Here’s what a few of bodybuilding’s more seasoned veterans can expect this summer.
After a decade-plus absence, the 2023 Masters Olympia contest will return this summer on Aug. 26-27, 2023, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. While the whole list of participating athletes over 10 competitive divisions will likely be revealed on Apr. 24, 2023, the competition organizers have revealed what a few of the bodybuilders can potentially expect to win with respective exemplary performances. (Note: The roster probably won’t include one legend.)
On Feb. 23, 2023, the Masters Olympia announced that the general prize purse for the 2023 iteration of the competition can be $229,000. Presumably, the cash is in reference to what is going to likely be the showcase event within the Men’s Open division (ages 45 and up). On the time of this writing, it’s unclear how that cash will likely be divvied up in that category or, if applicable, amongst the opposite respective divisions.
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Within the last edition of the Masters Olympia, which took place in 2012, the 2008 Mr. Olympia champion Dexter Jackson won the Men’s Open portion. He would take home $75,000 for his efforts. For comparison’s sake to the competition’s modern return, here is an summary of the full Men’s Open winnings ($145,000) from the 2012 Masters Olympia:
2012 Masters Olympia | Men’s Open Prize Money
- Dexter Jackson: $75,000
- Toney Freeman: $35,000
- Dennis James: $20,000
- Edward Nunn: $10,000
- Ronny Rockel: $5,000
If the $229,000 in 2023 is indeed just for the Men’s Open, which means the organization may have increased the winning incentive by $84,000. Whether it is the purse for the whole contest, it’s unclear how each editions compare from a broad scale on the time of this text’s publication.
Here is an summary of the classifications for every division on the 2023 Masters Olympia.
2023 Masters Olympia Divisions
- Men’s Open — Age 45 and up
- Women’s Open — Age 45 and up
- 212 Bodybuilding — Age 45 and up
- Men’s Physique — Age 40 and up
- Women’s Physique — Age 40 and up
- Classic Physique — Age 40 and up
- Wellness — Age 40 and up
- Bikini — Age 40 and up
- Fitness — Age 40 and up
- Figure — Age 40 and up
Participating athletes who wish to use for a roster spot within the 2023 Masters Olympia have until April 10, 2023 to finish a comparatively easy process. They need to email contest organizers a “letter of intent”, which incorporates their age, nationality, competitive background, and any social media platforms. Of their submissions, athletes have the selection to incorporate a video that is not any longer than one minute. They may also include any images of their physique. A full list of chosen competitors will then be announced on April 24, 2023.
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While much of the bodybuilding world will likely be understandably fixated on the upcoming 2023 Olympia contest, the return of the Masters stays noteworthy. Giving a platform to established veterans who wish to compete on stage could possibly be considered a top quality step forward for the game overall. When the official list of competitors is revealed, there will likely be a greater idea of who might placed on a show in Romania.
Featured image: @mastersolympiaofficial on Instagram