The results of the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro ignited heated discussions within the bodybuilding community. In a recent YouTube video shared on November 17, 2024, Shahriar Kamali, well known as King Kamali, called the outcome controversial and underscored that ‘a lot of people’ had Chris Bumstead winning the show.
Shortly after claiming a sixth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title, Chris Bumstead decided to retire from the sport. However, he reversed his decision days later, announcing his entry for the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro in the Open class.
Despite having limited time to prepare for the big splash, Bumstead made the most of it. During Day 1 prejudging on Saturday, he gave favorite Martin Fitzwater a run for his money. Ultimately, ‘The Martian’ earned first place in the finals, surpassing ‘Cbum’ on the scorecards by six points. And while Bumstead has recommitted to his retirement, his latest performance left bodybuilding veterans talking about his impact on the category.
King Kamali Talk ‘All-Time Best’ Chris Bumstead at Prague Pro, Says ‘A Lot of People’ Had Him Winning
Bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto said the contest came down to whether judges wanted a ‘dense stocky power physique’ or Bumstead’s ‘fresher look’ with superior structure.
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“His muscle density, his back shot, his back double, most muscular, although Chris has a great most muscular as well but Martin’s is a dense look.
It’s a dense stocky and I don’t mean that in necessarily a negative way but a dense stocky power physique versus absolutely fantastic structure with cleaner lines and a fresher look.”
He credited Bumstead for dominating the standing relaxed shot, as well as the front double biceps and front lat spread.
“Standing relaxed I think the show is not even close. Front double I think Chris wins, front lat spread he wins, so there’s three initial impressions standing, front double, front lat spread, clearly Chris wins,” says Aceto.
King Kamali gave all of the back poses to Fitzwater as well as the side triceps pose due to his muscle thickness.
“Front double biceps, front lat spread, and side chest, we give those three to Bumstead,” adds King Kamali. “Side tricep, I agree with Chris, I think that Martin beat him in the side triceps. Thicker, better, had everything going. Back shots I give to Martin. Most muscular I give to Martin and the abs and thigh shot, it’s which would you like do you like the vacuum pose or do you like the muscular [variation]?”
“Martin was thick and the muscularity was there, the thickness was there. That’s what we look for in the Open,” adds King Kamali. “It was extremely close but Martin pulled it off because he’s an Open guy and this was an Open show.”
According to King Kamali, the results were controversial, adding that ‘a lot of people’ had Bumstead in first place.
“Now that he got second I think that it’s more of a getting together and he realizes okay, I did what I needed to do. This is my legacy. A lot of people are going to go this is going to be a controversial second, a lot of people had him first,” said Kamali.
“Nobody would have complained whatsoever [if Chris Bumstead won],” shares Aceto.
King Kamali thought this was the best version of Chris Bumstead we’ve seen, but doesn’t believe this look would stack up against Mr. Olympia champions like Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, or the late Shawn Rhoden.
“Even Chris at his all-time best, which I would say this was Chris at his all-time best, he looked fantastic. He looked fuller. He didn’t have to make weight and all that stuff. I still don’t see him standing next to Jay Cutler 2009, Dexter Jackson 2008, Shawn Rhoden.”
King Kamali was unsure of what the future holds for Chris Bumstead following his retirement.
“Who knows? Maybe he’ll team up with The Rock and do something. I don’t know man. Options are open for that guy. I would say 80 percent of the people in this country think he’s Mr. Olympia. All the kids in my gym believe he’s Mr. Olympia,” shares Kamali.
Chris Bumstead has been open about his feelings post-Prague. He shared that his heart was ‘full’ and that the experience reminded him of why he loves bodybuilding.
“The nerves getting on stage, not in any expectation to win, but from the unknown of what’s to come and the deep desire to show up at my best,” Bumstead shared.
Although Chris Bumstead is on to a new chapter in his life, his time in the sport was well spent, allowing him opportunities and friendships beyond the stage. Fans look forward to seeing his involvement in the sport on the horizon.
Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle – Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
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