The 2024 Wellness International had more initial buzz than in years past. That is not only because a new champion is guaranteed since 2023 winner Kassandra Gillis opted not to compete, but also because of who was competing. Three-time Wellness Olympia champion Francielle Mattos made her Arnold Classic debut, and many experts considered her the favorite to win the show.
However, 2022 Arnold champion Isabelle Pereira Nunes was in the show and sought to upset Mattos for her second Wellness International win. Those two and the rest of the lineup were ready to take the Arnold Expo Stage in the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH, on Friday, March 1, 2024, for the pre-judging round.
All the athletes were introduced to the crowd individually in the following order:
2024 Wellness International Roster
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Amanda Burnett
- Johanna Calcano
- Lili Dong
- Anne-Marie Gobeil
- Andrea Hrenko
- Hye Yoon Kim
- Francielle Mattos
- Isabelle Pereira Nunes
- Bruna Seredich
- Courtney Starr
After the competitors greeted the Expo crowd, watching from seats and standing in the aisles, head judge Sandy Williamson had the athletes return for comparisons.
The first and last callouts are the most important as they determine who is in the running for the title. Here’s who reached which callout:
Callout One
- Lili Dong
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Isabelle Pereira Nunes
- Francielle Mattos
- Bruna Seredich
- Anna-Meria Gobeil
Callout Two
- Andrea Hrenko
- Courtney Starr
- Hye Yoon Kim
- Amanda Burnett
- Johanna Calcano
Callout Three
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Isabelle Pereira Nunes
- Francielle Mattos
- Bruna Seredich
Mattos’ fans came out in full force to show their support. As expected, she and Nunes were in the center of the first call-out. The judges made Nunes and Mattos perform two full rounds of posing before they returned to the back of the stage.
The final call-out included Mattos, Nunes, Sandra Colorado Acal, and Brian Seredich. They will be the front runners going into the finals, which will be held later in the eventing at the Battelle Grand Ballroom, where the 2024 champion will be crowned.
BarBend will provide coverage of the final round of the 2024 Wellness International contest and the other six events of the 2024 Arnold Classic weekend. Fans not in Columbus can watch the action live for free on the Arnold Sports Festival livestream.
Featured image: @franciellemattos on Instagram
The post 2024 Wellness International Pre-Judging Report appeared first on BarBend.