Brittne Pence is the 2026 Chicago Pro Women’s Figure Open champion. In only her second IFBB Pro League appearance, the American athlete moved from seventh at the Pittsburgh Pro to first in Rosemont, Illinois, earning the biggest victory of her young professional career and a place at the 2026 Figure Olympia.
The top of the lineup brought together a new professional on a rapid rise, an established Olympia athlete and several competitors with strong Chicago records. Defending champion Aksana Yukhno finished second, while Elizabeth Nieder placed third. Maria Hudson and Hannah Hartman completed the top five.
Pence Completes a Remarkable Rise From Amateur Overall Winner to Pro Champion
Brittne Pence began 2026 by winning her Figure class and the overall title at the Arnold Amateur, where she earned IFBB Pro League status. Her professional debut came in a demanding Pittsburgh lineup in May, and seventh place provided an early measure of where she stood against experienced international opposition.
The Chicago result represents a substantial step forward. Moving from seventh to first within two months is evidence of an athlete responding productively to her first professional comparison. The judges rewarded the complete presentation she brought to Rosemont, and the victory gives her a clear next objective: preparing for the deeper standard of the Olympia stage.
The result should be celebrated without placing unnecessary expectations on a new professional. One win does not complete an athlete’s development, but it does confirm that Brittne Pence can convert potential into a winning performance under pressure. Chicago was an important achievement and an excellent foundation for the next phase of her career.
Yukhno and Nieder Maintain Their Place Among Chicago’s Best
Runner-up Aksana Yukhno returned as the defending Chicago Pro champion after winning the 2025 contest and competing at the Figure Olympia. Although she did not retain the title, second place is another strong result in a career that has been built through repeated appearances in competitive professional fields. Her experience and consistency kept her firmly in the championship comparison.
Third-placed Elizabeth Nieder extended an impressive run at this event. She finished fourth in 2024, second in 2025 and third in 2026, giving her three consecutive top-four Chicago Pro results. That record reflects reliability: she continues to arrive ready to contend, even as the lineup and competitive circumstances change from season to season.
Hudson and Hartman Deliver in Open and Masters Competition
Maria Hudson placed fourth in the Open division and also won the Masters Figure 40+ title. Producing two high-level results during the same show is a meaningful test of preparation and stage composure. Her performance demonstrated that a masters athlete can remain highly competitive in the Open lineup while also excelling in her age division.
Fifth-placed Hannah Hartman followed a similar path, adding second place in Masters Figure 40+ to her Open top-five finish. Linda Judith Cantu Gonzalez took sixth in the Open and third in Masters 40+, completing a strong group of athletes who successfully managed the demands of both contests.
A Competitive Second Half of the Top 10
Danielle Rose finished seventh after entering Chicago with three top-four results already recorded in 2026. The placing may sit below her earlier finishes, but her full season remains evidence of sustained competitiveness across several stages rather than a single isolated performance.
Andrea Hagans secured eighth place, continuing her first full professional seasons after earning her pro card at the 2024 NPC USA Championships. Erika Galicia finished ninth in the Open while also winning Masters Figure 45+ and placing fourth in Masters 40+. Dominique Berridge completed the Open top 10 and added fifth place in Masters 40+.
2026 Chicago Pro Women’s Figure Open Results
| Place | Athlete | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brittne Pence | USA |
| 2 | Aksana Yukhno | USA |
| 3 | Elizabeth Nieder | USA |
| 4 | Maria Hudson | USA |
| 5 | Hannah Hartman | USA |
| 6 | Linda Judith Cantu Gonzalez | Mexico |
| 7 | Danielle Rose | USA |
| 8 | Andrea Hagans | USA |
| 9 | Erika Galicia | Mexico |
| 10 | Dominique Berridge | USA |
Country listings follow the IFBB Pro League’s official scorecard.
A Positive Showcase for the Figure Division
The 2026 Chicago Pro offered a strong example of why Figure remains one of the IFBB Pro League’s most exacting divisions. The final order included a new professional champion, an Olympia-tested runner-up, repeat Chicago contenders and several athletes succeeding across both Open and masters competition. There was no single career path represented in the top 10, and that variety strengthened the show.
The placings provide a snapshot of one contest on one day. Athletes arrived with different structures, competitive histories and season trajectories, and each top-10 finish reflected the work required to reach an IFBB Pro League stage. The standard was high, the comparisons carried real consequence and the athletes gave the audience a professional contest worthy of the Chicago Pro name.
Visit the dedicated 2026 Chicago Pro event page for continuing Hardcore FBB Media coverage, lineups and results from Rosemont.
Image Credit and Sources
- Athlete photography: Dan Ray Photography for NPC News Online. Results graphic supplied to Hardcore FBB Media.
- IFBB Pro League — official 2026 Chicago Pro results
- IFBB Pro League — Olympia Qualification System
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