By Rodney Jang, Editor-in-Chief, Status Fitness Magazine
Meeting athletes at registration is one of my favourite parts of Olympia weekend. Before the lights, music and callouts, you get a close look at the focus and anticipation that brought each athlete here. Everyone on this stage has earned the opportunity, and every division has the potential to surprise us.
Status Fitness is here as official Olympia media for our 19th year. Our writers, photographers and videographers are covering the athletes, the performances and the stories that make this weekend special. These are my predictions, based on the athletes’ past Olympia results, this season’s performances and what I expect to see onstage. They’re my picks—not a guarantee. At the Olympia, conditioning, presentation and peak-day form can change everything.
Men’s Open
- Derek Lunsford
- Andrew Jacked
- Samson Dauda
- Nick Walker
- Martin Fitzwater
- Tonio Burton
- Michal Krizo
- Behrooz Tabani
- Brandon Curry
- Regan Grimes
Derek Lunsford is my pick to win. He has the Olympia experience and recent results to make him the man to beat. Andrew Jacked is a serious threat if he brings the size, shape and condition that have made him such a standout. Samson Dauda has the potential to challenge for the title, while Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater could make the top five especially competitive. The Open picture changed with Hadi Choopan’s withdrawal. That leaves the door open for another athlete to break into the final callout. I’ll be watching to see who brings the strongest overall package under the lights.
212
- Keone Pearson
- Shaun Clarida
- Lucas Garcia
- Nihat Kaya
- Breon Ansley
- Nasser Mohammad
- Angel Calderon
- Andrey Pereira
- Felipe Moraes
- Michael Condell
Keone Pearson has established himself as the division’s standard, and I see him extending his title run. Shaun Clarida is a proven champion and remains his biggest obstacle. Lucas Garcia and Nihat Kaya have the results to contend for the podium, while Breon Ansley brings championship experience and momentum into the weekend.
Classic Physique
- Ramon Dino
- Mike Sommerfeld
- Wesley Vissers
- Niall Darwen
- Terrence Ruffin
- Anton Ratushnyi
- Gabriel Zancanelli
- German Pastor
- Matthew Greggo
- Vahid Badpei
This could be one of the weekend’s closest battles. Ramon Dino is defending his title, but Mike Sommerfeld has the tools to push him all the way. Wesley Vissers, Niall Darwen and Terrence Ruffin round out a formidable group of challengers. Classic is about more than size. Shape, proportion, conditioning and posing all matter, and small differences in those details could decide the top spots.
Men’s Physique
- Ryan Terry
- Kyron Holden
- Ali Bilal
- Brandon Hendrickson
- Erin Banks
- Edvan Palmeira
- Andrei Deiu
- Vitor Chaves
- Corey Morris
- Sidy Pouye
Ryan Terry is my narrow pick, but this is one of the toughest divisions to call. Kyron Holden has shown he can challenge the very best, and Ali Bilal has been right at the top in recent years. Brandon Hendrickson’s championship history also makes him a serious contender. The first callout should give us an early sense of how this one is shaping up.
Bikini
- Maureen Blanquisco
- Ashlyn Little
- Aimee Delgado
- Ashley Kaltwasser
- Jasmine Gonzalez
- Lauralie Chapados
- Ivanna “Ivi” Escandar
- Phoebe Hagan
- Maria Acosta
- Kerry Sexton
Maureen Blanquisco has the experience and stage presence to defend her title, with Ashlyn Little and Aimee Delgado close behind. But Ashley Kaltwasser absolutely can’t be counted out. She has won the Olympia three times, knows what it takes to peak on this stage and has continued to win throughout her career. Ashley also graced the cover of Status Fitness a few years ago, so it’s especially exciting for us to see her back in the Olympia lineup. She’s a former champion with the experience to make a run at the top again.
Figure
- Lola Montez
- Rhea Gayle
- Jessica Reyes Padilla
- Jeanne Kassel
- Natalia Soltero
- Denise Zwinger-Tynek
- Missy Truscott
- Lena Ramsteiner
- Tessa Meetze
- Jennifer Zienert
Lola Montez is my pick to win and a personal favourite of mine. She has been knocking on the door, and it could easily be her time. I believe she has what it takes to claim the Figure Olympia title. Rhea Gayle has the defending-champion advantage and will be a serious challenger.
Jessica Reyes Padilla and Jeanne Kassel are also serious contenders. Figure rewards balance, shape and presentation, and a polished overall package could decide a very close contest.
Olympia result update: Lola Montez won the 2026 Figure Olympia. Jessica Reyes Padilla placed second,
Denise Zwinger-Tynek third and defending champion Rhea Gayle fourth. Before the show, I picked Lola to
win, called her a personal favourite, and said it could easily be her time. It was.
Wellness
- Eduarda Bezerra
- Rayane Fogal
- Isabelle Nunes
- Elisa Alcantara
- Daniele Mendonca
- Camile Luz
- Taylor Fletcher
- Valéria Bodanese
- Narla Vilar
- Camila Rodrigues
Eduarda Bezerra is my pick to defend her title, but Rayane Fogal has built real momentum and could make this a close contest. Isabelle Nunes and Elisa Alcantara have the credentials to challenge near the top, too. Wellness has a deep field, and the final order may come down to who brings the best combination of shape, conditioning and stage presentation.
Women’s Physique
- Natalia Abraham Coelho
- Sarah Villegas
- Zama Benta
- Sheronica Henton
- Lenka Ferencukova
- Brooke Walker
- Autumn Swansen
- Amanda De Carvalho Machado
- Marika Jones
- Naiana Silva
Natalia Abraham Coelho is the athlete to beat, but Sarah Villegas is a four-time champion with the experience to make this a real contest. Zama Benta and Sheronica Henton could also make a strong run at the top three. This division brings remarkable muscularity and artistry to the stage.
Women’s Bodybuilding / Ms. Olympia
- Andrea Shaw
- Ashley Lynnette Jones
- Leyvina Barros
- Paula Ranta
- Barbara De Freitas Moojen
- Alide Opre
- Nadia Capotosto
- Megan Morrison
- Martina Lopez
- Desunka Dawson
Andrea Shaw is my pick to add another title to her remarkable record. Ashley Lynnette Jones is the leading challenger after finishing near the top, and Leyvina Barros has the potential to push into the top two. This division showcases the strength, skill and dedication required to compete at the highest level.
Fitness
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah
- Jaclyn Baker
- Amber Steffen
- Anna Fomina
- Allison Dominguez-Kramer
- Stephanie Jones
- Sophie Gregory
- Samantha Radzai
- Andrea Glass
- Abby Bolton
Michelle Fredua-Mensah is my choice after a strong season. Jaclyn Baker is a proven challenger, while Amber Steffen and Anna Fomina could move up with strong routines and polished physiques. Fitness is always exciting because the athletic routines add another dimension to the competition.
Wheelchair
- James Berger
- Kevin Secundino
- Rajesh John
- Gabriele Andriulli
- Josué Fabiano
- Tory Jones
- Will Anthony
- Mostafa Darvish Khezri
- Blake Colleton
- Antonio Matkovic
James Berger is my pick after a strong season, but Kevin Secundino and Rajesh John are established contenders. This division deserves recognition for the athletes’ commitment, skill and strength, and it remains one of the most inspiring parts of Olympia weekend.
Fit Model
- Shealynn Burnett
- Gabriela Queiroz
- Misty Yang
- Svetlana Fedkina
- Emily Chanel
- Victoria Schmidt
- Aisha Mian
- Alicia Young
- Seojin Cheong
- Emma Henderson
Fit Model makes its Olympia debut this year, so there’s no past Olympia champion to use as a reference. Shealynn Burnett is my pick, with Gabriela Queiroz and Misty Yang close behind after strong seasons. Whoever wins will become the first Fit Model Olympia champion—a special place in the event’s history.
The stage is set
Predictions are part of the fun, but the athletes decide the results. From the first callout to the final pose, Olympia weekend celebrates years of discipline, sacrifice and hard work. From all of us at Status Fitness Magazine, good luck to every athlete stepping onstage. We’re here to cover the people, the performances and the moments that make this Olympia memorable.
