Canadian bodybuilder Chris Bumstead stands as the most decorated Classic Physique competitor of all time in Olympia competitions. In episode 32 of The Muscle Maturity podcast, former Mr. Olympia winner Samir Bannout called on Bumstead to compete in the Open division.
Four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead gained attention for his impressive proportions and symmetry in 2016. A year later, he emerged as one of the top prospects in the Classic Physique division. He won the 2017 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro in commanding fashion before picking up another victory at the 2017 IFBB Toronto Pro Supershow. He concluded the year with a runner-up finish in his Olympia debut.
Bumstead got another runner-up finish behind former two-time Olympia winner Breon Ansley at the 2018 Mr. Olympia. He finally secured his first Sandow trophy at the 2019 Mr. Olympia. He continued to ward off other veterans and up-and-coming contenders each year to retain his throne.
He entered last season without his longtime mentor and coach Iain Valliere. Instead, Valliere, a Men’s Open competitor, wanted to focus on his own bodybuilding career. Bumstead joined renowned bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod to complete the final stages of his prep for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, which included 12 weeks of intense training.
‘CBum’ turned in a dominant performance at the Olympia last month. He successfully defended his title and secured a fourth trophy. Following the win, he silenced the rumors of his retirement and declared his goal was to procure a fifth Classic Physique Olympia title.
Bumstead revealed that he competed at 2022 Olympia with a torn bicep last month. He detailed the mental challenges he had to overcome behind the scenes. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t too serious, and he’s expected to recover fully in six to eight weeks.
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Samir Bannout: ‘I Would Like to See Bumstead Be Tough and Say He’s Going to The Open’
In a recent YouTube video, Samir Bannout urged Chris Bumstead to test his talents in the Men’s Open class.
“Bumstead probably would have a more difficult time in the Open,” he said. “I think he will but he will be conditioned. He’s on the safe side with Hany because Hany will bring him to the stage in top quality, top condition. I would like to see Bumstead be tough and say he’s going to the Open.
“C’mon Bumstead! No disrespect to him or anybody else, if you’re Mr. Olympia, you win the Mr. Olympia. There’s only one man standing as Mr. Olympia right now and that’s Hadi Choopan. ‘CBum’ is not Mr. Olympia until he wins ‘with the big boys’ like Derek did. He almost became Mr. Olympia. There’s only one man that wins Mr. Olympia. Hopefully, he will have the courage to get on the stage with the biggest boys. I will have the highest respect for Bumstead if he does that.”
Former Mr. Olympia winner Samir Bannout encouraged Bumstead to participate in the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic. However, Bumstead made it clear he has no intentions of competing in any show other than Olympias. Two weeks ago, Bumstead opened up on using stem cell injections to help him recover and also shared a laborious leg workout.
Chris Bumstead gave fans a look into his 3500-calorie diet for the current off-season recently. He will be targeting another title defense when he returns to Olympia in November.
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You do know he competes in the classic physique. Not for the mass. It is completely different. He has different goals.