At the 2022 Legion Sports Fest, Shaun Clarida was able to win his debut in the Open Division. Now the former 212 Olympia champ is exploring the possibility of competing in both divisions at the 2022 Olympia.
Clarida was quite disappointed by the fact that he was unable to retain his 212 Olympia title this year, losing a closely contested battle with Derek Lunsford, but he wasted no time rebounding. He was back in action just two weeks later, making the shocking announcement that he was dabbling in the world of Open Bodybuilding, competing at and ultimately winning the 2021 Legion Sports Fest.
While at the time he made it clear that this was not a permanent move, Shaun is considering trying his hand at being a real life Giant Killer once more. Speaking in a recent interview, he explained that he planned on trying to use the qualification he now has for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, to compete in both the 212 Division and the Open Division at the same time, if they allow it.
“I would absolutely love the opportunity to do that. I would love to talk to Jim (Manion), Tyler (Manion), Jake (Wood), whoever is in charge of making that decision, and hopefully they would allow me to do that. That would be amazing,” Clarida said.
“Obviously we’re going to be at the show regardless, but with the improvement’s we’re going to make this coming year, obviously the goal is to get my title back at 212, but I would love to really push myself and see what I can do in the Open Olympia this year. It’s definitely a decision that the higher ups are going to have to make, I’m going to respect whatever decision they decide to go with, but yeah if they allowed me the opportunity to do that, to cross over and to move, you bet your ass I’m gong to do that.”
Not Committing To 212
That said, Shaun Clarida was actually playing a little coy when asked a follow up question. When asked if he would be competing in the 212 Division if they decided not to let him compete in both, he did not settle on a strict answer.
“I can’t say that right now. I really can’t say. One way or another, you’ll see me on the Olympia stage, either 212 or the Open this coming year,” he said.
It will be interesting to see what Shaun Clarida decides to do next. He has a lot of options in front of him, but if he competes in both the Open and 212, that would be a one of a kind spectacle.
Shaun Clarida Bodybuilding History
- 2021 Legion Sports Fest – 1st place (Open)
- 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd place
- 2020 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st place
- 2019 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 3rd place
- 2018 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 7th place
- 2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 9th place
- 2017 IFBB New York Pro – 2nd place
- 2016 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 13th place
- 2016 IFBB New York Pro – 3rd place
- 2015 IFBB Vancouver Pro – 1st place
- 2015 IFBB Toronto Pro – 2nd place
- 2014 IFBB Toronto Pro – 12th place
- 2014 IFBB New York Pro – 13th place
Find complete coverage of the 2022 Mr. Olympia, including pre-judging, event recaps, analysis, and final results at our Olympia coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia
Published: 29 October, 2021 | 1:19 PM EDT
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