Urs Kalecinski just sent ripples through the bodybuilding world. Known for his jaw-dropping symmetry in Classic Physique, “The Miracle Bear” broke the news on August 20, 2025, that he’s setting his sights on Men’s Open. It’s a move that feels both brave and, honestly, a long time coming.
The Toll of the Cut
To make the 225-pound cap at the 2023 Olympia, Kalecinski stripped off over 25 pounds. Then he did it again for 2024. Two bronze medals later, and still Chris Bumstead owned the top spot, leaving Urs torn between health and peak condition. As he put it, “The struggle to cut weight for Classic has become increasingly difficult to a point where I either had to sacrifice my health tremendously or my best possible physique attainable.” A gut-wrenching confession, but aren’t those cracks in the armor what make champions human?
Two Shots at Olympia
He locked in a 2025 Classic Physique ticket with last year’s bronze, but he’s refusing that pass. Instead, Urs will chase points in Men’s Open:
- September 7: 2025 ProMuscle Italy Pro in Maitland
- September 14: Europa Pro Championships in Offenbach
Just two chances to punch his Olympia ticket. Pressure’s on—will he nail it on debut, or will the open waters prove icy?
With both Bumstead and Kalecinski skipping the 2025 Classic Physique stage, Mike Sommerfeld stands as the lone returning podium-finisher. That twist instantly makes the 2025 Arnold Classic Physique champ a front-runner for only the fourth title in ten years.
Switching divisions isn’t just a shift in numbers; it’s a mindset overhaul. Suddenly, every rep carries higher stakes, and those gym sessions feel familiar and new.
I have to say, I’m intrigued. There’s something electric about watching someone polished gamble on fresh terrain. Will Urs’s razor-sharp detail translate to raw mass? Only Vegas will tell. But if his resolve stays as solid as those abs, count on sparks on the open stage.
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Sources:
- https://barbend.com/urs-kalecinski-mens-open-bodybuilding/
- https://generationiron.com/classic-bodybuilder-urs-kalecinski-move-to-mens-open/
