On May 30, 2023, experienced bodybuilder Iain Valliere shared a series of photos on his Instagram page where the athlete’s legs look ripped. Just a few days later, on June 1, 2023, the bodybuilder shared a similar teaser detailing his evident progress in the gym in just a few months. While the connection isn’t entirely clear, they appear to be a teaser about Valliere’s latest training gains as he prepares to compete in the 2023 Toronto Pro on June 4, 2023.
The 2023 Toronto Pro will be Valliere’s first competitive appearance on stage during the 2023 calendar year. More importantly, the Canadian native will attempt to use the contest to qualify for the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, in early November.
After the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) made changes to the Olympia qualification system, Valliere — who finished in 11th place in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 iteration of the flagship contest — has no choice but to win a significant competition to compete in the Olympia again in 2023. Only past winners in any Olympia division, along with top-five finishers in the previous edition, have automatic qualification. Competitors like Valliere need outright wins in any of the sanctioned IFBB contests during the lead-up to this year’s event.
This relatively new obstacle shouldn’t necessarily be an issue for Valliere. The athlete won his only other non-Olympia 2022 contest, the 2022 Vancouver Pro. Per his page on NPC News Online, the athlete can count a number of other notable IFBB victories from his career. They include wins in the 2020 New York Pro, the 2021 Tampa Pro, and the 2021 Texas Pro.
At this stage of Valliere’s professional outlook, the main place he’s likely seeking more success is on stage at the Mr. Olympia. Valliere made his Olympia debut in 2018, where he finished 14th. His best-ever results at the competition remain his two back-to-back seventh-place finishes in 2020 and 2021.
Valliere has previously made headlines for training Chris Bumstead, the reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion (2019-2022). The pair mutually parted ways when Bumstead began working with coach Hany Rambod in the fall of 2022. In terms of opinions on the overall bodybuilding sphere, Valliere stated in February 2023 that he believes the Olympia should be more streamlined, advocating for the removal of the 212 division.
While seasoned, Valliere might not be one of the biggest stars on paper in the modern bodybuilding pantheon. Bringing his ripped legs to a potential win in the 2023 Toronto Pro, followed by customary preparation for improvement at the 2023 Olympia, might go a long way to putting the athlete back on the map.
Featured image: @iainvalliere on Instagram
