Steve Weinberger predicts how Chris Bumstead will do at EVLS Prague Pro 2024

Chris Bumstead wants to shine at EVLS Prague Pro 2024 and there is increasing talk about how he will do. In a recent Instagram post shared on November 7, 2024, head judge Steve Weinberger discussed Bumstead's chances and outlined his expectations ahead of his appearance in the Open. Chris Bumstead won the 60th edition of Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend and became a six-time Classic Physique Olympia winner. It wasn't without a fight, however. He narrowly edged runner-up Mike Sommerfeld by three points in the results, with IFBB Vice President Tyler Manion revealing that "Mike The Badass" won two of the five poses that counted at the competition.

Shortly after winning gold, Bumstead announced his retirement. However, it was short-lived. Bumstead revealed that he plans to enter the Open category at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro, stoking the fires of excitement about how he will fare in a division with no weight restrictions. Fans expect "Cbum" to be nipping at the heels of Martin Fitzwater, who everyone believes is a contender for the eventual winner.

Steve Weinberger predicts that Cbum will do very well in Prague and says that if he wins, it won't change the direction of the Open category

Weinberger expects Bumstead to do well on the Prague stage even with five extra pounds without a weight limit.

"I think he'll do very well. He'll have five kilos more. He has a great team, a great coach. I don't see him not being in shape. I see him in great shape.
The problem is it's a bodybuilding show and it's about muscle. Will he have enough muscle to stand next to these other fighters or will his form put him over the top? If he doesn't have enough muscle, his form won't really help him. It's still a bodybuilding contest."

The main problem he believes Bumstead could run into is whether his back will be strong enough to take on high-caliber threats at the Open.

"The only problem I see with Chris is that I've never seen him this big,it depends on how his back is. He'll be wide enough, I know that. He's great from the front, he's really good from the side, he's got great feet, but I don't know what his back will look like."

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A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum)

While some believe Bumstead's victory in Prague could change the direction of the Open category, Steve Weinberger disagrees.

"I don't believe that. It's all about who does well that day. If Martin comes in completely unprepared, Chris can win," Weinberger said.

He believes Bumstead will look formidable on his own, but the real test will be how his physique shows up next to the other Open contenders.

"Chris will look amazing on his own. When we put him next to fighters with a lot of muscle, it will be interesting. If he's put on enough muscle since Olympia, because I'm sure he's put on enough to make the weight. Has he put on enough and in good shape and how will he stand up next to the monsters?" wonders Weinberger.

Regardless of the outcome, Steve Weinberger admits that Bumstead's decision to try the division "takes courage," and stresses that he's not entering the competition as a favorite.

"He's won six titles at the Mr. Olympia Classic Physique and going into the Open, honestly, it takes balls, I respect that," he adds. "It's amazing. He's not the favourite. He's up against fighters he's never faced before. Like I said, it's a bold move."

Men's Open bodybuilding star Nick Walker also spoke about Chris Bumstead's chances in Prague. He's not overlooking the six-time Classic Physique Olympia winner, reiterating that he has a legitimate shot at winning the show, which takes place November 16-17. With Bumstead heading into the Open, Weinberger is in doubt as to how he'll fare, especially on his back.

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A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum)