The Mr. Olympia competition is the pinnacle of the physique sports world. Across 11 divisions, competitors flexed and posed through the weekend of Dec. 16-17, 2022, and worked their way toward the sport’s biggest title.
After high-level performances in the initial callout round, competitors returned to the stage for a night of Finals to determine where the respective crowns belonged.
2022 Olympia Results
Fitness
When 2021 Fitness Olympia champion Whitney Jones unexpectedly withdrew from this year’s contest, the Fitness competitors saw the title up for grabs. When four-time Fitness Olympia champion Oksana Grishina withdrew due to injury, the field became that much more competitive.
During pre-judging, 2020 Fitness Olympia champion and 2021 runner-up Missy Truscott seemed to catch the judges’ eyes. Truscott did come away with her second Fitness Olympia title.
- Missy Truscott ($50,000)
- Jaclyn Baker ($20,000)
- Ariel Khadr ($12,000)
- Sarah Kovach ($7,000)
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah ($6,000)
212
The entire 212 division spent much of the year in a state of limbo, with 2021 champion Derek Lunsford choosing not to defend his title and instead transitioning up to the Men’s Open division. 2020 212 champion Shaun Clarida added to the uncertainty by publicly teasing a potential move to the Men’s Open division before deciding, weeks before this year’s Olympia, to remain in the 212 division and seek another title.
By the end of pre-judging, Clarida, 2019 champion Kamal Elgargni, and relative newcomer Angel Calderon Frias appeared to be top contenders for this year’s vacant title.
After the Finals round and individual posing from the top 5 competitors, the winners were announced. Calderon Frias captured a career-best second place while Clarida won his second 212 Olympia title in three years.
- Shaun Clarida ($50,000)
- Angel Calderon Frias ($20,000)
- Kamal Elgargni ($10,000)
- Ahmad Ashkanani ($6,000)
- Oleh Kryvyi ($4,000)
Figure
As the only Figure Olympia champion to win a record-setting five titles, it was likely that Cydney Gillon would continue her dominating reign. However, the 2022 stage was packed with more competitors than any other year, meaning Gillon would face the largest group of contenders ever.
As pre-judging concluded, the callouts may have indicated Gillon was on track to continue her winning streak. After posing routines during the Finals, the top 5 winners were announced and Gillon did, in fact, retain her title.
- Cydney Gillon ($50,000)
- Jessica Reyes Padilla ($20,000)
- Lola Montez ($12,000)
- Jossie Nathali Alarcon Beceera ($7,000)
- Natalia Soltero ($6,000)
Women’s Physique
The 2022 Women’s Physique Olympia was the 10th iteration of the contest. Sarah Villegas returned to the stage looking to add to her 2020 and 2021 crowns and become only the second woman to win the title at least three times.
Two-time runner-up Natalia Coelho and Villegas appeared to be battling for the title throughout pre-judging, as well as throughout the posing round in the Finals. In the end, Natalia Coelho claimed her first Women’s Physique Olympia title as Villegas took second for the first time in three years.
- Natalia Coelho ($50,000)
- Sarah Villegas ($20,000)
- Brooke Walker ($12,000)
- Barbara Menage ($7,000)
- Ivie Rhein ($6,000)
Ms. Olympia
Two-time defending champion Andrea Shaw looked to make it a three-peat as she stepped on stage against 20 hungry competitors. 2020 runner-up Margie Martin had announced this to be her last contest after 11 years as a pro, which may have proved enough motivation to see her through.
While it wasn’t enough to secure a win, Martin ended her career with a top-four placing as Andrea Shaw secured her three-peat victory.
- Andrea Shaw ($50,000)
- Angela Yeo ($20,000)
- Helle Trevino ($12,000)
- Margie Martin ($7,000)
- Branka Njegovec ($6,000)
Wellness
As one of the newest divisions in the field, the Wellness Olympia finds its second-ever contest with a packed field. Inaugural champion Francielle Mattos looks to defend her title from a crowd of 37 challengers.
In addition, the Wellness division added a second competitive round, as a change from its single-round format in 2021. Mattos held fast as the Wellness Olympia champion.
- Francielle Mattos ($50,000)
- Isabel Nunes ($20,000)
- Angela Borges ($12,000)
- Kassandra Gillis ($7,000)
- Rayane de Souza Santana ($6,000)
Olympia Coverage Continues
The Olympia competition continues Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, beginning at 9 a.m. (Pacific).
- Classic Physique Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Wheelchair Olympia — pre-judging and finals
The Olympia concludes with its final rounds Saturday evening at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
- Men’s Open Mr. Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Classic Physique Olympia
Fans of the physique sports can still watch the contests by purchasing a pay-per-view premium package for $69.99 at the Olympia website — www.olympiaproductions.com.
Featured Image: @mrolympiallc / Instagram