Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman believes Keone Pearson could shake up the Open class sooner rather than later. On February 8, 2025, Coleman predicted ‘The Prodigy’ would win the Open Mr. Olympia in two or three years.
Keone Pearson has been on a roll as of late. He battled with former two-time 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida at the 2023 Olympia contest and won. He used his shape, aesthetics, and balanced proportions as a weapon to propel himself up the division’s ladder.
While some in the sport thought Pearson’s victory was a fluke, he shut the door on those presumptions the following year. He brought an even more refined and streamlined package to the 2024 212 Olympia show, where he once again defeated Clarida en route to becoming a two-time Olympia winner.
Ronnie Coleman, who won eight Mr. Olympia titles in his prime, believes it’s only a matter of time before Pearson stops flirting with the Open and actually heads into the deep end with the biggest mass monsters on the planet.
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Ronnie Coleman Talks Keone Pearson’s Chances in the Open Mr. Olympia: “He Will Win It For Sure”
In a recent YouTube video, Coleman discussed Keone Pearson’s potential as a bodybuilder. He expects him to continue dominating atop the 212 category.
“Keone is going to continue to get better and better because that’s the way it was for me. As long as you keep that passion, you keep that hard work going, you always do what you always done you’re always going to be in the top.”
He was so confident in Pearson’s abilities that he believes he will one day win the Open Mr. Olympia title in two or three years.
“I see a lot of fire in Keone. I’m expecting great things from him to climb up to that Open class probably in the next 2-3 years,” said Coleman. “He’ll win it. He’ll win it for sure. He will win it for sure. That’s how confident I am in him. I’m quite sure he’s confident in himself too,” he shared.
Keone Pearson has continued to tease the idea of moving into the Men’s Open division, where he wouldn’t be required to adhere to a height and weight cap. However, Pearson said for the time being, he plans to continue extending his reign as a 212 Olympia champion. In addition, he wants to grow the 212 division and have it included at prestigious shows like the Arnold Classic.
It’s not everyday a bodybuilder of Coleman’s status blesses an athlete with such compliments. Although Pearson seems content building on his legacy in 212, it’s clear fans and bodybuilders want to see him in the Men’s Open.