The 2023 Mid USA Pro Classic Physique contest will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Albuquerque, NM. It features 14 bodybuilders seeking a qualification for the 2023 Olympia in Orlando, FL, on the weekend of Nov. 2-5, 2023.
No athlete competing in Albuquerque is yet qualified for the 2023 Olympia. This contest features a blend of recent pro card winners and veterans of the IFBB Pro League. The full roster is below:
2023 Mid USA Pro Roster — Classic Physique
- Eric Abelon (USA)
- Jacob Burton (USA)
- Julian Castana (Colombia)
- Camilo Diaz (USA)
- Elijah Dixon (USA)
- Jared Feather (USA)
- David E. Kampfe Jr. (USA)
- Damien Patrick (USA)
- Kendahl Richmond (USA)
- Stephen Thames (USA)
- Jimmy Tonkinson (UK)
- Jordan Tripp-Arthur (USA)
- Cameron Williams (USA)
- Jeremiah Willies (USA)
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Athletes to Watch
Below are three athletes who might stand out from the crowd on stage in the eyes of the judges:
Camilo Diaz
Diaz is the defending champion of this contest. He has two shows under his belt in 2023: fourth at the 2023 New York Pro and fifth at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro.
Diaz made his Olympia debut at the 2022 Classic Physique Olympia but placed outside of the top 15. Diaz can return to the Olympia with a win in Albuquerque. Unlike the 2022 season, only show winners qualify for the 2023 Olympia.
Damien Patrick
Patrick has competed twice in the 2023 season, with high placings in both shows. He scored second at the 2023 Fitworld Pro and third at the 2023 Charlotte Pro.
Patrick aims to land his first pro win and first Olympia qualification in 2023, and he may be a favorite to do so in this contest. If he has learned from his past two shows and made the recommended changes based on judges’ feedback, he could step onto the podium.
Eric Abelon
Abelon competed once in 2023 so far on a big stage. He was fifth in the 2023 New York Pro in May. In three shows since starting his pro career in 2022, he’s never ranked lower than sixth.
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It may not be that Abelon is doing anything wrong, but rather the champions who have beaten him are further along in developing their physiques. With each show, Abelon has shown signs of improvement. Expect a good finish in Albuquerque.
Other Notes
There is a second Classic Physique contest taking place on Sunday, June 4. Classic Physique is part of the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow in Toronto, ON, Canada. The winner of that contest will also qualify for the 2023 Olympia.
Featured image: @camilodiazifbbpro on Instagram
