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Many people know some of the big names in bodybuilding contests, however, there are those important events that can make athletes\u2019 careers that people may not know about. The New York Pro<\/strong> is one of them and this event has helped spring many bodybuilders into the spotlight while earning them qualification for a host of other big-time events, like Mr. Olympia<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The New York Pro contest took place May 17, 2025 in New Jersey in what stacked up to be an exciting event. With most divisions present, fans will get to see their favorite bodybuilders hit the stage in efforts to take home the top prize.<\/p>\n Our team at Generation Iron<\/a><\/strong> has put a list together of the past winners for this event so everyone can see some of the legendary names in the record books. And maybe we\u2019ll have a new addition come the end of this contest.<\/p>\n Darrem Charles<\/strong> won 14 pro shows and competed at Mr. Olympia 14 times throughout his career. His first IFBB competition was in 1989 and from there, he would go on to win events like the Toronto Pro, Atlantic City Pro, Puerto Rico Pro, and this New York Pro contest in 2005.<\/p>\n This New York Pro event, along with the Colorado Pro Championships, were the first two professional wins for Phil Heath. Over the next couple of years, he would train hard and continue at Olympia\u2019s doorstep where in 2011 it finally happened. For the next six years, there was no stopping him and he went on to tie Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/strong><\/a> for the second most wins of all time. He also earned the reputation of being one of the most muscular men on the planet.<\/p>\n Related: Complete List Of Masters Olympia Winners Through The Years<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Coming into this New York Pro win, Branch Warren<\/strong> was just getting his footing in the pro circuit. He had won a couple shows, but finished 8th<\/sup> and 12th<\/sup> at Mr. Olympia thus far. This show seemed to be a turning point for Warren, for after this win he would place in the top 3 a number of times at Olympia, win the Arnold Classic<\/strong><\/a> on numerous occasions, and continue to have a dominant bodybuilding career.<\/p>\n \nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DIA12tQNY7b\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n Kai Greene took on the pro circuit in 2004 and had a string of success leading into the earlier 2010\u2019s, including his first win at the New York Pro contest. He continued training with a prep coach and would see another victory here in 2011, but this time he had his sights set on Mr. Olympia. He finished second at the Mr. Olympia contest in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Despite falling just short, Greene\u2019s 2016 was a great year and he would take the Arnold Classic South America crown, as well as Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic Australia. He has not competed since then.<\/p>\n Evan Centopani<\/strong> earned his pro card in 2007 and quickly took this New York Pro contest in 2009. While his pro career may not have been as long as some of his fellow competitors, he competed at some of the biggest competitions and held sponsorships with some of the top brands in the industry.<\/p>\n Roelly Winklaar turned pro in 2009 and won this New York Pro contest the following year. Those in the community were stunned and this accomplishment gave him his chance to compete at Mr. Olympia. With wins at contests like the Yamamoto Pro, Prague Pro, Arnold Classic Australia, and Chicago Pro, he continued to fight for that Olympia title, finishing third in 2018.<\/p>\n Cedric McMillan was one of those bodybuilders seeking to bring back that golden era look of old school bodybuilding. He earned his pro card in 2009 and has been a real contender in the pro circuit. With wins at events like the Arnold Classic, Levrone Pro Classic, and this New York Pro event, he continued his dominance against the best in the sport. McMillan passed away in 2022.<\/p>\n Mamdouh Elssbiay, better known as \u201cBig Ramy\u201d, earned his pro card just three years after he started training. His pro debut was at this New York Pro event, which he won in both 2013 and 2014. Entering the Arnold Classic South America contest, Big Ramy was the next new guy, the one who bodybuilders were looking towards to see what would happen. And he didn\u2019t disappoint. A great career has most recently seen back to back first place finishes at the Mr. Olympia contest in 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n This boxer turned bodybuilder, Juan Morel<\/strong> made his amateur debut in 2007 and earned his pro card in 2011. He was constantly battling among the best in the field and finished in the top ten at Mr. Olympia in 2014. Things slowed a bit after for Morel, despite his 2017 New York Pro win, and it wasn\u2019t until 2019 when he strung together three huge wins at his second New York Pro, Japan Pro, and the Arnold Classic South America contest.<\/p>\n Related: Complete List Of Arnold Classic South America Winners<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Dexter \u201cThe Blade\u201d Jackson took the 2008 Olympia contest after having a great year including wins at the Arnold Classic and Australian Pro Grand Prix VIII. He continued to have an amazing career and added the New York Pro win in 2016 to the list. He has competed in 20 Mr. Olympia contests (winning in 2008) and is the only bodybuilder to win the overall title at Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia. He started his own bodybuilding competition called The Dexter Classic in 2009.<\/p>\n Sergio Oliva Jr.<\/strong> is the son of multi-time Olympia winner Sergio Oliva. He earned his pro card in 2015 and this New York Pro win was his best finish so far. He continues to compete at top bodybuilding shows as he follows his father\u2019s footsteps.<\/p>\n Nathan De Asha hit the stage at his first event when he was 21-years old and although it took a little while, he earned his pro card in 2014 at the British Championships. He would go on to have some top 10 finishes at Mr. Olympia and this New York Pro is one of a few shows that De Asha can add to the list.<\/p>\n Earning his pro card in 2014, Iain Valliere<\/strong> competed in various professional shows leading up to this New York Pro event. This win, however, is his most notable win. Despite some controversy at this event, he powered through and has won other events like the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro<\/p>\n Nick Walker<\/strong>, also know as \u201cThe Mutant\u201d, turned pro in 2020 and in less than a year, took home this New York Pro win, giving him an Olympia spot. He also won the Arnold Classic in the same year and took home 5th<\/sup> at Olympia, setting his career up to be something special.<\/p>\n In 2024, he returned to the stage<\/strong><\/a> after having to sit out at the 2023 Olympia due to a hamstring injury. Upon his return, he took home the 2024 New York Pro. <\/p>\n At the 2025 New York Pro, Nick Walker swept the stage, showing off a physique that many people did not expect him to have. There is a lot of speculation that Walker could be a top contender at the Mr. Olympia.<\/p>\n The 2022 New York Pro is in the record books with Blessing Awodibu winning the contest overall. This took place just one year after losing to 2021 champ Nick Walker at this contest. In 2022, Nick Walker even presented Awodibu with the trophy and the ring when he won.<\/p>\n Tonio Burton<\/b> took the trophy home at the 2023 New York Pro, out-posing 16 other Men\u2019s Open competitors, some of the best on the scene, to win the show and earn his qualification for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest.<\/p>\n In 2026, Tonio Burton reclaimed the throne at the New York Pro, beating out top competitors like Michal Krizanek and Rafael Brandao. Burton came in leaner, bigger, and tighter than ever before, solidifying his spot at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.<\/p>\n The New York Pro<\/strong> contest is an exciting event that can help rising bodybuilders, and already established ones as well, cement their place in the bodybuilding world. With another exciting event already taking shape, maybe another winner will be added to the list and the New York Pro history books.<\/p>\n Let us know what you think in the comments below.\u00a0Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on\u00a0Facebook, Twitter<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n *Images courtesy of Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nNew York Pro Winners<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nDarrem Charles \u2013 2005<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nPhil Heath \u2013 2006<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nBranch Warren \u2013 2007<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nKai Greene \u2013 2008 & 2011<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nEvan Centopani \u2013 2009<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nRoelly Winklaar \u2013 2010<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nCedric McMillan \u2013 2012<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nMamdouh \u201cBig Ramy\u201d Elssbiay \u2013 2013 & 2014<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nJuan Morel \u2013 2015 & 2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nDexter Jackson \u2013 2016<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nSergio Oliva Jr. \u2013 2017<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nNathan De Asha \u2013 2018<\/h3>\n
\nIain Valliere \u2013 2020<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nNick Walker \u2013 2021, 2024<\/strong> and 2025<\/h3>\n
\nBlessing Awodibu \u2013 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nTonio Burton \u2013 2023<\/strong>, 2026<\/h3>\n
Wrap Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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