Anton Ratushnyi has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing young stars in bodybuilding, but Lee Priest believes the 22-year-old’s long-term future should be outside of the Classic Physique division.
During a recent episode of Bodybuilding & Banter, Priest discussed Ratushnyi’s tremendous potential and argued that the rising star should eventually abandon Classic Physique for Men’s Open bodybuilding.
Priest believes Ratushnyi’s combination of age, genetics, structure and ability to add muscle makes continuing to chase a weight limit unnecessary. Instead, the bodybuilding legend would like to see him allow his physique to grow without restrictions.
“I think Classic will only hold him back,” Priest said. “Maybe if you want to do it once, fine, but when you’re young and growing and look like that now, he’s going to be a great Open competitor with his muscles, his symmetry, his balance.”
Lee Priest Believes Ratushnyi Has Men’s Open Potential
Ratushnyi has generated significant hype since becoming the youngest Classic Physique competitor to earn an IFBB Pro card in 2023.
Despite being only 22, his development has already led to questions about how much longer he can comfortably remain within the restrictions of Classic Physique.
Priest can relate.
The bodybuilding legend was famous for carrying an enormous amount of muscle on a relatively short frame during his own career. He sees some similarities between his development as a young bodybuilder and what Ratushnyi is experiencing today.
“Anton, I’ve said it before, is 22,” Priest said. “Maybe do Classic once, but when you’re that young, your testosterone is pumping, yeah, you’re on a little bit of gear too, but naturally he must have good genetics to look like that no matter what, like similar to I was.”
Unlike Classic Physique, Men’s Open does not impose a height-based weight cap. That would allow Ratushnyi to continue adding size without having to structure his development around making a specific weight.
For Priest, that freedom could ultimately produce a better bodybuilder.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t worry about Classic for too long,” Priest said. “I’d go straight to the Open myself.”
Priest even suggested a potential way for Ratushnyi to test the waters.
“Do the Classic and see how you do in the Open shows after Olympia, why not?”
Ratushnyi Continues To Rise Ahead Of 2026 Olympia
Ratushnyi’s professional career is still in its early stages, but he has already shown that he belongs alongside established Classic Physique competitors.
He finished sixth at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro before taking second at the San Antonio Pro. Ratushnyi then broke through with consecutive victories at the Tournament of Champions Pro and Southern Muscle Showdown Pro.
Those performances have put him in position to test himself on bodybuilding’s biggest stage at the 2026 Olympia, scheduled for Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas.
The Classic Physique title currently belongs to Ramon Dino, and Ratushnyi will have the opportunity to see how his rapidly developing physique compares with the elite of the division.
Whatever happens at the Olympia could also help determine his future.
At only 22 years old, Ratushnyi theoretically has years of physical development still ahead of him. If continuing to add muscle eventually makes the Classic Physique weight limit an obstacle rather than an advantage, a jump to the Open division could become increasingly tempting.
Priest doesn’t necessarily believe Ratushnyi needs to wait that long.
His advice is essentially to give Classic Physique its shot, then find out what his physique can become without a ceiling.
Could Anton Ratushnyi Eventually Become An Open Bodybuilder?
Ratushnyi moving to Men’s Open would represent a significant change for one of Classic Physique’s brightest young stars, and there is currently no indication that he has committed to making such a move.
For now, his attention remains on the 2026 Olympia and challenging the best Classic Physique competitors in the world.
Still, Priest’s comments raise an interesting question about Ratushnyi’s long-term trajectory.
Classic Physique has become home to some of bodybuilding’s biggest stars, but competitors must constantly balance muscular development against their division’s weight restrictions. For an athlete as young and genetically gifted as Ratushnyi, Priest believes there may eventually be little reason to hold that growth back.
Whether Ratushnyi agrees remains to be seen.
Priest, however, already knows which direction he would take.
“I think Classic will only hold him back.”
Image embed via Instgagram @anton_swl
