The fight for the 2024 Men’s 212 Olympia title is almost here and we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive preview of the action. Top contenders from 11 bodybuilding divisions worldwide will meet in the Las Vegas Convention Center for prejudging from October 11-12 to determine who walks away with the sport’s ultimate title. This one-day 212 contest will conclude with athletes competing in the finals at the luxurious Resort’s World for a shot at history and substantial prize money.
The Men’s 212 Bodybuilding division has a unique and rich history in the IFBB Pro League. It was first introduced in 2008 as the 202-pound class before it jumped up to 212 pounds in 2012. In that time, we’ve seen several stars and dominant champions emerge such as former seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis, Kamal Elgargni, and Derek Lunsford. This year, fans expect another thrilling showdown between former titleholder Shaun Clarida and the reigning champion Keone Pearson.
Men’s 212 Olympia Full Lineup
- Keone Pearson (USA)
- Shaun Clarida (USA)
- Angel Calderon Frias (Spain)
- Geonwoo Kim (South Korea)
- Ahmad Ashkanani (Kuwait)
- Vitor Alves Porto De Oliveria (Brazil)
- Oleh Kryvyi (Ukraine) (Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia)
- Jafar Ghaffarnezhad (Iran)
- Giuseppe Christian Zagarella (Italy)
- Esteban Fuquene (Colombia)
- Nasser Mohammad (Kuwait)
- Mehdi Jaberinezhad (Iran) (Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia)
- Kerrith Bajjo (USA)
- Marco Ruz (France)
- Marcello Alfonsi (Brazil)
- Jordan Janowitz (USA)
- Francisco Barrios Vlk (Brazil)
- Fabricio Moreira (Brazil)
- Muzi Maluleke (South Africa)
Top Athletes to Watch
- Keone Pearson
- Shaun Clarida
- Angel Calderon
- Kerrith Bajjo
Keone Pearson
Keone ‘The Prodigy’ Pearson is the reigning 212 Olympia champion, having earned his biggest career accolade following a back-and-forth battle with former titleholder Shaun Clarida at the 2023 Olympia event. His aesthetics and shape gave him the edge against ‘The Giant Killer’ last year.
Boasting a paper-thin waist complemented by his signature vacuum shot, Pearson’s front double biceps pose is challenging to stand against. Equipped with shredded and separated leg definition, his well-rounded build makes him an instant standout on stage. He’s shown he’s a dangerous competitor, especially after jumping from sixth place at the Olympia in 2022 to first in 2023.
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He compared his rivalry with Shaun Clarida to the Phil Heath Kai Greene saga, prompting even more excitement from fans who expect him to make a bid for a second title on Friday night of Olympia’s 60th-anniversary event. Pearson is known for his conditioning levels but if he takes things too far, he won’t have the sheer mass needed to topple Clarida on the grand stage.
Shaun Clarida
Clarida won the 212 Olympia title in 2020 and 2022, setting the standard in the division before Pearson’s rapid rise through the ranks. Coached by Matt Jansen, Clarida continues to make considerable improvements to his physique, especially when it comes to leg and arm density. His side poses are among his strongest, thanks to bursting fullness and compact density. However, his back lat spread and back double biceps shots are nothing to scoff at either.
Clarida has nerves of steel and hasn’t faltered on stage even against the very best the division has to offer. He holds a 212 victory over Derek Lunsford back in 2020. While he brought a powerful look to the 2023 Mr. Olympia, his weight and midsection worked against him on stage, leading to Pearson’s statement win. Clarida is out for redemption after the performance and as long as he exerts ab control and masters his quarter turns, he could walk away as the new three-time 212 Olympia champion when the dust settles.
Angel Calderon
Angel Calderon is gunning for his first 212 Olympia title and has remained a notable threat in the category for years. His chest striations combined with his impressively capped shoulders and arms could give him an advantage when he takes to the stage. At times, Calderon’s back shots lack the detail needed to push into title contention but with some calculated tweaks to his training and nutrition, he could serve as one of the biggest shocks of the competition.
Calderon will enter this Super Bowl of Bodybuilding with solid momentum courtesy of his major win at the 2024 Dubai Pro show. He claimed third place on the prestigious Olympia stage last year. His front lat spread is an extremely imposing shot. Should Pearson or Clarida show up less than 100 percent, Calderon’s consistent nature and little-to-no weaknesses could spell trouble for the fan-favorite frontrunners.
Kerrith Bajjo
Kerrith Bajjo is another 212 hopeful aiming to shock the lineup when he shows up for battle. His impact on the division has been impossible to ignore. Bajjo’s knack for entering shows with top-notch conditioning makes him as dangerous as ever. His vascularity and muscle symmetry are among his most potent weapons, which he plans to put to good use on stage.
He’s enjoyed a busy season in 2024, which began with a second-place showing at Steve Weinberger’s New York Pro. From there, he went on to win gold at the 2024 Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro, out-performing a stacked 212 lineup. He placed fourth at the last Mr. Olympia contest in 2023, so counting him out would be an oversight. His most muscular pose alongside his front double biceps could be the difference-maker, especially in a show where every detail counts.
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Dark Horses
- Nasser Mohammed
- Fabricio Moreira
- Ahmad Ashkanani
Ahmad Ashkanani
Among the top dark horses to deliver shock and awe is Ahmad Ashkanani, a well-known name in the surging category. Ashkanani is no stranger to testing himself against top-tier threats. He took fifth place at the 2023 Mr. Olympia though many fans thought he deserved a higher placing. He brings a vascular and peeled physique to each competition he enters.
With significant popularity behind him and top-tier genetics, Ashkanani brings a combination of size and detail that pays off in direct comparisons. Moreover, his freak factor and knack for nailing peaks make him all the more threatening on stage. However, he must ensure he doesn’t come in too shredded as it could work against him in the size department, which is an attribute he needs to stand against top players of the division like Pearson and Clarida.
Nasser Mohammed
It wouldn’t be a bodybuilding competition without dark horses. Nasser Mohammed stands above the pack as he sets his sights on winning his first 212 Olympia title. To earn his right to compete against the best, Mohammed won gold at the 2024 Mr. Big Evolution Pro in Portugal. His V-taper and glute-ham tie-ins make him a well-rounded threat any time he’s on stage.
In 2023, Nasser Mohammed placed seventh at the Mr. Olympia, and if Pearson’s track record told us anything, it’s that a bodybuilder can easily jump placings at the marquee show of the year with shocking improvements. Mohammed’s front-relaxed and back-relaxed shots have always been powerful as well, which could pay dividends when he’s squaring off for a shot in the first call-out.
Fabricio Moreira
The round muscle bellies of Fabricio Moreira is his calling card. That means all of his front-facing poses are among his most lethal. Moreira’s strengths in 212 lie in his symmetry, fullness, and stage presence. Having last won the 2024 Musclecontest Belo Horizonte with a sterling package, it’s easy to see why he made the dark horse list.
Fabricio Moreira placed ninth at last year’s Olympia competition but with some added size and some adjustments to his back poses, counting him out would be a mistake. He hopes to bring the shock factor on stage to turn in his all-time best performance on the Olympia stage.
The battle between Shaun Clarida and Keone Pearson for the Olympia title is close. Clarida has dense muscle and sharp conditioning, while Pearson brings a balanced and aesthetic look. It will come down to who peaks better on competition day, with judges focusing on conditioning and presentation.
History of All 212 Olympia Winners
- Keone Pearson (2023)
- Shaun Clarida (2022, 2020)
- Derek Lunsford (2021)
- Kamal Elgargni (2019)
- Flex Lewis (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)
- Kevin English (2011, 2010, 2009)
- David Henry (2008)
How to Watch 2024 Mr. Olympia
Sign up to watch the live stream for the 2024 Mr. Olympia on the official Mr. Olympia website, which can be found here.
9:30am, OLYMPIA PRE-JUDGING
(Reserved Seating for VIPs, Standing Room & Limited Open Seating for General Public)
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall, Floors 1 & 2)
Tickets Required
8:00am, VIP Entry
9:00am, General Public Entry
- Fitness Olympia
- 212 Olympia
- Figure Olympia
- Women’s Physique Olympia
- Ms. Olympia
- Wellness Olympia
6:00pm, OLYMPIA FRIDAY FINALS
Location: Resorts World Theatre
Tickets Required
- 212 Olympia
- Fitness Olympia
- Figure Olympia
- Women’s Physique Olympia
- Ms. Olympia
- Wellness Olympia
- PLUS Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging
Athletes from 11 IFBB Pro League divisions will clash for the title on October 11-12, right in the heart of Las Vegas, Nevada. Stay tuned to Fitness Volt for previews as well as live coverage of prejudging and finals for the show’s unforgettable 60th anniversary.
RELATED: 2024 Mr. Olympia List of Qualified Athletes and Rules
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