Before the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia had even wrapped, Wesley Vissers had thrown in the towel — sort of. Vissers, widely expected to be a real damage-dealer at this year’s “O,” found himself out of the top five when the dust finally settled on the evening of Oct. 12, 2024.
- Hours before the Classic Physique Olympia Finals, Vissers took to social media to speak on his impressions of the pre-judging round that had occurred the same morning.
- “I did really want to get compared with the top guys this time, but didn’t get my shot,” he said
Vissers, like his contemporaries in bodybuilding’s most popular new division, talked a big game at the Olympia press conference a day before pre-judging. The 2024 Arnold Classic winner would find himself in 8th place by the end of the event weekend in Las Vegas, NV.
Wesley Vissers on the Classic Physique Olympia: “I Didn’t Get My Shot”
In case you missed it, Chris Bumstead, the fan-favorite mustached muscle man, won his sixth Classic Physique Olympia title and announced his retirement on stage after defeating surprise runner-up Mike Sommerfeld.
Nobody saw Sommerfeld coming this year — since his dominant victory at the Arnold, Vissers was expected to hold Bumstead’s feet to the flames in Las Vegas. He said as much just a day before pre-judging during the Olympia press conference:
- “I’m going to give him the toughest battle he’s ever faced,” said Vissers.
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In the weeks leading up to the Classic Physique Olympia, Vissers made rounds on various podcasts with similar statements. Prior to the big day, the Dutchman was confident he’d beat Bumstead outright:
- “I really do think it’s possible [to beat Bumstead,]” Vissers said, smiling, on Sep. 15.
Leading up to the show, Vissers had plenty of momentum. He’d won the Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic UK back to back and, at 6’2”, the Dutch Giant can contend with Bumstead in the stature department — but, based on the scorecards, not much else.
- Bumstead scored six points overall, a slight degradation from his usually impeccable five-point result.
- Sommerfeld technically gave Bumstead his toughest fight in years; he finished with nine points. Ramon Dino, who got second in 2022 and 2023, finished with 10 points both times.
- Urs Kalecinski, the Miracle Bear, matched his 2023 placing to round out the top three.
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Like Dino, who got fourth, Vissers backslid at the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia, falling from seventh and 35 points last year to eighth and 39 this go-round. Whether firmer judging criteria or a misguided contest prep from Vissers’ team is to blame is unclear. At the Arnold in March, Vissers won with a seven-point card.
He’s kept in good spirits since the Classic Physique Olympia pre-judging wrapped. “We can bounce back from anything, and we will,” Vissers added before showing plenty of sportsmanship during the Finals on the evening of Oct. 12.
Vissers may have missed the mark, but the Arnold Classic will have an all-time high prize pool in 2025, nevermind Bumstead’s stepping down from the throne. Next year, it’s a whole new ball game for Classic Physique.
