2 Gymshark Athletes | 2 Physique Divisions | 2 Title Opportunities
IT'S THE BIGGEST EVENT IN BODYBUILDING HISTORY...
We've all eyes on our guys...
Chris Bumstead | Classic PhysiqueRyan Terry | Mens Physique
GOOD LUCK AT THE 'BIG O', BOYS...
With that in mind, we decided to catch up with Chris Lavado for an 'As It Happens' approach to the Mr. Olympia IFBB Championships in Las Vegas.
SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES...
ATHLETE PROFILE: CHRIS BUMSTEAD
AGE: 23LOCATION: ON, CanadaHEIGHT: 6ft.OFF SEASON WEIGHT: 115KGSTAGE WEIGHT: 104KGDIVISION: Classic Physique
OLYMPIA HISTORY
2017 | SECOND PLACE.
First introduced to the competitive bodybuilding scene in 2017, Chris Bumstead has since been touted as the next big thing; a future champion in the Classic Physique division and ultimately, the future of bodybuilding.
At 22 years of age, Bumstead placed second in his division, leaving Breon Ansley to gain the championship title and become the second ever Classic Physique champion at the Olympia.
MR. OLYMPIA 2018 PRESS CONFERENCE UPDATE
"Chris Bumstead Will Use His Youth Against His Fellow Competitors" - Generation Iron.
Chris Bumstead played his moment in the press conference short and sweet - but with all eyes on the contender for a championship title, a statement was made about his future in the Olympia...
He claimed that he is young, and many of the other competitors in his division are older.
As a result, there's no doubt that he'll use this to his advantage. Chris Bumstead is currently in the best shape his career has seen and with so many more competitions ahead of him, his journey to perfect Classic Physique is far from over.
Will 2018 be the year that he can turn second place into a championship title? Or will it come later when the older competitors bow out? We'll soon see...
ATHLETE PROFILE: RYAN TERRY
AGE: 29LOCATION: WORKSOP, UKHEIGHT: 5ft.10OFF SEASON WEIGHT: 93KGSTAGE WEIGHT: 89KGDIVISION: Mens Physique
OLYMPIA HISTORY
2015 | FOURTH PLACE2016 | SECOND PLACE2017 | DID NOT PLACE
Jeremy Buendia: The bodybuilding hero that has stood in the way of Ryan Terry and a championship title for the past three years...
After a heartbreaking result in 2017, Terry has come back with an improved mindset and a more mature physique, bringing a stronger overall package to the Olympia 2018 Mens Physique division.
For a full look into his Mr.Olympia journey back in 2017 - check out: Gymshark | Measure Of An Athlete
IT'S SHOWTIME...
HOLD UP - FIRST, LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF...
My name is Chris Lavado and I will be your pilot this weekend. I do anticipate a smooth ride, but please fasten your seatbelt in case of any unforeseen turbulence. Feel free to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride...
LET'S GO...
First up: Chris Bumstead | Classic Physique
The first callout in the Mens Classic Physique division has been said...
Henri-Pierre Ano | Chris Bumstead | Regan Grimes | Steve Laureus | George Peterson | Arash Rahbar | Terrence Ruffin | Breon Ansley
But what does bodybuilding guru, Palumbo think?
Palumbo on Chris Bumstead: He's a "crowd favourite. Tremendous balance. Conditioning is excellent. Freaky lat spread. He’s on!"
With flying compliments for our boy, Chris, what does Palumbo have to say about the reigning champ?
Palumbo on Breon Ansley: He's got "awesome legs. Great peaked biceps. But, I feel like he’ flat and his back is not popping. This is not his best. Let’s see what judges do..."
PREJUDGING HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND IT WAS ON FIRE!
Want to know what went down? Of course you do.
SO, OUR BOY, CHRIS BUMSTEAD MADE THE TOP 4 IN PREJUDGING. YEAH, YOU HEARD ME RIGHT IT'S THE TOP 4.
So, what does that mean? Well, Breon and Bumstead were placed into the middle. That's good, real good!
If I had to critique one thing, it would be that Chris' legs looked to be holding a little water and Breon, overall was a little flat, but he's still peeled!
LAVADO, WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE FINAL LATER THIS EVENING?
Ah, it's pretty even! But the judges are always loyal to the champion, so it's hard to say!
Personally, I think Chris is better at the whole posing side of things and actually showing his physique, but Breon has always managed to win on showcasing definition. He's a lot more shredded than Bumstead, so that could be the deciding factor!
Honestly though, this entire year has been such good competition for the Classic Physique division! I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if somebody else were to win, but yeah for now, my bets are either on Breon or Bumstead.
Stay tuned for more updates from Chris Lavado!
OKAY, OKAY, OKAY - SO, THE MOMENT THAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...
THE MEN'S CLASSIC PHYSIQUE FINAL HAS FINALLY FALLEN UPON US.
Chris Bumstead, we're all rooting for you!
INDIVIDUAL ROUTINE: "For a guy who is 6ft tall, Bumstead looks far from thin, which is truly incredible for his stage weight of 104kg."
"He's really turned into a star within this division and it's only his second year of competing. Such a fan favourite and Christ, look at that Vacuum pose!
"The Vacuum is a lost art within the Physique division, and Bumstead has absolutely nailed it. It's a pose that works well in his favour. An absolutely beautiful physique."
2018 FINAL PLACINGS
3RD | George Peterson2ND | Chris Bumstead1ST | Breon Ansley
MY FINAL WORDS FOR TODAY?
Chris Bumstead, your aesthetic flow over the champion was insane, but today, Breon was just a little bit more shredded, more defined and when the competition is that close, they typically don't dethrone the champion.
Next year, mate. That's your time. Proud of you!
Our guy, Chris Bumstead. 2nd in the Classic Physique division.WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD.
Check back tomorrow, for live updates on Ryan Terry's journey for the Mens Physique division...
YO, IT'S DAY TWO HERE AT THE OLYMPIA AND WE'RE BACK FOR OUR GUY, RYAN TERRY!
Next up: Ryan Terry | Mens Physique
The Mens Physique division this year is absolutely stacked!
I know you want updates. I know. So, let's get going...
INDIVIDUAL ROUTINE:
"He's an absolute crowd favourite, this is genuinely the loudest I've heard the crowd cheer in a while."
"Ryan Terry has really upped his performance this year - he's as dry as a bone, muscle definition is the best it's been and honestly, I'd be surprised if he didn't place this year, look at that winning smile!
"My prediction so far? Top 4, without a doubt."
Want to watch Ryan's routine - check it out here!
The first callout in the Mens Physique division has been said...
Andre Ferguson | Brandon Hendrickson | Raymont Edmonds | Jeremy Potvin | Jeremy Buendia | Ryan Terry | Logan Franklin | Kyron Holden
Ryan moves into the centre of the mix and he is looking insane!
PREJUDGING HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS ON FIRE - EVEN MORE SO THAN LAST NIGHT!
Want to know what went down? Of course you do.
WELL, THE TOP 4 HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN.
IT'S HONESTLY LIKE DEJA VU - OUR BOY RYAN TERRY HAS MADE THE TOP 4 IN PREJUDGING 100%. YEAH, YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, ONCE AGAIN, IT'S THE TOP 4.
Ryan has just been moved centre-stage next to the all-time reigning champion, Jeremy Buendia... this competition is on fire!
Do you know what, I'm going to say it, I've got faith in Ryan - potentially even, make top 2...
LAVADO, DO YOU HAVE ANY PREDICTIONS FOR THE FINAL OF THE MENS PHYSIQUE DIVISION?
Honestly, it's a complete different ballpark to what we were dealing with yesterday! Yesterday, I said the judges were loyal with their champion and Buendia has been a reigning champion within this division for as long as I remember...
But, I genuinely think Ryan is in better shape, with a much more defined physique and I said it earlier, I reckon he'll without a doubt place top 3.
IT'S THE MOMENT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR - THE FINALS ARE HERE...
COULD 2018 MARK THE YEAR OF A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE FOR RYAN TERRY?
2018 FINAL PLACINGS
3RD | RYAN TERRY2ND | RAYMONT EDMONDS1ST | BRANDON HENDRICKSON
GYMSHARK HERO, RYAN TERRY PLACING THIRD IN THE MENS PHYSIQUE DIVISION. PROUD DOESN'T EVEN CUT IT.
So, my final words for this weekend?
This weekend was incredible, I'm honestly so glad that classic physique is growing in popularity - it's so similar to the style of the 'old bodybuilding' that we all know...you know, those tight waists and super cool throwback poses. It's great to see.
I know I haven't spoken much about the expo itself - but that was like it's always been: upbeat and so cool.
I'll tell you what though, the Mens Physique class came in HUNGRY this year, I haven't seen anything like it - new legacies, new era. It was a big year for the Olympia.
