Clarida seems greater than prepared for one more 212 title.
Shaun “The Big Killer” Clarida isn’t shy about what he desires to perform as a dynamite bodybuilder. The 2-time 212 Olympia winner (2020, 2022) desires to construct a dynasty of championships and ultimately even surpass James “Flex” Lewis’ all-time document mark of seven titles (2012-2018). Whereas he’s the present clear-cut king of his division, Clarida stays a great distance from such an honor. But, his coaching and physique updates give the impression such an achievement may ultimately be potential.
On June 26, 2023, Clarida shared a photograph on his Instagram the place the athlete stated he had a physique weight of 206 kilos. Per Clarida’s caption, the mass packed onto his 5-foot two-inch stature is a “start line,” with the 2023 Olympia in Orlando, FL roughly 20 weeks away on the time of his picture. For some other 212 opponents wishing to unseat Clarida from his throne, that’s an intimidating prospect to think about.
Within the caption of his Instagram, Clarida sounded motivated. A number of latest dramatic life adjustments — together with the beginning of his daughter and a cross-country transfer from New Jersey to Texas — have added lots to his plate after already competing in and coaching for each the Arnold Basic (AC) and the Olympia in successive years. Be aware: Lewis plans to have the identical AC and Olympia strategy in 2023. The athlete completed in fifth place within the Males’s Open class on the 2023 iteration of the AC.
Regardless of the adjustments, Clarida gave off the anticipated air of a champion competitor searching for extra greatness earlier than he accelerates his Olympia preparation.
“Regardless of it being one of many busiest years of my life and profession, between doing each the Olympia and the Arnold final season [2022], the beginning of my daughter and transferring my household from New Jersey to Texas, it’s been one of the crucial productive,” Clarida wrote. “The brand new setting, having the gas and motivation with [his daughter] and at all times having a supporting forged of associates, household, and sponsors have all saved me grounded and targeted on the duty and objective come November 3 [the date of the 2023 Olympia contest]. Off to the races we go!”
After Lewis’s run of dominance within the 2010s and a “three-peat” from Kevin English (2009-2011), Clarida stands in third place for essentially the most all-time victories within the 212 Olympia. Ought to Clarida repeat in November, he’ll tie English for second place and inch ever nearer to Lewis’s mark.
Even when Clarida doesn’t win one other 212 title, his place in bodybuilding historical past is already safe. He has confirmed he can thrive on the 212 degree and, in moonlight appearances as a Males’s Open competitor, has additionally fared fairly properly. Although with each jaw-dropping teaser that Clarida offers from behind the scenes, it appears possible this celebrity will likely be scorching on the tail of a legend’s seemingly unattainable document quickly sufficient.
Featured picture: @shaunclarida on Instagram
