The 2023 Mr. Olympia is nearly here and bodybuilders have begun checking into the event. During the Olympia press conference, Classic Physique competitors Chris Bumstead, Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and Breon Ansley took part in some heated back-and-forths before hitting the stage.
The Classic Physique division has been dominated by none other than the four-time reigning champion Chris Bumstead. His naturally appealing build and crisp conditioning have seen him set the tone and standard that other competitors hope to bring if they hope to take the throne.
Chris Bumstead Is Ready To Earn His Fifth Classic Physique Win
Even with several bodybuilders vying for the throne, Chris Bumstead made it clear that he isn’t intimidated and feels he will once again reign supreme at this weekend’s show. Responding to Phil Heath’s question ‘Is this just another day in the office?’, Bumstead clarified that he is here for more than just a trophy.
Cbum also adressed the elephant in the room which was whether he would be moving to the Men’s Open. Rumors have been circulating that following this weekend at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Bumstead would be competing at the Arnold Classic in Open, though it seems he has no intention on moving for the time being.
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“I’m here for a few reasons I would say I’m absolutely walking home with the trophy but that’s not the only reason I’m competing this year.”
“If I learned anything I’ve learned I have to shut down a lot and go into performance mode. But this year is different, I want to feel it, and enjoy the training.”
“I’m excited to be here and have a good time that’s what it’s really about. I know these guys are just fighting for second place,” Bumstead said. “I’m right where I belong.”
“I don’t think so [about the Open].”
Chris Bumstead also addressed the recent changes to the Classic Physique criteria regarding weight/height. Some competitors feel that this will be exactly what they need to break through to the top. However, Chris Bumstead felt differently.
“I can’t lie. It’s a little humorous, it was a bit of an honor when I heard it when I heard it was an unfair advantage for six-foot-one, six-foot-two,” Bumstead said. “I’ve established a look in Classic Physique.”
“When you have to come so low in weight and sacrifice muscle and that’s not going to be your best look you’ll look tired and your body is not going to pop. Seven pounds is significant. I may have had to still lose a fiber or two of muscle. But not as much. I’m able to hold on to more muscle.
Holding on to more muscle yields itself to a better look, more maturity, more density, which is one of my strong-suits for sure. More maturity and more density. That’s what I bring to the table.”
This prep was different for Chris Bumstead thanks to his new private gym. His ability to concentrate and train in peace seems to have made a difference for the four-time champion.
“I mean it was a very selfish and beautiful thing I had this year to have that private gym it was a lot of fun. Regardless of where I’m at, I can be overseas with dumbbells, barbells, wherever.”
“I can be quiet. Play my music, be present, and enjoy every single workout,” shared Cbum. “Feel this, enjoy this, it’s so fun to be this strong and lean right now. It allowed me to be more present in what I’m doing.”
Competitor Urs Kalecinski, who has been rising rapidly through the ranks in the last two years, reveals how he is feeling coming into this weekend. Having just recently worked out side by side with Chris Bumstead, Kalecinski believes his youthful energy and hard work will be enough to knock Cbum down a peg. Kalecinski also took a jab at the reigning champion’s new private gym.
“Anything can happen in the world nowadays but we’re going to find out Saturday evening,” said Urs Kalecinski.
“Yeah, he’s definitely getting older. I knew I’ve invested a lot the last year and I’ve worked my ass off in cold
Germany. He has a great gym in sunny weather. I worked my ass off. Besides that, it’s always good to train with other competitors.”
“It’s good to push each other in a certain way.”
Ramon Dino’s Confidence At All-Time High Ahead of Title Bid
Having come in second last year at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Ramon Rocha Queiroz AKA Ramon Dino feels confident that he will be able to close the gap and snatch the title right out from beneath Cbum.
Most bodybuilders leading into the Olympia shared consistent physique updates though Ramon Dino did not and revealed that he feels they don’t matter.
“It doesn’t matter what the pictures show it’s not a strategy I’m only concerned with what I’m going to show on stage.”
Pose for pose, Ramon Dino believes he’s got ‘Cbum’ beat.
“Any poses that the judges choose I’m going to beat him,” Ramon Dino shared.
Breon Ansley made sure to also take a stab at Chris Bumstead. The former two time Classic Physique champion is looking to make this his comeback year and claim his third title.
“There’s no second thoughts on the decision to come back and get the title in Classic. Very confident in the extra few pounds that I was given by the division. I think with my physique I can showcase it best. I have to tell Chris, you were a great champion, but it’s time for me to get the third one this year,” said Breon Ansley.
“I’m going to teach some of the young guys how to challenge Chris Bumstead? Yeah. This is a competition and we’re not up here to be friends, especially on this stage. We are here to take each other’s heads off. This is the hardest sport in the world and we are the toughest people because of it. When we get on stage it’s not time to love each other at all, it’s time for battle, that’s it.”
Looking to make his return to Classic Physique, Ansley is ready to jump from fourth to first.
From fourth to first is not a big deal at all, I did that in my first year. That is not a big leap at all. We will do it again.”
The Classic Physique division is ripe with tension as the clock ticks down to the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Pre-judging will begin tomorrow morning and fans can catch all the action live in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center, or tune into the Olympia pay-per-view to get a livestream of all the events. Check out the Olympia website for more details.
Otherwise, you can keep it locked here at Fitness Volt, where we will have you covered with consistent news articles, previews, predictions, results, and more as we provide full coverage for the highly anticipated 2023 Mr. Olympia event.
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