The 2025 Arnold Sports Festival kicks off from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Columbus, OH. This is a preview and breakdown of top contenders from the Men’s Physique category, who will battle for cash prizes and an Olympia qualification.
The Arnold Classic contest was introduced in 1989 and has quickly become one of the most consequential events of the IFBB Pro League season. With Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name behind it, the show isn’t short on prestige. Winning the Arnold Classic Men’s Physique title means a big payday, but athletes also gain massive momentum for the upcoming 2025 Mr. Olympia contest, scheduled for Oct. 9-11 in Las Vegas, NV.
2025 Arnold Classic Full Competitors List for Men’s Physique
- Erin Banks
- Ali Bilal
- Alessandro Cavagnola
- Vitor Chaves
- Rhyan Clark
- Emmanuel Costa
- Guilherme Gualberto
Jason Huynh - Diogo Montenegro
- Rafael Oliveira
- Sidy Pouye
- Dmytro Voievodchuk
Top Contenders to Watch
Erin Banks
Erin Banks heads into this contest as a promising favorite, thanks to his consistency on the Mr. Olympia stage alongside his accomplishments in the division. He won the Arnold Classic for two years consecutively, from 2022-2023. He also claimed his lone Men’s Physique Olympia title in 2022, cementing himself as one of the best in the category.
Banks took third place at the 2024 Olympia in his last outing, behind Ali Bilal and Ryan Terry, who both brought exceptional conditioning to the stage. Banks has the width, structure, and back detail to possibly win this show, but it will likely come down to if his conditioning improves.
Diogo Montenegro
Diogo Montenegro walks into Columbus as the reigning Arnold Classic champion, having displayed a showstopping combination of detail, shape, and proportions. Montenegro did not compete at the 2024 Olympia. However, in his last outing on the grand stage, he took fifth place with a stunning look.
Montenegro has all of the assets needed to make a push for first and the show will likely come down to whether or not he blends his condition with fullness. Peaking for major shows like this one is no easy feat, but if he can present his best, he could find himself positioned for gold.
Ali Bilal
Ali Bilal is riding high on momentum this year. In 2024, he won the Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro. He managed to defeat Erin Banks on the 2024 Olympia stage, giving him all the confidence needed to make waves in Columbus. Bilal also gave reigning Men’s Physique Olympia Ryan Terry a run for his money last year.
Bilal’s combination of a tight waist, impressive arms, and carved-out midsection could give him the edge against Banks and other contenders. If he manages to secure the victory, he’ll be in a prime position to defeat Terry on the horizon.
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Vitor Chaves
Vitor Chaves is a definite dark horse heading into Ohio this weekend. To grant his entry for the biggest show of the season, Chaves earned a major win at the 2024 Miami Muscle Beach Pro show. He also claimed his highest placing in 2024 at the Mr. Olympia in seventh place.
He’s always in title conversations and if he nails down his posing routine to show off his physique, there’s no reason he wouldn’t be fighting for a hard-earned spot on the podium. Fans around the globe, and especially from Brazil, expect a major performance from him when he steps on stage.
How to Watch
The preliminary judging for the event will take place on the Arnold Expo stage. That evening, the final rounds will begin in the Battelle Grand Ballroom at the Columbus Convention Center. Tickets for those wishing to attend are available for purchase through this link. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, though VIP, Ultimate Expo, and three-day passes require advance purchase.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has generously offered a free online live stream, accessible via the official Arnold Sports Festival website at this link. This stream will provide coverage of the 2025 Arnold Classic, Arnold Strongman Classic, Arnold Amateur, and additional events.
Be sure not to miss this significant bodybuilding competition, where athletes will vie for top honors, Olympia qualifications, and prize money!
RELATED: 2025 Arnold Classic Physique Preview and Breakdown of Top Contenders
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