It’s getting down to the wire — the 2024 Olympia weekend runs from Oct. 10 to 13 in Las Vegas, NV, and will include the highly-anticipated, fan-favorite Classic Physique category.
- Last year’s Classic Physique Olympia winner and five-time champ Chris Bumstead is looking to defend his title for a sixth time and cement his legacy as one of bodybuilding’s modern greats.
Bumstead will have to contend with four of the most muscular men on the planet if he hopes to bag another win at the “O.” Some of his competitors look better than ever; let’s take a look at the latest physiques of the top 5 men in the Classic Physique division.
What you’re about to see are the Classic Physique pack leaders’ most up-to-date physique check-ins as of the morning of Sep. 27, 2024.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia | Top 5
Missing In Action: In August, two-time Arnold Classic winner Terrence Ruffin broke the news on social media that he’d be sitting out of the ’24 Classic Physique “O” to rehab an elbow injury and bulk up toward the division’s weight cap.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia: Chris Bumstead
Heavy lies the crown. For Bumstead, the 2024 Olympia season isn’t about making any drastic changes. After all, Bumstead won the ‘23 Classic Physique Olympia with a perfect scorecard. Bodybuilding’s biggest star isn’t climbing the mountain anymore — he’s trying to stay at the summit.
Here’s how Bumstead looked as of Sep. 16, 2024, during a lighthearted, mock Men’s Physique pose-down (Don’t worry, Bumstead won’t be slimming down anytime soon).
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Now a father and business owner, Bumstead may make the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia his competitive swan song. He’s in the past signaled a prospective retirement sometime around his 30th birthday; Bumstead, 29, will hit the big 3-0 in February.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia: Ramon Dino
“This year is our year,” said “Dino” on Sep. 20, 2024. The Brazilian powerhouse is in a commanding position; he’s placed second to Bumstead the past two years at the Classic Physique Olympia and believes he has a shot at number one in ‘24.
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If Dino is able to improve his bodybuilding poses and tighten up his conditioning in the dwindling days of prep, he’s got a chance; a podium finish is basically a sure thing.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia: Wesley Vissers
Vissers is the dark horse this year. After rippling repeat victories at the Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic UK this spring, Vissers found himself in the conversation in a big way. He took time out of prep to guest pose in Luneburg, Germany, for the North German Cup on Sep. 21, 2024:
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Vissers is no neophyte, but he hasn’t been at the forefront of the Classic Physique conversation before. So far, he likes his chances. During a Sep. 15 podcast appearance, Vissers mentioned that he “really, honestly thinks” dethroning Bumstead is a realistic possibility.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia: Urs Kalecinski
Urs Kalecinski is going Shadow Mode. The “Miracle Bear” has been uncharacteristically reclusive throughout his 2024 Olympia season, even down to the final weeks of his prep for the big show.
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“Put yourself in my shoes,” Kalecinski said during a Sep. 22, 2024 training vlog. “If you wouldn’t feel any pressure, call me and tell me your secret.”
In a bid to preserve his mental health during the rigors of contest prep, Kalecinski has mostly opted to not get caught up in the social media rat race. He’s saving his package for show day, but feels he looks better than ever heading into Las Vegas.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia: Breon Ansley
“Of course I’m coming,” declared Ansley on Sep. 23, 2024, when he shared a physique check-in on Instagram. The two-time winner of the Classic Physique division qualified for this year’s “O” with a first-place finish at the 2024 Dubai Pro.
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Despite planting his flag in Classic back to back in 2017 and 2018, Ansley has struggled to finish on the podium in recent years. He placed fourth in ‘23 and ‘22 and has oscillated between riding it out in Classic or making a bid for the throne in the 212 division of Open Bodybuilding.
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Featured Image: @cbum, @ramondinopro, @wesleyvissers, @the.miraclebear / Instagram
