Keone Pearson, fresh off winning his third consecutive 212 Olympia title, will test the waters of the Men’s Open in just two weeks. In his Oct. 12 post-victory interview from the 2025 Olympia, Pearson revealed his winning strategy for the EVLS Prague Pro, set for Oct. 26.
Pearson entered the 2025 Men’s 212 Olympia as the reigning titleholder. Ahead of the show, he nearly broke the internet with a jaw-dropping physique update, which immediately got fans talking about his chances in the Men’s Open.
He definitely isn’t the first 212 star to test himself against Open mass monsters. His predecessor, former two-time titleholder Shaun Clarida, made a killing competing as an Open Bodybuilder, so much so that his nickname is “The Giant Killer.”
Pearson has the aesthetic shape and muscle bellies to hold his own against athletes who outweigh him. With that in mind, questions about how he’d compare with top Open talents continue to gain traction. The curiosity will end soon, and Pearson is confident that if he doesn’t play the size game, he’ll get his hand raised in the Czech Republic.
Keone Pearson On Winning Strategy For Open Debut at 2025 Prague Pro: “I Have to Play My Game”
In the YouTube video, Pearson expressed excitement about getting to compete with the ‘big guys’ of the Open.
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“Right now, we’re officially two weeks out from Prague to do my Open debut, to see how I stack up with the big guys. Yeah, I’m excited about that.”
As for strategy, “The Prodigy” stressed that it won’t depend on size. Instead, he said he has to play to his strengths, focusing on shape, aesthetics, and muscle separation.
“It’s not about playing the size game. I can’t play other people’s games; I have to play my game. Once we look back on this look and if we think it’s good enough for Prague, then that’s what we bring to Prague.
I don’t believe we need to be 2–4 pounds bigger. I think with my structure and the conditioning and the flow that I bring, I don’t need to do that. Let the other guys play that game. I’ve got to play to my strengths,” said Keone Pearson.
For now, he intends to get some rest before resetting for Prague in two weeks:
“I’ll have about five days [when I arrive in Prague]. So I’ll have more than enough [time]. Tomorrow, right back on plan. I’ll have a nice little clean meal back in the hotel, back on plan. I’m just worrying about getting rest.”
Historically, we’ve seen elite 212 competitors find success in the Men’s Open. Aside from Clarida, former 2021 Men’s 212 Olympia Derek Lunsford switched into the Open and, within two years, won the Sandow trophy. Lunsford went on to make history at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, winning back his title and joining Jay Cutler as only the second IFBB Pro to reclaim the honor.
Keone Pearson doesn’t believe he needs to reinvent the wheel to dominate the Prague Pro. As long as he brings his signature aesthetics and balanced proportions, he is confident he’ll be in the running for gold in his Open debut.
Watch the full video from the NPC News Online YouTube channel below:
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