Bodybuilding Icon Flex Lewis Gives his Classic Physique Picks and Potential Olympia Surprises
The 2026 Mr. Olympia is less than two weeks away, and seven-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis is breaking down one of the most anticipated divisions of the weekend.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Lewis offered his outlook for the Classic Physique Olympia, highlighting reigning champion Ramon Dino, Mike Sommerfeld, Terrence Ruffin, Wesley Vissers, Niall Darwen, Diego Galindo, and rising star Anton Ratushnyi.
While Lewis expects plenty of movement inside the top five, he ultimately sees the championship battle returning to the same two men who fought for the title in 2025: Dino and Sommerfeld.
Flex Lewis Predicts Ramon Dino vs. Mike Sommerfeld at 2026 Olympia
Ramon captured his first Classic Physique Olympia title in 2025, narrowly defeating Sommerfeld in a contest decided by just one point.
That razor-thin margin has set up a highly anticipated rematch, and Lewis believes both men will arrive in Las Vegas with something to prove.
“This year somebody who has been and has come so close to tasting it, which is Mike Sommerfeld by one point, is a hungry, hungry man,” Lewis said. “And then the guy who has now won it for the first time, wants to retain it, wants to defend it, is a hungry, hungry man.”
Lewis has also noticed a major change in Dino since becoming champion. He previously trained with the Brazilian star and admitted that Dino’s approach to preparation and scheduling could sometimes frustrate him.
Now, Lewis sees a completely different mentality.
“He has changed his camp. He has changed his coaches. He’s changed his environment,” Lewis explained, pointing to Dino spending time training around reigning Men’s Open Olympia champion Derek Lunsford.
According to Lewis, that championship environment has helped Dino develop the mindset necessary to defend his crown.
“I’ve seen that switch, that mentality change. And that’s why Ramon Dino is the champion.”
Dino has made no secret of his long-term ambitions. The Brazilian recently said he wants to capture five Classic Physique Olympia titles before eventually testing himself in Men’s Open.
Lewis believes defending the championship is an important next step.
“A true champion can only call himself a champion when you’re able to defend that title.”
Niall Darwen Is Lewis’ Dark Horse
Lewis also singled out Niall Darwen as the competitor who could potentially disrupt the established hierarchy.
Darwen has continued to build momentum after breaking into the Olympia top five in 2025, and Lewis was impressed after seeing his physique firsthand at the Pittsburgh Pro.
“That guy’s got the frame,” Lewis said. “He’s got the height, he’s got just a beautiful structure.”
Lewis and Brock Jenkins both selected Darwen as their dark horse for the Olympia, with Jenkins suggesting he could potentially push Ramon if everything comes together.
“There’s been a lot of hype, a lot of conversation about him being, as I said, a future winner of the class,” Lewis added.
Darwen has already established himself as one of the division’s leading contenders in 2026, earning major victories earlier in the season. His coach has also publicly discussed the goal of getting Darwen into comparisons with the athletes at the very top of Classic Physique.
Flex Lewis Excited About Anton Ratushnyi’s Olympia Debut
Another athlete Lewis will be watching closely is Anton Ratushnyi.
The young Classic Physique standout will make his Olympia debut after a rapid rise through the professional ranks, and Lewis praised his structure, muscle bellies, and overall flow.
“He’s got such flow, such structure, muscle bellies. It’s very exciting to see what the future really holds for Anton.”
However, Lewis cautioned against expecting Ratushnyi to immediately challenge Dino or Sommerfeld. He believes muscle maturity and density are qualities that simply require more years of training.
“That density comes with time,” Lewis explained. “That structure, that flow, that’s God-given genetics. But the filling of a frame takes a long time.”
Lewis said he would “love to see” Ratushnyi break into approximately fifth place, while stressing that this Olympia represents his first opportunity to truly test himself against the best Classic Physique competitors in the world.
Terrence Ruffin and Wesley Vissers Remain Dangerous
Lewis also refused to overlook former Olympia runner-up Terrence Ruffin.
He praised Ruffin as one of bodybuilding’s elite posers, comparing his ability to transform late in prep to former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden.
“You want to stand out like a peacock amongst crows, and that’s what he does,” Lewis said of Ruffin’s posing.
Wesley Vissers was another name Lewis expects to remain around the top-five conversation. He praised Vissers’ Golden Era-inspired structure and improvements to his lower body, although he stopped short of placing him in the championship battle.
“I don’t think he’s going to be pushing for the top spot,” Lewis said. “I think he’s going to be in that mix in that top five.”
With Ramon defending his first title, Sommerfeld attempting to erase a one-point defeat, and contenders such as Ruffin, Darwen, Vissers and Ratushnyi looking to disrupt the standings, Lewis believes Classic Physique could produce one of the highlights of Olympia weekend.
“This is not a one-horse race,” Lewis said. “I think them two in particular are both gunning for that title, and this is one of the reasons why I think this year is going to be one of the most exciting Mr. Olympias in Classic Physique of all time.”
The 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image embed via Instagram @gym.quietude
