The 2023 California State Pro Men’s Open bodybuilding show is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, in Anaheim, CA. There are nine competitors seeking to add their names to the list of qualified athletes for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest.
The remaining athlete on the roster, 2023 New York Pro winner Tonio Burton, is already qualified and could block another competitor from qualifying for the Olympia should he stand atop the podium. The full 10-athlete roster is below:
2023 Musclecontest California State Pro Show Roster — Men’s Open
- Slavoj Bednar
- Wesley Boxley
- Tonio Burton
- Nathan Dandridge
- Rafael Del Real
- Ross Flanigan
- Seung Chul Lee
- Jossue Plascencia
- Stuart Sutherland
- Mariusz Tomczuk
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Athletes to Watch
Before covering which bodybuilders to watch, one notable athlete won’t be in the lineup: Patrick Moore. Many fans and insiders expected the two-time California Pro winner to appear in this lineup. However, Moore was not on the competitor list as of Monday, May 22, 2023.
Moore won this contest in 2019 and 2021. While he considered joining the lineup for 2023, he confirmed on his Instagram page that he was out of the contest due to business obligations.
Tonio Burton
Burton would be the athlete that already has his spot on the Mr. Olympia stage on Nov. 2-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL reserved. Burton is coming off a win at the 2023 New York Pro on May 20 and has the potential to win two in a row.
Burton displayed a bigger version of his physique with impressive symmetry and shape. He should be the favorite for gold in this lineup if nothing changes between now and competition day.
Seung Chul Lee
The South Korean bodybuilder has one pro win under his belt: the 2020 Monsterzym Pro. Seung Chul Lee has Olympia experience thanks to his 12th place finish in 2020. His last contest was the 2022 Tampa Pro, where he finished in ninth place. This is his first pro show appearance of the 2023 season.
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Slavoj Bednar
Bednar has competed twice so far in the 2023 season, but they haven’t been his best performances. He took 10th overall at the 2023 Arnold Classic Brazil and 12th in the 2023 New York Pro. He showed flashes of potential in the past via his fifth-place finish at the 2022 Toronto Pro.
It’s unclear why Bednar has struggled early this season. The California State Pro could be the opportunity he needs to make necessary adjustments and move up in the callouts.
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