Vancouver PRO 2023 | What did the expected fight between Hassan Mostafa and Stanimal bring? Results and report

The bodybuilding season is in full swing and during this weekend there were five different competitions where competitors from all over the world could measure their strength. However, only one competition included the Men's Bodybuilding Open, and that was the Vancouver PRO held traditionally in the Canadian capital. And it promised to be an excellent spectacle from the start, as Egyptian giant Hassan Mostafa and American pro Stan de Longeaux were set to face off against each other.

Pre-competition predictions

Before we get to the predictions regarding the standard most popular open category, it would be good to highlight American competitor Ashley Kaltwasser, who last week became the first athlete in the IFBB to win 40 professional competitions after winning the Patriots Challenge. It was this competitor who was able to count her fifth top ten pro win at the Vancouver PRO, a truly admirable number. But back to the slightly more balanced Open category, in which this time, according to the start list, only 6 competitors were supposed to compete, with exactly half of them being local representatives. Paradoxically, however, the pre-competition predictions did not give any of them any significant chance of success - but it is certainly worth mentioning at least Prince Boabang, for whom this is the first race in the Open category.

He did stand on the boards in the 212lb category a few years ago, but he no longer meets the weight limit there. In the fight for the qualifying ticket to Mr. Olympia, however, a fairly even duel was expected between Hassan Mostafa and Stan de Longeaux, known to bodybuilding fans as Stanimal. During their last clash at the recent Orlando PRO, which we informed you about in a separate report, Hassan finished second and Stanimal right behind him, with the first place going to Phil Clahar, quite surprisingly. He is currently no longer in the way of the racers, so it was clear that we had something to look forward to.

Results of Open category

From the first moments of the race itself it was clear that the predictions of the sports commentators would come true and that there would indeed be a duel between Hassan Mostafa and Stanimal. It should be noted that both fighters showed great form and although according to some commentators he looked a bit better than the much taller Stanimal, Hassan's volumes were really incredible and considering the wow effect he brought to the stage, it is no wonder that the judges ended up favouring him. He really showed a marked improvement from last year and his muscles were plastic and full, but he was in great shape at the same time. Second place then went to Stanimal, who according to many foreign commentators showed the best form of his career so far, but still lacks some volume to match the best who perform at the Olympia.

Third-placed Nate Spear was also in great form and his muscular build was also admirable. Although the volumes were catching up to the first two competitors, his form was not as sharp and he finished third quite rightly. However, prospectively, this competitor may certainly have the ability to compete with the best. Fourth place went to the aforementioned newcomer in the open category Prince Boabang and the top five was rounded off by another Canadian racer, Morgan MacDonald.

Vancouver PRO 2023 | TOP 5

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