Kaique Santos is the winner of the 2023 Musclecontest International Mercosul Pro Men’s Physique show. Santos won the title in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, on Dec. 2, 2023, defeating eight other IFBB Pro League athletes. Tamer El Guindy was the head judge. This is the final IFBB Pro League Men’s Physique show of the 2023 calendar year.
Santos is now eligible to compete in the 2024 Men’s Physique Olympia, which is a part of the Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2023. Diogo Montenegro finished as the runner-up, and taking bronze was Emmanuel Costa. The final standings for all nine athletes are below:
2023 Musclecontest International Mercosul Pro Results
- Kaique Santos (Brazil)
- Diogo Montenegro (Brazil)
- Emmanuel Costa (Brazil)
- Vincinius Resende (Brazil)
- Lucas Lage (Brazil)
- Jussie Dantas (Brazil)
- Hiagor Amaral (Brazil)
- Renato Menezes (Brazil)
- Adailton Nepomuceno (Brazil)
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Winner – Kaique Santos
Santos was the 2023 Brazil Pro runner-up. However, his win here is considered a big upset since both Montenegro and Costa competed in the 2023 Men’s Physique Olympia in Orlando, FL, one month before this show. Santos achieved all first-place votes in both rounds. This is Santos’ first pro win and first Olympia qualification.
Second Place – Diogo Montenegro
Montenegro ranked fifth in the 2023 Men’s Physique Olympia, won by Ryan Terry. Montenegro was a heavy favorite to win this contest. However, the judges scored him in second place in both rounds of the contest. Montenegro has until Sept. 15, 2024, to qualify for the 2024 Olympia.
Third Place – Emmanuel Costa
Costa finished the Olympia in Orlando out of the top 15 but was considered a top contender for this title leading up to prejudging. This was the second-year pro’s first post-Olympia show, and it resulted in his lowest placing as a pro outside of the Olympia. Like Montenegro, Costa is expected to compete again during the 2024 Olympia qualifying season. Still, he has not yet announced when his next show will be, nor has the 2024 IFBB pro show schedule been released at the time of this article’s publication.
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