Chris Bumstead dominates the Classic Physique stage of Mr. Olympia like a legend. The champion can be attributed to the rising fame of the division. But the Hall of Famer Shawn Ray believes CBum should compete on the Open stage to bring brilliance to the highest rewarding division of Mr. Olympia. 

Despite the 58-year-old’s suggesting the 5x Mr. Olympia to compete in the Open division multiple times, CBum was not inclined to make the shift. Now, Ray justifies his want with facts. 

Shawn Ray sees CBum’s ability to win the Sandow Trophy in Open

The Classic Physique division was set up in 2016 by the IFBB to bring the lost luster of the 1970s Golden Era. The bodybuilding icons of the division focus on bringing great conditioning to the stage. Since 2019, CBum has been winning the Classic Physique title without fail. But Shawn Ray believes the Canadian bodybuilder has huge potential to compete in the open. 

Appearing on the Culter Cast, the 1991 Arnold Classic winner reasoned out his constant pestering of CBum to compete in the Open division. “I’ve been saying for the past three years, and Chris at nauseum does not want to hear me say, ‘You need to go open,’” Ray complained to Jay Cutler on the latter’s podcast. While the Open division is ruled by Mass Monsters, Shawn Ray feels CBum’s conditioning would do the magic on the Open stage.

“Because for some reason in Chris’s mind, he thinks he’s going to need to be 50 pounds bigger because he’s 6′ 1” right? For some reason, he thinks he’s going to have to change to battle the Giants,” the Hall of Famer reasoned out CBum’s choice of not competing in the Open. But “You’re not battling Giants you’re battling midget,” Ray stressed on the 97th edition of Culter Cast. The Hall of Famer was correct about CBum’s inhibitions.

Chris Bumstead has made up his mind

The soon-to-be father, CBum, has always been vocal about his professional choices. The 2023 Mr. Olympia event’s host, Bob Cicherillo, confessed to the 5x Mr. Olympia, “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.”

But CBum has his answer ready as he stated firmly, “I’m right where I belong.” The 28-year-old earlier revealed how the Classic Physique domain helps him to compete while focusing on his health. But CBum finds the Open division unsuitable, as he needs to push the limits by gaining mass to compete in the Open. However, given his autoimmune disorder affecting kidneys, Bumstead is not inclined to compromise his health. But now Ray has clarified how CBum is wrong in his assumptions.

Also Read: “You Always Stand by Me”: After Winning Bodybuilding Contest in Romania, 330 Lbs Nigerian Lion Pays Tribute to His Wife Aka His Other Coach, for Making Him a “Better Man”

Unlike most bodybuilders, CBum prioritizes health while not quitting his bodybuilding dream. But fans feel that the Canadian icon has already reached the GOAT status of Classic Physique and wants more from him. What are your thoughts on CBum in the Open division? Let us know in the comments below. 

Watch this Story: Despite multiple bodybuilders struggling for US visa Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a strong statement about America