The Arnold Classic 2026 is off to an unprecedented start. According to confirmed reports from the competition venue, reigning Classic Physique champion, German phenom Mike Sommerfeld, will not fit into his division’s weight charts and has been officially scratched from its entry list.
A fatal height measurement error
Competitors in the Classic Physique category have to follow strict rules that weigh their maximum allowed weight on height. Sommerfeld’s problem has its roots in last year’s Mr. Olympia 2025, where he had enormous difficulty measuring and only met the weight at the cost of extreme drainage.
So what happened in Columbus this time?
- Blind Preparation: Sommerfeld reportedly arrived at the weigh-ins thinking he would be re-measured. He expected to be measured higher, which would have allowed him to compete with a limit of 212 pounds (about 96 kg).
- The rules are relentless: the IFBB Pro League already decided last year that the height measured at Olympia would apply to all competitors until next season. So the new measurement did not take place and the limit remained relentlessly low.
- Sommerfeld exceeded his weight limit by almost 3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) on his first attempt. Although he was given a second chance a few hours later, he failed to meet the limit.
Shocking twist: Sommerfeld heads to the Men’s Open!
Instead of packing his bags and flying home, news came from Columbus that sent the bodybuilding world reeling. Mike Sommerfeld decided to take a totally unexpected step – he accepted the challenge and will enter the royal Men’s Open! This division has no height or weight limits and is traditionally dominated by the most massive bodybuilders on the planet. It will be an absolutely brutal baptism by fire for the aesthetically inclined Classic Physique competitor alongside much heavier fighters, but a move that will quite possibly make him the most watched man of the entire weekend. He has absolutely nothing to lose, he can only surprise.
Who will take the vacant Classic Physique title?
With the defending champion Sommerfeld not taking part, it opens up a huge opportunity for the rest of the starting field. The eyes of the fans are now on names like Wesley Vissers (2024 winner), Andrea Mammoli or internet sensation Sam Sulek. The whole competition is becoming much more open.
One thing is for sure – the Arnold Classic 2026 is already writing a script that even Hollywood couldn’t come up with.
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