As Chris Bumstead aims to find success in the Open division at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro, talks of how he’ll do are gaining traction. In a recent Instagram post shared on November 7, 2024, head judge Steve Weinberger discussed Bumstead’s chances and gave his expectations ahead of his Open splash.
At the 60th Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, Chris Bumstead prevailed to become a six-time Classic Physique Olympia. But it wasn’t without a fight. He narrowly surpassed runner-up Mike Sommerfeld by three points on the scorecard, with IFBB Vice President Tyler Manion revealing that ‘Mike The Badass’ won two of the five poses tallied at the event.
Shortly after winning gold, Bumstead announced his retirement. However, it was short-lived. Bumstead revealed plans to enter the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro as an Open talent, stoking fires of excitement for how he’ll fare in a division without weight restrictions. Fans expect ‘Cbum’ to give frontrunner Martin Fitzwater a run for his money among other contenders like former two-time 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida.
Steve Weinberger Predicts ‘Cbum’ Will ‘Do Very Well’ in Prague, Says If He Wins, It Won’t Change Direction of Men’s Open
With an extra 10 pounds stacked on his physique with no weight limit, Weinberger expects Bumstead to do well on the Prague stage.
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“I think he’s going to do very well. He’s going to be 10 pounds heavier. He’s got a great team, a great trainer. I don’t see him not being in shape. I see him with excellent shape.
The problem is it’s a bodybuilding show and it’s about muscle. Will he have enough muscle to stand next to these other guys or will his shape take him over the top? If he doesn’t have enough muscle, his shape is not really going to help him. It’s still a bodybuilding competition.”
The main problem he believes Bumstead could run into is whether his back will be thick enough to hang with high-caliber threats in the Open.
“The only problem I see with Chris, I’ve never seen him this big, is his back going to be thick enough. It’s going to be wide enough. From the front, he’s excellent, from the side he’s really good, he’s got that big leg sweep and hanging hamstrings, but I don’t know what his back is going to look like.”
While some believe a Bumstead victory in Prague could shift the trajectory of the Men’s Open, Steve Weinberger disagrees.
“I don’t believe that. It’s whoever is good on that day. If Martin comes in totally shredded he can win,” adds Weinberger.
He believes Bumstead will look tremendous by himself, but the true test will be how his physique translates next to other Open class contenders.
“Chris by himself is going to look sick. When we put him next to guys with a lot of muscle, that’s going to be the interesting part. Did he put enough muscle on since the Olympia because I’m sure he tore down enough muscle to make weight. Did he put enough of it back on and in good condition and how will he stand next to the monsters?” wonders Weinberger.
Even though Bumstead has said he doesn’t believe he could win, Weinberger isn’t counting out the Canadian champion.
“He’s got a good attitude, that’s the way he is. I honestly think he’s going to do very well. I honestly don’t know who is going to win. We got to see him next to a guy like Martin with a lot of muscle. Chris has beautiful shape, Martin has beautiful shape. Chris has probably put on 10 pounds on since the Olympia. If it’s in the right places and he’s hard he’s going to be a competitor that has to be dealt with,” he said.
Regardless of the outcome, Steve Weinberger admits Bumstead’s decision to try out the division ‘takes balls’ and underlined that he’s not the favorite going into this competition.
“He won six Mr. Olympia Classic Physique titles and goes into the Open, honestly, that takes balls, I respect that,” he adds. “It’s amazing. He’s not a favorite. He’s going up against guys he’s never gone against before. Like I said, it’s a ballsy move.”
Men’s Open bodybuilding star Nick Walker has also discussed Chris Bumstead’s chances in Prague. He isn’t overlooking the six-time Classic Physique Olympia, echoing that he has a legitimate chance at winning the show taking place November 16-17.
With Bumstead’s foray into the Open, Weinberger does have questions about how he’ll fare, especially when it comes to the back. Don’t miss Bumstead’s push into the Men’s Open division; Fitness Volt will have live coverage of the event.
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