The date is set, the athletes are ready, and fans couldn’t be more thrilled to see them all square off on the Olympia stage this October. In a special video shared on August 5, 2024, 212 Bodybuilding stars Keone Pearson and Shaun Clarida smoked their backs with an Olympia Battle Workout nine weeks from the sport’s biggest event of the year.
As a two-time 212 Olympia winner, Shaun Clarida has represented the top of the division for years, having out-muscled credible threats on the marquee stage including Kamal Elgargni and the current reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford. He has also enjoyed success as an Open competitor but after dropping his 212 title to ‘The Prodigy’ last year, Clarida’s focus is on winning it back.
Pearson’s aesthetics and shape were potent weapons on the 2023 Olympia stage, which undoubtedly helped him edge out Clarida. Having compared his saga with Clarida to the rivalry of Kai Greene and Phil Heath, both men are feeling the pressure as preparations intensify for the October showdown.
212 Bodybuilders Clash With 2024 Mr. Olympia Back Battle Workout
Before the two tested each other’s strength, power, and endurance, they opened up on their progress ahead of the biggest show of the year.
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“I feel great man, we’re approaching nine weeks out from the Mr. Olympia. It’s crazy. Time is flying but I’m super excited for the 60th Olympia, this is going to be very huge for us and also for all the fans around the world. I hope you stay tuned it’s going to be a really really good time,” said Keone Pearson.
Shaun Clarida gave respect to the new champion but emphasized that he’s more focused than ever on bringing home a third 212 Olympia title this October.
“First and foremost, I’m not going to take away from the champ, he won, deservedly so. He and his team did an amazing job. Like you said, I had a lot going on in life, I just moved to Texas, started a shoe line, and started a gym. My focus wasn’t on the Olympia like it needed to be. Now things are in place, family is doing amazing, the focus is back on the Olympia, and god willing getting that third title this year,” Shaun Clarida shared.
“Everything is just firing on all cylinders this year. I’m the best I’ve ever looked and felt at nine weeks out. You guys are going to see something special. I promise you that.”
Pearson doesn’t underestimate the challenge of retaining the title and said he’s training like ‘he never won’ with a chip on his shoulder.
“Once you’re at the top now you have to keep it. My mindset now is to keep it and also me and my girlfriend talk about it, I train in the gym like I never won. I don’t want to get comfortable. I’m not cocky. I just pretend like I never won so I can keep that hunger and that fire in me.
So, that’s what’s pushing me and honestly, I know Shaun is a freak and that’s pushing me to be better. Kind of like how with Jay and Ronnie, Jay got better because of Ronnie Coleman and that’s kind of how I feel with Shaun,” explains Pearson.
The Workout
Check out their exercise selections below:
- Cable Lat Pullovers
- Close-Grip Lat pulldown
- Seated Wide-Grip Cable Row
- One-Arm Dumbbell Bent-Over Row
- Close-Grip Seated Cable Row
Pearson and Clarida begin the workout under the tutelage of bodybuilding great Chris Cormier, who offered pointers before they jumped on cable lat pullovers. The intensity in the room shifted during close-grip lat pulldowns and Clarida pushed Pearson to near failure, screaming, ‘If you want it go get it!’
After smoking sets of seated wide-grip cable rows, the boys move to the free weights section for one-arm dumbbell bent over rows. In between their workout, judge Terrick El Guindy teased what’s at stake for two of the best 212 talents on the planet.
“After the Open guys and then Ramon doing the [hammer curl with 110s] and Nick Walker, you know, a lot of people think it’s just a workout, it’s not. They want to showcase their strength, their technique, their stamina, they want to send a message to the other competitor, I can last longer than you. It’s competition. That’s what we strive for.”
When asked if this is how he normally trains, Pearson had the following to say before finishing the workout with the close-grip seated row machine:
“Yeah, 100 percent like we said before we came here, we said we was going to come here to train, not joke around, not talk, but actually train and have fun. This is what we do. We’re the best in the world. We don’t have time to put on for the camera. We’re here to train.”
The 2024 Mr. Olympia contest is shaping up to be an unforgettable affair with President Dan Solomon reassuring the fanbase that its 60th anniversary will be packed with entertainment. Don’t miss the 2024 Mr. Olympia on October 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Who do you think won this Olympia Battle workout?
RELATED: Keone Pearson Demolishes Brutal Upper Body Training Session During 2024 Off-Season
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