Bodybuilding beasts spend years preparing for a particular division, trying to maintain their weight class and tweak their bulk and conditioning. However, there are several cases where the 212 bodybuilders feel the need to upgrade. After Derek Lunsford and several others, bodybuilder John Jewett has joined the bandwagon. He recently revealed why he is not doing this year’s 212 Olympia and what made him choose the Open division over his former class in an interview.
Jewett recently made his Open Division debut at 2023 Legion Sports Pro, where he bagged second place. Unfortunately, this meant that he could not qualify for the Open class at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. While he still qualified for this year’s 212 category, Jewett surprised fans with his decision to keep looking forward and aim higher.
John Jewett reveals tough decision to not look back
In a conversation with Milos Sarcev and Chris Tuttle, Jewett sat down to talk about his debut in the Open class and what it meant for his bodybuilding future. After his first win in the 212 division at the 2019 Tampa Pro, Jewett hasn’t looked back.
And while he managed to create a successful record in his bodybuilding career, Jewett now wishes to find his place in a different class.
Before the Legion Pro championship, the icon was quite hyped about how this new category could help explore his full potential. In a previous conversation with Sarcev, Jewett admitted: “If you’re in shape you just go out there right? There’s also this thing like you don’t have anything to lose because you’re the 212 guy.”
But now, the athlete seems determined to not look back. After his Open debut, Jewett revealed his firm take on wanting to stick to the new class despite his qualification for the 212 division at this year’s Olympia. In a conversation with IFBB AMA, he revealed:
“When I did Atlanta, I was about 214 on stage, so we’re talking about 10 pounds of stage weight with…I’m conditioned right so there’s not like I was 5 pounds fatter and 5 pounds fuller. So to sacrifice that much, I lose so much like in my quads, my delts that it’s just…it’s just a lesser look. And how do you go back to that! We’re bodybuilders right? We want to see improvement! So I realized like at the open Olympia I probably would be in the…maybe the back of the pack. And that’s okay…but I’d rather be stepping on stage at my best and amongst the best in the world because we know hey the open is truly the pinnacle. I am qualified for the 212 Olympia but I won’t do it.”
So what lies ahead for Jewett?
While he didn’t qualify for the 2023 Mr. Olympia Men’s Open category, Jewett’s plan is to enter off-season prep right away. Although the loss was disappointing, the champion revealed he had no regrets about his decision:
“I have done mental gymnastics to like go through every scenario and what I would be okay with…like if I made those calls like would there be regret in any of them. And also looking at like what is my ultimate goal and why and what I’m doing and absolutely is to bring about the best and see out my best potential and what is the fast track way to do that”
This year may not see Jewett lock horns with Shaun Clarida at the 212-category stage. However, if the athlete manages to bulk up and nab the ticket to the Olympias next year, there will be even bigger threats to battle. Only time will tell if Jewett emerges as a threat in the Open.
Watch IFBB AMA’s full interview with John Jewett here:
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Published: 19 October, 2023 | 4:00 PM EDT
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