Revolution at Mr. Olympia? Haney proposes breaking the Men's Open into two divisions.

The bodybuilding world is still reeling from the recent Mr. Olympia 2025, where Derek Lunsford regained his title and achieved the so-called "Triple Crown" by dominating both the Arnold Classic and Pittsburgh Pro in the same year. While fans celebrate his victory, eight-time Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney, comes up with a bold proposal that could fundamentally change the regal Men's Open category.

"Apples and Pears" on the same stage

In a recent interview, Haney described the results as "baffling". The reason, he said, is the huge difference in body structure between the finalists. On one side stood Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan, who are smaller in stature but incredibly massive. On the other side were taller and more symmetrical competitors like Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked.

"It's like comparing apples and pears," Haney said. "How can you fairly judge such different characters?"

The solution? Splitting the category

Therefore, the legendary bodybuilder proposes to split the Men's Open category into two classes: one for lower and one for higher athletes. This move, he believes, would lead to a much fairer and clearer comparison. The shorter bodybuilders could then be judged on the basis of their massiveness, while symmetry and balance would come to the fore for the taller ones.

Moreover, such a system would not be a novelty in the history of bodybuilding. Between 1974 and 1979, there were already two weight categories in Mr. Olympia - light and heavy.

The call for a "reset"

Haney has long made no secret of his concerns about the direction of modern bodybuilding. Along with Arnold Schwarzenegger, he has been calling for a "reset" and a return to more aesthetic physiques at the expense of the pursuit of extreme volume. In their view, the sport is becoming less attractive to the average viewer and more dangerous for the competitors themselves.

This debate has fuelled the growing popularity of the Classic Physique category, which for many has become the epitome of the bodybuilding ideal and is often described as the most appealing to viewers.

Whether the IFBB Pro League will listen to Haney's proposal is still up in the air. But his words have certainly stirred debate about the future of the world's most prestigious bodybuilding competition. One thing is for sure - the differences between the top competitors are so pronounced that they demand reflection.

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