Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 57 Year Old Record Shattered by a 19-Year-Old Bodybuilding Prodigy

Arnold Schwarzenegger started lifting weights at the age of 15 and it took him 5 years to win the Mr. Universe title at 20 creating a record. It took a solid 57 years for this record to be broken. At just 19 years old this bodybuilding prodigy has not only become the youngest ever to attain a Pro Card but has also secured the title of the youngest Classic Physique pro.

“The goal isn’t just to get there.” Starting as a teen fresh off the boat and straight into fitness, Anton Ratushnyi has achieved some remarkable feats. This ambitious teenager has gained so much attention that the bodybuilding community is comparing him with the legends of all time. Celebrating his recent achievement Ratushnyi took to his Instagram to announce his record-breaking win.

Chasing greatness Anton Ratushnyi leaves Arnold and CBum behind

Ratushnyi took part in the NPC National Championships at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. The young bodybuilding prodigy aced the biggest amateur competition, winning his IFBB Classic Pro title and Overall championship. With this, he managed to break the Australian Oak’s first-ever record that remained untouched for 57 years.

However, being in his teens, Ratushnyi has built a well-defined physique. Now despite his metabolism being dialled to 11 due to his age, this was no easy feat. He impressed the judges with his golden-era look and earned his IFBB Pro card to become the youngest Classic Physique competitor within the federation.

In his Instagram post, the young athlete spoke about adversities he faced while prepping for the event. However, he was focused on his goals and achieved them. “I’m so glad that I decided to pursue my true passion and didn’t let negativity get to me,” he wrote in his post.

Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division with his proportionate muscle mass, size, and symmetry. After placing second in his Mr. Olympia debut, Schwarzenegger returned with a vengeance to secure his maiden Sandow trophy at the 1970 Mr. Olympia. After his final win at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, Arnold walked away from the sport with seven titles. During his time on stage, Classic Physique did not exist so the Open division was not all about size. Because of this, Schwarzenegger favored the proportion and quality of Classic Bodybuilding.

However, with this title 19-year-old even outshined the Classic Physique God, Chris Bumstead, who commenced his competitive journey at 19 and secured his pro card at 21 in 2016. Ratushnyi started at 16 and earned his Pro card in the Classic Physique division within three years. and has just become the youngest to be to be IFBB Classic Pro.

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What’s next to break for Anton Ratushnyi?

Now that he has become a professional bodybuilder in the Classic Physique division, the 19-year-old can participate in IFBB Pro contests, which means he gets to compete with some of the best specimens on the planet. He gets to go toe to toe with the Titans of the arena.

With his recent title, Anton Ratushnyi is being compared to legends Arnold and 5x Mr. Olympia, Bumstead. Of course, Ratunshyni has worked incredibly hard in the gym to get to the point he is, but the climb to Mt. Olympus is harder than it looks. The idea now is that Ratushnyi should aim to become an IFBB Pro champion soon. Winning the trophy in IFBB Pro contests will help the young man get his Mr. Olympia ticket. 

Anton’s got some tough competition on his hands. Urs Kalecinski, who got his pro card at 21 in 2019, is training with big names like Bumstead. Urs snagged third place at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Then there’s Ramon Rocha Queiroz, a fierce Classic Physique rival, clinching gold at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Not long after, he secured second place, trailing behind Chris Bumstead. It’s a tight race in the bodybuilding scene.

Anton Ratushnyi’s ascent in a division renowned for its competitive vigor and dedication to aesthetics marks the beginning of a new era. The future is bright for the teenage sensation and only time will decipher whether he will destroy other records of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Bumstead. But the chances are great for the 19-year-old.

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