Ramon Dino (left) and Wesley Vissers / Arnold Sports
It’s hard to repeat in Columbus. Wesley Vissers is the sixth Arnold Classic classic physique champ in the contest’s seven-year history. In previews, this looked likely to be a rematch of last year’s duel, pitting 2023 champ Ramon “Dino” Querioz against 2023 runner-up Urs “Miraclebear” Kalecinski. However, Wesley Vissers, “The Dutch Oak,” rewrote the script, as he shouldered the Brazilian Dino and German Miraclebear out of the way to edge into first place by a single point in a major upset of not just this contest but the entire classic physique division.
“A dream come true. Where do I even begin?” Vissers wrote on Instagram afterwards. “I won the Arnold Classic! Arnold Schwarzenegger himself awarded me the the trophy AND called me a Golden Era bodybuilder. I have said many times that this is just unbelievable, and it really is.”
The 6’3″ and 30-year-old Vissers had previously struggled to get noticed in the top pro shows. (In his only previous Arnold, 2019, he was 10th.) In last year’s Olympia Classic Physique, he was seventh, and not much more was expected of him at the Arnold. But he’s just kept filling out his tall frame. He has a unique shape that lacks the balance of others but catches your eye in pose after pose. Shoulder width, biceps size, and deep delt and quad separation are all strong points.
Just one point behind Vissers, was Querioz. Dino wasn’t far from his best, and many observers still felt the defending champ should’ve repeated. (Terrence Ruffin remains the only two-time Arnold Classic physique champ). The popular Brazilian isn’t going anywhere. He’s as dangerous as ever in the Arnold or the Olympia.
But there’s a “new” sensation in the classic physique division. In his seventh year of competing in the IFBB Pro League, Vissers has finally been noticed by judges and not just fans. It’s about time. Now, with Wesley Vissers joining Ramon Dino as a top contender, Chris Bumstead will have two legitimate challengers for the Olympia Classic Physique crown. Things just got interesting.
2024 ARNOLD CLASSIC: CLASSIC PHYSIQUE RESULTS
March 1, 2024 / Columbus, Ohio
1. Wesley Vissers ($60,000)
2. Ramon “Dino” Queiroz ($30,000)
3. Urs Kalecinski ($20,000)
4. Breon Ansley ($7000)
5. Michael Daboul ($4000)
6. Damien Patrick ($2000)
7. Emanuele Ricotti
8. Darren Farrell
9. Eric Brown, Jr.
10. Kendahl Richmond
Urs Kalecinski also won the $10,000 best poser award.
2024 ARNOLD CLASSIC: CLASSIC PHYSIQUE SCORECARD
