Banout thinks the new competitive industry will do Bumstead some good.
As various leading names in the bodybuilding field begin mapping out their plans for the 2023 calendar year, former 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Banout is dispensing his thoughts on the current landscape of the sport. For example, as of early January 2023, the living legend seemed to appreciate the changes to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League’s Olympia qualification system. In fact, he asserted that some of the changes, such as nixing the previous points-based system, did not go far enough in being more selective. During a recent media appearance, the icon focused on some of his specific thoughts on the future of the classic physique star.
On January 20, 2023, Banout appeared in the episode Muscle maturity Podcast. While breaking some of the latest news in the bodybuilding world, Bannout touched on the condition of one Chris Bumstead. Fresh off a fourth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title, the athlete competed with a partially torn biceps, which Bannout believes should have been Bumstead. Making the jump to the men’s open division at the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). It could be an interesting prospect for one of the sport’s current figureheads.
Bannout was clearly aware of the adversity Bumstead would have to face to continue his reign of classic physique. That doesn’t seem to stop Bumstead from still managing to shine at 2023 AC in Columbus, OH.
“Talking about Bumstead, he pulled his biceps muscle and was in pain,” Banout said. “In my opinion, Bumstead can compete [2023] Arnold Classic at the Open. He should. why not Bumstead: Do it.”
At the same time, Banout understood that Bumstead wanted to take time to recover after such a significant illness. After all, it wasn’t a good idea for Bumstead to return to training and ideal competition nutrition until he had fully recovered from his health setback.
Such an immediate decision, division change or not, could translate into long-term problems for Bumstead’s overall career if a competitor isn’t careful. While he stood by his initial open sentiment for the young athlete, Banout didn’t take it a step further.
“I think in Bumstead’s case he had a partial tear,” Bannout noted. “It would be smart to pull it down, no matter what, pull it down completely, because it would make his career better. He knows it. He knows it and his doctor knows it. But yeah, it was obvious to me that something was going on with that bicep.
At the end of September 2022, Bumstead mentioned a possible place in the Men’s Open category in the future Muscle growth Podcast. However, Bumstead maintained that 2023 was not the right time for a shift. Factor in his current recovery from a biceps tear, and it seems unlikely Bumstead will go full throttle with any thoughts of entering the 2023 AC on March 3-5, 2023.
Bumstead is likely to remain on the sidelines for the time being, though some of his potential peers in the Open division, such as Nick Walker and Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elsbie, are gearing up for the Memorial AC. Even with the new lucrative cash prize and Banout’s early advice in the account, asking an elite competitor to switch divisions as he heals isn’t feasible in such a short amount of time.
Nevertheless, Bumstead’s progress in and out of the gym will be something to keep track of in the coming months.
Featured Image: @cbum on Instagram
