2025 Arnold Classic Preview
Contest Coverage Sponsored by MUTANT!
Bodybuilding fans around the world have been chomping at the bit to see their favorite athletes and stars back onstage, and their wishes will soon be granted. The 2025 season has already begun, but the ceremonial kickoff of the bodybuilding calendar is the 2025 Arnold Classic weekend.
This year’s rendition of the Arnold is set for the weekend of Feb. 27 – Mar. 2, 2025, in its annual home of Columbus, OH. Fans are looking forward to the Expo, Meet and Greets, and the numerous sports they can watch and compete in, but don’t get it twisted. Bodybuilding is still the main event, and this year’s seven shows may be the most competitive in its three-decade plus history. Let’s take a look at what the fans have to look forward to.
Arnold Classic
The founding contest of the weekend is the Arnold Classic (Men’s Open), and the 2025 lineup is star-studded. 2024 Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda will look to win his second Arnold trophy and the $500,000 check that goes with it. Standing in his way is 2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford, who will make his Arnold Classic debut. Lunsford is seeking redemption after losing his Olympia title in Las Vegas.
A pair of two-time champions are also in this show. 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry and William Bonac will both look for their third championships in this contest. Throw in several fan favorites and rising stars, and you have a contest that will start the season in grand fashion.
- William Bonac
- Shaun Clarida
- Brandon Curry
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
- James Hollingshead
- Husamedin Elisawi
- Derek Lunsford
- Patrick Moore
- Justin Rodriguez
- Carlos Thomas Jr.
- Akim Williams
Arnold Classic Physique
2024 Arnold Classic Physique winner Wesley Vissers looks to repeat while 2024 Olympia runner-up Mike Sommerfeld hopes to establish himself as the new top star in the division following the retirement of the legendary Chris Bumstead. Those two men are the key matchup of the contest, but Michael Daboul, Matthew Greggo, and the rest of the lineup will look to spoil their party.
- Osmar Alanis
- Adejoh Franklin Audu
- Jihoon Bang
- Michael Daboul
- Logan Franklin
- Lucas Funk
- Matthew Greggo
- Mike Sommerfeld
- Wesley Vissers
- Jeremiah Willies
Arnold Men’s Physique
The Men’s Physique lineup will also have the fans on their feet from start to finish. Two former champions are in this show, defending titleholder Diogo Montenegro and two-time winner Erin Banks. The winner of this show will be considered the number one contender to Olympia champion Ryan Terry later this year. It’s also a title that can establish a new star in the category if a new champion is crowned.
- Erin Banks
- Ali Bilal
- Alessandro Cavagnola
- Vitor Chaves
- Rhyan Clark
- Emmanuel Costa
- Guilherme Gualbarto
- Jason Huynh
- Diogo Montenegro
- Rafael Oliveira
- Sidy Pouye
- Dmytro Voievodchuk
Arnold Pro Wheelchair
The Wheelchair division will certainly be the most inspiring, and this year’s show could be the most competitive as well. Three former winners are in the lineup. 2024 winner Rajesh John wants to show that last year was no fluke, while Gabriele Andruilli wants to win a second championship. The favorite going into the contest is six-time winner and six-time Olympia champion Harold Kelley, who has recently reclaimed the top spot in his sport at the 2024 Olympia.
- Gabriele Andruilli
- James Berger
- Bradley Betts
- Rajesh John
- Harold Kelley
- Jason Metcalf
- Kyle Roberts
- Kevin Secundino
- Steve Suppes
Bikini International
Both the Bikini and Fitness divisions are guaranteed new champions in 2025. Three-time Bikini International winner Lauralie Chapados and three-time Fitness International champion Ariel Khadr are not included in the 2025 lineups. This is a new opportunity for the stars in those shows to win a major title. On the Bikini side, the favorite going in is 2024 runner-up Aimee Delgado. It will also be the final contest for two-time winner and two-time Olympia champion Angelica Teixeira.
- Maria Acosta
- Vania Auguste
- Jordan Brannon
- Ariana Brothers
- Tamekia Carter
- Aimee Delgado
- Jasmine Gonzalez
- Ashlyn Little
- Anastacia Spragans
- Angelica Teixeira
Fitness International
No athlete in this year’s Fitness division has won this show, but all eyes are on 2024 Olympia runner-up and 2024 Fitness International UK winner Jaclyn Baker and Canada’s Tamara Vahn, who could have her best opportunity to win this show yet. The Olympia title is also vacant thanks to Missy Truscott moving on to Figure. Therefore, the winner of this show could be the kickoff of the future for the division.
- Jaclyn Baker
- Rene Brosch
- Tiffany Chandler
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah
- Michelle Gales
- Andrea Glass
- Minna Pajulahti
- Michaela Pavleova
- Kristin Pope
- Amber Steffen
- Tamara Vahn
Wellness International
2024 Wellness Olympia champion Isabelle Nunes wants to add a second Wellness International title to her list of accomplishments. Standing in her way are 11 rivals, including Eduarda Bezerra, Elisa Alcantara, Lisa Meiswinkel, and 2023 champion Kassandra Gillis. Nothing is certain for this contest, and the fans will be in for quite the show.
- Elisa Alcantara
- Eduarda Bezerra
- Sandra Colorado
- Johanna Calcano
- Kassandra Gillis
- Hye Yoon Kim
- Lisa Meiswinkel
- Isabelle Nunes
- Audrea-Ann Roy
- Sina Maria Teresa
- Victoria Reyes Villa
- Simara Walter
Tickets and access to the free Arnold Classic livestream will be available at the Arnold Sports website. Make sure you stay tuned to Muscle Insider and all our social media outlets to see the latest on the action from Columbus.
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