Arnold Classic Coverage Sponsored By MUTANT!
The 2025 Arnold Sports Festival has reached its finish line, and bodybuilding fans live in attendance and watching from home saw significant bodybuilding history be made. Seven IFBB Pro League competitions were held that saw incredible champions claim the spotlights, inspiring fans and other athletes along the way. Here is a brief look back at all the action from the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH.
Derek Lunsford Wins 2025 Arnold Classic
2023 Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford made his Arnold Classic debut in his first non-Olympia contest since 2017, and he ended the weekend being interviewed by Arnold Schwarzenegger while holding the trophy and a check for $500,000. This is his first Arnold Classic win, and he is now the seventh man to have won both the Olympia and Arnold Classic in his career.
The sixth man to do that was Samson Dauda, who finished the 2025 contest as the runner-up. Fans are already excited to see Dauda and Lunsford in another showdown at the 2025 Olympia later this year. Andrew Jacked placed third, followed by Brandon Curry, William Bonac, and Akim Williams in fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively.
Ali Bilal is Arnold Men’s Physique Champion
Ali Bilal was intent on proving that his performance at the 2024 Olympia wasn’t a fluke, and he did just that by winning the Arnold Men’s Physique title in Columbus. Bilal, two-time winner and former Olympia champion Erin Banks, and 2024 titleholder Diego Montenegro all put on incredible performances, but Bilal is now in the driver’s seat as the number one contender to Ryan Terry at the 2025 Olympia. Rounding out the top six for this show were Emmanuel Costa, Alessandro Cavagnola, and Jason Huynh, in that order.
Mike Sommerfeld Takes Arnold Classic Physique
2024 Classic Physique Olympia runner-up Mike Sommerfeld is seen by many fans as the top contender in the category, and he moved one step closer to that placing by winning the Arnold Classic Physique championship. Sommerfeld had to face stiff competition in Logan Franklin, who surprised many fans by taking silver in this show. Matthew Greggo and Michael Daboul made a valiant effort, and they claimed third and fourth places. 2024 champion Wesley Vissers struggled out of the gate and fell to fifth. Sixth went to Jihoon Bang.
Rajesh John Repeats as Arnold Wheelchair Bodybuilding Champion
Rajesh John became the second man in history to win the Arnold Pro Wheelchair twice. He took the stage as champion and left it holding a second trophy. John faced stiff competition from rising star James Berger, who settled for second. 2022 winner Gabriele Andruilli rounded out the top three. Fourth, fifth, and sixth went to Kevin Secundino, Harold Kelley, and Bradley Betts.
Vania Auguste Makes History Winning Bikini International
After three-time Bikini International champion Lauralie Chapados vacated the title, she watched Vania Auguste rise to the top and make bodybuilding history as the first African American woman to win the title. This was well received by the fans watching in the Battelle Grand ballroom. Aimee Delgado brought a very impressive physique, but finished as the runner-up for the second consecutive year. The rest of the top six were Ashlyn Little, Maria Acosta, Ariana Brothers, and Jasmine Gonzalez.
Jaclyn Baker Finally Wins Fitness International
Jaclyn Baker has been grinding for a major title for the last few years, and she made good on that work this past weekend by taking the Fitness International title. This is her first major title and now puts her as a top contender to the vacant Olympia title. Michelle Fredua-Mensah and Tamara Vahn joined Baker on the podium, and they were followed by Amber Steffen, Andrea Glass, and Tiffany Chandler.
Eduarda Bezerra Upsets Isabelle Nunes Winning Wellness International
It is not often we see an Olympia champion lose in a non-Olympia show, and we saw it twice this past weekend. Aside from Dauda, Wellness Olympia champ Isabelle Nunes was pushed to second by Eduarda Bezerra, who many experts feel has “next” when it comes to the top spot in the division. Our very own Johnny Styles has often referred to Bezerra as “The Heir Apparent” in the Wellness category, and we can see why. This is her first major title, as well as her Wellness International debut, and the sights are already set on the Olympia in Las Vegas this October. The three through six spots went to Elisa Alcantara, Kassandra Gillis, Sandra Colorado, and Lisa Meiswinkel.
Don’t forget to check out all the behind-the-scenes footage from the Arnold Classic via the Muscle Insider YouTube Channel and social media pages. Our coverage of the 2025 Arnold Classic was made possible thanks to MUTANT, and you can follow them @mutantnation.
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