Who’s Taking Home the Classic Physique Crown
The 2026 Classic Physique Olympia is set to be one of the most exciting competitions of Olympia Weekend. Since Chris Bumstead officially retired in 2024, the division has entered a new era, and Ramon “Dino” Queiroz now has the difficult task of defending his Olympia title.
Dino won’t have an easy path back to the top. Standing in his way are several of the best Classic Physique athletes in the world, including Mike Sommerfeld, Terrence Ruffin, Wesley Vissers and Josema Muñoz.
With Olympia Weekend taking place September 24–27 in Las Vegas, the Classic Physique division is ready for another major showdown.
Here is the Generation Iron 2026 Classic Physique Olympia preview and top five predictions.
1. Ramon Dino
Ramon Dino enters the 2026 Classic Physique Olympia as the defending champion and the man everyone is trying to beat.
Dino captured his first Olympia title in 2025, defeating Mike Sommerfeld and the rest of the division to become the first athlete to claim the Classic Physique crown following Chris Bumstead’s retirement.
His physique has many of the qualities judges look for in Classic Physique: a small waist, impressive proportions, substantial muscularity, and a strong overall silhouette.
Dino has also identified areas he wants to improve heading into his title defense, making his 2026 package particularly interesting to watch.
The biggest challenge will be Mike Sommerfeld, who pushed Dino during the 2025 Olympia and is determined to close the gap.
Prediction: 1st Place
Dino remains our favorite to repeat as Classic Physique Olympia champion.
He already knows what it takes to win, and another year of improvements could make him even harder to beat.
2. Mike Sommerfeld
Mike Sommerfeld is the obvious challenger. After finishing second to Dino at the 2025 Olympia, Sommerfeld has spent the year building toward another opportunity at the Sandow.
His physique combines significant muscularity with the proportions and presentation necessary for Classic Physique. He also brings an impressive stage presence that makes him particularly dangerous in comparisons.
Sommerfeld doesn’t need to reinvent his physique. He needs to improve the details that separated him from Dino the last time they stood next to each other.
If he can bring sharper conditioning and an even more complete package, the 2026 Olympia could become a two-man battle.
Prediction: 2nd Place
Sommerfeld is our pick for second, but the gap between him and Dino could be extremely small.
If Dino misses his peak or Sommerfeld makes a substantial improvement, the championship could change hands.
3. Terrence Ruffin
Terrence Ruffin remains one of the most accomplished and aesthetically gifted athletes in Classic Physique.
“Ruff Diesel” has built his reputation around symmetry, proportions, posing, conditioning, and an old-school aesthetic.
Those qualities make him a natural fit for Classic Physique.
While some competitors rely on overwhelming muscularity, Ruffin’s greatest strength is the way he presents his entire physique. His posing ability can make a major difference when the judges begin comparing athletes.
The challenge is the increasing level of muscularity in the division.
The top competitors continue to become bigger while still maintaining the Classic Physique look, meaning Ruffin needs to bring his best combination of size and conditioning to remain in the top three.
Prediction: 3rd Place
Ruffin is our pick for the final podium position.
His experience and presentation make him extremely difficult to count out.
4. Wesley Vissers
Wesley Vissers is one of the most recognizable athletes in the Classic Physique division.
The Dutch bodybuilder has developed a physique that strongly reflects the classic bodybuilding aesthetic, with his height, structure, proportions and presentation giving him a distinct look onstage.
Vissers has already proven that he can beat elite competition. His victory at the 2024 Arnold Classic put him firmly on the bodybuilding map and demonstrated just how dangerous his physique can be when everything comes together.
His challenge at the Olympia is consistency.
The division is packed with athletes capable of making significant improvements from one show to the next, and Vissers will need to bring exceptional conditioning and fullness if he wants to challenge for the podium.
Prediction: 4th Place
Vissers is our pick for fourth, although a top-three finish is certainly within his capabilities.
5. Josema Muñoz
Josema Muñoz rounds out our predicted top five.
The Spanish Classic Physique competitor has developed into a legitimate threat near the top of the division. His combination of muscularity, conditioning and structure makes him an athlete capable of challenging more established names.
Josema has also gained valuable Olympia experience, which can be critical when competing against athletes who have already established themselves at the highest level.
His next step is turning that experience into a podium finish.
Prediction: 5th Place
Josema is our pick to round out the top five.
However, the battle for the final spots could be extremely close, and a standout performance from another competitor could easily shake up the order.
The Biggest Storyline: The Post-Cbum Era
The 2026 Classic Physique Olympia represents another major chapter in the division’s post-Chris Bumstead era.
Bumstead dominated Classic Physique for years, winning six consecutive Olympia titles before retiring following the 2024 competition.
Ramon Dino became the first champion of the new era in 2025.
Now the question is whether Dino can establish his own reign.
A second consecutive victory would immediately strengthen his position as the division’s new leading man. But Sommerfeld, Ruffin, Vissers and Josema are all looking to prevent that from happening.
Can Mike Sommerfeld Beat Ramon Dino?
Sommerfeld absolutely has a chance. The 2025 Olympia proved that he could stand next to Dino and make the judges work. If Sommerfeld has improved his weak points while maintaining his strengths, he could potentially flip the result.
Dino, however, has the advantage of entering the contest as the defending champion.
He knows what he needs to bring, and another year of development could give him an even stronger package.
What Will Decide the 2026 Classic Physique Olympia?
The winner won’t necessarily be the competitor with the most muscle.
Classic Physique places a major emphasis on the complete package, including:
- Symmetry
- Proportion
- Muscular development
- Conditioning
- Small waist and classic lines
- Posing
- Presentation
- Overall aesthetics
That makes peaking extremely important.
An athlete can look incredible during the offseason but lose ground onstage if conditioning, fullness or presentation isn’t at its best.
2026 Classic Physique Olympia Top 5 Prediction
Our predicted top five is:
1. Ramon Dino
2. Mike Sommerfeld
3. Terrence Ruffin
4. Wesley Vissers
5. Josema Muñoz
The top two should receive the most attention heading into the competition.
Dino has the title. Sommerfeld wants it.
And with the post-Cbum era still in its early stages, the 2026 Classic Physique Olympia could determine whether Dino is simply the first champion of a new era—or the athlete prepared to dominate it.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Classic Physique Olympia has all the ingredients for a memorable competition.
Ramon Dino will attempt to defend his Sandow against Mike Sommerfeld, while established stars such as Terrence Ruffin and Wesley Vissers remain in the hunt. Josema Muñoz could also make another significant push toward the top of the division.
Our prediction currently favors Ramon Dino to repeat, but Mike Sommerfeld remains close enough to make this a legitimate championship battle.
The predictions will only last until the athletes step onto the Olympia stage. After that, the judges will decide who has the best Classic Physique in the world.
Generation Iron will have comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Olympia, scheduled for Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas.
Be sure to check out our previews and expert picks for all divisions, including Mr. Olympia, 212, and Men’s Physique.
Share your thoughts in our comments section or on our official Twitter and Facebook pages! Stay pumped.
*Image embed via Instagram @mrolympiallc
