Joe Pietaro
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The Masters Olympia was a mainstay of the IFBB Pro League annual calendar from 1994 through 2003. Robby Robinson was named the first champion and Vince Taylor ran off five consecutive titles (1996-2001) to easily become the most prolific competitor in the division. But for eight years, the competition remained off the stage. Fast forward to 2012 in Miami and the legends returned and Dexter Jackson - who was still one of the top names on the regular circuit and only four years removed from winning the Mr. Olympia - bested a line-up that was a mixture of current and long retired bodybuilders.
That show was part of a pro-am weekend and included pro bikini, albeit not of the masters variety. But the 2023 contest, which will be held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania during the weeks of August 26 and 27, has a total of 10 divisions in the spotlight:
The competitors will be chosen from a group that will apply via a "letter of intent" that will include information about their athletic background, competition history and social media account. There are optional parameters, as well, including a one-minute video and photographs. The deadline if April 10 and one of those bodybuilders who will be hoping to get the call is Vinny Galanti, who has won eight masters shows since he retired from regular competition, stated that the promoters are "picking 15 athletes per division and they will make the announcement of who is being chosen on April 24."
Dexter Jackson had a quick and convincing "no" answer when asked about competing at the show, so there will be a new champion crowned this summer. The prize money is a total if $229,000 spread out amongst the 10 divisions and while that may not be a huge payday for each, it is not the main focus for Galanti. "I've never had the opportunity to compete on the Olympia stage and this may be my swan song, so I will finally get it if I'm chosen."
It will be interesting to see how many competitors do submit applications and out of those groups, how many are like Galanti - who is strictly a masters bodybuilder at this stage in his career - and Jackson, who was easily the best man on that stage in Florida. Since the rules are just age-related, it is possible that a competitor on the regular circuit will enter the Masters Olympia as just another show, while others will be making a comeback of sorts for one night only.
That show was part of a pro-am weekend and included pro bikini, albeit not of the masters variety. But the 2023 contest, which will be held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania during the weeks of August 26 and 27, has a total of 10 divisions in the spotlight:
- Wellness — Age 40 and older
- Bikini — Age 40 and older
- Fitness — Age 40 and older
- Men’s Physique — Age 40 and older
- Classic Physique — Age 40 and older
- Women’s Physique — Age 40 and older
- Figure — Age 40 and older
- Men’s Open —Age 45 and over
- Women’s Open — Age 45 and over
- 212 Bodybuilding — Age 45 and over
The competitors will be chosen from a group that will apply via a "letter of intent" that will include information about their athletic background, competition history and social media account. There are optional parameters, as well, including a one-minute video and photographs. The deadline if April 10 and one of those bodybuilders who will be hoping to get the call is Vinny Galanti, who has won eight masters shows since he retired from regular competition, stated that the promoters are "picking 15 athletes per division and they will make the announcement of who is being chosen on April 24."
Dexter Jackson had a quick and convincing "no" answer when asked about competing at the show, so there will be a new champion crowned this summer. The prize money is a total if $229,000 spread out amongst the 10 divisions and while that may not be a huge payday for each, it is not the main focus for Galanti. "I've never had the opportunity to compete on the Olympia stage and this may be my swan song, so I will finally get it if I'm chosen."
It will be interesting to see how many competitors do submit applications and out of those groups, how many are like Galanti - who is strictly a masters bodybuilder at this stage in his career - and Jackson, who was easily the best man on that stage in Florida. Since the rules are just age-related, it is possible that a competitor on the regular circuit will enter the Masters Olympia as just another show, while others will be making a comeback of sorts for one night only.
