Re-measurements announced for Classic Physique ahead of Mr. Olympia 2025
Just days before Mr. Olympia 2025, the IFBB announced a surprising step: every athlete in the Classic Physique category will be re-measured. The move follows a Brazilian bodybuilding portal publicly questioning Mike Sommerfeld’s real height, prompting a review of sources that showed conflicting measurements. Official footage from recent weigh-ins places Sommerfeld at 175.9 cm, qualifying him for the 212 lb (96 kg) class, while online discussions compare him to shorter and taller peers. The federation’s decision signals that in a sport obsessed with precise numbers, questions of accuracy can still tilt the balance on the big stage.
In This Article:
How measurements work in bodybuilding: weight, height, and proportion
In bodybuilding competitions, three checks determine a competitor’s class and how they will be judged. First, weight is checked to ensure the athlete sits in the declared category. Next, height is measured to confirm the correct division. Finally, proportional measurements—waist, chest, hips, arms, legs, shoulders, biceps, and neck—are taken to assess symmetry and muscular development. If the weight or category doesn’t match, athletes are given time to adjust before the show.
The Mike Sommerfeld height controversy: from whispers to weigh-ins
The height question around Mike Sommerfeld stretches back years. In midweek, Brazilian fans debated whether the champion’s real height matched public figures, with some circulating claims around 168 cm and sparking comparisons to rivals like Derek Lunsford and Michael Dabul. Yet different camera angles can distort perception. To clarify, analysts reviewed weigh-in videos, including a 2023 Saudi Arabia weigh-in and the 2024 Mr. Olympia weigh-in. The 2024 footage lists Sommerfeld at 175.9 cm, enough for the 212 lb (96 kg) class. In 2023 his height was reported a little over 173 cm, and in 2024 he moved to a higher weight class. In August 2023, Sommerfeld explained on a podcast that he suffers from lumbar hyperlordosis (L4–L5), creating a pronounced back arch. He pursued treatment in Dubai to relieve hip flexor tension and straighten the spine, reportedly becoming taller and hoping to gain about 5 kg to reach 96 kg. His coach, Neil Hill, said 96 kg would be the optimal weight. Regardless of public statements about height, the only numbers that truly matter are the officially recorded data by IFBB.
Policy shifts: height-based weight allowances and the athlete passport
In August 2023, IFBB Pro League Vice President Tyler Manion announced new rules for Classic Physique. Athletes of any height would gain weight between 2 and 7 pounds (0.9–3 kg) to balance opportunities for shorter competitors. For heights up to 175.3 cm, the maximum weight would be 92.5 kg; up to 172.7 cm, the limit would be 89.4 kg. The 212 lb (96 kg) class has no stated upper limit, but in practice athletes in that class are often under 170 cm, allowing substantial muscle mass within the limit. The federation also introduced an athlete passport, recording three measurements taken at official competitions to determine a final weight cap; however, it isn’t always clear which athletes were measured three times.
Olympia 2025 approaches: emails to athletes, live broadcast, and what it means for fairness
After the initial rumors, athletes were notified by email about the re-measurements. Mr. Olympia registration will be broadcast live on Thursday, 9 October 2025, and the event description explicitly mentions measurement and weighing. For fans and competitors, the looming re-measurement raises questions about transparency and fairness in a sport where numbers often determine who qualifies for the stage. For ongoing updates on bodybuilding and fitness, AMBAL.RU remains the go-to source.
