Keone Pearson shocked the bodybuilding community when he announced that he would be moving from Classic Physique to 212. Now he opens up about that decision.
Pearson made his Olympia debut a few weeks ago, and he made an impression. Competing in Classic Physique, he managed to earn 4th place, despite making his first run at the Olympia. Subsequently his physique caught the attention of fans of the division.
However in a surprising turn of events, Keone Pearson announced that he would no longer be competing in Classic Physique. Despite his success, he announced that he will be moving up to the 212 Division. This resulted in some disdain among fans of Classic Physique.
Following this decision, Pearson explained why he chose to do this. He spoke with Shawn Ronline about the choice to move up.
“Yeah man, 212 is definitely the direction we planned on going to, me and my coach. It’s always been in our back pocket, but we just wasn’t going to say anything at the time, until after the Olympia. So it was just time to make that move.”
Furthermore, Pearson goes on to detail the struggles he had making 180lbs for the Olympia. Subsequently, these struggles are what confirmed to him that it was time to move up.
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“I think it would just be a pain in the butt just keep trying to make 180lb. My body wants to grow.
Honestly, I’d say I was a week and half, two weeks out, I was 188lbs for the Olympia.
I was shredded at 188lbs, and my coach had the bright idea, he was like ‘This is like, okay. You can really do 212.
You’re shredded at 188lbs, and so now we’ve got to sacrifice muscle just to get you to 180.'”
Pearson went on to explain that he did not want to make that sacrifice.
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Keone Pearson further explains how he feels this is preventing him from being at his full potential. Moreover, he expresses that he feels he can grow and fill out his frame. However, there are some concerns that he would lose his excellent physique, and outgrow his waist. Nevertheless, Pearson does not think this will be a problem.
“There’s ways to do things. Genetically I have a small waist. I practice my posing a lot, I train my vaccum, so that will never go away.
Honestly I feel like if I put on more mass, that’s just going to bring out my shape even more. I just feel like I’ve got room to grow.”
Pearson also explains that he looks to the likes of Shawn Ray for inspiration at the 212 Division. In his opinion, Ray has the ideal physique for 212, and he hopes to fill in similarly. He looks to grow into a shape that matches Ray’s, as the two are basically the same height.
Watch the full interview with Keone Pearson is below.
Do you think he will find as much success there, as he did at Classic Physique?
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