The Prague Pro Open Men’s Division bodybuilding competition is one of the most anticipated events on the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness) calendar. As an annual highlight in the European bodybuilding circuit, this prestigious event draws top athletes from around the globe to compete.

Held in the capital of the Czech Republic, the Prague Pro showcases the biggest athletes in the Open Men’s Division, the second most prestigious and competitive category in professional bodybuilding. Known for its blend of historic charm and modern vitality, Prague provides the perfect backdrop for a contest that celebrates human strength, size, and dedication.

The Open Men’s Division is where the biggest and best battle it out. These athletes bring unparalleled muscle mass, symmetry, and conditioning, aiming to impress a discerning panel of judges. The division places a premium on size, proportion, and the elusive “X-frame,” combining broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and massive quadriceps.

The top 5 competitors this year were Martin Fitzwater, Chris Bumstead, Shaun Claurida, Matthias Hollweck, and Horse Marcello. Earlier this year Chris Bumstead took 1st place in Men’s Classic Physique in the Olympia before announcing his retirement and that he would compete in the Open Division for the first time for his last show. 

Martin Fitzwater placed 4th in the Open division in the Olympia this year and had already won if he had come into Prague with the same size and conditioning at the Olympia, unfortunately, his conditioning was off. This gave room for Chris Bumstead who had been putting on size to hang with the Open Division but also was shredded enough to make the open guys like they were not lean, combined with better posing than Fitzwater, led to the most entertaining showdown that weekend. 

People watching the show were quickly divided by who they thought would win, many thought that Cbum’s shape and conditioning gave him 1st place, while others believed Fitzwater was much bigger and took 1st all day. In the end, Fitzwater took 1st place because he had much more muscle. Fitzwater is an elite level open division bodybuilding competitor whereas Cbum Competed 2 months after his 6th Olympia, making no excuses and still bringing rock-solid conditioning, it’s no surprise Cbum was outclassed but it is still insanely impressive to place 2nd next to competitors like 212 champion Shaun “The Giant killer” Claurida, and Martin “The Martian” Fitzwater.

In Bodybuilding, competitors battle it out by going through the routine, which is usually 8 different poses, Cbum looked better than Fitzwater for 3 poses due to his elusive x shape along with a narrow waist, and his extremely high standard for conditioning. But Fitzwater’s quads, hams, arms, traps, erectors, chest, delts, back, and calves are bigger and he overall literally has like 25 pounds of muscle on Cbum. 

Senior Ishaan Pandey shares his thoughts on the show, “I think competitions foster a healthy environment for people to come out, compete, and turn what they have trained and prepared for into something, and i definitely think Cbum would have won in a less competitive environment, but open and classic are 2 different divisions for a reason.”

One of the most significant aspects of the Prague Pro is its role as an Olympia qualifier. The top finishers earn coveted points or direct qualification to compete in the Mr. Olympia contest, the pinnacle of bodybuilding excellence. These stakes raise the intensity of the Prague Pro, as athletes know the path to the sport’s ultimate stage often runs through this competition.

Beyond the competition, the Prague Pro is a celebration of lifting culture. Fans from all over the world gather to cheer for their favorite athletes, meet legends of the sport, and participate in expo events that highlight the latest in fitness technology, nutrition, and training methods.

The event also serves as a testament to the years of discipline, sacrifice, and relentless training required to reach the top of professional bodybuilding. It’s a stage where dreams are realized, and history is made.