The 2022 Tampa Pro is now history, and the 15th edition of the bodybuilding show didn’t disappoint. We now have a two-time Men’s Open winner, and several new stars emerged from this contest. Here’s a quick recap of all the action from August 5th and 6th.
Men’s Open
Winner – Akim Williams
In the men’s open, the top three went exactly as we predicted it. Akim Williams had too much muscle and density for the rest of the field. This wasn’t the best conditioned version of the BK Beast, but it’s understandable after he revealed that he was in a car accident four weeks before the contest. This is his fourth career win, and he is now a two-time Tampa Pro winner.
2nd Place – Kamal Elgargni
Second place went to the former 212 Olympia winner, Kamal Elgargni, who was the best conditioned in the lineup. At 51 years old, he showed that age is a number, and what matters most is how you show up. He has created a lot of buzz since announcing he would compete in the open, and now many are hoping to see him take the win in his next show, the Texas Pro.
3rd Place – Quinton Eriya
Quinton “Beastwood” Eriya’s shape is remarkable, and he’s getting better with each appearance he makes. Once he figures out how to peak perfectly and he develops that muscle maturity that comes with experience, he will be a threat in any show he enters. His potential is limitless.
- Akim Williams
- Kamal Elgargni
- Quinton Eriya
- Joseph Mackey
- Phil Clahar
- Eddie Bracamontes
- Stuart Sutherland
- Tim Budesheim
- Seung Chul Lee
- Morgan Aste
212
Former Classic Physique competitor Keone Pearson scores his third 212 win, and he’s now moving on to the Olympia. Only one round was scored, and the judges gave him straight first place votes, leaving no doubt who the best man was on this day. 2021 Tampa Pro winner Kerrith Baijo came in second place, and Nathan Epler rounded out the top three. Both of those men finished in the top ten at last year’s Olympia. So, whatever show they do next, they will be threats for the win.
Winner - Keone Pearson
2nd - Kerrith Baijo
3rd - Nathan Epler
- Keone Pearson
- Kerrith Baijo
- Nathan Epler
- Cody Drobot
- Rickey Moton
- Ahmed Elsadany
- Jason Joseph
- Stephen Didoshak
- Derik Oslan
- Kevin Johnson
Classic Physique
Courage Opara scored his fourth career victory in dominating fashion in Tampa. There was no doubt who would win as soon as you saw how ripped Opara was. This is his first win in two years, and he will make his fourth career Olympia appearance. Adely Annorat and Valentin Petrov took the second and third place spots. That matchup was close based on the judges’ scorecards, and the fans want to see that matchup again.
Winner - Courage Opara
2nd - Adely Annorat
3rd - Valentin Petrov
- Courage Opara
- Adely Annorat
- Valentin Petrov
- Armando Aman
- Kim Santos
- Keith Holmes
- Matt Maldonado
- Kiren Shrenstha
- Felix Burgos
- Joe Brighty
Men’s Physique
Many people, including us, thought Andre Ferguson would take the win, but Daniel Ammons came in and pulled off the upset. This is Ammons’ fourth overall win, and he will now return to the Olympia where he hopes to crack the top 15. Ferguson came in second place, and third went to Arya Saffaie, who in spite of being an eighth year pro, made his first appearance at the Tampa Pro.
Winner - Daniel Ammons
2nd - Andre Ferguson
3rd - Arya Saffaie
- Daniel Ammons
- Andre Ferguson
- Arya Saffaie
- Burak King
- Deke Rodrique-Walker
- Micah Thomas Jr.
- Matthew Greggo
- Josh Bridgman
- Aroldson Etienne
- Cam Harris
Women’s Bodybuilding
Over on the women’s side of the stage, Chelsea Dion scored her first career win in only her second pro contest, and she will now make her Ms. Olympia debut in December. As if she needed the extra motivation, the reigning Ms. Olympia, Andrea Shaw was in the house to see her take the victory. Sheena Ohlig and Sherry Priami finished in second and third, respectively, in what was a very competitive contest.
Winner - Chelsea Dion
2nd - Sheena Ohlig
3rd - Sherry Priami
- Chelsea Dion
- Sheena Ohlig
- Sherry Priami
- Victoria Dominguez
- Gabriele Pena
- Janeen Lankowski
- Pauline Nelson
- Tina Mauer Guadarrama
- Tamara Maker
- Jennifer Sweeney
Women’s Physique
Florida’s Jeannie Feldman was fourth at this contest one year ago, and she redeemed herself in the best way possible by taking the win in 2022. This may have been the best she has looked in her pro career, and she is rewarded with an Olympia qualification. Ana Harias and Elena Availes Romero both looked ripped and posed very well. The judges had them both as solid locks for top three finishes.
Winner - Jeannie Feldman
2nd - Ana Harias
3rd - Elena Availes Romero
- Jeannie Feldman
- Ana Harias
- Elena Availes Romero
- Diana Schnaidt
- Michele Steves
- Heather Grace
- Lenore Gregson
- Yarelis Ramos Perez
- Ashlynn Richardson
- Racheal Brewer
Fitness
Aurika Tyrgale was our choice to take the win, and she came through for us. She was scored as fourth in the physique round, but the performance round is what takes two-thirds of the overall score, and she won that hands down. Thus, she is your champion. Cerise de Cardenas physique looked better and she was scored higher, but Tyrgale’s routine was undeniable. Third place went to Alayne Corum of South Carolina.
Winner - Aurika Tyrgale
2nd - Cerise de Cardenas
3rd - Alayne Corum
- Aurika Tyrgale
- Cerise de Cardenas
- Alayne Corum
- Michele Gales
- Kamarae Morales
- Savahannah Byczek
- Maria Laura Cerbelli
- Cong Mou
- Tess Mikayla
- Cory Brueckner
Figure
There is supposed to be pressure that comes with being the favorite for a contest, but Jessica Reyes Padilla showed no signs of feeling it. The perennial Olympia contender showed up and easily won the Figure title in Tampa. Cherish Richardson made her first contest appearance of the year, and she is taking home second place. Maggie Watson competed for the first time in three years at this contest, and finished in the bronze spot. Hopefully, we see her onstage again sooner rather than later because she showed a lot of potential to take a win this season.
Winner - Jessica Reyes Padilla
2nd - Cherish Richardson
3rd - Maggie Watson
- Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Cherish Richardson
- Maggie Watson
- Autumn Cleveland
- Madison Dinges
- Ashley Felprin
- Jennifer Zienart
- Larhannah Robinson
- Paula Rojo
- Danielle Rose
Bikini
Aimee Leann Velasquez finished fourth in Chicago earlier this season, and she used that momentum to claim first in Tampa. This is her first career win, and she earned her first Olympia qualification. Jasmine Gonzalez got a lot of attention from the judges as well, and she even earned a first-place vote. In the end, she takes home second place. Ivanna Escandar had three wins already this season, but she is the second-runner up for the first time in 2022 at Tampa.
Winner - Aimee Velasquez
2nd - Jasmine Gonzalez
3rd - Ivanna Escandar
- Aimee Leann Velasquez
- Jasmine Gonzalez
- Ivanna Escandar
- Romina Basualdo
- Daraja Hill
- Danielle Combs
- Jordan Brannon
- Jodie Yuncker
- Shelby Pierce
- Niccole Guggia
Wellness
The Wellness division is growing both in terms of athletes and fan support by the week. That support was on full display at Tampa. Diana Carreno of Mexico made her pro debut in the Sunshine State, and she leaves as a champion. She will make her Olympia debut in Las Vegas in four months’ time. The runner-up position went to Priscilla Lynd, a Masters competitor who just won her pro card at the 2022 NPC Universe contest. Alexis Adams of Virginia settled for third place.
Winner - Diana Laura Verduzco
2nd - Priscilla Lynd
3rd - Alexis Adams
- Diana Laura Verduzco Carreno
- Priscilla Lynd
- Alexis Adams
- Lili Dong
- Nerilde Garcia Strey
- Bridgiamell Rodriguez Cruz
- Alejandra La Fonseca
- Kat Williams
- Amanda Werner
- Daphney Carter
Dan Solomon Honored
The Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to a person who has made great contributions to bodybuilding every year since 2008. The 2022 recipient was none other than Olympia President Dan Solomon, who has played a vital role in both bodybuilding media and in the position he holds now. Solomon was honored and recognized during the finals on Saturday, August 6th.
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