2024 Classic Physique Olympia Preview

Who is taking home the crown this year?

Chris Bumstead
Image via Instagram @cbum

The 2024 Classic Physique Olympia, happening on Saturday, October 12, 2024, is part of the annual Olympia Weekend and marks the event’s ninth year. The one-day competition kicks off at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the Olympia World Fitness Expo, with the finals taking place later that evening at Resorts World.

With 63 competitors, this year’s event will feature the largest lineup ever seen in the division. Below is the full roster, starting with the reigning champion, followed by the athletes who earned their spot.

2024 Classic Physique Olympia Competitors

classic physique

  • Chris Bumstead (Canada) – Defending Champion
  • Fanni Fuadi (Indonesia)
  • Nathaniel Joiner (USA)
  • Chen Kang (China)
  • Antoine Loth (Spain)
  • Everson Costa Melo (Brazil)
  • Damien Patrick (USA)
  • Ramon Rocha Queiroz (Brazil)
  • Urs Kalecinski (Germany)
  • Gabriel Zancanelli (Brazil)
  • Jihoon Bang (South Korea)
  • Wesley Vissers (Netherlands)
  • Han Jin Choi (South Korea)
  • Logan Franklin (USA)
  • Mike Sommerfeld (Germany)
  • Daryn Shirbayev (Kazakhstan)
  • JaeHun Park (South Korea)
  • Michael Daboul (United Kingdom)
  • Emanuele Ricotti (Italy)
  • Fabiony Sylvain (USA)
  • Fabio Junio (Brazil)
  • Jeremiah Willies (USA)
  • Tomas Adame (USA)
  • Shicheng Jin (China)
  • Richard Nagy (Hungary)
  • Eric Lisboa (Brazil)
  • Hyun Seok Lee (South Korea)
  • Jose Manuel Munoz (Spain)
  • Livingstone Livinho (Brazil)
  • Matthew Greggo (USA)
  • Luca Reger (Germany)
  • Mikhail Timoshin (Russia)
  • Lamar Shaw (USA)
  • Robert Timms (USA)
  • Abdullah Al-Sairafi (Kuwait)
  • Niall Darwen (United Kingdom)
  • Tyler Johnson (Canada)
  • Zhivko Petkov (Bulgaria)
  • Gabriel Pereira (Brazil)
  • Osmar Alanis (Mexico)
  • Stephane Matala (France)
  • Shitian Wang (China)
  • Bjay Carswell (USA)
  • Ahmed Hameed Aleidani (UAE)
  • Kellen Wilson (Canada)
  • Vahid Badpei (Iran)
  • Carlos Dommar (Venezuela)
  • Junior Javorski (Brazil)
  • Andres Eduardo Taveras (Dominican Republic)
  • Breon Ansley (USA)
  • Diego Alejandro Galindo Garavito (Brazil)
  • Justin Badurina (USA)
  • Andrei Kozhokar (Russia)
  • Matheus Menegate (Brazil)
  • Kim Angel (Spain)
  • Soomin Yoon (South Korea)
  • Jorge Herrera (Mexico)
  • Mauro Fialho (Spain)
  • Jian Gao (China)
  • Breno Freire (Brazil)
  • Adrian Cyronek (Poland)
  • Tony Taveras (USA)
  • Julio Simoes (Brazil)

Terrence Ruffin had qualified for this competition but later withdrew.

Classic Physique Olympia Qualification Process

Olympia champions have a lifetime pass to compete within their division, though those who haven’t won within the last five years need special approval from the IFBB Pro League.

The top three finishers from the 2023 Olympia automatically qualified for 2024, while others earned their place by winning a pro contest during the qualification period, which concluded on September 15, 2024. Special invitations from the IFBB or Olympia promoters offer another way to compete, though no invites had been issued as of the time of writing.

Previous Champions

Five-time reigning champion Chris Bumstead is a heavy favorite to claim yet another victory. Since taking control of the Classic Physique division in 2019, Bumstead’s performances have been consistently dominant, and he’s widely regarded as one of the most popular figures in bodybuilding today.

The only other previous Olympia champion in this year’s competition is Breon Ansley, who took home the title in 2017 and 2018. After considering a move to the 212 division, Ansley stuck with Classic Physique and secured his place by winning the 2024 Dubai Pro. He’s determined to become the first to reclaim the Classic Physique title after losing it on stage.

Top Contenders

If neither Bumstead nor Ansley claims victory, a new champion will join the ranks, marking just the fourth winner in the division’s history. Wesley Vissers is a top name to watch, especially after his win over Ramon Rocha Queiroz at the 2024 Arnold Classic in the Classic Physique division. Known for his impressive size, Vissers could pose a serious threat if he brings his best form to the Olympia stage.

Two-time Olympia runner-up Ramon Rocha Queiroz is determined to capture the title after back-to-back second-place finishes. Meanwhile, Urs Kalecinski, who has placed as high as third, will be looking to make a statement and push for the top spot after previously beating Vissers in competition.

Dark Horses

Classic Physique continues to be home to a mix of rising stars and veterans looking to break through. Michael Daboul, who finished sixth in 2023, has had a challenging year after being involved in an incident in London, but he rebounded to win the 2024 Titans Grand Prix Pro and secure his spot for 2025.

Other top-10 contenders from 2023 include Mike Sommerfeld, Vahid Badpei, and Jae Hun Park, while athletes like Robert Timms, Damien Patrick, Eric Lisboa, and Matthew Greggo could break into the top ranks.

Where to Watch

The entire event, including both rounds of the Classic Physique competition, the other 11 professional divisions, and the 2024 Amateur Olympia, will be available for live streaming via pay-per-view, accessible through the Olympia website. Generation Iron will provide real-time updates and coverage of the Olympia Weekend, ensuring fans can follow the action closely.

For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Dylan Wolf
I work mainly in content writing, focusing my free time on bodybuilding and strength sports. I was introduced to fitness in high school and after watching Generation Iron movies. I love to train. I have competed multiple times, even winning a junior title in classic physique. I have a bachelor's in criminal justice and business obtained through Alvernia University. When I am not focused on work or training, I enjoy watching films or reading about anything and everything.