When it comes to the Classic Physique division, a handful of names always find themselves at the top. Besides Chris Bumstead ruling the division at Mr. Olympia for the last five years, names like Ramon Dino, Urs Kalecinski, Breon Ansley, and Terrance Ruffin have become synonymous with excellence. However, among the many more talented Classic physique bodybuilders, Ramon Dino and Urs Kalecinski are among the biggest challengers to Bumstead’s Classic Physique reign. Now, with the Arnold Classic 2024 approaching, we find them in the spotlight.

Since 2022, the Brazilian Ramon Dino and Urs Kalecisnki from Germany have found themselves going head to head for the runner-up spot at Olympia. However, since last year, they have become the prime contenders for the top spot at the Arnold Classic. In 2023, two-time and then-defending champion Terrence Ruffin bowed out of the contest. Although he originally planned to compete, Ruffin has decided to skip this year’s Arnold Classic as well. Hence, the battle for the title has yet again centered around the Brazilian and the German.

Ramon Dino returns to the Arnold Classic as the defending champion

After Terrence’s exit in 2023, the title was up for the taking. However, Ramon Dino rose to the occasion and defeated Urs Kaleciski to become the Classic Physique champion at Ohio. However, Urs Kalecinski put up a strong challenge. The German matched Dino in conditioning and arguably was the better poser among the two. However, the 25-year-old German ultimately fell short of Dino’s muscle mass and maturity.

Since then, the two went head-to-head yet again at last year’s Mr. Olympia. Yet again, the competition was close. Kalecinski had made substantial improvements to his physique and especially his arms. The German has also finetuned his condition and brought a unique posing routine. However, the 29-year-old Arnold Classic champion had also made improvements.

The Brazilian gained even more muscle and achieved better conditioning. While none of the defeated Chris Bumstead, the result was the same as Urs Kalecinski placed third behind Ramon Dino. Since then, the German bodybuilder showed off even more insane conditioning at the Texas Stae Pro and EVLS Prague Pro, winning both. However, Dino focused on the upcoming Arnold Classic.

the lack of updates from Urs Kaleciski’s

Ramon Dino has released a few updates on his Arnold Classic prep in the past two months. In late January, the defending champion shocked the internet bodybuilding community with a set of pictures. The Classic Physique Olympia runner-up looked massive. Experts and fans thought Dino looked big enough to compete in the open division. The 29-year-old has also released a few more updates.

In each update, the defending champion has looked massive. Hence, it would seem that while Dino focused on conditioning at last year’s Arnold Classic, this year, the Brazilian is focusing on gaining muscle mass, just like he did at last year’s Mr. Olympia. However, Kalecinski hasn’t posted any physique updates since winning the Prague Pro Classic Physique. Although Kalecinski regularly uploads his training sessions on YouTube, he hasn’t given fans a glimpse of his physique.

It seems like the 25-year-old bodybuilder wants to keep everything under wraps until show day. However, Kaminski wasn’t nearly as secretive last year as he posted multiple updates ahead of the show. Could this mean that Kalecinski doesn’t want Dino to have an idea of what he is up against in March? Only time will tell.

Read More | When, Where, and How to Watch Arnold Classic 2024?

However, both athletes are certainly hard at work to step on stage in the best shape of their career. While Ramon Dino hopes to become a two-time, consecutive champion, Kalecinsksi is fighting to prove the doubters wrong. Yet, one athlete has what it takes to spoil the party for either contestant.

Don’t count out the underdog at the Arnold Classic

Beorn Ansley holds the distinction of being the first Classic Physique Olympia and the first Arnold Classic Physique champion. After deciding to go to the 212 division, Ansley changed his mind when the new weight limit rules came into action a few months before the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Suddenly, Ansley found himself in the position to gain more muscle without having to worry about missing weight.

In 2023, Ansley showed that a nearly 18 bs weight limit increase for shorter bodybuilders had benefited him. This time he’ll also compete at the upcoming Arnold Classic. Unlike Dino and Kalecinski, the two-time Classic Physique Olympia winner isn’t being secretive about his prep and regularly posting updates of different poses.

Read More | Top 5 Contenders for the 2024 Arnold Classic Title

However, Breon Ansley is certainly the underdog in the competition. Both Ramon Dino and Urs Kalecinski command a substantial fanbase, and their respective fans cannot wait to see what improvements the competitors have made for the Arnold Classic 2024.