Clarida is ready to compete with the massive boys.
In his current competitive ventures, Shaun Clarida has little to prove. The bodybuilder has won two of the last three 212 Olympia titles (2020, 2022) and, as he maintains his impeccable physique with diligent nutrition and training, he seems destined to proceed said reign for so long as he pleases. Nonetheless, in the meanwhile, the athlete is perhaps able to challenge himself and take a look at ventures outside his usual comfortable scope. He’s implied as much by competing within the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic within the Men’s Open division.
A recent update on his 2023 AC preparation suggests Clarida is about to maximise this chance. On Jan. 31, 2023, Clarida posted an image to his Instagram profile where he wrote that his body weight within the photo is 190 kilos (86 kilograms).
“We ain’t hiding for this one. Able to shake things up in Ohio!”
With the 2023 AC roughly five weeks on Mar. 2-5, 2023, in Columbus, OH, Clarida’s present mass — including stacked lat muscles on his 5-foot 2-inch frame— makes it appear he could push his larger peers.
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Based on NPC News Online, the 2023 AC is not going to be the primary instance where Clarida competes within the Men’s Open division. His previous and only other appearance within the category happened on the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro, where he got here in first place. Otherwise, the bodybuilder has been a 212 athlete in 22 of 25 profession contests.
Some within the bodybuilding community have surmised that Clarida would eventually work toward a everlasting shift to the Men’s Open division. In 2022, the athlete didn’t quell these rumors until mid-November, noting he had “unfinished business” en path to his second 212 Olympia title the next month. On the time of this writing, Clarida hasn’t made his plans clear for the 2023 Mr. Olympia — set for this November in Orlando, FL. He may decide to chase a repeat championship and his third 212 victory within the last 4 years. Or he might follow within the footsteps of the peer who supplanted him for the 212 title in 2021, Derek Lunsford, and take a look at to shine on the Men’s Open level under brighter lights.
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What Clarida’s berth within the 2023 AC might suggest (a $300,000 prize notwithstanding) is that he’s now seriously considering making a move. He may very well be starting a recent journey in his illustrious profession in due time.
No matter where Clarida takes his profession next and the way he fares on the 2023 AC, it’s apparent that this titan isn’t planning to fade into obscurity any time soon. Be it within the 212 or the Men’s Open, Clarida is liable to proceed making noise on enormous stages for the foreseeable future.
Featured image: @shaunclarida on Instagram