Gabriele Andriulli is one of the most respected names in wheelchair bodybuilding. 🏆
The Italian IFBB Pro has spent a decade at the very top of his division, winning Arnold Classic titles on both sides of the Atlantic and standing on the Olympia podium three times.
His story is about far more than trophies, though. After a devastating car accident changed his life, Andriulli rebuilt himself as an athlete — and went on to beat the most dominant wheelchair bodybuilder of his era.
Gabriele Andriulli Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gabriele Andriulli |
| Born | 9 January 1980, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Division | IFBB Pro Wheelchair Bodybuilding |
| Pro wins | 5 |
| Arnold Classic titles | 3 (Ohio 2022, UK 2022, UK 2024) |
| Olympia appearances | 8 (2018, 2019, 2021–2026) |
| Best Olympia result | 2nd place (2019, 2021, 2022) |
| Status in 2026 | Active — 6th at the 2026 Wheelchair Olympia |
Early Life and the Accident That Changed Everything
Andriulli grew up in Italy with a love of motorcycles and bodybuilding, and he began competing as an amateur in the mid-2000s.
Then a serious car accident left him with a spinal cord injury and a wheelchair became part of his daily life. For many athletes, that would have been the end of the story.
For Andriulli, it was the start of a second career. He returned to the gym, adapted his training to his new reality, and worked his way into the professional wheelchair ranks.
He is reported to have been Italy’s first IFBB professional wheelchair bodybuilder — a pioneer for the sport in his home country. 🇮🇹
The Climb: Toronto Breakthrough
Andriulli’s first major professional breakthrough came at the Toronto Pro Supershow, where he won the wheelchair title in 2016 and again in 2019.
Those wins announced him as a genuine contender, not just a feel-good story. His upper-body development — thick chest, wide back and deeply conditioned arms — made him a threat to anyone on stage.
By 2018 he had reached the Olympia for the first time, finishing 5th in the inaugural Wheelchair Olympia in Las Vegas.
The Rivalry With Harold Kelley
For years, one man stood between Andriulli and the biggest titles: Harold Kelley, the American who dominated the division from its earliest days.
Kelley beat Andriulli into 2nd place at the Olympia in 2019, and again in 2021. Each time, Andriulli came back sharper.
The breakthrough finally arrived in Columbus, Ohio, in March 2022. Andriulli upset Kelley to win the Arnold Classic Pro Wheelchair title — ending Kelley’s long unbeaten run at the event.
Later that same year he doubled up, winning the Arnold Classic UK wheelchair title in Birmingham as well. It was the finest season of his career. ✨
Olympia Heartbreak — Three Times Runner-Up
Andriulli’s Olympia record tells its own story of persistence. He finished 2nd in 2019, 2nd in 2021, and 2nd again in 2022, each time behind Kelley.
Three runner-up finishes at bodybuilding’s biggest show would break most athletes. Andriulli simply kept showing up, kept improving, and kept qualifying.
That consistency is rare in any division. From 2018 to 2026, he missed only the 2020 Olympia on his road to eight appearances on the sport’s biggest stage.
The Comeback Years: 2023–2026
The division around him changed fast after 2022. New champions arrived — Karol Milewski won the 2023 Olympia, and Rajesh John took the 2024 Arnold Classic in Ohio ahead of Andriulli in 2nd.
Andriulli answered in Birmingham, winning the Arnold Classic UK wheelchair title for a second time in 2024, beating Nick Hewitt in the final.
At the same 2024 Arnold Classic weekend in Columbus, Diogo Montenegro won the Men’s Physique title — a reminder of how deep that year’s Arnold lineup ran across divisions.
Andriulli stayed competitive right through the changing of the guard. He finished 4th at the 2024 Olympia, 5th at the 2025 Olympia, and 3rd at the 2025 Arnold Classic in Ohio.
His most recent outing came at the 2026 Wheelchair Olympia in Las Vegas, where he placed 6th in a field won by Blake Colleton. No retirement announcement has been made, and his 2026 appearance keeps him firmly active. 💪
Gabriele Andriulli Contest History
| Year | Contest | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Toronto Pro Supershow, Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2016 | Toronto Pro Supershow, Wheelchair | 1st |
| 2016 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 3rd |
| 2017 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2018 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 3rd |
| 2018 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 5th |
| 2018 | Europa Dallas Pro, Wheelchair | 3rd |
| 2019 | Toronto Pro Supershow, Wheelchair | 1st |
| 2019 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2021 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2022 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 1st |
| 2022 | Arnold Classic UK, Wheelchair | 1st |
| 2022 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2023 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 5th |
| 2024 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 2nd |
| 2024 | Arnold Classic UK, Wheelchair | 1st |
| 2024 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 4th |
| 2025 | Arnold Classic (Ohio), Wheelchair | 3rd |
| 2025 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 5th |
| 2026 | Olympia, Wheelchair | 6th |
Note: Andriulli did not compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic in Ohio — he vacated the title before the contest, and Harold Kelley reclaimed it. He also has no verified placing at the 2020 Olympia, so neither result appears in the table above.
Why Andriulli Matters
Wheelchair bodybuilding is judged on the upper body, and Andriulli’s physique has always been built around balance: a full chest, a wide, detailed back, and arms that hold their shape from every angle.
But his legacy goes beyond any single pose. He helped prove that the wheelchair division could produce a genuine rivalry — and that a man who had to rebuild his athletic life from scratch could beat the best in the world.
For fans in Italy and beyond, he remains the standard-bearer for the division. 🇮🇹
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gabriele Andriulli?
Born on 9 January 1980, Andriulli turned 46 in January 2026.
Why is Gabriele Andriulli in a wheelchair?
A serious car accident left him with a spinal cord injury, and he went on to compete as a wheelchair bodybuilder rather than giving up the sport.
Has Gabriele Andriulli ever won the Olympia?
No. His best Olympia results are three 2nd-place finishes, in 2019, 2021 and 2022, all behind Harold Kelley.
How many Arnold Classic titles has he won?
Three: the Arnold Classic in Ohio in 2022, and the Arnold Classic UK in 2022 and 2024.
Did Andriulli compete at the 2023 Arnold Classic?
No. He vacated his Arnold title before the 2023 contest in Ohio and did not compete; Harold Kelley won the event.
Is Gabriele Andriulli still competing?
Yes, as of his latest verified result — 6th place at the 2026 Wheelchair Olympia. No retirement announcement has been found.
Bottom Line
Gabriele Andriulli’s career is a story of second acts. An accident took away his old life as an athlete, and he answered by becoming one of the greatest wheelchair bodybuilders of his generation.
Five professional wins, three Arnold Classic titles, three Olympia runner-up finishes and eight Olympia appearances — that is a record few in the division can match. And as his 2026 Olympia outing showed, he is not done yet. 🏆