Shaun Clarida has options heading into the 2026 bodybuilding season. On Dec. 5, 2025, Jay Cutler discussed whether Clarida should have the right to compete in two divisions at the next Mr. Olympia.
Shaun Clarida is one of the few athletes in the IFBB Pro League to find success in more than one division. In 2020 and 2022, he captured the Men’s 212 Olympia title, solidifying his legacy. While he’s attempted to regain gold since Keone Pearson‘s takeover in 2023, thus far, he’s been unsuccessful.
After taking a close second behind ‘The Prodigy’ in Vegas, Clarida immediately mapped out contest plans. He jumped into the 2025 Japan Pro in the Men’s Open and won the event. He carries a lifetime qualification for the 212 Olympia, and thanks to his latest win overseas, ‘The Giant Killer’ is in a unique position heading into the biggest show of the year.
Jay Cutler Questions Whether Mr. Olympia Will Let Clarida Compete in Two Divisions
In the video, Cutler revealed that in the past, David Henry was allowed to compete in two divisions at the Mr. Olympia.
“Shaun Clarida just won, and he qualified. He put out a statement, ‘I want to both shows next year.’ ‘I want to do Open, but will they let me do it?’ Well, they used to allow it. I thought a couple of other people did it. I think David Henry did it. He did it, and he did it when he was with Muscle Tech, he did Open and the 202,” he shared.
The former four-time Mr. Olympia highlighted the health risks involved with an athlete competing at two shows in two divisions within 48 hours.
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“I don’t know for legality reasons if that would be okay. Because, dude, you’re peaking for two shows in two different days. You’re depleted, you’re dehydrated, I don’t know man… I don’t know how that would work.”
“I think they just let them pick one or the other. He could just decide to do the Open and not do the 212,” he said. “He’ still going [Shaun Clarida] and John Jewett trains him now.”
Clarida hasn’t been the only 212 Olympia champion to test the Men’s Open waters. Following more than a year of anticipation, Pearson finally made his splash in the Open class. He debuted at the stacked 2025 EVLS Prague Pro, holding his own against top talents. Pearson ended up securing fourth place, behind Michal ‘Krizo’ Krizanek, Samson Dauda, and Martin Fitzwater.
Clarida is in a powerful position going into next year. Time will tell if the Mr. Olympia allows him to compete in the 212 and the Open when the event returns to Las Vegas next Sept.
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