Maybe it won’t happen today, maybe it won’t happen tomorrow, but eventually, bodybuilder Keone Pearson believes he’ll win the Open Mr. Olympia. In a recent YouTube video shared on December 11, 2024, Pearson set his sights on a future showdown with reigning Olympia winner Samson Dauda. He also compared Dauda’s physique to bodybuilding legend Chris Cormier and argued he would have cracked the top three at the Open 2024 Mr. Olympia contest.
Keone Pearson blew up in 2023 after claiming the Texas Pro title and dethroning Shaun Clarida to become the newly established 212 Olympia champion. Although some fans thought he caught ‘The Giant Killer’ slipping on the prestigious stage, Pearson proved his win wasn’t a fluke in 2024.
When they met at the ‘Super Bowl of Bodybuilding,’ Pearson shut the door, cementing himself as a two-time titleholder with pristine shape, massive legs, and a paper-thin waist. In light of his success in the 212, questions around whether he’ll move into the Open class like Derek Lunsford has surfaced. And while Pearson has made it clear his home is in the 212 category, he continues to flirt with the idea of testing himself in the unrestricted Men’s Open class.
Keone Pearson Sets Sights on Samson Dauda Showdown in Future: “I Will Win Mr. Olympia One Day”
According to ‘The Prodigy,’ had he competed at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, he believes he would have finished in the top three.
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“I would say in the top three [at Open 2024 Mr. Olympia] 100 percent,” shared Pearson. Yes 100 percent.”
He adds that he’s not in a rush to move into the Open class even though fan pressure continues to mount.
“There’s no rush for me to do that. It’s really awesome that people are telling me that now, because last year it was more so can he do it again. Now, it’s like he needs to go to Open and that’s what we’ve been hearing since after the show.”
“Everybody is trying to speak for me on social media and stuff so it’s unfortunate I have to make it really clear that I’m not moving up even though I’m not telling no one that I’m going to another division,” he stated.
Before he caps off his career, Keone Pearson wants to ‘catch’ Samson Dauda before he stops bodybuilding.
“Yeah, 100 percent I do. I want to catch Samson before he stops bodybuilding so hopefully I can catch him when I move up one day and he’s still there. I want to go against him. For sure, why not? I’m not that type of guy that runs away from competition. I don’t care how good you are.”
“I want to go against these guys. I want to go against the best of the best. I’m not in this sport to just be comfortable. I want to against these guys, these bigger 300-pound guys,” he shared.
Pearson didn’t mince words, confidently predicting he’ll one day win the Open title at the Mr. Olympia. He’s not the only one to suggest as much. IFBB judge Terrick El Guindy also praised Pearson’s physique and believes he could fight for the Open Mr. Olympia title on the horizon.
“That’s the goal. I will win a Mr. Olympia one day before I’m done with bodybuilding,” he said. “Hopefully I can catch him [Samson Dauda].”
When asked if he believes Dauda will defend his title for years to come, Pearson said it’s certainly a possibility given the improvements he continues to make.
“We’ll just have to see [if Dauda can defend multiple years]. I don’t want to speak on another man’s future on what they’re doing but I guess we’ll see. He has the drive.
He shows that he makes consistent improvements which is insane, like I was telling my fiance not too long ago that it’s insane someone can make these improvements on prep because he’s always doing shows and stuff.”
He also shared that Dauda’s physique reminds him of the 1990s era of bodybuilding and likened his look to bodybuilding legend Chris Cormier.
“He hasn’t really taken an off-season because he’s always doing the shows which is great for the sport. I do think as long as he keeps improving he can win for sure. Samson has a wicked physique.
We haven’t seen someone that big in a long time, especially with that type of structure. It always reminds me of the 90s. Like a Chris Cormier-ish type physique. That’s how I see a Samson physique. It’s very very impressive.”
For now, Keone Pearson is firmly committed to not only conquering the 212 category but growing it to new heights. He hopes in the coming months to affect change and increase the overall prize money at bodybuilding events. He would also like to see the division re-introduced at the annual Arnold Classic competition.
Although it might not happen anytime soon, Pearson wants to face Samson Dauda before it’s too late. How do you think he’d fare in the Men’s Open division at the Mr. Olympia?
Watch the full video from the TFE Media YouTube channel below:
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