Wesley Vissers & Mike Sommerfeld lead the pack in an intensely close battle for first place at the 2026 Arnold Classic
Wesley Vissers of the Netherlands and Mike Sommerfeld of Germany unquestionably are the two leading competitors at the Arnold Classic U.K. Classic Physique division – which got underway earlier on Friday.
Vissers is looking to make it two straight wins at the U.K. event being held this weekend at the National Exhibition Center (NEC) in Birmingham, England. Sommerfeld has other ideas after making weight, thus setting up the highly anticipated competitions between the Classic Physique division’s top competitors and rivals.
Arnold Classic UK Put Vissers And Sommerfeld Squarely In A Battle For First
Wesley Vissers won the Classic Physique division at the 2026 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, earlier in March, while Sommerfeld failed to make weight and could not compete in the prestigious event. His weight was not a problem this time as Sommerfeld and Visser engaged in what appears to be a friendly rivalry between two of the division’s best on Friday.
Prejudging showed both are in good form as they generally outclassed other prominent competitors. With the final callout featuring Vissers and Sommerfeld alone to battle it out with each other.
Both did very well in the glutes portion of the prejudging, but Sommerfeld held a distinct advantage with the abs as the competitors proceeded through the various mandatory poses. Vissers and Sommerfeld have very impressive physiques, including well-developed legs, backs, lats and biceps.
The prejudging set the stage for a nail bitter of a final later tonight. Be sure to check out our official 2026 Arnold Classic UK results page for updates as they become available.
Wesley Vissers’ Size is an Advantage
Because he is several inches taller at 6’2” than Mike Sommerfeld and virtually all other competitors, Wesley Vissers has an edge with a heavier weight cap, though.
Vissers typically competes at about 245 pounds, while Sommerfeld, who shoots for a height of 5’9” but often is listed as 5”7” to 5”8”, often has a weight disadvantage of between 30 and 40 pounds when competing against Visser. His larger body does account for much of the weight discrepancy, but Visser still has more room to bulk up when compared to Sommerfeld’s about 205 pounds.
Others competing in the Physique Classic division on Friday are:
- Sam Sulek of the United States.
- Jorge Herrera of Mexico.
- Paul Kanu of Poland.
- Andrea Mammoli of Italy.
- Angelo Rossi of Italy.
- Luis Roberto Velenzuela Ramos of Mexico.
No Excuses from Sommerfeld
After his disappointing failure to make weight during the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Sommerfeld issued a statement in which he fully blamed himself. As anyone who has competed in events with weight limits knows, there never is anyone else to hold accountable when failing to make weight, which Sommerfeld acknowledged afterward.
“Heading into the show, the weight didn’t come down enough to meet the Classic Physique limit,” Sommerfeld said in a prepared statement that he shared on social media. “I take full responsibility for that.”
Missing weight earlier this month doesn’t define him, Sommerfeld added, but it did make him more humble.
“We reset, we adjust, and we move forward,” he continued. “I want to sincerely thank the IFBB Pro League and the organizers for their kindness and professionalism throughout this process.”
Sommerfeld also didn’t lash out at those who did make weight and instead offered his support to all of them. His sense of sportsmanship generally reflects that of virtually all competitors in professional bodybuilding, which requires great dedication and sacrifice to so much as qualify for an event as prestigious as the Arnold Classic.
The Stage Is Set For An Epic Finale
Winning the Arnold Classic, whether it is in the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere, always is major milestone for any competitor, and Sommerfeld won the 2025 Arnold Classic in Columbus while competing in the Classic Physique division.
Vissers also is a former champion, having won the title in 2024 and again earlier this month. With the winners of the past three Classic Physique titles both making weight and in excellent form, the stage is set for a memorable final at the U.K. event.
Their showdown didn’t materialize in Columbus, but it should be epic in Birmingham.
