“The Reward” gave his ideas on the outcomes of the 2025 Arnold Traditional.
Final up to date on March twelfth, 2025
Seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath had a front-row seat for the 2025 Arnold Classic as a part of the present’s commentary workforce.
Upon seeing Derek Lunsford dethrone reigning Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda to win his debut Arnold Traditional, and the Traditional Physique division throne is in flux, Heath supplied why he feels the Arnold Traditional outcomes might reshape aggressive bodybuilding’s future.
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Logan Franklin’s Breakout & Mike Sommerfeld’s Dominance
In Traditional Physique, rivals execute five mandatory poses to show their aesthetics, symmetry, and proportions.
- Entrance Double Biceps
- Aspect Chest
- Again Double Biceps
- Abdominals and Thighs
- Favourite Traditional Pose
Heath gave 2024 Arnold Traditional champion Wesley Vissers an honorable point out after he fell to fifth place following what may need been a bout of meals poisoning earlier than the competitors. The dearth of fullness in Vissers’ legs threw off his physique’s symmetry, however Heath stays assured the previous champ will bounce again at a future contest.
One of many night time’s greatest shocks was Heath’s darkish horse choose, Logan Franklin, who packed mass onto his 5’11” body, enhancing the stream of his entrance double biceps and entrance lat unfold poses. Franklin secured the Ed Corney Finest Poser Award.
With a thick again, chest, rounded shoulders, and full arms, Heath had problem pinpointing any weak point in Mike Sommerfeld’s physique. His individual posing routine screamed of bodybuilding’s Golden Age, and Heath labeled Sommerfeld the deserving winner.
Derek Lunsford’s Redemption & Samson Dauda’s Misstep
In Open Bodybuilding, athletes carry out eight mandatory poses to showcase their dimension, conditioning, and symmetry.
- Entrance Double Biceps
- Entrance Lat Unfold
- Aspect Chest
- Again Double Biceps
- Again Lat Unfold
- Aspect Triceps
- Abdominals and Thighs
- Most Muscular
Heath believes he underestimated Brandon Curry, whose fullness and improved leg separation pushed rivals like William Bonac and Akim Williams farther from the rostrum.
Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, higher often known as Andrew Jacked, confirmed extra persona onstage as he delivered a blindfolded posing routine paying homage to the late Cedric McMillan. Whereas Heath claimed the Nigerian native had one of the best X-frame within the IFBB, he believes the linchpin to Jacked’s future success lies in sharper conditioning.
Samson Dauda’s efficiency informed two completely different tales. He wasn’t as lean throughout pre-judging as Heath would have appreciated. Nonetheless, Dauda shored that up within the finals on Saturday night time.
Being flat wasn’t a difficulty for Lunsford. The 2-division Olympia champion introduced bursting fullness and laborious conditioning, serving to him shut the hole within the entrance and facet poses in opposition to Dauda. Heath acknowledged that Lunsford introduced his greatest bundle up to now.
Although Lunsford showcased a successful physique in Columbus, he’s set on regaining his place because the world’s high bodybuilder on the 2025 Mr. Olympia, held Oct. 9-12 in Las Vegas, NV.
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Featured picture: @philheath on Instagram