The Mr. Olympia competition has a long history of attracting the best talent. Although Joe Weider’s Fitness and Performance Weekend now hosts 11 divisions, it wasn’t always the case. In 2013, the IFBB decided to make room for more pro bodybuilders at the biggest show in bodybuilding by incorporating two new divisions. These divisions were the Men’s Physique and Women’s Physique categories.
The announcement of the new divisions generated a lot of buzz in the community. The IFBB introduced all-new judging criteria for the Men’s Physique division, where the focus was on a beach body look. Since the Men’s Physique athletes wear board shorts, they are judged solely on their upper bodies.
Mark Anthony Wingson created history by winning the first Men’s Physique contest at the 2013 Mr. Olympia. After the inaugural contest, Men’s Physique contestants got a fair idea of what the judges wanted.
The bar for the category has risen each year since 2013, with defending champion Erin Banks exhibiting a new breed of Men’s Physique sensations. In the 10 Men’s Physique Olympia contests so far, bodybuilding icon Jeremy Buendia is leading the list for the most wins with four titles under his belt. The three-time Men’s Physique Olympia winner, Brandon Hendrickson, is the only bodybuilder to have reclaimed the title after losing it. British bodybuilder Ryan Terry is the reigning Men’s Physique Olympia champion.
This article goes over the history of the Men’s Physique Olympia contest, the notable moments, and the five champions who have held the throne over the past decade.
All Men’s Physique Olympia Winners
Given below is the list of all Classic Physique Olympia champs since 2013:
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| Name | Years | Wins |
| Mark Anthony Wingson | 2013 | 1 |
| Jeremy Buendia | 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 | 4 |
| Brandon Hendrickson | 2018, 2020, and 2021 | 3 |
| Raymont Edmonds | 2019 | 1 |
| Erin Banks | 2022 | 1 |
| Ryan Terry | 2023 and 2024 | 2 |
2013: Mark Anthony Wingson
Bodybuilding fans and promoters were thrilled about the maiden edition of the Men’s Physique Olympia in 2013. There was a lot of hype going into the Olympia. Legendary bodybuilder Jay Cutler, a four-time Mr. Olympia, marked his return to action after missing out the previous year in recovery from surgery for a torn left bicep. However, seven-time Sandow trophy winner Phil Heath would extend his reign as the Mr. Olympia with a third consecutive title.
The 49th Mr. Olympia competition was hosted between Sep. 27 and 28 at the Orleans Arena at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
2013: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Mark Anthony Wingson
- Second: Jeremy Buendia
- Third: Matthew Acton
Mark Anthony Wingson was crowned the first Men’s Physique Olympia champion. He boasted incredible symmetry and balance and stood out as the clear winner. Buendia finished runner-up, and Matthew Acton landed on the podium with a third-place finish.
Wingson has a passion for fitness and started his bodybuilding journey early. He earned his Pro card in 2011 — the same year he started competing. During the build-up to the 2013 Olympia, Mark joined forces with Cutler to get ready for the stage. Cutler’s guidance helped Wingson win the inaugural Men’s Physique Olympia title.
2014-2017: Jeremy Buendia
Having narrowly missed the title in 2013, Buendia returned to the drawing board to prepare for the next season. He worked hard in the off-season and added significant muscle mass while improving his conditioning.
The 2014 Olympia took place between Sep. 18 and 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester, NV, and at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Paradise, NV.
Budding contender Sadik Hadzovic rose to prominence with a second-place finish behind Buendia, who dominated his competition to take the top prize. As for Wingson, he dropped down five places to land in the sixth spot.
His dominant reign as the Men’s Physique Olympia champ made Buendia one of the most popular bodybuilders of the 2010 era. His maiden Olympia win came just a year after he turned pro.
2014: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Jeremy Buendia
- Second: Sadik Hadzovic
- Third: Jason Poston
The third season of Men’s Physique Olympia was extremely competitive and exciting. The 2015 Men’s Physique results were a repeat of the 2014 Olympia, with Buendia, Hadzovic, and Poston taking the podium finishes, respectively.
Having won the inaugural Arnold Classic Men’s Physique, Hadzovic went into the 2015 Olympia with momentum behind him. Buendia managed to edge out Hadzovic in a thrilling battle for his second consecutive win and would retain his title for two more years.
2015: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Jeremy Buendia
- Second: Sadik Hadzovic
- Third: Jason Poston
2016: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Jeremy Buendia
- Second: Ryan Terry
- Third: Jeremy Potvin
2017: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Jeremy Buendia
- Second: Andre Ferguson
- Third: Brandon Hendrickson
2018: Brandon Hendrickson
In 2018, Buendia barely made it in time for the Olympia after suffering an injury. Although his participation was a sign of his determination, he was dethroned by Brandon Hendrickson and fell to fourth place. It would be the last year we saw Buendia compete as he decided to step away from competing shortly after.
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2018: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Brandon Hendrickson
- Second: Raymont Edmonds
- Third: Ryan Terry
Hendrickson found his passion for bodybuilding in his younger years. He earned his Pro card in 2013 and has won several notable Men’s Physique titles besides the Olympia, including the Tampa Pro and Arnold Classic.
2019: Raymont Edmonds
Hendrickson was gearing up to win his second Men’s Physique Olympia trophy at the 2019 showdown. However, he appeared to have missed his mark.
The setback would be detrimental for the reigning champion as Raymont Edmonds capitalized on his lackluster appearance. Edmonds stole the show with his insanely jacked physique and displayed his unreal muscle development in a memorable posing routine.
2019: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Raymont Edmonds
- Second: Andre Ferguson
- Third: Kyron Holden
Hendrickson placed fourth at the contest but was determined to make a statement in his comeback.
2020-2021: Brandon Hendrickson
Hendrickson used his loss to Edmonds at the 2019 Olympia as fuel to fire his 2020 Olympia prep. Other than the obstacles a pro bodybuilder faces, Hendrickson and every other competitor also had to combat the new difficulties presented by pandemic-related restrictions.
Hendrickson reaped the results of his intense training at the 2020 Olympia, which was delayed from September to December. It took place between Dec. 18 and 20, and the venue was moved from Las Vegas to Orlando, FL.
2020: Orlando, FL
- First: Brandon Hendrickson
- Second: Raymont Edmonds
- Third: Kyron Holden
2021: Orlando, FL
- First: Brandon Hendrickson
- Second: Erin Banks
- Third: Diego Ferreira Montenegro
Hendrickson created history by becoming the first Men’s Physique competitor to reclaim his title after losing it. He kept to his winning ways with a sensational performance at the 2021 Olympia.
Hendrickson will enter the 2022 Olympia as the defending champion looking to tie Buendia’s record for the most wins in the Men’s Physique division.
2022: Erin Banks
The 2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique champ Banks was considered a frontrunner going into the 2022 Olympia. He brought his best package to date at the Super Bowl of bodybuilding, which proved lethal for the reigning champ Hendrickson, who lost his Olympia throne for the second time.
Banks is known for his sprawling V-taper and tiny waist. His balance, size, conditioning, and symmetry helped him hoist his maiden Men’s Physique Olympia trophy at the tenth edition of the contest, making him the fifth bodybuilder to do so. Hendrickson finished runner-up, while Montenegro took home a third-place finish.
2022: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Erin Banks
- Second: Brandon Hendrickson
- Third: Diego Ferreira Montenegro
2023-2024: Ryan Terry
Ryan Terry has been a standout favorite in the Men’s Physique division since it was introduced in the IFBB Pro League; however, the Olympia title has eluded him every year — until 2023. Terry had previously finished in every spot but first — fifth, fourth, third, and even runner-up — but this time, he finally unlocked the winning formula and hoisted his maiden Olympia trophy at the 2023 Olympia.
Terry won his first Olympia title amongst a stacked roster that included previous Olympia champions, including Brandon Hendrickson and Erin Banks. The four-time Men’s Physique Olympia champ Jeremy Buendia also returned at the 2023 Olympia after a four-year hiatus but had to settle for an eighth-place finish.
2023: Orlando, FL
- First: Ryan Terry
- Second: Brandon Hendrickson
- Third: Erin Banks
Terry became the third multi Men’s Physique Olympia champ, winning his second title at the 2024 Olympia. The Brit entered his 10th Olympia competition with renewed vigor and a drive to solidify his impressive legacy.
Terry made major improvements in his physique in 2023 to bag his maiden title. His formula for this year was simple — double down on the strengths and bring up the weaknesses, a strategy that proved remarkably successful in his repeat victory.
2024: Las Vegas, NV
- First: Ryan Terry
- Second: Ali Bilal
- Third: Erin Banks
The winners of the other divisions:
- Every 212 Olympia Winner Since 2008 (and History of the Division)
- Every Wellness Olympia Winner Since 2021
- Every Classic Physique Olympia Winner Since 2016
- Every Bikini Olympia Winner Since 2010
- Every Fitness Olympia Winner Since 1995
- Every Wheelchair Olympia Winner Since 2018
- Every Mr. Olympia (Men’s Open Division) Winner Since 1965
- Every Women’s Physique Olympia Winner Since 2013
- Every Figure Olympia Winner Since 2003
- Every Ms. Olympia Winner Since 1980 (and History of the Division)
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