Chris Bumstead and Jay “Quad Stomp” Cutler have something in common. Both have competed in the Men’s Open bodybuilding division — Bumstead, recently, at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro as his swan song in physique sports, and Cutler throughout the 2000s.
- Long after his retirement, Cutler remains a pioneer in bodybuilding as the only Mr. Olympia to lose the title while actively competing and win it back.
In Prague, 2024 Classic Physique Olympia winner Bumstead honored Cutler’s legacy on stage. It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but those who know, know.
The Quad Stomp: Bodybuilding History
Bumstead belongs on the Mount Rushmore of modern bodybuilders. But a generation prior, Cutler did something groundbreaking at the 2009 Mr. Olympia.
- “I remember taking my clothes off backstage [in 2009], people were like, ‘What the…’ People were standing there in awe,” Cutler recounted back in July.
Cutler got his flowers and the Sandow trophy back at the 2009 Mr. Olympia. During the final showdown against incumbent Dexter Jackson, who took Cutler’s title, Cutler spiked his heel into the stage to flex his quadriceps, revealing deep, patterned striations.
“The place went f$&kin’ crazy,” Cutler recalled of the night.
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Bumstead struck the same pose on stage in Prague, which ran from Nov. 15-17, 2024, while delivering his closing remarks to competitive bodybuilding. He placed second in the Men’s Open division to Martin Fitzwater and in front of 212 Olympia winner Shaun Clarida, who also decided to join the fray overseas.
- Particularly conspiratorial fans may have seen Bumstead break out the quad stomp as a subtle indicator of his intent to make a return to the bodybuilding stage in the future. As of Prague, “CBum” had been characteristically cagey in interviews but hadn’t done anything to indicate a change of heart.
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Bumstead’s quad stomp tribute isn’t the only bit of connective tissue tying him to Cutler. Industry legend coach Hany Rambod, who has mentored Bumstead since 2022, also helped Cutler find his footing for the Olympia in ’09.
Rambod joined Bumstead in announcing his retirement after shepherding athletes to 25 cumulative division wins at the Olympia, bodybuilding’s most prestigious event.
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Featured Image: @cbum, @jaycutler / Instagram
