Urs Kalecinski‘s sudden move to the Men’s Open is still sending ripples through the sport. In a recent YouTube video on August 8, 2025, coach Chris Aceto discussed Kalecinski’s impact in the new division and comparisons to former six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates.
For the last three years, Kalecinski has earned third place on the Classic Physique Olympia stage, behind Chris Bumstead. Before calling it a career, “Cbum” competed in the Men’s Open at the Prague Pro and secured second place behind Martin Fitzwater.
Kalecinski eventually made the jump too, and shocked the world at the 2025 ProMuscle Italy Pro, securing gold against a stacked lineup that included Quinton Eriya and Sergio Oliva Jr. In light of such a dominant performance, fans are curious how “The Miracle Bear” will stack up against heavy hitters on the Olympia stage in under five weeks.
Chris Aceto Discusses Urs Kalecinski’s Men’s Open Debut in Italy & Comparisons to Dorian Yates
In the RxMuscle YouTube video, Aceto said Kalecinski’s triumph in Italy was one of the biggest stories of the year.
“The Miracle Bear pulls the miracle. He wins his first Open show, going to the Olympia. It’s one of the biggest stories of the year simply because the expectations were probably for sure first callout, in the mix, but would he be big enough?
He adds that Kalecinski answered doubts about his size with added tissue to his pecs, legs, arms, and back.
“Here’s Urs coming in over 30 pounds heavier than his Classic weight — and his physique looks better for it. His legs are fuller, pecs twice the size, arms three times the size, and his back is on another level.”
Aceto was shocked by Kalecinski’s improvements and believes moving to the Open was best for his career.
“I think that everybody, including myself, would say no, this is a physique I expected next year, not the first year out in the Open, in terms of size,” shared Aceto. “I honestly thought his physique was getting worse in the Classic.”
However, he said to hold the brakes on comparisons to Yates:
“I think whoever put up the Dorian comparison is a little premature,” adds Aceto.
Kalecinski has become one of the most talked-about bodybuilders leading into the Olympia. Judge Terrick El Guindy called him a superstar and predicted he’d make waves onstage in less than five weeks against the world’s best bodybuilders.
Having become the first IFBB Pro to dual qualify for Olympia in two divisions, Kalecinski has legitimate momentum heading into October. Don’t miss the 2025 Mr. Olympia event, set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch the full video from the RxMuscle — Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
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