2024 Mr. Olympia 212 Prejudging: Keone Pearson vs. Shaun Clarida

by Mr. O
Posted On October 11, 2024

The 2024 Mr. Olympia 212 Division prejudging wrapped up with an intense showdown between the defending champion, Keon Pearson, and former champion, Shaun Clarida. As anticipated, the top four featured Carth Bajo, Angel Cerone, Keon Pearson, and Shaun Clarida, with the latter two commanding the center stage throughout the callouts. This battle of titans, particularly between Pearson and Clarida, showcased contrasting strategies in their quest for the title: size versus conditioning.

Shaun Clarida’s Downsizing Strategy: Did It Work?

During the press conference, Shaun Clarida revealed that he intentionally downsized for this year’s Olympia to improve his conditioning. Weighing in at 175 pounds—lighter than during his previous Olympia wins—Clarida sought to come in sharper and tighter. Last year, his attempt to bring in a bigger package led to slightly off conditioning, and he aimed to correct that by coming in leaner this year.

While Clarida did come in tighter, his downsizing may have cost him in other areas. His legs, particularly when compared to Pearson’s, appeared noticeably smaller, especially from the back. This discrepancy was most evident in the hamstrings and glutes, where Keon’s legs displayed greater separation and fullness. Clarida’s chest, which has never been his strongest asset, also seemed to suffer in comparison to Keon’s larger, fuller upper body.

Keon Pearson’s Size and Symmetry Dominate

Keon Pearson, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction, opting to come in bigger than last year. Pearson reported being 5 pounds heavier, and the size difference between him and Clarida was evident. Despite his increased size, Keon managed to retain a commendable level of conditioning, coming in slightly better than his previous year’s form.

Pearson’s hamstrings and legs, in particular, were a significant advantage. From the back poses, Keon’s leg development was vastly superior to Clarida’s, with more separation and detail. In the upper body, Pearson’s fuller chest and overall muscle density overshadowed Clarida’s leaner, tighter frame.

A Tough Decision for the Judges

While Clarida’s conditioning was on point, the judges are likely to favor the overall package that Keon Pearson brought to the stage. Keon’s combination of size, symmetry, and conditioning seems to have given him the upper hand. Though Clarida came in sharper, his smaller size, especially in the legs and chest, may not be enough to dethrone the reigning champion.

Ultimately, the 2024 Mr. Olympia 212 title looks to be Keon Pearson’s to lose, as his size and overall flow appear to have overwhelmed Clarida’s leaner, downsized physique. Both athletes improved from last year, but Pearson’s ability to come in bigger while maintaining comparable conditioning might just be the winning formula.

Stay tuned as the final results are announced, and let us know in the comments who you think will take the crown. Will Clarida’s strategy pay off, or has Keon’s size won him another Olympia title?