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On the weekend of May 8-9, 2026<\/b>, Teaneck, New Jersey experienced an incredible bodybuilding show. At the prestigious New York Pro 2026<\/b>, which is considered one of the season’s most important milestones after the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic, the Men’s Open<\/b> royal category saw drama that will be remembered for a long time.<\/p>\n
The main attraction was not only the prestige and the prize money, but above all the direct qualification for Mr. Olympia 2026<\/b>. Brutal volumes clashed with elegant aesthetics on stage and the judges had their hands full.<\/p>\nClash of the Titans: Tonio Burton versus Michal Krizanek<\/h2>\n
The entire semi-final and final was a close battle between two heavyweights – American Tonio Burton<\/b> and Slovakian giant Michal “Kriz” Kri\u017e\u00e1nek<\/b>. The judges kept them in the middle of the stage from the very first comparison.<\/p>\nThe champion Tonio Burton: Life form and symmetry<\/h3>\n
American professional Tonio Burton went into this competition with a clear goal. After finishing a brilliant eighth place at both the 2023 and 2025 Mr. Olympia, he knew he needed to bring something special to move forward. And he did just that in New York.<\/p>\n
Burton showcased incredibly round muscles, deep separation and absolutely flawless posing. His strengths were final tightness and perfect abdominal wall control. He scored an identical 4 points from the judges in both rounds, giving him a close but well deserved victory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Slovak “Mass Monster” Michal Kri\u017e\u00e1nek was one of the biggest favourites of the audience. Kri\u017eo brought breathtaking volumes to the stage, especially in the arms and shoulders, which visibly overshadowed Burton.<\/p>\n
However, with a difference of only two points in the overall score (10 vs. 8 points for Burton) he missed out on the gold. In a close fight, the judges favored the slightly better tightness and readiness of Tonio Burton’s back stance. However, second place is a confirmation for Kriz that he is still one of the absolute world’s best and his progress to the Olympia is only a matter of time.<\/p>\n
The third place went to the Brazilian aesthetic king Rafael Brandao<\/b>, who impressed with his great lines and elegant presentation, but this time he lost out to the top two in volume. Fourth place went to the crowd’s favourite, showman Blessing Awodibu<\/b>, who made a very solid return to form, and the elite five were rounded off by the superbly prepared Italian Daniel Goss<\/b>.<\/p>\nOfficial results and scorecards (Men’s Open)<\/h2>\n
Check out the full top ten standings and judges’ scorecards. The rule in bodybuilding is that the less points a competitor receives, the better his result.<\/p>\n
| Rankings<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Start no.<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Name<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Country<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Semi-final (Judging)<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Final<\/th>\n <\/p>\n | Total points<\/th>\n
\n\t<\/thead>\n <\/p>\n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 149<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Tonio Burton<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 4<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 4<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 8<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 2.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 157<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Michal Krizanek<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Slovakia<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 5<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 5<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 10<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 3.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 148<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Rafael Brandao<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Brazil<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 9<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 9<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 18<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 4.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 146<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Blessing Awodibu<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Ireland<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 12<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 12<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 24<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 5.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 152<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Daniel Goss<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Italy<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 15<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 15<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 30<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 6.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 160<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Patrick Moore<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 18<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 18<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 36<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 7.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 154<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Dorian Haywood<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 21<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 22<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 43<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 8.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 150<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Nathan Epler<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 24<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 23<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 47<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 9.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 159<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Vincenzo Masone<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 29<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 27<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 56<\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
| 10.<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 158<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | Walter Martin<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | USA<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 28<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 30<\/td>\n <\/p>\n | 58<\/td>\n
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