{"id":9245,"date":"2026-01-13T07:29:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9245"},"modified":"2026-01-13T07:29:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:29:56","slug":"athletes-to-look-out-for-as-the-2022-natural-bodybuilding-season-embarks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9245","title":{"rendered":"Athletes to Look Out For As the 2022 Natural Bodybuilding Season Embarks"},"content":{"rendered":"


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INBA PNBA athletes to keep on your radar for the 2022 natural bodybuilding season. <\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n

The International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)\/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA)<\/a> 2022 season will be underway soon. As the upcoming natural bodybuilding<\/a> shows approach, we want to share some of the top INBA PNBA athletes to watch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Athletes to Look Out For<\/b><\/h3>\n

Below we\u2019ll cover the top INBA PNBA athletes competing this year. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul Krueger\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Paul\"Paul<\/p>\n

Of course, you\u2019ll want to keep an eye on Paul Krueger<\/a>. Paul Krueger was the Men\u2019s Bodybuilding champ at 2021 Natural Olympia<\/a>. He plans to win it all again at 2022 Natural Olympia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Philip Ricardo Jr.\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Philip\"Philip<\/p>\n

Philip Ricardo Jr.<\/a> is a legend in the sport of natural bodybuilding. He\u2019s won Natural Olympia on multiple occasions \u2013 2019, 2015, 2008, and 2007 \u2013 and he\u2019s the reigning champion of the Men\u2019s Bodybuilding Grand Masters class. He also won a Harley-Davidson at last year\u2019s Natural Olympia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alondra Chatman<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Alondra\"Alondra<\/p>\n

Alondra Chatman<\/a> is the first woman to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA. And she\u2019s a 2x Figure Open Natural Olympia champion, including this past year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brandon Lirio<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Brandon\"Brandon<\/p>\n

Brandon Lirio<\/a> competes in the Classic Physique division, and he\u2019s a 3x Natural Olympia champion, 2x World champion, 2x Natural Universe champion, and PNBA Hall of Fame Inductee. He was the silver medal winner at the 2021 Natural Olympia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kayla Rowling\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Kayla\"Kayla<\/p>\n

Kayla Rowling<\/a> is a 2x Natural Olympia Bikini Divas champ, including this past year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Derek Joe<\/b><\/h4>\n
\"Derek\"Derek
Image via Instagram @djoe.hype<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Derek Joe<\/a> was the 2021 Classic Physique Natural Olympia champ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marc Cheatham<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Marc\"Marc<\/p>\n

Marc Cheatham<\/a> is a rising star who placed in the top six in his first Natural Olympia (2021).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arely Ayala<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Arely\"Arely<\/p>\n

Arely Ayala<\/a> is the first international natural bodybuilder to sign a multi-media contract and was the 2021 Natural Olympia Bikini Angels champ. She also received a silver medal in the Bikini Divas category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tamer Barakat<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Tamer\"Tamer<\/p>\n

Tamer Barkat<\/a> is the first vegan to sign a multi-media contract. He\u2019s also one of the top Men\u2019s Bodybuilding competitors, despite a 40-60 lbs weight disadvantage. Barakat placed in the top five of the Men\u2019s Bodybuilding class at last year\u2019s Natural Olympia and received second place in Men\u2019s Bodybuilding Grand Masters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peter Cichonski<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"Peter\"Peter<\/p>\n

Peter Cichonski<\/a> is a chiropractor and strongly believes in the power of the sun for your body. Cichonski placed well at Natural Olympia 2021, ranking in the top three in the Men\u2019s Bodybuilding Grand Masters division.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Athletes to Keep on Your Radar<\/b><\/h3>\n

Below are other athletes to pay attention to this upcoming season and their respective natural bodybuilding divisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n