This past weekend, Charleston, SC hosted the 2020 NPC (National Physique Committee) Universe Championships. The top finishers of these bodybuilding and fitness physique contests earned IFBB Pro League status. While the NPC Universe is a fan favorite, this year’s show, which took place on Nov. 14, 2020, had even more fans watching because Calum Von Moger returned to the competitive stage. Von Moger won his IFBB Pro card, too.
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The Australian bodybuilder and actor (he played Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Bigger”) was one of the most popular fitness stars on Instagram and YouTube. He won the WFF Mr. Universe title in 2015 and won his debut NPC contest in 2016. At the time, Von Moger appeared destined to become a pro years ago and was even considered a future Classic Physique Olympia champion in the making. However, he suffered a biceps tear in December of 2017 while trying to perform a 405-pound tandem barbell curl with Chris Bumstead. While rehabilitating from that, he suffered a quadriceps tendon tear as he prepared to scale down a cliff. He also reinjured the bicep he had previously injured.
Von Moger’s recovery from the injuries took over two years, but he finally returned to the stage at the 2020 NPC Universe. The 30-year-old competed in Group D of the Classic Physique division along with 17 other competitors. Von Moger claimed all first-place votes from the judges to secure the victory and his newly earned pro status. At the time this article was written, there is no word as to when Von Moger will make his pro debut. He is unable to qualify for the 2020 Mr. Olympia, but is eligible to compete in order to earn a position in the 2021 contest.
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While he did win his group, Von Moger didn’t take the overall classic physique title. That went to Tomas Adame-Hernandez, who also won Group A of that division. This is also Adame-Hernandez’s final amateur competition as he too earned a pro card.
There were eight divisions featured. Here are all of the overall winners:
- Men’s Open Bodybuilding — Ulises Gonzalez
- Men’s Classic Physique — Tomas Adame-Hernandez
- Men’s Physique — LaMont Patillo
- Fitness — Kamaree Morales
- Figure — Shakia Mackey
- Bikini — Michelle Simmons
- Wellness — Yarishna Ayala
- Women’s Physique — Queen Thompson
The next pro qualifier, which is the final one of 2020, will be the NPC National Championships. That event takes place in Orlando, FL the weekend of Nov. 20-21, 2020.
Featured Image: @w_wittmannphoto on Instagram/photos by Will Wittman
