The reigning champion remains the best in the business at his craft.
Written by Stephen Sheehan, CPT
Chris Bumstead confirmed he’s still at the top of his class by claiming his fifth consecutive Classic Physique title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest on Nov. 4, 2023.
The Canadian native put on a dominant showing in front of the judges and fans inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, cementing his case as one of the greatest bodybuilders of his generation.
[Related: 2023 Amateur Olympia Results]
Bumstead’s well-proportioned physique and impressive posing routines helped him edge out an impressive field of Classic Physique competitors that featured strong performances from Terrence Ruffin and two-time Classic Physique Olympia champion (2017-2018) Breon Ansley. Once all the athletes showcased their sculpted shoulders, defined abdominals, and shredded backs, the judges made their first decision:
Callout One
- Jae Hun Park
- Wesley Vissers
- Michael Daboul
- Terrence Ruffin
- Mike Sommerfeld
- Vahid Badpei
Callout Two
- Breon Ansley
- Urs Kalecinski
- Roman Rocha Quieroz
- Chris Bumstead
To no one’s surprise, the final callout saw a familiar face square off in an epic posing battle against Bumstead: Ramon Rocha Quieroz. Coming off a huge victory at the 2023 Arnold Classic, he looked fantastic on the Olympia stage, boasting a balanced physique with no apparent weaknesses. Ultimately, though, the 2022 Olympia runner-up fell short for the second straight year in his quest to unseat Bumstead from his throne.
2023 Classic Physique Olympia Results
Here’s how the top five shook out in the 2023 Classic Physique Olympia division:
- Chris Bumstead – $50,000
- Ramon Rocha Querioz — $20,000
- Urs Kelecinski — $12,000
- Breon Ansley — $7,000
- Terrence Ruffin — $6,000
[Related: Major Change to Mr. Olympia Qualification System Will Have Immediate Impact on 2023 Contest]
Speaking with Bob Circherillo on stage after his latest Olympia victory, Bumstead revealed that he tore his lat 10 weeks out from the biggest show of the year. Although he initially had doubts about whether he could overcome the setback, he credited the support of his fiancee, as well as legendary trainer Hany Rambod, for helping him maintain a strong mindset throughout his journey to the Olympia.
Four weeks after suffering his lat injury, Bumstead returned to the gym for his first back workout. Just like he did after getting hurt, he wept.
However, the decorated champion said he shed tears for a much different reason.
“I realized I would not have felt that much joy and gratitude if I had quit,” Bumstead said.
Featured Image: mrolympiallc / Instagram
About Stephen Sheehan, CPT
Stephen is an ISSA-certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an immense passion for health and fitness. A two-time University of Florida graduate and longtime rugby player, he brings more than a decade of strength training experience, plus a diverse writing and editing background. When he’s not creating content or hitting the gym, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and attending music festivals around the world.