The 2025 Japan Pro is stacked as competitors aim to lock down their 2026 Olympia qualifications. Taking to YouTube on Nov. 19, bodybuilding veteran Iain Valliere revealed his top 10 picks for the event.
Joan Pradells heads into this competition as one of the favorites. His physique is well-rounded with no standout weaknesses, and he’s remained one of the more consistent athletes of the 2025 bodybuilding season. At the Prague Pro, he battled with Samson Dauda and Martin Fitzwater en route to fifth place. A week later, he competed at the Poland Pro and came extremely close to gold. In the end, he finished second, with Andrea Presti taking home the win.
Undeterred, Pradells took his talents to the Romania Muscle Fest Pro, but had to deal with an all-time best Andrew Jacked. Once again, he settled for silver, leaving him without a ticket to the Mr. Olympia. He’ll have another shot in Japan, but faces a daunting roster of threats.
Mass monster James Hollingshead could steal the show. He’s competed often throughout 2025, with his last performance coming at the ESN British Grand Prix in fifth place. Additionally, former two-time 212 Olympia titleholder Shaun Clarida will make another Men’s Open splash. He recently claimed third place in the Open at the Mexico Pro. With big stakes on the line, Valliere revealed who he sees having the edge when they all take to the stage.
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Iain Valliere’s Top 10 Picks for the 2025 Japan Pro
Find his picks from the video below:
- Winner— Joan Pradells
- Second Place — James Hollingshead
- Third Place — Shaun Clarida
- Fourth Place — Marc Hector
- Fifth Place — Florian Poirson
- Sixth Place — Jan Turek
- Seventh Place — Stuart Sutherland
- Eighth Place — Mazaher Tabaniabarghani
- Ninth Place — Won Sik Hwang
- Tenth Place — Matthew Oreilly
Despite Clarida’s experience and history of success, Valliere has him in third place, which could be due to his height. Fans also expect statement performances from the UK’s Marc Hector and Stuart Sutherland. It’s a huge opportunity for these athletes, as there are limited chances to clinch Olympia qualifications.
The 2026 Mr. Olympia has yet to reveal its official date. However, Dan Solomon confirmed that the prestigious contest will remain in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whoever takes home gold in Japan can focus solely on Olympia preparations without having to worry about peaking again for another contest.
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Watch the full video from the Fouad Abiad Media YouTube channel below:
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