The IFBB Pro League added the Classic Physique division to the Olympia Weekend in 2016, and there has been no looking back ever since. The 2024 Olympia (Oct. 10-13) will host 63 Classic Physique athletes, all eyeing the gold medal and the bragging rights to call themselves the best bodybuilder in the world.
The reigning champ, Chris Bumstead, has a vice-like grip on the Olympia throne and is on a quest for an unprecedented sixth consecutive Olympia title.
The Classic Physique division favors physiques reminiscent of the Golden Era aesthetics. Judges look for mass, but more so conditioning and symmetry. Plus, the division has several height and weight classes to ensure athletes prioritize aesthetics over extreme size.
Classic Physique bodybuilders hit five bodybuilding poses to present their physiques in their full glory. The top athletes also get a 60-second individual posing routine in the third and final round.
2024 Mr. Olympia Roster
Initially, 64 athletes qualified for the 2024 O, but former Arnold Classic (AC) champ Terrence Ruffin withdrew from this year’s competition. He aims to utilize a longer off-season to refine his physique and improve his chances for gold at the 2025 Olympia.
That said, here is the complete list of competitors:
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- Tomas Adame (USA)
- Ahmed Hameed Aleidani (United Arab Emirates)
- Osmar Alanis (Mexico)
- Kim Angel (Spain)
- Breon Ansley (USA)
- Justin Badurina (USA)
- Vahid Badpei (Iran)
- Jihoon Bang (South Korea)
- Chris Bumstead (Canada) — Reigning Champion
- Bjay Carswell (USA)
- Han Jin Choi (South Korea)
- Adrian Cyronek (Poland)
- Michael Daboul (United Kingdom)
- Niall Darwen (United Kingdom)
- Carlos Dommar (Venezuela)
- Mauro Fialho (Spain)
- Logan Franklin (USA)
- Breno Freire (Brazil)
- Fanni Fuadi (Indonesia)
- Diego Alejandro Galindo Garavito (Brazil)
- Jian Gao (China)
- Matthew Greggo (USA)
- Jorge Herrera (Mexico)
- Junior Javorski (Brazil)
- Shicheng Jin (China)
- Tyler Johnson (Canada)
- Nathaniel Joiner (USA)
- Fabio Junio (Brazil)
- Urs Kalecinski (Germany)
- Chen Kang (China)
- Andrei Kozhokar (Russia)
- Hyun Seok Lee (South Korea)
- Eric Lisboa (Brazil)
- Livingstone Livinho (Brazil)
- Antoine Loth (Spain)
- Stephane Matala (France)
- Matheus Menegate (Brazil)
- Everson Costa Melo (Brazil)
- Jose Manuel Munoz (Spain)
- Richard Nagy (Hungary)
- Damien Patrick (USA)
- JaeHun Park (South Korea)
- Gabriel Pereira (Brazil)
- Zhivko Petkov (Bulgaria)
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz (Brazil)
- Luca Reger (Germany)
- Emanuele Ricotti (Italy)
- Terrence Ruffin (USA) — withdrawn
- Abdullah Al-Sairafi (Kuwait)
- Lamar Shaw (USA)
- Daryn Shirbayev (Kazakhstan)
- Julio Simoes (Brazil)
- Mike Sommerfeld (Germany)
- Fabiony Sylvain (USA)
- Tony Taveras (USA)
- Andres Eduardo Taveras (Dominican Republic)
- Mikhail Timoshin (Russia)
- Robert Timms (USA)
- Wesley Vissers (Netherlands)
- Shitian Wang (China)
- Jeremiah Willies (USA)
- Kellen Wilson (Canada)
- Soomin Yoon (South Korea)
- Gabriel Zancanelli (Brazil)
Top Athletes To Watch
These are the frontrunners to claim the winner’s cheque:
Chris Bumstead
Bumstead’s popularity and physique seem to reach new heights each year, and his reign shows no signs of slowing down. The Canadian bodybuilder has won five consecutive Olympia gold medals and is the favorite to do a six-peat at the 2024 Olympia.
Bumstead’s combination of muscle size, symmetry, balance, flow, conditioning, and overall aesthetics are unmatched, setting him apart from his rivals.
Despite rumors of retirement, Bumstead remains laser-focused on extending his lead and solidifying his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Even quad, lat, and bicep injuries haven’t been able to slow down Bumstead. Bodybuilding experts believe there will be no touching Bumstead at the 2024 Olympia if he is at his 100 percent on show day.
Wesley Vissers
Wesley Vissers has been the biggest surprise of the 2024 season. He went from a humble seventh-place finish at the 2023 Olympia to winning the 2024 AC US & UK, beating the likes of Ramon Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and Breon Ansley. Winning the second-biggest bodybuilding show has established Vissers as the biggest threat to Bumstead’s Olympia reign.
Vissers overall physique aesthetics — muscle size, lines, separation, and conditioning — have put him in a league of his own. Bodybuilding pundits believe Vissers has one of the best front double biceps poses in the current circuit and might be unbeatable from the front.
“The Dutch Oak” has made several bold statements ever since, contending that neither Queiroz nor Kalecinski will be able to match him at the 2024 Olympia. Vissers also believes that Bumstead’s lower body will prove to be his kryptonite at the big O, as the reigning champ cannot match his leg development.
Ramon Rocha Queiroz
“Ramon Dino” turned heads on his Olympia debut in 2021, where he claimed a fifth-place finish. He has been on Bumstead’s tail ever since and has placed runner-up to “CBum” at the 2022 and 2023 Olympia.
Queiroz and Bumstead have similar physiques but the Brazilian bodybuilder overpowers CBum when it comes to arm and shoulder development.
Although Queiroz lost to Vissers at the 2024 AC US, experts suggest Queiroz was not in his best shape, and beating him won’t be as easy for Vissers at the 2024 Olympia.
Queiroz has made significant improvements to his size and conditioning in the off-season. He is determined to peak correctly for the 2024 Olympia, aiming to topple Bumstead.
Urs Kalecinski
German bodybuilder Kalecinski debuted at the Olympia alongside Queiroz and has been in the top five ever since. His best performances have been a bronze medal finish at the 2022 and 2023 O.
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Kalecinski has a balanced physique with aesthetically appealing proportions. Plus, his exceptional posing abilities allow him to show off his strengths on stage.
Kalecinski has been on the offensive in the 2024 season and is gunning for the gold medal at the Super Bowl of bodybuilding.
Breon Ansley
Breon Ansley is a two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion (2017-18) and a former AC champ. The 2024 Olympia will be Ansley’s final competition in the division as he has announced a transition to the 212 division. He opines that the height and weight limitations in Classic Physique hinder him from reaching his full physique potential.
Ansley’s primary critique from judges revolved around his legs. He ran with the feedback and has improved his legs significantly in the off-season. He aims to leave the Classic Physique division on a high note, claiming his third Olympia title.
Dark Horses — Michael Daboul & Mike Sommerfeld
There are a few Classic Physique bodybuilders that have been doing great but don’t get enough recognition. Two of these athletes are Michael Daboul and Mike Sommerfeld. Both these bodybuilders were in the top eight at the 2023 Olympia and have been performing consistently well in the 2024 season.
Sommerfeld challenged Ansley, Queiroz, Vissers, and Kalecinski on social media, claiming they won’t be able to match his physique at the 2024 Olympia. Fans are eagerly awaiting the ultimate Classic Physique showdown at the 2024 Olympia.
If Bumstead falls, a new Classic Physique Olympia champion will be crowned for the first time since 2019.
How to Watch
The Classic Physique Olympia is a one-day event and will go down on October 12. The pre-judging round will be held in the morning, and the champion will be crowned in the evening session.
Here is the detailed schedule of the Classic Physique Olympia contest:
Olympia Saturday Pre-Judging (9:30 a.m.) — 10/12/2024
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall, Floors 1 & 2)
- Classic Physique Olympia
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Wheelchair Olympia Pre-Judging & Finals
Olympia Saturday Finals (7:00 p.m.) — 10/12/2024
Location: Resorts World Theatre
- Men’s Physique Olympia
- Bikini Olympia
- Classic Physique Olympia
- Mr. Olympia
The 2024 Olympia will be streamed as a pay-per-view event for those who cannot make it to Las Vegas in the second week of October. You can purchase the Olympia PPV for $74.99 from Olympia’s official website.
Looking to save some money? Fitness Volt will cover each second of the 2024 Olympia, so stay hooked to our website.
Previous Classic Physique Olympia Champions
Here is a list of all the Classic Physique Olympia champs since the division’s inception in 2016:
| Year | Winner | Location |
| 2023 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2022 | Chris Bumstead | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2021 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2020 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2019 | Chris Bumstead | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2018 | Breon Ansley | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2017 | Breon Ansley | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2016 | Danny Hester | Las Vegas, NV |
Want to dive deeper into the division’s history before the 2024 O? Here are the super-detailed year-by-year highlights of the Classic Physique Olympia.
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