Fans and fellow athletes alike were caught off guard when Shanique Grant announced her retirement from competition at just 25 years old. Now Sarah Villegas is trying to get her to return, and has offered a pretty steep cash prize if she does.
Grant came into the 2020 Olympia as a two-time Women’s Physique champion. However that year belonged to Villegas, who snatched the throne from Shanique, who came in second place.
Shortly after this performance, Shanique shocked the bodybuilding community by announcing her retirement, after just six years of competition and at only 25 years old. Nevertheless, she opted to end her career, citing injuries and the desire to put a focus on her family instead of competition.
Now it seems that Sarah Villegas wants to see Shanique Grant back on the bodybuilding stage, and give her a tough competition. In fact, she offered a bold challenge to the former champ, with a post to Instagram.
Here the reigning Women’s Physique Olympia champ challenged Grant to return to competition, for the 2021 Olympia. She says that she will offer Shanique $20,000 to win the Olympia, but if Sarah wins, she gets Shanique’s medal from the 2019 Olympia.
“I’m all about competition and @therealfitnessbeauty, you bring great competition to stage. Let’s give the fans something they really want… Here is what I have for you:
You come back this year and face me at the 2021 Olympia and if you win, I’ll give you $20,000 cash out of pocket (willing to put the money in escrow now with anyone you choose). But if you lose, you give me your 2019 Olympia gold medal,” Villegas wrote.
“We’re still 20 weeks out, you have plenty of time to get ready. Let’s go!! #TurningNegativeToPositive#Olympia2021 🥇
PS. This is not meant to be negative so please keep it classy everyone 🙏💜”
This is quite the bold challenge from Sarah Villegas, who makes it clear that she only means this call out in a good natured way. It will be interesting to see if Shanique chooses to take her up on this offer, especially given the completely understandable reasons for her initial retirement.
With her being so young, it would not be surprising to see Shanique Grant make a comeback at some point in her life. If it does happen, you can expect fans to be eagerly watching to see if she can reclaim her throne.
Do you think that Shanique Grant will take Sarah Villegas up on her offer to comeback and compete at the 2021 Olympia?
Published: 22 May, 2021 | 11:11 AM EDT
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