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“I will never compete at the Arnold Classic again” – Ali Bilal

March 11, 2025

“I will never compete at the Arnold Classic again” – Ali Bilal

2025 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique Champion, Ali Bilal, was unhappy with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comments towards the Men’s Physique division.

During the Sunday seminar with the winners, Arnold did not hold back in expressing his thoughts towards the Men’s Physique athletes covering most of their legs with board shorts.

In return, the majority of Men’s Physique stars stood up for their division, saying that it’s one of the most popular divisions, and one that brings in a lot of money to the NPC and IFBB.

Arnold had this to say about the Men’s Physique athletes wearing board shorts: “The interesting thing is they also have well-developed thighs, a lot of those guys. I don’t know why they make them wear those long shorts; for me, it’s bogus.”

“It’s a federation thing, I have nothing to do with it. If it were my choice, I would just tell them to wear regular bathing suits, because they have well-developed thighs, let’s see the whole body, that’s what we’re judging, why would you hide the legs all of a sudden.”

“I don’t know why they wear those trunks, I am just worried one year they are going to come and say they are going to wear pajamas out there, you never know what they come up with, it’s just wild.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

2025 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique winner will never compete at the Arnold Classic again.

Ali Bilal, fresh from winning the 2025 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique title, immediately responded to Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying that if he did not like Men’s Physique, why didn’t he organise a 212 Men’s Bodybuilding event instead?

Ali Bilal answered back on his official Instagram page: “This was my last Arnold Classic. I will never do a show again, where I don’t feel welcome or valued”

“I have worked so hard to reach my physique & it does not feel right to compete at a show where Arnold himself makes fun of the Men’s physique division, calling it ‘bogus’.”

“If they really wanted to see legs, they should have invited the division 212 instead of Men’s physique. I wasn’t even planning to do the show in the first place, but the team reached out to me asking me to compete. In return we get disrespected for $25000”

“I felt like I needed to come out and highlight this, since I won the show & no one else would speak their mind.” – Ali Bilal.

Ali also shared his opinion about the low prize fund for the Men’s Physique athletes, expecting them to be awarded a larger cut from the prize fund. the Men’s Open Bodybuilding champion received $500,000, while the Men’s Physique champion only received $25,000.

Many star athletes and also some of bodybuilding’s most popular journalists also supported Ali, following Arnold’s comments.

Men’s Physique Olympia, and two-time Arnold Classic Champion, Erin Banks also shared his opinion after hearing Arnold’s comments.

“They say Men’s Physique competitors aren’t bodybuilders? Let’s set the record straight. Ask the promoters, ask the IFBB Pro League, Men’s Physique, along with divisions like Bikini, is what keeps these shows thriving”

“Without us, bodybuilding wouldn’t be where it is today. The numbers don’t lie.”

“We train relentlessly, follow the same grueling diets, and take the same supplements as every other division. The work, the discipline, and the sacrifice are all the same. And let’s be clear, this isn’t a knock on the Open guys”

“They do their thing, and we respect that. But it’s time to stop the disrespect just because we chose a division that prioritizes aesthetics, health, and looking damn good on the beach. Men’s Physique is bodybuilding.” – Erin Banks

Arnold Schwarzenegger has become a marketing nightmare.

20 years ago, nobody would ever question Arnold Schwarzenegger, even if he made the stupidest or most offensive comment. But fast forward to 2025, Arnold unfortunately, does not have the same leverage as he did in his younger years.

Some of the younger athletes hardly know who he is, they don’t know his bodybuilding career, his achievements, or anything else related to him.

It is no surprise that an athlete who was just handed a $25,000 cheque from Arnold, will criticize him, just hours later, after hearing Arnold talk nonsense.

Arnold does not understand that even though bodybuilding is still very popular, it’s not the division that brings in the most money to the federation.

The sport has changed drastically, with fans and future athletes preferring attainable physiques.

The Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Men’s Classic Physique are the events that attract the most competitors. Thanks to more registration fees, this brings in more money to the federation and promoters.

Arnold has to be careful what he says, it’s not cool anymore to just talk nonsense, especially from a bodybuilding legend such as Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Unfortunately for the Arnold Classic, they won’t have Ali Bilal defending his title in 2026, making the Men’s Physique event less popular.