2020 Olympia Classic Physique Predictions

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Bodybuilding fans erupted in excitement at the 2019 Olympia prejudging when Canadian Chris Bumstead was placed dead center. He later went on to be crowned as the 2019 Olympia Classic Physique Champion during the evening finals, knocking off the reigning champion Breon Ansley. While it will once again be a tight contest between these two champions, our overall prediction is for Bumstead to repeat as the 2020 Olympia Classic Physique Champion. When we look back on Chris’ Olympia appearances, he was fighting an uphill battle in a category that was very new to the bodybuilding world. Leading into the 2018 Olympia, he had a flare-up of IgA nephropathy, just four weeks out from the big show. This caused his immune system to attack itself and resulted in noticeable water retention, which he had to deal with in the final stretch. Then as he started his prep for the 2019 Olympia, Bumstead faced another setback with a small umbilical hernia. He was able to have this corrected early enough to allow him to continue his prep, resulting in his first Olympia victory. This prep has been, as far as we can tell, free of any injuries or setbacks. From progress photos and posing videos we have seen in Chris’ social media pages and YouTube videos, he is looking bigger, with a more complete physique with improvements to his back and arms, as well as having conditioning that is more than on point. We will be surprised if Bumstead is not holding the championship trophy once again this year.

It would be irresponsible reporting if we were to count out Breon Ansley from having a shot at reclaiming the Olympia Classic Physique Championship title this year. We do remember that it was only 1 point that relegated the two-time champion to runner-up status last year. This clearly left a sour taste in his mouth. Breon is one of the biggest athletes in the Classic Physique Division, due to his start as a 212 Bodybuilder. After turning pro in 2013, Ansley got off to a slow start in the 212 Division, finishing 16th place at the 2014 New York Pro 212 and 15th place at the 2014 Europa Phoenix Pro 212. Since being knocked off the throne last year, Ansley took to Instagram in September hinting at a return to 212, or maybe even Open Bodybuilding. This obviously didn’t happen, but it sparked a fire in Ansley to come after the title harder than ever. While he has done a lot to build up his legs and improve on his side chest, which may have been one edge Bumstead had over him, we don’t think it will be enough to knock Chris from that top spot.

With the absence of George “Da Bull” Peterson and Keone Pearson from the Classic Physique lineup, this leaves the top 4 wide open for some new blood to step up. Coming off a 6th place finish at the 2019 Olympia, Alex Cambronero has made some serious improvements to his physique, especially in his arms and legs. Similar to the history of Breon, Alex got his start in the 212 Division but is making a real name for himself in Classic Physique. He made us all take notice of him as a true contender on the Olympia stage after winning the 2020 Arnold Classic earlier this year. While we don’t expect to see him taking home the championship, Cambronero should make it into the top three and will be one to keep an eye on moving forward.

Dani Younan is making his third appearance on the Olympia Classic Physique stage this year after a 6th place finish in 2018 and 7th place in 2019. It looks as though he has made some good improvements following last year’s Olympia, winning the 2019 Ultimate Warriors Pro Classic Men's Physique and taking home 2nd place at the 2019 Legion Sports Fest Pro Classic Physique. Look to see Dani take home a 4th place finish at this year’s Olympia.

We look to see Terrence Ruffin rounding out this year’s top 5 in Classic Physique. Big Ruff is known for having a great vacuum pose, which pairs nicely with a thick chest and small waist. Ruffin sat out last year’s Olympia after a 9th place finish in 2018, but it looks like he’s been putting in work after we saw him take 2nd place at the 2020 Arnold Classic in March.

Muscle Insider’s John Cardillo is one of the premier fitness leaders in the bodybuilding industry. Here’s what John had to say on who will take the Classic Physique Division this year: 

“This contest is going to come down to Chris Bumstead and Breon Ansley again. I’m told Breon has made some improvements to his physique but I’m sure Chris has also. Since Breon is well into his forties, he definitely has better muscle maturity over Chris who is only 25 years old! But Chris has a great look, much larger frame and superior structure to what the judges want to reward in the Classic Physique category which is why he’s the defending champion. It could go either way but if Chris is better than he was last year, I can’t see him losing.”

John Cardillo’s Olympia Predictions Classic Physique:

For more information, visit MrOympia.com as Trifecta presents Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend brought to you by Northern Chill and by Wings of Strength the weekend of December 17-20.

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