Mike Sommerfeld Dominates 2025 Arnold Classic: A Shocking Classic Physique Showdown
The 2025 Arnold Classic Classic Physique competition delivered several stunning upsets and remarkable performances, with Mike Sommerfeld claiming the championship against former top contender Logan Franklin. This year’s event saw significant surprises, including defending champion Wesley Vissers falling to fifth place in a shocking turn of events.
The Final Standings: Unexpected Results
The final top six placements at the 2025 Arnold Classic Classic Physique division were:
- Mike Sommerfeld – Champion
- Logan Franklin – Runner-up
- Michael Dull
- Matthew Grego
- Wesley Vissers (2024 Champion)
- Jun Bang
The Championship Battle: Sommerfeld vs. Franklin
The two-man first callout between Mike Sommerfeld and Logan Franklin represented the elite tier of the competition. Sommerfeld ultimately secured victory with a perfect score from the judges, demonstrating superior development, conditioning, and proportions.
Front Double Biceps
While Logan Franklin showcased the more classic aesthetic with better bicep peaks and lower lat insertions, Sommerfeld countered with superior leg development, a tighter midsection, and an impressive vacuum pose. Both competitors displayed exceptional conditioning, but Sommerfeld’s complete package gave him the edge.
Side Chest
Sommerfeld dominated this pose with significantly greater chest density and development. Franklin’s presentation appeared somewhat flat by comparison, with Sommerfeld showing superior muscle mass, detail, and conditioning throughout his upper body.
Rear Double Biceps
Though Franklin presented slightly more filled-out hamstrings and crisper leg detail, Sommerfeld’s back development proved decisive. His superior width, thickness, and density outweighed Franklin’s marginally better arm and deltoid separation.
Abdominals and Thighs
Both competitors showcased exceptional abdominal development, with Franklin displaying particularly impressive oblique detail. However, Sommerfeld’s blockier abdominal structure, better taper, and additional vacuum pose secured him another winning comparison.
Classic Pose
Both athletes demonstrated world-class posing ability, with Franklin ultimately earning the “Best Poser” award and a $10,000 prize. His execution of classic poses, particularly his signature twisting rear shot, solidified his reputation as perhaps the division’s premier poser following Breon Ansley’s departure.
The Second Callout Drama
The second callout provided the competition’s biggest surprise, with 2024 champion Wesley Vissers placing fifth despite being favored to challenge for the title. Detailed pose analysis revealed significant weaknesses in Vissers’ presentation:
Wesley Vissers’ Downfall
Vissers’ physique showed concerning leg development issues, particularly evident in the rear poses where his hamstring development appeared severely lacking. While his front double biceps and side chest presentations remained solid, his structural limitations and conditioning issues proved too significant to overcome.
The Battle for Third
Michael Dull secured third place with superior back development and overall conditioning, narrowly edging out Matthew Grego. Jun Bang, though placing sixth, impressed with exceptional abdominal detail and symmetry in his first major appearance.
Looking Ahead: Implications for the Olympia
Mike Sommerfeld’s comprehensive victory establishes him as the favorite heading into the next Olympia competition. His only notable weakness appears to be slightly underdeveloped adductors and hamstrings, but his overall package remains formidable.
Logan Franklin’s runner-up performance represents a career resurgence, potentially placing him within the top seven competitors globally. To challenge for the Olympia title, he’ll need to address thickness deficiencies in his chest and back.
Wesley Vissers’ disappointing showing suggests the need for extensive off-season training focused on posterior chain development before he can reclaim championship form.
The 2025 Arnold Classic Classic Physique division demonstrated the evolving standards within the category, rewarding complete physiques that balance classic aesthetics with modern conditioning and development. Mike Sommerfeld’s victory signals a potential new era in the division, while Logan Franklin’s resurgence adds intrigue to the upcoming competitive season.
As the Classic Physique division continues to define itself, the balance between classic aesthetics and modern muscularity remains the key battleground. With the Olympia qualification season underway, competitors must now address their weaknesses while maintaining their unique strengths in pursuit of bodybuilding’s ultimate prize.
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The 2025 Arnold Classic Classic Physique competition delivered several stunning upsets and remarkable performances, with Mike Sommerfeld claiming the championship…