Mr. Olympia 2025: Who Will Claim CBUM’s Throne in Classic Physique?

Year after year, the Classic Physique division gains strength and magnetism within the bodybuilding universe. Since its creation in 2016, it emerged as a response to the raw mass of Open Bodybuilding, favoring more balanced and harmonious physiques—direct heirs to the golden aesthetic of icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane: broad shoulders, narrow waists, and an almost sculptural presence. Danny Hester was the first to claim the throne, followed by figures who defined an era, like Breon Ansley—two-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion—and above all, the legendary Chris Bumstead, better known as CBUM, who dominated the Olympia stage six times before hanging up the belt in 2024.

In Classic Physique, muscle alone isn’t enough: the proportion between shoulders and waist matters, harmony is prized over sheer mass, and posing should evoke classical art rather than pure displays of strength. After CBUM’s triumphant retirement, the void was felt immediately, and several athletes began the hunt to fill that almost mythical space. Among them, the most serious contender stands out: German competitor Mike Sommerfeld, who came close to the crown last year by finishing second, just behind Bumstead. His recent triumph at the Arnold Classic only cemented his status as the favorite, although this year’s contest promises to be one of the most intense and tightly contested in recent history.

The 2025 Olympia won’t just be a competition—it will be a battle to define the very future of the division. Beyond Sommerfeld, three names echo strongly: Terrence Ruffin, the natural heir to Frank Zane’s aesthetic and CBUM’s long-time rival, returning hungry for glory; Ramon Rocha Queiroz, an authentic superstar who has already brushed against the title and has a legion of fans; and Urs Kalecinski, the European sensation who makes steady progress each year and who, with a bit more density, could make a major impact. The most exciting unknown will undoubtedly be the return of Breon Ansley, seeking to reign once again. And lurking in the shadows, two ambitious young talents: Spain’s Jose Maria Muñoz, known as Josema Beast, and Logan Franklin, both determined to shake up the established order.

But beyond muscle and posing, this Olympia is about something greater: the very essence of Classic Physique. With CBUM’s retirement, the category faces criticism over whether it’s losing its identity: some argue that Sommerfeld is starting to approach the volume typical of the Open division—a debate that also surrounded Bumstead last year when he dared to test the waters in that category after his final victory. At its core, the question is brutally simple: can the next champion fill the void left by CBUM, maintain the delicate balance between aesthetics and mass, and still captivate the audience? October will reveal the answer. And there, on that illuminated stage, we’ll discover whether Classic Physique reaffirms its spirit—or becomes trapped between golden-age nostalgia and the lure of excess.