The 2024 edition of Robert ‘Super-Mann’ Blount’s Optimum Classic Championships concluded on May 25 in Shreveport, LA. Over 60 bodybuilders participated in Saturday’s show. The Optimum Classic had six competitive bodybuilding divisions and handed out six 2024 Mr. Olympia tickets to the winners of each division. 

The IFBB/NPC national qualifier Pro show hosted contests across Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Figure, Women’s Physique, Bikini, and Women’s Wellness. Although the event didn’t feature a star-studded guest posing roster like the Pittsburgh Pro, they share a similarity. Neither Pro show holds a contest in the open bodybuilding division.

The Men who earned their place at Mr. Olympia 2024

Eric Lisboa won the Classic Physique title at the 2024 Optimum Classic. However, he already qualified for the upcoming Mr. Olympia earlier this month. Lamar Shaw placed second, Barry Irving won the bronze medal, and Kirk Anderson and Adam Thomas rounded off the top-five Classic Physique athletes at the 2024 Optimum Classic. Seven others also competed in classic physique. Chibueze Anyasor, Harold Bright, Camilo Diaz, Derrican Franklin, Hunter Lee, Matt Orchard, and Jorge Tabet placed outside the top five.

Meanwhile, Alexander Toplyn won his ticket to the Mr. Olympia and the 2024 Optimum Classic Men’s Physique title. Brandon Cantallops won silver, Drew Cullen finished third, while Rhyan Clark and Micah Thomas Jr. placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Darnell Dean, Bhaben Deori, Tom Mcnamara, Chevy Phillips, Derrick Stevenson, Roy Williams, Frank Worley, and Mike Wynn completed the Men’s Physique lineup.

The women who will compete in Vegas

With four women’s divisions, the Optimum Classic Championships made it possible for four women to realize their Olympia dreams. Madison Dinges earned the Women’s Figure title in LA, earning her Ms. Olympia qualification. Ashley Howells placed second, Gabriela Cadena earned third place, Danielle Rose placed fourth, and Shana Malcolm placed fifth. Women’s Figures also had the most competitors out of all the divisions. 

Thais Cabrices-Werner, Bailey Gutierrez, Jessica Hamilton, Jessica Heath, Jennifer Johnson, Monique Mealey, Deshane Price, Delaney Smallwood, Sarah Van Heiden, and Aksana Yukhno, were the ten others who also gave it a shot to earn an Olympia qualification. Next came one of the most popular Women’s categories at the Ms. Olympia event, Bikini.

Ashley Kaltwasser emerged victorious at the 2024 Optimum Classic. Sierra Swann placed first, and Luciana Santos completed the top three. Meanwhile, Stephanie Warden and Alessia Facchin finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Only four others competed in the Bikini division: Gigi Amurao, Hope Andrews, Ashley Humiston, and Heidi Young.

Women’s Physique at the 2024 Optimum Classic was an even smaller division. Natalia Bystrova from Russia earned the victory and her Olympia qualification. Susan Graham fell one step short, while Hayley Perry won the bronze medal. Donna Jones and Katie Nyland also finished in the top five. Luciana Esquilin placed sixth, and Vicky Tackett found herself in seventh position. However, the least populated category at this year’s Optimum Classic Championships was women’s wellness.

Chen Qi Liu from China earned her spot at the upcoming Olympia in Las Vegas. Taylor Gartenmayer finished second, Jasmine Payne placed third, Madison Begley got fourth, and Sheila Guidry placed fifth. However, no more than five Wellness bodybuilders competed. Previous Olympia or Arnold Classic champions didn’t grace the Optimum Classic stage. However, the show gave a stage for talented bodybuilders to make a name for themselves, and two bodybuilders managed to stand out among the six champions at the show.

The Optimum Classic Champs to watch at the Mr. Olympia

While all six champions have earned the opportunity to compete in and win the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding, Eric Lisboa and Ashley Kaltwasser have managed to generate a lot of buzz. Lisboa caught the bodybuilding world’s attention when he defeated Mathew Grego at the 2024 Pittsburgh Pro.

Now, the bodybuilder has won yet another Olympia qualifier, just a few weeks removed from his victory in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Grego won the New York Pro, and now the pair will face off again at the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Ashley Kaltwasser lived up to the hype in women’s bodybuilding. The 2024 Optimum Classic Bikini champion was among the favorites to win the show.

Kaltwasser is a prolific competitor and champion. The Women’s Bikini champion won her 45th pro title this Saturday. She defeated former Optimum Classic Bikini champ and former Olympian Alessia Facchin. Hence, Lisboa and Kaltwasser will certainly be two athletes to watch when they compete against the best in the world at the 60th edition of the Mr. Olympia. The four other champions will also get their time under the spotlight on October 10 in Vegas.