The main event of the Arnold Sports Festival South America (also known as Arnold Classic South America or Arnold Classic Brazil) is, traditionally, the Open Professional Bodybuilding Championship (Men’s Division in which there is no weight limit). The 2025 edition, which starts this Friday (4), promises a clash between Brazilian Leandro Peres and Russian Ugolnikov Vitalii, Goodvito.
Both are pointed out as the two major competitors to the tournament title and the Olympia vacancy, which will be played on Saturday (5). Peres, in turn, says he will present a 10kg version heavier than in his last championship. Goodvito says he has added 4kg of pure muscle mass to his physique this season.
“After being about a year and a half without competing, I put 10kg of stage and will be even drier,” says the Brazilian. “Last year, I was weighing 110kg two days ago from my competition. Today, in the same period of preparation, I am 115kg,” the Russian countera.
Their career at the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness) is recent: while Peres won his professional card at the end of 2021 and debuted in the professional league in 2022, Vitalii was professional in 2022 and made his “Pro debut” in 2024.
Last year, the Russian competed in Arnold Classic Brazil himself and took third place, behind only athletes who are constantly in Olympia. Then it was Detroit, in the United States, and starred in a balanced confrontation with Martin Fitzwater (current 4th best in the world), but took second position.
2024 was different for the Brazilian: after not gaining the desired results in 2023, he took the year to “bulking” (when bodybuilders enter a calorie surplus diet to build more muscle mass) and make his physique evolve to another level this season.
Zebra?
If most of the public expects a battle starring only by Peres and Vitalii, another challenger promises to spoil the fans’ predictions. Current fifth place from Arnold Classic South America, Carlos Andre wants to advance positions in this edition of the festival.
“The ‘Carlão’ is the same as all Brazilians: never gives up. Every day, I fill myself and try to improve. So Saturday (5) you will see, on stage, that not always favoritism counts. I will bring my best physique on this day,” says the athlete.
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