Of 11 contests to be held at the 2023 Olympia in Orlando, FL, on Nov. 2-5, 2023, none may be as intense as the Women’s Physique Olympia. Nineteen athletes qualified to compete. The reigning champion, Natalia Abraham Coelho, and the former champion, Sarah Villegas, are amidst a heated rivalry that is a boon for interest. The full roster is below in the order that they qualified for the contest”
2023 Women’s Physique Olympia Preview
- Natalia Abraham Coelho (USA)
- Sarah Villegas (USA)
- Brooke Walker (USA)
- Anne-Lorraine Mohn (France)
- Pamela Canfield (USA)
- Elena Aviles Romero (Spain)
- Emily Schubert (USA)
- Emilija Martic (Canada)
- Romana Skotzen (United Kingdom)
- Zana Benta (Brazil)
- Caroline Alves Dos Santos (Brazil)
- Amy McKown (USA)
- Danielle LaMartina (USA)
- Jeannie Feldman (USA)
- Ivie Rhein (USA)
- Karina Goncalves (Spain)
- Alex Hall (USA)
- Marie-Soulange Essoh (USA)
- Julia Monroe (USA)
[Related: 2023 Classic Physique Olympia Preview]
[Related: 2023 Mr. Olympia Preview]
How to Qualify
Like the other pro divisions at the Olympia, champions are qualified for life. The second and third-place finishers for the 2022 Women’s Physique Olympia were automatically invited to compete in the 2023 contest. The rest of the roster is filled with competitors who won a Women’s Physique pro show before the qualifying cutoff date of Oct. 9, 2023.
Any athlete who hasn’t qualified before the cutoff date would have to receive a special invitation to compete from the IFBB Pro League or the Olympia promoters. As of Oct. 23, 2023, no invites have been issued.
Past Champions
This contest’s two most recent champions are the only two champions in the 2023 edition. Reigning champion Natalia Abraham Coelho had tried to win this show since 2017 and finally broke through in 2022. 2020 and 2021 champion Sarah Villegas acknowledged mistakes in her 2022 prep but feels if her 2023 condition is presented as aspected, Coelho won’t be able to retain.
Fans who follow both athletes on social media could confirm Coelho and Villegas don’t see eye to eye and want to beat each other in. Villegas has been in this position before when she beat two-time titleholder Shanique Grant to win the championship in 2020. No champion in the history of the contest has regained the title after losing it. Villegas hopes to make that history; Coelho aims to start a dynasty of her own.
Top Contenders
2022 Women’s Physique Olympia third-place finisher Brooke Walker is growing her own fanbase. She is seen by many as a star of the future. She didn’t have to win a pro show to qualify for this contest, so the Olympia will be her 2023 debut. A year of muscle maturity could serve her well if she showcases definition that rivals Villegas, who is usually the most ripped athlete onstage. Walker’s shape compares well to Coelho, so don’t be surprised if Walker is alongside the past two champs in the first callout.
The next highest finisher from 2022 in this show is Ivie Rhein. She won the inaugural Masters Olympia Women’s Physique title in Romania on Aug. 26-27, 2023. Rhein has been in the mix for this title in the past but has never finished higher than fifth.
The last spot in the first callout is anyone’s to claim, but Jeannie Feldman and Anne-Lorraine Mohn are strong candidates. They finished sixth and seventh in the 2022 Olympia, respectively.
Dark Horses
Few people saw Walker emerge as she had to the division’s top tier. Dark horse competitors can be dangerous at the Olympia. Marie Solange-Essoh ranked 10th at the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, but the Masters competitor won the 2023 Daytona Pro, proving she can hold her own.
Emily Schubert will make her second Olympia appearance, but her first in two years. She tied for 16th in the 2021 Olympia in Orlando, FL, and has shown significant improvement since then.
Olympia Debuts
Over half of the Women’s Physique field are first-time Olympia competitors — 11 of 19 athletes will grace an Olympia stage for the first time: Pamela Canfield, Karina Goncalves, Elena Aviles Romero, Julia Monroe, Emilija Martic, Alex Hall, Danielle LaMartina, Amy McKown, Caroline Alves Dos Santos, Zana Benta, and Romana Skotzen. At least two of those athletes will leave that stage as one of the top 10 Women’s Physique athletes in the world.
Those who are unable to attend the 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: @ifbbpronataliacoelho on Instagram
