Mike Sommerfeld is solely focused on Classic Physique dominance. On March 31, he shut down a potential move into the Men’s Open or 212 bodybuilding divisions despite struggling to make weight at his last few contests.
Mike Sommerfeld barely made the weight cap for the 2025 Classic Physique Olympia. He was forced to lose 14 pounds in just two days. For this reason, fans expected him to present less than his best onstage. Ultimately, he came close to gold, but settled for silver against Brazilian star Ramon Queiroz.
He committed to the Arnold Classic Ohio but was unable to meet the Classic Physique weight limit. Instead, he regathered and bounced back at the 2026 Arnold Classic UK. After a close battle against Wesley Vissers, ‘Mike the Badass’ secured the crown. Now, his sights are set on the coveted Olympia title.
Mike Sommerfeld Says He Won’t Move into Open or 212: “I Am Classic”
In the recent interview, Sommerfeld stressed that he will forever be a Classic Physique athlete. If he ever chose to try the Men’s Open, it would be purely for self-fulfillment and entertaining the fans.
“I am Classic. I will be Classic and I will be forever Classic. I won’t compete in Open. I won’t compete in 212, never ever. If I compete in Open, it’s not a competition.
It is fun. If I ever step on an Open stage, it’s just for the crowd. It’s just for me. It has nothing to do with the show. I am Classic. I am staying Classic and I will forever be a Classic athlete.”
He also touched on his mentality heading into the Arnold Classic UK, noting how coach Neil Hill kept him positive throughout prep.
“Even though I might act like I’m a robot and I’m just executing and doing the things I need to do, there is still a human inside, with emotions. Not every day is a good day. Honestly, the closer you go to a show, the darker and harder it is going to be. That has nothing to do with a coaching thing by itself. He’s not my cheerleader; he is pointing the finger on my weak points,” Mike Sommerfeld shared.
Sommerfeld also shared that without a strong mental game, making smart decisions becomes more challenging.
“The mental side… and I believe if the mental side is not in the correct place, everything else that follows comes from a bad position. So, in order to make the right decisions, the right steps forward, he [coach Neil Hill] keeps me positive.”
Fans are looking forward to the 2026 Classic Physique Olympia. Reigning titleholder Ramon Queiroz has already set his sights on a long future in Classic Physique. He aims to retain the prestigious title for the next five years before trying out the Men’s Open.
Sommerfeld is on track to push Queiroz when they hit the stage. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
RELATED: Mike Sommerfeld and Wesley Vissers Issue Statements After 2026 Arnold Classic UK Showdown
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