Blessing Awodibu Wins the 2022 Indy Pro Bodybuilding Show

Blessing Awodibu has won the 2022 Indy Pro. Awodibu managed to place first in a contest that featured past champion Justin Rodriguez and veteran pro, Maxx Charles. Theresa Ivancik won the Women’s Bodybuilding division and Bryan Balzano took the W in the 212 division. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by blessing #theboogieman awodibu (@blessing_awodibu)

Awodibu is now the third Men’s Open champion in the contest’s history, joining Rodriguez and 2018 and 2019 winner Steve Kuclo. He, along with the other two champions, qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, scheduled to take place on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. He will be making his Olympia debut should he decide to compete in the contest. 

2022 Indy Pro Men’s Open Results

1. Blessing Awodibu
2. Charles Griffen
3. Maxx Charles
4. Justin Rodriguez
5. Brent Swanson
6. Dorian Haywood
7. Walter Martin
8. Slavoj Bednar
9. Ross Flanigan
10. Ray Short
11. Ron Gordon
12. Matt Kouba
13. Diogo Nunes
14. Eslam Mohamed (did not compete)

Winner — Blessing Awodibu

The knock on Awodibu’s physique in the 2021 Indy Pro was that his back and legs needed improvement. He finished third in the contest, which Rodriguez won.

Over a year, Awodibu made substantial improvements: He added size, maintained his muscle proportions and separation, kept his waist in check, and widened his back and shoulders. 

His work in the weight room had paid off because he earned his first IFBB Pro League victory in his third pro contest.

Second Place — Charles Griffen

Griffen brought the heat — his lower body was particularly impressive, and he could still hit a vacuum pose. He was simply outsized.

Awodibu looked bigger, and size wins in bodybuilding when everything else is equal. While he didn’t win the show, a second-place finish nets Griffen six points in the Olympia Qualification System.

Third Place — Maxx Charles

It’s not uncommon for veteran competitors to lose mass in their legs over time. However, Charles’ hamstrings looked impressive in his side poses and from the back.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Maxx Charles -the-DESTROYER (@maxx_charles)

He is also known for his arm size, which was on full display. Charles was lean and had a great shape, but like Griffen, Awodibu brought a similar shape with more mass.

Other Division Results

This show also featured contests for the 212 and women’s bodybuilding divisions. The final placings for both are below. The winners, Bryan Balzano and Theresa Ivancik are also now qualified for the Olympia.

212 Division

1. Bryan Balzano
2. Noel Adame
3. Emmanuel Rodriguez
4. Yumon Eaton
5. Abdullah Alsaif
6. LeLand DeVaughn
7. Teddy Gray
8. Boas Oliveira
9. Broderick Credell
10. Peter Castella
11. Asante Gibson
12. Joey Decaminada
13. Arturo Cotto
14. Mark Smith

Women’s Bodybuilding

1. Theresa Ivancik
2. Stephanie Flesher
3. Lisa Kudrey
4. Donna Salib
5. Jada Beverly

Next Up…

The next men’s open contest will be the New York Pro, which will take place Saturday, May 21st, 2022 in Teaneck, NJ. It will be the first time the contest is held in the Tri-State area since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 contests were moved to Tampa, FL due to the pandemic.

Featured Image: @blessing_awodibu on Instagram