No Bumstead, No King: The Battle for the Classic Physique Throne

Chris Bumstead, six-time Mr. Olympia champion in the Classic Physique category, announced his retirement last year after claiming his sixth title. The throne was left vacant. And he did it his way: competing one last time, not out of obligation, but for the pure love of it. This time, he dared to enter the Open division, where — against all odds — he earned a respectable second place.

With his departure, the Classic Physique crown was left orphaned… but not for long. The first to claim it was Mike Sommerfeld, who asserted his dominance on the Arnold Classic 2025 stage. There, he defeated a surprising Logan Franklin, who came out of nowhere like a bolt of lightning and pushed him to the brink.

But 2025 still had an ace up its sleeve.

In Pittsburgh, the audience witnessed a memorable showdown: Terrence Ruffin — better known as Ruff Diesel — secured a narrow and hard-fought victory. With his elegant and symmetrical physique, Ruff Diesel was pushed to the limit by a rival who earned everyone’s respect: the charismatic José Manuel Muñoz, also known as Josema Beast. The battle didn’t end there. Just days later, in New York, Josema once again came within inches of glory, pushing Diesel to the edge once more.

With these results, one might assume the vacant throne will be inherited by Sommerfeld or Diesel. But neither Logan Franklin nor Josema Muñoz seems willing to accept defeat so easily. Both came dangerously close to victory. And they’re not alone.

Two more names — two sleeping giants — could shake up the Olympia stage once again: Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Dino (Ramon Quiroz). Neither has competed professionally this year, but both have been worthy adversaries to Bumstead in the past. Now, they’ve taken their time to return stronger than ever.

The Classic Physique division has exploded in popularity in recent years. Bumstead’s victories, combined with his offstage magnetism, ignited public interest. And the rivalry among contenders like Sommerfeld, Kalecinski, Diesel, and Dino has made this division feel closer, more human, more real to many fans — especially to those who relate more to classic physiques than to the mass monsters of the Open division.

All signs point to this year’s Classic Physique showdown at the Olympia being just as intense — if not more — than the main division’s battle. And the best part: we’re only beginning to witness how this new era will be written.