Clarida will adhere with the 212 as he begins the ascent of one particular of bodybuilding’s tallest mountains.
Reigning 212 Olympia champ Shaun Clarida ordinarily wears his heart on his oversized sleeve. The athlete has not been shy about sharing his bodybuilding goals and his future mission may well be the superstar’s loftiest however.
On Mar. 23, 2023, Clarida appeared on an episode of The Truth of the matter podcast with esteemed bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod. As the pair mentioned the two-time 212 Olympia champion’s (2020, 2022) long term designs, Clarida didn’t mince his words: he wishes to crack James “Flex” Lewis’ 212 Olympia record of seven titles (2012-2018). The athlete will be mostly sticking with the 212 division for the foreseeable future in look for of this hallowed ambition.
Clarida’s very long-time period 212 aspirations may possibly appear as a slight shock, considering he most not long ago highlighted in the Men’s Open up division at the 2023 Arnold Basic (AC). Irrespective of the athlete remaining substantially smaller than his additional massive peers, the bodybuilder took home a fifth-put end at the contest.
Relocating forward, in an tactic that would seem each reasonable and teaching-effective, Clarida did not necessarily rule out comparable moonlighting Men’s Open up appearances. Even so, he will if not continue to keep his focus on the 212 division, as that is the place he has shined the most in his job.
“I’m remaining in 212 for sure,” Clarida stated. “The purpose is to gain multiple titles listed here [in the 212 division]. Of class, I like to dabble in a several more compact [Men’s] Open reveals, it’s possible an additional Arnold Common. But me just executing the Arnold Basic and performing effectively is not sufficient for me to just leave the 212 … I’m realistic. If I could not gain the [2022] Arnold [Classic], then what’s the position of me relocating on from there? If I experienced won it’s possible it would be a unique discussion.”
Clarida is driving Lewis’ dominating streak by 5 titles, but if any person can match or eclipse the icon in the recent landscape, it’s the 5-foot 2-inch competitor correctly referred to as “The Big Killer.” Normally, that is in reference to Clarida overcoming bigger peers en route to a victory. In this scenario, Clarida surpassing Lewis would be extra like beating a residing legend — a metaphorical “giant” of the activity.
Clarida’s teasing his pursuit of the 212 Olympia history would make the decades forward possibly some of the most enjoyable the division has at any time observed.
“212 is my home, it is in my heart, and I want to walk away as one particular of the greatest to ever do it,” Clarida stated. “I really like Flex Lewis to loss of life but the objective is to beat his document.”
If Clarida ended up to unexpectedly hang up his posing trunks right now, he’d presently be remembered as 1 of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Comprehensive cease. Even so, vying for Lewis’ mark would probable position him among an elite handful of names, irrespective of division. For someone accustomed to “killing giants,” it’d be very a sight to see him regularly attain that 212 Olympia summit.
Highlighted graphic: @shaunclarida on Instagram