The Wellness division is the youngest out of the 11 Olympia divisions, but its popularity is immense. The pre-judging rounds for the 2021 and 2022 Olympia contests had numerous fans standing behind their seats to watch the action and cheer on their favorites.
The 2023 edition in Orlando, FL, on Nov. 2-5, 2023, is expected to be no different. Twenty-six contenders representing 11 countries have qualified to compete; 25 are expected to take the stage for pre-judging. The roster of qualified athletes is below in the order that they qualified:
2023 Wellness Olympia Roster
- Francielle Mattos (Brazil) — two-time defending champion
- Isabelle Nunes (Brazil)
- Angela Borges (Brazil)
- Kassandra Gillis (Canada)
- Alexis Adams (USA)
- Renata Guaraciaba (Brazil)
- Amanda Burnett (USA)
- Gisele Machado (Brazil)
- Tefani Sam Razhi (USA)
- Sandra Colorado Acal (Spain)
- Lili Dong (China)
- Leonida Ciobu (Moldova)
- Frida Paulsen Stern (USA)
- Lisa Meiswinkel (Germany)
- Johanna Calcano (USA)
- Danai Theodoropoulou (Australia)
- Elisa Alcantara (Dominican Republic)
- Rayane Fogal (Brazil)
- Wynter Addams (United Kingdom)
- Marissa Andrews (USA)
- Nerilde Garcia Strey (Brazil)
- Daniele Mendonca (Brazil)
- Jacqueline Huescas Rios (Mexico)
- Ismara dos Santos (Brazil)
- Andrea Hrenko (USA)
- Victoria Reyes Villa (Mexico)
[Related: 2023 Women’s Physique Olympia Preview]
[Related: 2023 Ms. Olympia Preview]
Athletes Not Competing
On Oct. 20, 2023, Angela Borges announced that she would not compete at the 2023 Olympia to focus on business ventures instead. At the time of this article’s publication, she is the only confirmed qualified Wellness athlete who won’t compete.
How to Qualify
There has only been one champion in this division: Francielle Mattos. As such, she is qualified to compete in the Wellness Olympia for life. She will be in Orlando looking to three-peat, and is the early favorite to do so. The top three from the 2022 Wellness Olympia received invites to compete in the 2023 contest.
The rest of the roster was filled with pro show champions during the 2023 Olympia qualifying season, which concluded on Oct. 9, 2023. The only other way to qualify show is via a special invite from the IFBB Pro League or the Olympia promoters. No invites have been offered for this division.
The IFBB Pro League announced that the top three for this show automatically qualify for the 2024 Olympia. The date and location of that event have not been announced as of this writing.
Top Contenders
There are two athletes considered Mattos’ most prominent contenders: Isabelle Nunes and Kassandra Gillis. Nunes was the 2022 Wellness International winner and finished second to Mattos at the 2022 Wellness Olympia. Nunes didn’t compete in the 2023 Wellness International due to an injury, but will be in Orlando looking to take that final step to the top.
Gillis ranked fourth in the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, and won 2023 Wellness International title in Columbus, OH, the following March. She’s the only Canadian in the lineup, and has the potential to take the division’s top title.
Dark Horses
Rayane Fogal was ranked fifth in the 2022 Olympia, and returns in 2023 thanks to her win at the 2023 Tampa Pro. Gisele Machado won three pro shows in 2023, including the 2023 New York Pro. She hopes improve on her sixth-place finish from the 2022 Olympia.
The other top 10 finishers from 2022, who are in this year’s contest, are Marissa Andrews (seventh) and Leonida Chibu (ninth). Both could ascend the standings if any of the top contenders come in less than their best.
Olympia Debuts
With this contest only in its third year, plenty of new stars are joining the division. Several Olympia rookies will are in the lineup:
- Alexis Adams
- Renata Guaraciaba
- Tefani Sam Razhi
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Lili Dong
- Frida Paulsen Stern
- Johanna Calcano
- Danai Theodoropoulou
- Elisa Alcantara
- Wynter Addams
- Daniele Mendonca
- Andrea Hrenko
- Victoria Reyes Villa
With several top 15 finishers from the 2022 Olympia absent from this lineup, it is a great opportunity for a new star to make her mark. Those who cannot attend the 2023 Olympia in Orlando to spectate live can still watch all 11 pro divisions live from home by purchasing the 2023 Olympia pay-per-view on the Olympia Productions website.
Featured Image: @franciellemattos on Instagram
