Andrea Shaw hoisted her sixth consecutive Ms. Olympia trophy at the 61st anniversary of the competition on the Resorts World stage Friday night in Las Vegas, NV. The moment marks the continuation of the most dominant reign in modern women’s bodybuilding history.
“It’s just as magical as the first one, but this one is very, very special,” Shaw said during her post-victory interview.
The 41-year-old Detroit native delivered a performance that reminded everyone why she’s been untouchable since 2020. Shaw is now the third-most decorated Ms. Olympia champion in history, trailing only Iris Kyle’s 10 titles and Lenda Murray’s eight. Her victory at the 2025 Olympia ties the record held by Cory Everson.
Prejudging Dominance
From the moment Shaw walked into the Las Vegas Convention Center for Friday afternoon’s prejudging, the outcome felt predetermined. Her opening quarter turns displayed improvements that seemed impossible for an athlete already at the top of the sport.
For the 2025 season, Shaw relocated to Arizona to work with coach Damian Segovia, and it paid off well.
Shaw’s legs have always been a strength and displayed feathering and separation that redefined what’s possible in women’s bodybuilding. The deep cuts and striations ran from hip to ankle, making her overshadow the competition.
Shaw was placed bang in the middle by the judges during the prejudging round, clearly signalling that she was the favourite to win. Each mandatory pose turned into a masterclass in muscle maturity, density, and presentation.
Shaw’s Journey To Dominance
Growing up in Detroit, she was initially drawn to gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. She was introduced to bodybuilding by her mother, who was a personal trainer and brought her to the legendary Powerhouse Gym in Highland Park, Michigan. Shaw trains at the same gym to this day.
After earning her Pro card in the Women’s Physique division in 2018, Shaw quickly recognized that she had outgrown the division and needed to move up.
After underwhelming performances in the Women’s Physique division, her first Pro bodybuilding show in the Open class, the 2019 Chicago Pro, resulted in a runner-up finish, proving she had made the right decision by jumping ships.
When the Ms. Olympia contest was reintroduced in 2020 after a six-year hiatus, Shaw grabbed the opportunity with both hands. She defeated established champions like Helle Trevino and MayLa Ash to start one of bodybuilding’s greatest dynasties.
She followed this with dominant victories in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, each time raising the bar for what constitutes a championship physique in the Women’s Open division.
The Championship Standard
Shaw did not just maintain her level at the 2025 Olympia. She somehow managed to elevate it.
Her midsection conditioning was at just another level, displaying the kind of deep abdominal separation typically reserved for the men’s divisions. It was lights out for her competition as soon as she turned around. The Christmas tree in her lower back was fully illuminated as she transitioned between poses.
I must add that Shaw’s dominance extended beyond just her physique. She has worked massively on her posing, and she looked like a piece of art while moving between poses.
Legacy and Future
Shaw’s 2025 victory came with added pressure. She had the weight of expectation, a target on her back, and the knowledge that any slip would end one of bodybuilding’s greatest streaks.
However, she responded with her greatest performance and a physique that advanced the entire division’s standard while maintaining the aesthetic beauty that makes women’s bodybuilding unique.
MC Bob Cicherillo quizzed Shaw about her future plans, noting that Figure champion Cydney Gillon had retired immediately after winning her eighth title the previous year.
“Iris gave me orders. She said ‘You break the record’ and I said ‘Yes, ma’am,’” Shaw revealed. “We’ll take it one prep at a time, one boot camp at a time. Right now, I’m going to enjoy six.”
This statement by Shaw reaffirms that she has no immediate plans to step away.
The seventh title awaits in 2026, and based on what the bodybuilding world witnessed in Las Vegas, Shaw isn’t finished making history. In fact, she is just getting started on the second half of her legacy.
Related Reads:
- 2025 Mr. Olympia Results & Prize Money — All Divisions
- 2025 Ms. Olympia Results & Prize Money — Andrea Shaw Wins 6th Title
- 2025 Ms. Olympia Prejudging Report
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