The 2024 Dubai Pro, held over the weekend of July 27-28, 2024, in Dubai, UAE, was a spectacle of bodybuilding excellence. It is held annually in Dubai, has become a cornerstone in the bodybuilding calendar, attracting top-tier athletes from around the globe. This year’s competition was particularly significant as it served as a qualifying event for the 2024 Mr. Olympia, the pinnacle of professional bodybuilding.

The event featured four IFBB Pro League Men’s divisions, each offering 2024 Olympia qualifications to the winners.

Highlights of the 2024 Dubai Pro

The 2024 Dubai Pro showcased some of the most impressive physiques in the bodybuilding world. Athletes, each vying for the coveted qualification spots for Mr. Olympia. We will break down the results and highlight the athletes who have earned their place on the Mr. Olympia stage.

Champions and Their Divisions

The four winners of the 2024 Dubai Pro were:

  • Behrooz Tabani (Men’s Open)
  • Angel Calderon Frias (212 Bodybuilding)
  • Breon Ansley (Classic Physique)
  • Erin Banks (Men’s Physique)

Detailed Results

Men’s Open

The Men’s Open division saw Behrooz Tabani from Iran clinch the top spot. Despite being a contender, many experts had anticipated that William Bonac or Nathan De Asha would take first place. However, Tabani’s impeccable form led him to victory, marking his second pro win of the season and the third of his career.

Final Rankings:

  1. Behrooz Tabani (Iran)
  2. William Bonac (Netherlands)
  3. Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
  4. Rubiel Mosquera (Colombia)
  5. Alie Edward (United Arab Emirates)
  6. Khaled Awny (Egypt)
  7. Aleksei Kuznetsov (Russia)
  8. Ali Jasim (Iraq)
  9. Vilius Sosnovskis (Lithuania)
  10. Robin Strand (Canada)
  11. Arso Basheer Mohammed (Iraq)
  12. Arash Eskandari (Iran)
  13. Sibusiso Kotelo (South Africa)
  14. Mikhail Maslov (Russia)
  15. Ismail Radwan (Egypt)
  16. Khaled Alkazem (Kuwait) / Surachai Plangaiem (Thailand) (Tied)

212 Bodybuilding

Angel Calderon Frias made his 2024 season debut at this show, having last competed at the 2023 Olympia where he finished third. His victory in Dubai reaffirmed his dominance in the 212 Bodybuilding category, blocking another athlete from qualifying for the Olympia.

Final Rankings:

  1. Angel Calderon Frias (Spain)
  2. Nihat Kaya (Turkey)
  3. Nasser Mohammad (Kuwait)
  4. Marco Ruz (France)
  5. Mazin Kratus (Oman)
  6. Jafar Ghaffarnezhad (Iran)
  7. Mahmoud Abdelhalim (United Arab Emirates)
  8. Mohamed Embaby (United States)
  9. Hushan Al Kinani (United Arab Emirates)
  10. Mojtaba Zare (Iran)
  11. Mehdi Mostafaloo (Iran)
  12. Emanuel Muhuwa (Malawi)
  13. Simon Pendelin (Germany)
  14. Obenrocksman Arrah (Cameroon)
  15. Laurance Fakhreddine (Lebanon)
  16. Galal Ahed (Egypt) / Hassan Alabdrabalreda (Saudi Arabia) / Mohamed Attaalla (United Arab Emirates) / Ahmed Juraybi (Saudi Arabia) / Wayne Williams (United States) / Mohammad Albagshi (Saudi Arabia) (Tied)

Classic Physique

Breon Ansley, a formidable name in Classic Physique, secured his victory with a perfect score. Weighing in at 185 pounds, Ansley demonstrated why he is a perennial favorite in this category. His win in Dubai ensured he wouldn’t need special clearance from the IFBB Pro League to compete in the 2024 Olympia.

Final Rankings:

  1. Breon Ansley (United States)
  2. Vahid Badpei (Iran)
  3. Mohammed Murshed (Iraq)
  4. Julio Simoes (Brazil)
  5. Khaled El Nahawy (Egypt)
  6. Abdullah Alrabiah (Saudi Arabia)
  7. Charles Micheal Oniya (Nigeria)
  8. Amr Elgamal (Egypt)
  9. Majid Khorsandikolour (Iran)
  10. Ali Shamsghamar (Iran)
  11. Azamat Karabashev (Russia)
  12. Valentin Petrov (Bulgaria)
  13. Paul Kanu (United States)
  14. Ahmed Chafni (United Arab Emirates)
  15. Abou Konate (United Kingdom)
  16. Masoud Abdolhay (Iran) / Yemi Adefioye (United Kingdom) / Mohamed Ahmed Abdallah (Egypt) / Haydar Al Sarray (Iraq) / Abdullah Almatar (Kuwait) / Charbake Anass (Morocco) / Mohamed Amine Fakhfakh (Tunisia) / Callum Hinze (Australia) / Seyed Reza Hosseini (Iran) / Edgard John Augustin (France) / Sedat Kaya (Turkey) / Denis Romanov (Russia) / Omid Soleimani Ghahroudi (Iran) / Ziqiang Wang (China) / Robert Waterhouse (United Kingdom) / Dani Younan (United States) / Abdul Aziz (Kuwait) / Ali Al Sharji (Oman) (Tied)

Men’s Physique

Erin Banks, the 2022 Olympia titleholder, used the Dubai Pro to assess his progress for the upcoming Olympia. His performance indicated he is on track for another strong showing.

Final Rankings:

  1. Erin Banks (United States)
  2. Miroslav Juricek (Czech Republic)
  3. Abi Pietersz (Netherlands)
  4. Carlos Asiedu Ocran (China)
  5. Sidy Pouye (Spain)
  6. Ahmed Mandy (Egypt)
  7. Kamal Aitirhmour (Morocco)
  8. Anik Ghosh (India)
  9. Rahul Paswan (India)
  10. Daniel Oti (Ghana)
  11. Youssef Hassan (Egypt)
  12. Mahmood Al-Maghrabi (Bahrain)
  13. Abdullah Al Sabea (Kuwait)
  14. Hachemi Hemza (Algeria)
  15. Youssef Cherrate (United Arab Emirates)
  16. Miguel Abibe (Portugal) / Mohammad Al Hababi (Kuwait) / Abdullah Al Sharafi (Oman) / Nawaf Alansari (Kuwait) / Mohammad Albanna (Kuwait) / Ommie Ali (United Arab Emirates) / Aziz Almohandes (Saudi Arabia) / Ali Alsaeedi (Iraq) / Joshua Atease (United Kingdom) / Aundre Benson (United States) / Omar Boresli (Kuwait) / Ravi Chaudhary (India) / Ahmed Eldebawy (Egypt) / Yassin Gaber (Egypt) / Sotirios Gkatsis (Greece) / Gijo John (India) / Tamer Laouachera (Algeria) / Louis Lee (United States) / St. Michael Moodie (Jamaica) / Ayob Omar (Libya) / Maxime Parisi (France) / Yaser Rezaei (Iran) / Matthias Roth (Germany) / Serpescu Sebastian (Romania) / Serge Victor (United States) / Lovish Wahi (India) (Tied)

Key Storylines to Watch

Men’s Open Winner — Behrooz Tabani

Behrooz Tabani’s victory in the Men’s Open was a significant achievement. Behrooz Tabani’s victory at the 2024 Dubai Pro in the Men’s Open category can be attributed to several key factors:

  1. Superior Conditioning and Muscle Mass
    Tabani showcased exceptional muscle mass and conditioning, which set him apart from his competitors. His physique was noted for its increased muscle mass and impeccable conditioning, which are critical elements in bodybuilding competitions.
  2. Posing and Presentation
    Tabani’s posing and presentation were also significant contributors to his win. Mastery in posing can greatly influence judges’ perceptions, highlighting the best features of a competitor’s physique. Effective stage presence and the ability to command attention are crucial in impressing the judges.
  3. Consistency and Preparation
    Tabani’s consistent performance throughout the season, including his previous win at the 2024 Flex Weekend Pro in Milan, Italy, demonstrated his dedication and preparedness. This consistency likely built momentum and confidence leading into the Dubai Pro.
  4. Strategic Peak Conditioning
    Achieving peak conditioning at the right time is essential for success in bodybuilding. Tabani’s ability to peak perfectly for the competition, ensuring his physique was at its best on the day of the event, was a decisive factor.
  5. Mental Strength and Focus
    Mental preparation and resilience are often overlooked but are vital in high-stakes competitions. Tabani’s mental strength and focus allowed him to maintain his composure and perform optimally under pressure.
  6. Judging Criteria Alignment
    Tabani’s physique met the key judging criteria of muscular development, symmetry, and proportion better than his competitors. Understanding and aligning with these criteria can significantly enhance a competitor’s chances of winning.In summary, Behrooz Tabani’s victory at the 2024 Dubai Pro was a result of his superior conditioning, effective posing and presentation, consistent performance, strategic peak conditioning, mental strength, and alignment with judging criteria. These factors collectively solidified his status as a top contender in the bodybuilding world. Despite the anticipation that William Bonac or Nathan De Asha would take first place, Tabani’s form and presentation were unmatched. His win in Dubai marks his second pro victory of the season and the third of his career, solidifying his status as a top contender in the bodybuilding world.

212 Bodybuilding Winner — Angel Calderon Frias

At the 2024 Dubai Pro, Angel Calderon Frias’ physique stood out significantly among his competitors in the 212 Bodybuilding category. Frias’ conditioning, muscle density, and overall symmetry were key factors that set him apart from the rest of the field. His experience and previous top-three finish at the 2023 Olympia were evident in his presentation and stage presence.

Nihat Kaya, who finished in second place, also displayed impressive muscle fullness and dry conditioning, but he lacked the seasoned refinement and muscle separation that Frias showcased. Kaya’s physique was notable for its mass and class, but it did not quite match the overall balance and detail of Frias’ form.

Nasser Mohammad, who secured third place, similarly brought a strong package to the stage but fell short in terms of the muscle maturity and definition that Frias exhibited. The competition was fierce, but Frias’ superior conditioning and experience ultimately secured his victory, reaffirming his readiness for the 2024 Olympi

Classic Physique Winner — Breon Ansley

Breon Ansley’s performance in the Classic Physique category was nothing short of spectacular. Weighing in at 185 pounds, Ansley secured a perfect score, demonstrating his dominance in the division. His victory in Dubai ensures that he will compete in the 2024 Olympia without needing special clearance from the IFBB Pro League, thanks to his past victories in 2017 and 2018.

Key Factors Behind Breon Ansley’s Perfect Score

Breon Ansley’s perfect score in the Classic Physique category at the 2024 Dubai Pro can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Refined Physique and Conditioning
Ansley showcased an exceptionally refined physique with a narrow waist, which he achieved by addressing digestive issues that previously caused inflammation and acid reflux. By eliminating pre-workout powders and similar supplements, he improved his waistline and overall conditioning.

2. Increased Muscle Mass
Ansley added significant muscle mass to his frame, weighing in at 185 pounds for the competition. This increase in muscle mass, combined with his already well-balanced physique, helped him stand out among competitors.

3. Posing and Presentation
Ansley’s posing and presentation were meticulously practiced and executed. He focused on achieving deeper cuts, more separation, and better muscle density, which were evident during his posing routines. His ability to vacuum his core for extended periods also highlighted his superior conditioning.

4. Judges’ Feedback and Adaptation
Ansley took judges’ feedback seriously and made necessary adjustments to his physique and presentation. He aimed for a fuller look and worked on improving specific areas as per the evolving standards of the Classic Physique division.These factors combined to help Breon Ansley secure a perfect score and reaffirm his dominance in the Classic Physique division.

Men’s Physique Winner — Erin Banks

Erin Banks, the reigning 2022 Olympia titleholder, used the Dubai Pro as a benchmark for his progress leading up to the 2024 Olympia. His performance indicated that he is on track for another strong showing, reaffirming his status as a top competitor in the Men’s Physique category.

Here’s how his posing practice contributed to his success:

  1. Daily Posing Practice
  • Consistency and Routine: Banks practiced his posing every day for up to an hour. This consistent practice helped him refine his poses, ensuring that he could present his physique in the best possible way during competitions.
  • Muscle Memory and Endurance: Regular posing practice helped Banks develop muscle memory and the endurance needed to hold poses for extended periods, which is essential during pre-judging and finals.
  • Polishing Presentation: By focusing on posing, Banks could highlight his strengths and minimize any weaknesses. This attention to detail helped him present a polished and symmetrical physique, which is critical in the Men’s Physique category.

2. Posing as a Workout Component

  • Integration with Workouts: Banks often incorporated posing practice into his workout sessions, particularly after back workouts when his muscles were pumped. This approach helped him simulate the conditions of a competition, making it easier to maintain poses even when fatigued.
  • Feedback and Adjustment: Regular posing practice allowed Banks to receive feedback from his coach and make necessary adjustments to his routine. This iterative process ensured continuous improvement and adaptation to the judges’ preferences.

3. Mental Preparation

  • Confidence Building: Daily posing practice boosted Banks’ confidence on stage. Knowing that he had thoroughly prepared for every aspect of his presentation helped him perform with greater assurance and poise.
  • Visualization: Posing practice also served as a form of visualization, allowing Banks to mentally rehearse his performance and visualize success, which is a powerful tool for competitive athletes.

Erin Banks’ dedication to his posing routine was a key factor in his preparation, enabling him to showcase his physique effectively and maintain his status as a top competitor in Men’s Physique.

Looking Ahead

Athletes who have not yet won a contest have until September 15, 2024, to earn a victory and secure their qualification for the Olympia. The 2024 Dubai Pro has set the stage for an exciting season, with top athletes showcasing their talents and vying for a spot in the prestigious Olympia lineup.

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