded out the podium in third place.
- Winner — Courage Opara
- Second Place — Kellen Wilson
- Third Place — Oshanda Rhoden
- Fourth Place — Anthony Barbera III
- Fifth Place — Kevin Johnson
- Sixth Place — Gabriel Domingo Hernandez Aguirre
- Seventh Place — Terrence Bonds
- Eighth Place — Jared Keys
- Ninth Place — Cody Amey
- Tenth Place — Sonny O’Brien
Men’s Physique
In what turned into an ultra-competitive night, contenders Calrence McSpadden Jr. and Charjo Grant put on a thrilling show. During individual routines, McSpadden Jr.’s back development and biceps led the way for him into the finals. A regular fixture in the Men’s Physique class, Clarence McSpadden Jr.’s last show came in second place at the prestigious 2023 Texas Pro.
In McSpadden Jr.’s way was Charjo Grant — a Men’s Physique mainstay who many believe to have all of the qualities needed to be Olympia champion. In May, Grant competed at the 2023 DC Pro, where he finished sixth place.
On the fourth competition of his IFBB Pro season, Charjo Grant secured the win and his Olympia qualification for November! Clarence McSpadden Jr. finished second and Michael Mayers finished third.
- Winner — Charjo Grant
- Second Place — Clarence McSpadden Jr.
- Third Place — Michael Mayers
- Fourth Place — Yukihiro Yuasa
- Fifth Place — Brodee Jarrell
- Sixth Place — Stephen Brooks
- Seventh Place — Da’Marchitzy T. White
- Eighth Place — Kevin Johnson
- Ninth Place — Cordell Waddey
- Tenth Place — Marcell Shippen
Bikini
With time running out this year for an Olympia qualification, Bikini contenders brought their best to the stage. Jourdanne Lee was a frontrunner following her impressive routine in the prejudging rounds. Her balance and aesthetics made for an astounding display of beauty and stage presence. Joudanne Lee last appeared on the 2022 Olympia stage in 11th place and made the most of her time away from competing.
Iulia Baba, on the other hand, looked symmetrical with an accentuated hourglass figure. Competing last weekend, Baba entered the 2023 Janet Layug Battle of the Bodies and finished sixth.
This time around, it was Jourdanne Lee’s night as she walked away victorious. Iulia Baba ended the contest in second place and Ndeye Ndour claimed third place.
- Winner — Jourdanne Lee
- Second Place — Iulia Baba
- Third Place — Ndeye Ndour
- Fourth Place — Marioly Galarza
- Fifth Place — Roxana Marquez
- Sixth Place — Brenda Garay
- Seventh Place — Julie Marcela Moreno Reyna
- Eighth Place — Lizzie Martinez
- Ninth Place — Kerigan Pike
- Tenth Place — Gigi Amurao
Figure
Figure athletes brought entertaining routines and shredded physiques to the stage on Saturday. Fans quickly got behind Nicole Zenobia Graham, who looked to be at her all-time best. With conditioning and great muscle separation, judges took notice of her quickly. Graham competed earlier this month at the 2023 Sasquatch Pro, where she narrowly took second place to her rival Wendy Fortino.
Rhea Gayle was also in attendance this weekend. Gayle was a multi-faceted threat on stage with muscularity, shape, and balanced proportions. Her last show saw her take 12th at the 2022 Olympia contest.
In the end, Nicole Zenobia Graham pulled off the big win! Rhea Gayle took second place and Ashley Howells claimed bronze.
- Winner — Nicole Zenobia Graham
- Second Place — Rhea Gayle
- Third Place — Ashley Howells
- Fourth Place — Taylor Mauro
- Fifth Place — Jessica Baltazar
- Sixth Place — Amanda Kohatsu
- Seventh Place — Ruth Castillo
- Eighth Place — Fatima Carlos
- Ninth Place — Tamika Robinson
- Tenth Place — Kimberly Smith
2023 San Antonio Pro Scorecards
That wraps up all of the action in Texas this weekend. Fitness Volt congratulates the winners on their big victories! We look forward to seeing you all compete on the prized Mr. Olympia stage!
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