Zama Benta's Olympia Runner-Up Sparks Bodybuilding Debate

Last updated Oct 3, 2026

At the Mr. Olympia weekend in Las Vegas from September 24-27, Brazilian athlete Zama Benta earned second place in Women’s Physique behind champion Natalia Abraham Coelho, with Sarah Villegas in third. Her extreme conditioning and revealing back pose drew praise for discipline alongside criticism for being too much, like comments calling it 'bootyhole facing the world' or one of the ugliest things. Defenders pointed out men chase similar extremes in bodybuilding, while the talk contrasted stage physiques with everyday gym-goers and beach bodies. The Women’s Physique category values muscle size, symmetry, conditioning, and feminine presentation, marking Benta's improvement from prior podiums.

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