The Classic Physique Olympia 2026 contest brings together reigning champion Ramon Rocha Queiroz, leading contender Terrence Ruffin, 2025 runner-up Mike Sommerfeld and an international field of established athletes.
Classic Physique is scheduled for Friday, September 25, in Las Vegas. Prejudging begins during the Olympia World Fitness Expo, while the championship final takes place that evening at Orleans Arena.
Qualification remains open through August 30, so the athlete list and points standings can still change. This guide covers the currently qualified competitors, early favorites and the factors likely to shape the result.
Classic Physique Olympia 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Classic Physique Olympia 2026 |
| Date | Friday, September 25, 2026 |
| Prejudging | Olympia World Fitness Expo |
| Finals venue | Orleans Arena, Las Vegas |
| Reigning champion | Ramon Rocha Queiroz |
| Qualification deadline | August 30, 2026 |
Classic Physique Olympia 2026 qualified athletes
The official IFBB Pro League page listed the following athletes as qualified on July 29, 2026:
| Athlete | Country |
| Anton Ratushnyi | USA |
| Andrea Mammoli | Italy |
| Ramon Rocha Queiroz | Brazil |
| Mike Sommerfeld | Germany |
| Terrence Ruffin | USA |
| Fabio Junio | Brazil |
| Jose Manuel Munoz | Spain |
| Ethan Gohari | Australia |
| Prosper Nwafor | UK |
| Piotr Wojtowicz | Poland |
| Wesley Vissers | Netherlands |
| Paulin Tsamezeu | USA |
| Mohammad Ali | Austria |
| Vitaliy Omelycenko | Russia |
| Niall Darwen | UK |
| Chen Kang | China |
| Luca Reger | Germany |
| Rodni Nelson Hebbert | Nicaragua |
| Tom Stanley | Australia |
| Livingstone Livinho | Brazil |
| Kellen Wilson | Canada |
The official page also publishes a changing points table. Athletes in the points race should not be labeled “qualified” until their status is confirmed under the final qualification rules.
These Classic Physique contenders represent multiple regions, but qualification alone does not predict the final placing.
How Classic Physique qualification works
Classic Physique follows the 2026 Olympia Qualification System used for Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Wellness.
The central rules are:
- The top 25 athletes in the final point standings qualify.
- An athlete earns automatic qualification by winning two open contests.
- The top three from the previous Olympia receive automatic qualification.
- Major contests can provide automatic qualification or more points depending on placing.
The system rewards both major-show performance and consistency across the season. Because points can change after each contest, qualification claims should always be checked against the latest IFBB Pro League page.
Early Classic Physique Olympia 2026 favorites
Ramon Dino 2026 title defense
Ramon “Dino” Queiroz enters as the reigning champion after winning the 2025 Classic Physique Olympia. His shape, muscularity and international following make him the central figure in the 2026 contest.
Ramon’s advantages include:
- Wide shoulders and a narrow waist
- Full muscle bellies
- Strong arms and legs
- Improved championship experience
- The confidence of a defending winner
The challenge is repeating a winning peak. Defending champions face different pressure because every returning contender knows the standard they must beat.
Mike Sommerfeld
Sommerfeld finished second in 2025 and remains one of the most complete challengers. He combines size with the structure expected in Classic Physique and has already shown that he can stand beside Ramon in a close championship lineup.
His path to victory depends on arriving with precise conditioning without sacrificing fullness. A small improvement in detail or presentation could change the order.
Terrence Ruffin
Ruffin is known for posing, shape and classical presentation. He has the ability to make transitions and mandatory poses look deliberate rather than mechanical.
Classic Physique judges evaluate muscularity and condition, but the division also rewards balance and the overall classical impression. Ruffin’s posing remains a genuine competitive advantage.
Wesley Vissers
Vissers brings height, structure and a look often compared with the classic era. His ability to create long, clean lines makes him visually distinct.
To challenge for the title, he must combine those proportions with enough lower-body detail and overall fullness to hold up during direct comparisons.
Jose Manuel Munoz
Munoz placed fourth in 2025 and enters the season with valuable Olympia momentum. His recent placing means he should not be treated as an outsider.
Breaking into the top three will require improvement against athletes who already possess championship-level experience, but his trajectory makes him one of the most important contenders to watch.
Other qualified athletes with upside
Anton Ratushnyi has attracted attention for his structure and long-term potential. Niall Darwen, Ethan Gohari, Prosper Nwafor, Tom Stanley and the rest of the qualified field add substantial international depth.
The number of qualified athletes does not guarantee the final stage lineup. Competitors can withdraw, change plans or fail to complete check-ins. The official check-in list is the final confirmation that an athlete will compete.
What judges look for in Classic Physique
Classic Physique is not simply a smaller version of Men’s Open. Competitors must meet division-specific height and weight limits, and the judging emphasizes a distinct combination of qualities.
Proportion
The upper body and lower body should look balanced. Excessive development in one area can interrupt the classical flow.
Symmetry
Judges compare left-to-right balance as well as the relationship between shoulders, waist, torso and legs.
Muscularity
Competitors need substantial muscle, but added size must remain within the division’s limits and should not compromise shape.
Conditioning
Separation and definition matter, particularly in the back and legs. However, an athlete can appear flat if the pursuit of condition removes too much fullness.
Posing
Classic posing helps an athlete display structure, hide weaknesses and create a memorable overall presentation. The mandatory favorite classic pose is one of the division’s defining features.
Mr Olympia Classic Physique 2026 schedule
The current official schedule places both Classic Physique prejudging and finals on Friday, September 25.
- Prejudging: 9:30 AM program at the Olympia World Fitness Expo
- Finals: 6:00 PM program at Orleans Arena
Times are Las Vegas local time and are subject to change. Fans should distinguish between VIP Expo entry at 8:00 AM, general entry at 9:00 AM and the 9:30 AM prejudging program.
Fans searching for the Classic Physique Olympia date should remember that both rounds are scheduled for Friday, September 25, rather than Saturday’s Men’s Open final.
Early championship outlook
The most direct title battle currently appears to be Ramon versus Sommerfeld, with Ruffin, Vissers and Munoz capable of changing the podium.
Our early top-five projection is:
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz
- Mike Sommerfeld
- Terrence Ruffin
- Wesley Vissers
- Jose Manuel Munoz
This is editorial analysis. The true order cannot be known until competitors stand together under the same stage lighting.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Classic Physique Olympia 2025?
Ramon Rocha Queiroz won the 2025 championship, with Mike Sommerfeld finishing second.
When is Classic Physique Olympia 2026?
Prejudging and finals are scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026.
Is Chris Bumstead competing in 2026?
Chris Bumstead retired from competitive Classic Physique after winning his sixth consecutive title in 2024. He is not listed among the current 2026 qualified athletes.
How do athletes qualify for Classic Physique Olympia?
The 2026 system includes the top 25 in final points, automatic qualification for winning two open contests and automatic positions for the previous Olympia top three.
Is the qualified-athlete list final?
No. Qualification continues through August 30, and final participation is confirmed through athlete check-ins.
Final verdict
Classic Physique Olympia 2026 has a defending champion, a proven runner-up and several athletes capable of altering the expected podium. Ramon begins as the favorite, but Sommerfeld’s completeness and Ruffin’s presentation make the contest far from settled.
Update the qualified list after each relevant contest and revise the prediction once the final check-in roster is published.
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