“I’m Right Where I Belong”: Chris Bumstead Dismisses Any Notion of Participating in Mr. Olympia Open Division in Near Future

Chris Bumstead started competing in bodybuilding competitions at the age of 19. After a few years of hard work on his physique, he also graced the Mr. Olympia stage in the Classic Physique category. The division itself is quite new, and IFBB started it in 2016 to allow bodybuilders to bring back the 1970s-1980s aesthetics onto the Mr. Olympia stage. Chris Bumstead has been reigning the division since 2019 and is prepared to win his fifth title in the ongoing Mr. Olympia.

During the Meet the Olympians press conference, CBum stumbled upon a question that has intrigued every bodybuilding fan, whether he would ever compete in the Open division? CBum has an iconic answer to the question.

Chris Bumstead reveals whether he would switch divisions 

The 28-year-old bodybuilder is known for his pleasing aesthetics, and many compare his physique to that of bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. He dominated the Classic Physique arena for four years and impacted the rise of the domain like no other. However, many are convinced that CBum belongs to the Open division. 

So, Bob Cicherillo brought up Shawn Ray’s confession about CBum during the 2023 Mr. Olympia press conference. “Chris, Shawn Ray says you’re in the wrong division. You should be in the open. Your eye should be on that Sandow. You should be in that open. He thinks you got a legitimate shot,” Cicherillo said. The Classique Physique champion however differed in opinion from both Ray and Cicherillo. “I’m right where I belong,” he said.

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Cicherillo enquired if there is any chance of CBum competing in the Open division in the future. The Canadian bodybuilder replied, “I don’t know if you’re trying to excite the crowd or get these guys’ hopes up, but I don’t think so.” But why is CBum is resistant to enter the Open category at Mr. Olympia

CBum has a rational reason 

The 4x Mr. Olympia was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder affecting kidneys in 2018. Ever since the 28-year-old has been managing the condition. Competing in the Classic Physique domain helped him to not push beyond boundaries. 

“I know at Classic Physique that I’m not pushing my limits very hard. I can stay super healthy, and I know my body can handle it. But in actuality, I genuinely love Classic Physique,” CBum said to BarBend. So, while not compromising on his bodybuilding love, CBum can live a healthy life because of the Classic Physique division.

The 2023 Mr. Olympia began, and CBum is aiming to lift the trophy once again this year and confidently confessed that his rivals are competing for second place. Do you think CBum will lift this year’s trophy? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: Learn About Chris Bumstead’s Autoimmune Disorder, a Not-So-Rare Condition That 25 Million Americans Suffer From Including Phil Heath’s Wife