The Future of Classic Physique: The 10 Names That Will Change Everything

 

Six years with a single champion is an entire era. CBum’s departure in 2024 left a power vacuum that no one imagined would be so difficult to fill. This year, Ramón Dino Queiroz defends his title against two contenders who have been building toward this moment for years: Mike Sommerfeld, 2025 Arnold Classic Physique champion, and Wesley Vissers, 2026 Arnold Classic champion. Both are veterans who have improved year after year with one obsession: the ultimate prize, the Mr. Olympia Classic Physique title.

Dino, however, has not stood still. His improvements have been consistent, and his popularity is following a path that recalls CBum in his prime. The odds are in his favor to retain the title. Most likely, the next Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion will come from this trio of athletes. But the question many are asking is not who wins this year. The question is: what comes next?

Bodybuilding is a sport that never stops. In Classic Physique, physiques continue to grow until they push the limits of the division. CBum experienced this firsthand at the end of his career: his physical development had him up against the wall. Urs Kalecinski made the decision to move up to Open and quickly achieved results that justified it. Classic Physique pushes its athletes forward, even if that sometimes means pushing them out. So where is the future of the division for the next ten years?

Here are ten names that are just beginning to climb the ranks and already displaying physiques that have matured ahead of schedule. Each possesses unique characteristics as they look to displace the previous generation and claim ownership of the Top 5.

Among them all, one stands out: Josema Beast. His bone structure is massive. His muscular maturity is at a level that doesn’t match someone in the early years of their career. He owns the stage, has commanding presence, and the ability to impose himself against any rival. In my opinion, from the new generation, Josema is the one with the most realistic chance of conquering the ultimate title and standing face to face with Dino or Sommerfeld in the near future. It’s also worth noting that Josema appears to be the next Classic Physique bodybuilder looking to try his luck in the Open division.

Matheus Mengate is another very strong contender. For many, he is the reincarnation of CBum. He possesses unrivaled aesthetics, and it’s hard not to get excited imagining Mengate facing Josema on the biggest stage in Classic Physique in a couple of years, battling for every tenth of a point with physiques that would be remembered for generations.

Niall Darwen is another name we cannot ignore in the short term. He has a classic structure that, with a couple more years and a few extra kilos of pure muscle, will turn him into an elite competitor. Time is on his side, and in bodybuilding, that is worth more than it seems.

Stephane Matala is a name we will have to get used to hearing. His muscle mass places him almost at the limit of the division, developed with a level of detail that many consider excessive for Classic Physique. This inevitably raises a question: will we soon see Josema Beast and Matala take Classic Physique to the extreme the way CBum did in 2024?

Beyond the immediate future lies the one just beginning to emerge, athletes who have only recently arrived in the division but are already showing physiques that cannot be ignored.

Mexican Jorge Herrera has already displayed near perfect symmetry that only needs time to reach the top spots at the Olympia or Arnold. It’s just a matter of a couple of years.

Andrea Mammoli seems like the reincarnation of Frank Zane. What stands out about him is not only his physique but his posing skills, taking every pose to an almost artistic level that few in the division can match.

Matthew Greggo is a titan under construction. Imposing shoulders and astonishing muscle density that represent exactly where the division is heading.

Kim Angel is slowly becoming the king of Classic Physique competitions in Europe. A bit more volume in the legs and the whole picture will change completely.

And then there are Jack Eagles and Sam Sulek. Two names that will put on the table a discussion Classic Physique cannot avoid: in the future of the division, who decides who the best competitors and future champions are? The golden era of bodybuilding, or the power of social media?