The global bodybuilding circuit reached a fever pitch this past weekend as the Flex Weekend Italy Pro descended upon Milan on Sunday, June 28. In a sport where the margins between victory and defeat are often measured in millimeters of skin thickness and the precise pop of a muscle belly, the stakes in Milan could not have been higher. With the 2026 Olympia Weekend—bodybuilding’s “Super Bowl”—looming on the horizon in Las Vegas, the pressure to secure a coveted qualification spot turned the Milan stage into a crucible of elite athleticism.
Competitors in the Open, Men’s Physique, and Classic Physique divisions vied not only for regional supremacy but for a direct, golden ticket to the Palms in Las Vegas, where the world’s best will gather from September 24–27, 2026. The results from Milan have fundamentally shifted the narrative for the upcoming Olympia, proving once again that momentum in the IFBB Pro League is as fleeting as it is essential.
The Milan Showdown: A Chronology of the Event
The event kicked off with the standard intensity that has come to define the European bodybuilding tour. As the morning prejudging rounds commenced, it became clear that the depth of talent on display was exceptional, particularly in the Men’s Physique category, which saw an staggering 36 athletes fight for the top spots.
By the time the evening finals arrived, the energy in the Milan venue was electric. The judges, tasked with navigating a series of high-stakes comparisons, had their work cut out for them, particularly in the Open division, where the hierarchy of the sport was challenged by rising talent.
- Morning Sessions: Technical assessments focused on muscle maturity, symmetry, and the transition between mandatory poses.
- The Afternoon Surge: The Men’s Physique category dominated the middle portion of the show, with judges forced to undergo multiple rounds of comparisons to differentiate the massive field of 36 competitors.
- The Evening Finale: The Open and Classic Physique categories served as the crescendo of the event. The crowd witnessed an upset in the Open division, followed by confirmation of dominance from the rising stars in the other two categories.
Open Division: The Upset Heard ‘Round the World
The marquee event of the evening was undoubtedly the Open Bodybuilding division. Heading into Milan, the narrative was almost exclusively focused on William Bonac. With a pair of recent victories at the France and Spain Pro shows, Bonac arrived in Italy carrying the heavy mantle of the favorite. His resume, experience, and consistent conditioning suggested he would breeze through the competition.
However, bodybuilding history is littered with favorites who faltered in the face of sheer, undeniable size. Edward Kargbo was that disruption.
The Rise of Edward Kargbo
Kargbo, representing Dubai, brought a combination of extreme fullness and dense muscle mass that proved to be the kryptonite to Bonac’s aesthetic lines. Throughout the comparison rounds, Kargbo maintained a level of structural integrity that forced the judges to re-evaluate the top of the leaderboard. When the final callout occurred, it was Kargbo who stood in the center, securing his first-ever qualification for the Mr. Olympia stage.
The upset was significant. By pushing a seasoned veteran like Bonac into second place and holding off a strong performance by third-place finisher Jordan Hutchinson, Kargbo has announced himself as a legitimate contender to watch in Las Vegas.
"Olympia bound," Kargbo shared on his Instagram shortly after the victory. The sentiment was brief, but the weight of the achievement was clear: Kargbo has transitioned from a promising pro to a legitimate threat on the Olympia stage.
Men’s Physique: Sidy Pouye’s Masterclass
If the Open division was about an upset, the Men’s Physique division was about cementing a legacy. Sidy Pouye, representing Spain, continued his relentless 2026 campaign. Having already tasted victory at the Spain Pro, Pouye arrived in Milan with the intent to "double down" on his success.
Navigating the Field
The challenge in Milan was not just the quality of the athletes, but the sheer quantity. With 36 competitors, the division was a marathon of posing and endurance. Pouye’s ability to maintain his definition while managing the fatigue of a long, drawn-out competition was the differentiator. His core, V-taper, and overall presentation remained pristine from the first callout to the final posing routine.
Lollo Giachetti put up a valiant effort to secure the second spot, while Jessy Pigury rounded out the top three. For Pouye, the goal now shifts from qualifying to competing. Having finished in 12th place at the 2024 Olympia, Pouye is looking to climb the rankings. His performance in Milan proves that his conditioning is peaking at the right time, making him a dark horse for a top-ten finish in Vegas.
Classic Physique: The Dominance of Luca Reger
The Classic Physique category has become the most aesthetically pleasing and fiercely contested division in the sport, and Luca Reger is currently its poster child for momentum. Following his recent triumph in Spain, Reger entered Milan with the confidence of a man who knows exactly how to present his physique.
Structural Perfection
Reger’s victory was anchored by what experts described as "monstrous quads" and a level of fullness that perfectly complemented his classic proportions. In a division where "classic" lines are often sacrificed for pure size, Reger manages to balance both.
Following the victory, Reger was humble and reflective on social media: "Take some time to appreciate what you have. I have the best support system I could ever ask for. Nothing would be possible without my team."
Despite his back-to-back victories in 2026, Reger remains grounded. Having yet to crack the top 16 at the Olympia in his previous attempts in 2024 and 2025, he is keenly aware that the jump from "pro show winner" to "Olympia finalist" is a massive one. He now has three months to refine his look and prove that his regional dominance can translate to the most competitive stage on Earth. Paulo Henrique took second, and Francesco Vedova placed third in a highly competitive lineup.
Implications for the 2026 Olympia
The results of the Flex Weekend Italy Pro provide a fascinating look at the shifting tides of professional bodybuilding.
- The End of the "Easy" Qualification: With the recent rule changes announced by the IFBB Pro League, the path to the Olympia has become more streamlined but significantly more competitive. Winners are no longer just "getting in"; they are being tested against the best international lineups week in and week out.
- The "Momentum" Factor: The fact that both Sidy Pouye and Luca Reger won back-to-back shows indicates that the current judging criteria favors those who can maintain peak condition over consecutive weekends. The "one-and-done" approach to qualifying is being replaced by a culture of consistent, high-level performance.
- The "Dubai Connection": With Edward Kargbo’s victory, we are seeing the continued emergence of Dubai as a global hub for bodybuilding excellence. The investment in athletes and training facilities in the region is clearly paying dividends on the international stage.
As the sport looks toward the Palms in Las Vegas, the pressure is now on these three winners—Kargbo, Pouye, and Reger—to prove that their performances in Milan were not just regional successes, but blueprints for what they will bring to the Olympia.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia is shaping up to be a defining event in the history of the sport. With the qualification rules tighter than ever, the standard for entry has been raised. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the victors of Milan adapt their prep for the dry, desert heat of Las Vegas. For those who want to track the qualification journey as it continues, more information can be found at the official Mr. Olympia website.
The countdown to the stage has officially begun. One thing is certain: if Milan was any indication, the 2026 Olympia will be a war of attrition where only the most conditioned, disciplined, and prepared athletes will survive.
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Asep Darmawan
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