Fitness made for you
PT-designed routines and recipes.
Get real results without the high price tag.
As we approach one week out, all eyes are on the Open competitors as they complete their final preparations. While the Classic Division continues to grow in popularity, there’s no denying that the Open Class remains the main draw. The biggest men from all over the world pose down on stage, fighting to claim the Sandow, bodybuilding’s biggest prize.
Mr. Olympia has long been bodybuilding’s showpiece event. Take a look at the previous Mr. Olympia winners and you’ll find a long list of historical icons. Athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger have firmly cemented their names in history after dominating the sport.
However, Urs Kalecinski, a young and talented German bodybuilder, is yet to make his mark. After being a long-term rival of none other than Chris Bumstead, he recently made a shocking switch to the Open.
With two wins under his belt, could the Open Class be his ticket to stardom? As the 2025 Mr. Olympia draws closer, he discussed his chances in a recent YouTube video.
Urs Kalecinski Confident He Can Win 2025 Mr. Olympia Ahead Of Showdown
Urs Kalecinski, previously the main rival of Chris Bumstead, switched to Open Class after continuously struggling to make weight. He won the Italy Pro and Europa Pro following his switch, earning qualification to the 2025 Mr. Olympia Open Class.
With two wins under his belt, many fans are wondering how he’ll stand up against an elite-level Olympia lineup. In a YouTube video, he believes that he can win the title, but doesn’t know when. However, he thinks that he has every chance of being competitive at this year’s event.
Urs Kalecinski Is Confident That He Can Be A Future Mr. Olympia Champion After Moving To The Open Class
Urs Kalecinski, long-time rival of Chris Bumstead, successfully transitioned to the Open Division after his shock announcement. He recently earned his ticket to the 2025 Mr. Olympia after dominating the Italy Pro and Europa Pro events. While he doesn’t see himself winning a Sandow this year, he believes he has a realistic chance in the future.
“It sounds crazy to say, but I think it’s going to be possible to win an Olympia title in the Open class. For real, I really believe it.”
Urs Kalecinski
As soon as Urs made the switch to the Open Class, he impressed fans around the world. His physique was largely unrecognizable from his Classic package, showcasing a much bigger and fuller physique. With his classical shape remaining, he got many people talking about his chances of becoming a potential Open winner.
While he’ll compete to win, he’s kept his expectations realistic after only just making the switch.
“I don’t want to say it’s this year or next year or some bullsh*t like this. I’m not cocky or arrogant at all. I really believe I can make it because now I have a vision in my mind of how I can look now, which I didn’t have in Classic Physique.”
Urs Kalecinski
Is Urs Making The Right Decision?
In the world of competitive sport, you’ll always be in the public limelight, especially at the highest level. With bodybuilding being a subjective sport, everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, the question on most people’s minds is, has Urs made a mistake switching to the Open Class?
Bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray has long been an outspoken bodybuilding fan and commentator. While he’s famous for consistently placing at Mr. Olympia, he never quite managed to win the title. Even so, he remains a respected figure in the sport of bodybuilding but often divides opinion.
In a recent interview, he said that he thinks Urs should take a year off first before rushing into competition.
“My advice was, don’t go to the Olympia. There’s nothing there for you right now. You’re a work in progress, you just won two pro shows. I’m totally against him doing the Olympia, even though he’s qualified. He just made the jump, and he needs to put on more size in certain areas. His back, especially, more thickness, and get more time to get the detail for that mass.”
Shawn Ray
Being the respectful competitor that Urs is, he paid respect to Ray but continued to back his decision to compete.
“He is a legendary bodybuilder, and it’s cool that you have your opinion. That’s how the world is, everybody should speak freely and speak whatever they want as long as they don’t hurt anyone. For me, it’s time to get on the plane to the Olympia and see what’s going on from there.”
Urs Kalecinski
Urs has carved out a reputation as one of the best Classic Physique competitors in the world. Before his switch to the open, he was seen as the next Classic Division star, closely behind Chris Bumstead. Because of this, his unexpected switch left many fans and competitors both shocked and intrigued.
His recent wins in the Italy Pro and Europa Pro events prove that he’s a top open competitor. After only a few weeks of preparation, he’s managed to qualify for bodybuilding’s biggest event. On top of this, he’s shown huge physique improvements, looking much bigger and fuller with fewer weight restrictions.
However, it’s no secret that the Olympia is a class above any of the Pro qualifying events. The world’s best competitors tend to take most of the year off to prepare for the big day. Because of this, the level of competition that Urs faces will be far superior to what he’s already overcome.
As we approach the big day, we’ll soon find out how Urs compares to the best competitors in the world. If he brings the same package to the Olympia or better, I believe that he can place in the top 10. If he manages to improve even more, he could even make the first call out.
The Final Rundown To The 2025 Mr. Olympia
With around a week to go until the main events kick off, excitement grows as we approach bodybuilding’s main showpiece. Each of the athletes continues their final preparations after working hard all year to show their best on stage. In a four-day spectacle, 11 champions will be crowned as the best in the world in their respective divisions.
I, for one, cannot contain my excitement. With so many unknowns this year, we’re truly about to witness one of the best showdowns in history. Make sure you keep an eye out for our Endomondo news as I bring you updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s hard to say when exactly Urs could stand a realistic chance of winning an Olympia title. However, winning two IFBB Pro events is no easy feat. With a couple more years to grow and improve, he stands a chance.
You could make a case that the Italy Pro was very close between the top two places. However, his blend of dense muscle and classical lines meant that he fully deserved his wins.
With Mr. Olympia drawing in the best athletes from around the world, his chances of winning after switching are slim. With this, he has every chance of placing in the top 10 based on his last two competitive outings.
About the Author
Chris Marshall, MSc, PT Personal Trainer
0 Comments