On March 19, 2022, two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Breon Ansley took to his Instagram page to share a physique update with natural light. Natural light being absent shadows adding detail and separation to Ansley’s densely-muscled X-shape physique, he finds to be “the most humbling.” But it wasn’t just the humility check that was notable about his post — 2022 will be Ansley’s last year competing in the Classic Physique division.
As this will be my last year in the Classic Division I have a few exciting details to share…that brings us confidence we will contend for the title again!
The details of the gameplan Ansley referred to that will potentially ascend him back to the top of the podium have yet to find the light the way his physique has in his photos. However, the possibilities of what he might do in the sport are plentiful. Check out the post below, which features Ansley hitting six poses, including a front double-biceps, a back double-biceps, a side chest, and abs and thighs:
View this post on Instagram
[Related: Terrence Ruffin Shares The Diet He Followed Before Winning His Second Arnold Classic Physique Title]
Ansley’s pseudo-retirement-from-Classic-Physique-announcement post comes two weeks after competing at the 2022 Arnold Classic. He finished fourth overall behind Urs Kalecinski, runner-up Roman Rocha Queiro, and two-time Arnold Classic Physique champion Terrence Ruffin. The result was Ansley’s first time off the podium since finishing fourth in his Olympia debut in 2016 — the year the Classic Physique division was established. Here are Ansley’s professional bodybuilding results, including those since the 2019 Olympia, according to NPC News Online:
Breon Ansley — Professional Bodybuilding Record
- 2013 NPC USA Championships | Men’s Middleweight | First place
- 2014 IFBB New York Pro | 212 | outside top 16
- 2014 IFBB Europa Phoenix | 212 | 15th place
- 2016 IFBB Prestige Crystal Cup | Classic Physique | First place
- 2016 IFBB Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | Fourth place
- 2017 IFBB New York Pro | Classic Physique | First place
- 2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | First place
- 2018 Arnold Sports Festival | Classic Physique | First place
- 2018 IFBB Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | First place
- 2019 IFBB Yamamoto Cup Pro | Classic Physique | First place
- 2020 IFBB Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | Third place
- 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia | Classic Physique | Third place
- 2022 Arnold Classic | Classic Physique | Fourth place
Before the Classic Physique division’s existence, Ansley competed in the 212 division twice in 2014. In his Instagram post above, his body weight is 206 pounds. It’s certainly possible that Ansley could return to the 212 division, which would allow for him to put on more mass. When the 2022 Olympia rolls around on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV, Ansley will be 43 years old. Given his capacity to remain at the elite level of the sport against athletes more than a decade younger than him while his aesthetics seemingly defy the aging process, the “exciting details” Ansley’s plans to share will likely be worth the hype.
Featured image: @breonma_ on Instagram