Shawn Ray believes that Chris Bumstead would immediately contend for the Mr. Olympia title if he joined Men’s Open.
Chris Bumstead has become the most popular bodybuilder on the planet and he has done so in the Classic Physique division. After years of domination, there have been talks about the potential of moving up into Men’s Open. As of now, there are no plans but the topic remains open. Bodybuilding legends Shawn Ray and Jay Cutler sat down to discuss it following the 2023 Olympia.
Bumstead won his fifth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title in Orlando just two weeks ago. In 2019, he topped Breon Ansley on the biggest stage and has not let up since.
Despite his years of success, there have been many rumors surrounding Bumstead. This includes the potential of retirement. Bumstead has not committed to switching divisions or hanging it up on stage while he remains focused on winning Olympia titles.
Bumstead’s potential at the next level has not gone unnoticed. Shawn Ray became the latest to speak on it and shared his opinion on how he would fair.
Shawn Ray: “He Becomes The King Of The World”
Chris Bumstead has talked about the idea of competing in Men’s Open. He would be interested in doing a significant show, such as the Arnold Classic, if it were two weeks after the Olympia. Instead, the Arnold remains in March and Bumstead will not commit to competing.
Derek Lunsford was recently named Mr. Olympia champion with Hadi Choopan finishing as the runner-up. Shawn Ray believes that Bumstead tops them both.
“He stands next to these guys the way he looked on Saturday night, he’s Mr. Olympia bar none. Hadi is not beating Chris Bumstead. Derek is not beating Chris Bumstead. And Samson, in that show his peak was off, he would not have beaten Chris Bumstead.”
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Bumstead has reached the top of bodybuilding but Ray believes there is another level in Men’s Open.
“He becomes king of the world. I’m going to walk back on it. On Olympia TV, I said we probably saw the last of Chris Bumstead and that’s a shot across the Howell. He’s not going to like that I said that but I think we’ve seen the last of Chris Bumstead. If he doesn’t have a challenge, it’s going to be an injury.
He’s going to be trying to train for something that’s not really realistic. He needs something to get him out of bed to make real history, to go to the next level because right now, he’s living comfortably.”
Shawn Ray finished by saying that Chris Bumstead would not have to add size. If he continues to be himself on stage, he could win Mr. Olympia.
“He wouldn’t hardly have to put on any…Don’t change the physique. Don’t try to be a bodybuilder. Be you. We’re all artists. We’re all going to display different types of art.
That’s the reason he has 20 million followers because they like that look. If he changes that look trying to be a bodybuilder, he’s no longer Chris Bumstead. Don’t get bigger.”
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