American bodybuilder Keone Pearson etched his name in the annals of Pro bodybuilding at the 2025 Olympia by becoming the second-most-winningest 212 champ. His victory tied Kevin English’s record of three consecutive titles, trailing only the great Flex Lewis.
“Three times sounds good, sounds a lot better than one and two,” Pearson said, during his post-victory interview with Bob Cicherillo. “It’s just been a ride, such an amazing prep.”
This win marks Pearson’s second consecutive title defense and validates a year of relentless preparation that began the moment he walked off the 2024 Olympia stage.
2025 Olympia Prejudging
The 30-year-old bodybuilder’s improvements were undeniable from the moment he walked onto the pre-judging stage.
Pearson weighed 200 pounds in 2024 and added 10 pounds of quality lean muscle tissue during his off-season while maintaining his trademark symmetry, proportions, and conditioning.
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During the opening quarter turns, Pearson’s X-frame dominated the lineup. His wide shoulders tapered dramatically to a tiny waist before flaring out again to sweep quads, creating the classical V-taper that judges reward.
However, it was during the mandatory poses that Pearson truly separated himself from the field.
His front double biceps showcased not only size but exceptional muscle fullness that gave his arms the coveted 3D aesthetic. The side chest revealed improved thickness through his torso, and his back poses displayed every fiber in the posterior chain in their full glory.
“Being very consistent after the ’24 Olympia, we went straight to work, you know, no breaks and just all gas,” Pearson explained. “As soon as we left the stage, we found out the weak points I needed to bring up, and we went straight to work, so the results show today.”
The improvements weren’t just physical. His stage presence has matured significantly since his maiden Olympia victory. He moved through his posing routine with the confidence of a champion who knows he is prepared better than anyone else.
The Making of a Champion
Born in Georgia, Pearson discovered bodybuilding through an unlikely path. Initially pursuing football in college, injuries redirected him to the weight room, where his exceptional genetics quickly became apparent.
In retrospect, it isn’t surprising that Pearson’s amateur career was so short. He earned his Pro card at his second show, the 2017 NPC USA Championships in the Classic Physique division. Pearson wasted no time and made his Pro debut at the 2018 IFBB Tampa Pro, earning a silver medal.
This was a huge confidence boost for Pearson, and it motivated him to jump into the prestigious Arnold Classic show the very next year, where he claimed a respectable fourth-place finish. He entered the Mr. Olympia riding this momentum, and repeated his fourth-place performance amongst a stacked lineup.
Although he was doing great in the Classic Physique division, the weight cap made him feel like he was not maximizing his potential, and so he decided to move to the 212 division in 2020.
The switch paid off instantly as he won the gold medal in his very first show at the 2020 Chicago Pro. Although this win qualified him for the Big O, he knew he had a lot of work to do, so he took the entire year off and requalified for the Olympia by claiming his second 212 Chicago Pro title in 2021.
The result, however, wasn’t something he was happy with as he had to settle for a 14th-place finish.
He sought judges’ feedback, went back to the drawing board, and turned around his physique in a very short time. He dominated the 2022 Tampa Pro and finished sixth at the 2022 Mr. Olympia – a giant leap.
The breakthrough came in 2023 when Pearson captured his first 212 Olympia title, defeating the legendary Shaun Clarida in a closely contested battle. He successfully defended his title in 2024 and now with his 2025 victory, has established a reign that shows no signs of ending.
Breaking the Internet & The Open Challenge
In the weeks leading up to the Olympia, Pearson generated a significant amount of buzz with preview photos and videos that showcased his shredded physique. To the fans’ delight, Pearson successfully translated those images to the stage, delivering on every promise he had made.
It doesn’t end here. There was also a lot of chatter about Pearson moving up to the Open division in the lead-up to the 2025 Olympia. “The Prodigy” used this opportunity to address it:
“I wanted to jump into Prague. I guess that was the Chris Bumstead (…and Shaun Clarida) effect,” Pearson explained. “It was cool seeing them, and I felt like, you know, why not try to join the squad? So I want to jump into Open shows, see how I do with the taller guys, bigger guys, and see how I stack up.”
This is the first time Pearson has officially announced that he will compete at the Prague Pro in two weeks. Taking on this challenge speaks volumes about Pearson’s competitive drive and confidence in his abilities.
When pressed about whether a potential Open qualification would mean leaving the 212 division behind, Pearson remained coy. “To be continued,” he said with a smile, leaving the door open for what could be one of bodybuilding’s most intriguing storylines in 2026.
Related Reads:
- 2025 Mr. Olympia Results & Prize Money — All Divisions
- 2025 Men’s 212 Olympia Results & Prize Money — Keone Pearson 3-Peats
- 2025 212 Olympia Prejudging Report
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