The Classic Physique Olympia throne is vacant, leaving room for a new titleholder to emerge later this year. In a recent YouTube video shared on January 23, 2025, judge Terrick El Guindy predicted Mike Sommerfeld would become the next ‘superstar’ of Classic Physique and offered tips to Urs Kalecinski.
Mike Sommerfeld‘s ascent in the Classic Physique category has been steady since he embarked on his bodybuilding career. In 2023, he carved out an eighth-place showing on the prestigious stage. This performance allowed him to go under the radar ahead of the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding’ in 2024.
When it was time to test his will against the best, Sommerfeld shocked the world. Not only did he overwhelm favorites Ramon Queiroz, Wesley Vissers, and Urs Kalecinski on stage, but he also gave the reigning champion, Chris Bumstead, a run for his money. Even IFBB Pro League Vice President Tyler Manion admitted that ‘Mike The Badass’ secured two poses out of five against ‘Cbum.’
With momentum on his side as well as an aesthetic physique, many believe Sommerfeld will capture the sport’s ultimate title in due time since Bumstead retired from the sport. With the division changing fast, El Guindy joined Chris Cormier to discuss what’s next for the category’s top contenders.
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Terrick El Guindy Names ‘Incredible’ Mike Sommerfeld as Next ‘Superstar’ of Classic Physique, Offers Tips to Urs Kalecinski
In a recent YouTube video, El Guindy highlighted why he believes Mike Sommerfeld is the next superstar of the Classic Physique division.
“I think Mike Sommerfeld could be the new superstar of the Classic Physique. Some judges actually, it wasn’t unanimous. Chris did not win unanimously for the first time in his Olympia tenure.”
“He looked incredible. He poses well. He was vastly improved. In 2022, he placed fifth. Then, he fell to eighth. And now he comes back to second. He posed well. I got to give him credit too.”
He also pointed out that Sommerfeld wasn’t intimidated by Bumstead, unlike Kalecinski and Queiroz.
“He wasn’t intimidated by Chris Bumstead. A lot of these guys they place second to Chris, obviously Breon has never been intimidated by Chris Bumstead. But I felt like Ramon, Urs, in the beginning of their careers, they were just fans of Chris Bumstead,” shares Terrick El Guindy.
Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier argued Sommerfeld has the best ab and thigh pose of Classic Physique.
“I think he has the best ab and thigh in the Classic division,” adds Chris Cormier.
When Bumstead was asked years ago about who he believes to be the next star behind him, he named Urs Kalecinski. El Guindy offered advice to ‘The Miracle Bear,’ urging him to bring a bigger chest to compensate for his smaller delts.
“Urs Kalecinski when one of his first Olympias he placed fourth and Ramon placed fifth. We asked Chris Bumstead, who do you think could be the next star after you? Chris was I think this guy Urs Kalecinski can be the next one. He did not pick anybody but Urs Kalecinski.”
“To compensate for the delts, he [Urs Kalecinski] needed to have a bigger chest,” explains El Guindy.
El Guindy stressed that on the Olympia stage, Classic Physique athletes cannot afford to make any mistakes, from sweating to their tans.
“You got to make zero mistakes. Your tanning, zero mistakes. Your color, zero mistakes. Sweating, you cannot be sweating, zero.”
With the Classic Physique Olympia title picture wide open, the division has never been more unpredictable and exciting. Fans look forward to seeing Sommerfeld battle at the nearing 2025 Arnold Classic, set to take place from February 27 to March 2 in Columbus, Ohio. Don’t miss it!
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
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