Tag: Flex Lewis
Olympia Legend Flex Lewis Comments On Will Smith’s Oscar Slap
Will Smith’s slap has taken the world by storm following the Oscars with many weighing in on the incident.
The show was stolen during the Oscars when Will Smith took great offense to a joke made by Chris Rock during the show and ended up slapping him in the face. This is an incident that has caused many to weigh in and that includes those in the bodybuilding world.
Flex Lewis is one of those who decided to share his opinion on social media. Lewis took to Twitter on Monday following the moment on Sunday night.
“Funny how Will Smith wants (friend) Chris Rock “to keep his wife’s name of out his mouth” but cool to allow his wife’s mouth to put different names of mens in her? Oh Hollywood”
Funny how Will Smith wants (friend) Chris Rock “to keep his wife’s name of out his mouth” but cool to allow his wife’s mouth to put different names of mens in her? ??♂️ Oh Hollywood pic.twitter.com/jp1NVXoS7F
— Flex Lewis (@Flex_Lewis) March 28, 2022
Flex Lewis, like many others, is likely referring to the romance between Jada Pinkett Smith and August Alsina. This was an affair that happened when Smith and his wife were separated. The public has questioned why Smith reacted this way toward Rock but did not with Alsina.
Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, like happens many times during award shows.
“Jada, I love you; G.I Jane 2, can’t wait to see it”
This was the comment that prompted Will Smith, who was seen laughing on screen, to leave his seat and approach Rock. Because of his reaction, viewers were unsure if this was a legitimate stunt or if it was a setup for television purposes. Nothing has come out to make anyone believe that this was scripted.
Flex Lewis remains a huge name in bodybuilding. The seven-time 212 Olympia champ still has to qualify for the 2022 competition. He has yet to receive a special invitation like he did in 2020. Lewis was forced to miss the event with an injury and did not compete in 2021. Since he might be looking to make a change into Men’s bodybuilding, Lewis could require qualification rather than another invitation.
No matter what area you are focused on, the incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock was put on display on Sunday night.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Did Mr. Olympia Just Finally Tease A Special Invite For Flex Lewis?
Image via Instagram @flex_lewis
The Mr. Olympia top brass made a surprise visit to Flex Lewis’ gym – is it for an official special invite?
On Friday, March 4th, 2022 – Dan Solomon posted what he labeled a “developing story” by making a surprise visit to Flex Lewis seemingly teasing a special invite to Mr. Olympia 2022. This news comes after much controversy earlier in the year, when Solomon seemed to indicate that, without an official special invite, Flex Lewis was currently not qualified to compete at the Olympia. While the video in question did not reveal or confirm a special invite – it ended with a “too be continued” graphic.
Flex Lewis has had quite the roller coaster of a career ever since his retirement from the Men’s 212 stage in 2018. Lewis is already a confirmed true legend in the sport. He is a 7x Men’s 212 Olympia champion. He is considered by many to have one of the greatest physiques in modern bodybuilding history. After his retirement, many thought he was done for good. But he later confirmed that he would in fact move up to the Men’s Open division to compete in the Mr. Olympia.
Unfortunately, we have yet to see him on the Mr. Olympia stage. Due to a variety of circumstances, Flex Lewis had to defer his Men’s Open debut. Many believed that 2022 would finally be his year to step on stage and challenge the Men’s Open top brass.
But this excitement was somewhat dashed when Dan Solomon did a Q&A on Instagram earlier in the year. Answering a fan question, Solomon claimed that, as it stands now, Flex Lewis is not qualified for the Mr. Olympia 2022. Usually former Olympia champions and top 5 athletes get automatic invites to the next year Olympia. But due to a technicality, Lewis has not yet qualified. While he was a Men’s 212 Olympia champion – he never competed in Men’s Open. So technically he is not yet qualified.
But all of that seems to be about to change based on the teaser video Dan Solomon posted on Instagram. In the video, Dan Solomon along with other key Mr. Olympia personnel made what they call a “surprise visit” to Flex Lewis’ gym. The camera follows them through the parking lot, into the gym, and show a hardy greeting with Flex Lewis. Then the video cuts to show a graphic – “TO BE CONTINUED.”
Dan Solomon also included this comment with the video:
“Developing Story: The Olympia bosses made a surprise visit yesterday to the Dragon’s Lair gym in Las Vegas….and the cameras were rolling!”
The fact that Solomon has posted the video using official Mr. Olympia branding seems to all but confirm that he will be receiving a special invite. When they decide to drop the other half of the video revealing the full info is currently unknown.
Many fans and fellow athletes were enraged upon originally hearing that Flex Lewis was not automatically qualified for the Mr. Olympia. Though there were some who believe that a special invite was always in the cards – and that the Olympia brand was simply trying to drum up headlines to build excitement and promote the event as a whole.
While we cannot at this moment say that Flex Lewis is officially invited, it seems more than likely considering other special invites that have been given over the years. There’s no doubt Lewis being present on the Olympia stage is a big draw for many fans. It will be one of the true X factors of the event. We hope that he will be able to compete – whether it be via special invite or an official qualification through competition. Time will soon tell.
Make sure to stick around the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more updates on everything bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports!
Jay Cutler On Flex Lewis’ Olympia Status: ‘I Think He Definitely Deserves A Special Invitation’
Jay Cutler believes Flex Lewis has earned the right to compete at the Olympia.
Jay Cutler knows a thing or two about the Olympia competition. When he speaks on the subject, people listen and he recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding Flex Lewis‘ status for the 2022 show. Cutler believes that Flewis has earned the right to be given a special invitation come December.
There is still plenty of time for Lewis to gain qualification or receive an invitation. The conversation has sparked already and many do not understand why Lewis is not in just yet. Lewis has a lifetime invitation to compete at the Olympia but only in the 212 division, which he has won seven times in his career. He has since switched to Men’s Open.
Flex Lewis received a special invite to compete at the 2020 Olympia. He was forced to miss this show because of an injury that was not revealed. Lewis wanted to return in 2021 but personal issues kept him off the stage. Now, he will have to work his way back in 2022.
Jay Cutler, who is a four-time Olympia champion, weighed in on this topic during a recent episode of Cutler Cast. This is a podcast where Cutler discusses the recent topics in bodybuilding with guests. In this episode, he discussed Lewis’ current situation and how important it would be if he was able to compete this year.
“They gave him the invite two years ago. He couldn’t do it, he had health issues or whatever. I understand; he’s a seven-time 212, and we always talk about like, I hate saying Mr. Olympia because it’s confusing for people right? People say he’s a seven-time Mr. Olympia, but it’s totally different. He won his class, it’s a different class, it’s not the open Mr. Olympia. I think he definitely deserves a special invitation.”
Jay Cutler compared the current situation surrounding Flex Lewis to Kai Greene, who received many invitations over the years but has turned them all down. Cutler explains how this should be Lewis’ last invitation before he must earn the right by winning a show.
“I feel that if he does not compete this year, they should not give him another one. They gave one to Kai Greene for years and he just wouldn’t take it. If anyone deserves it, it’s him.”
The question remains, how would Flex Lewis fare after years away from the stage? Especially in Men’s Open. While it is still just February, Lewis has a chance to earn qualification to the Olympia and answer the question. Until then, he can still receive an invitation at some point.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Andrew Jacked Hits Shoulders With Flex Lewis and Milos Sarcev
Andrew Jacked trains with veterans Flex Lewis and Milos Sarcev.
Andrew Jacked recently trained shoulders with former 212 kingpin Flex Lewis and bodybuilding legend Milos Sarcev. The three collaborated at Lewis’ Dragon Slayer Gym out in Las Vegas.
In order to get to the next level one needs to be shown the ropes by those who came before them. It takes a certain level of coach to get an athlete to the top of the game. A veteran bodybuilder with champion level experience is just what the doctor ordered for a competitor looking to become a world champion. Andrew Jacked is one such athlete with such aspirations.
Training for the Arnold Classic Amateur 2022, Andrew Jacked is taking his preparation seriously. The budding IFBB prospect has become extremely popular in the last few years and has become a fan favorite. Many believe that he can really make waves in the IFBB.
In order to get himself ready for the big time, Andrew Jacked has been getting some coaching from the best of the best. Not only has he been training with bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler, but he’s also joined forces with another bodybuilder with the Flex moniker.
Flex Lewis has been hard at work prepping to make his Open Bodybuilding debut. He’s also opened one of the most successful bodybuilding gyms out there, The Dragon’s Lair. Originally based in Florida, the gym has now moved to Las Vegas and has attracted the attention of many talented competitors. Andrew Jacked is among the talented bodybuilders to frequent the Dragon’s Lair. Now he hopes to use the facility and the knowledge of Flex Lewis to his advantage.
High Level Collaborators
Recently Andrew Jacked joined forces not only with Flex Lewis, but with fellow bodybuilding legend Milos Sarcev. The three went through a detailed shoulder training session that will no doubt take Andrew’s arm game to the next level.
Shoulder workout and posing tips from the 7xMrO 212 @flex_lewis & @milossarcev . More than a Blessing to be in the Midst of these two at the same time.
See the full training here.
It’s clear that Andrew Jacked has what it takes to become a standout in the IFBB. Should he win at the Arnold Classic Amateur, he’ll not only receive a pro card, but an invite to the Arnold pro event in 2023.
What do you think about Andrew Jacked training shoulders with Flex Lewis and Milos Sarcev?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Talking Huge: Craig Golias Reacts To Hulk Hogan’s Physique At 68 Years Old
[embedded content]
Craig Golias talks Hulk Hogan’s recent physique update, Flex Lewis’ Olympia qualification status, and leg training in modern bodybuilding.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias decides whether or not Hulk Hogan is still jacked or not and weighs in on the Flex Lewis Olympia qualification controversy.
This week, we dive head first into three of the most engaging stories published on Generation Iron over the past week. The three topics discussed are Flex Lewis’ qualification status for Olympia 2022, Milos Sarcev’s recent comments on leg training in modern bodybuilding, and Hulk Hogan’s latest physique update at 68 years old and the comments that followed. Let’s jump into it!
Hulk Hogan’s Physique at 68 Years Old – Is He Jacked Or Not?
Hulk Hogan posted recently on Instagram showcasing a front double bicep pose at 68 years old. The image caught attention across the mainstream web for his impressive physique at an older age. When shared via Generation Iron and other bodybuilding news outlets – the bodybuilding community criticized his physique. Claiming that he was not really very jacked at all.
Craig Golias looks over the image and weighs in with his thoughts. He’s shocked how harsh the bodybuilding fans were – claiming that holding that level of muscle at 68 years old is extremely impressive. In fact, Golias believes that the internet will always find ways to criticize and spread negativity. In fact, odds are it’s a small but loud minority that pushes the narrative.
Hulk Hogan may not look like a Men’s Open bodybuilder that the fans are used to seeing – but even many former bodybuilding legends are smaller than Hogan appears in his recent post. Craig Golias is willing to call a spade a spade. And in his mind, Hulk Hogan looks impressive for his age.
Should Flex Lewis Get Automatic Qualification To Mr. Olympia 2022?
Dan Soloman made headlines this week by posting an Instagram story that seemed to claim Flex Lewis is only qualified for Men’s 212 Olympia this year. This seemed to imply that Flex would have to qualify this year to get into the Men’s Open competition. The internet went into a frenzy – claiming that he deserved a special invite. Soloman back tracked the next day – stating that it is only January and that special invites have not been decided yet.
Craig Golias believes the entire situation is a mess. To Craig, it’s clear that a legend like Flex Lewis should have automatic Olympia qualification for any division he wants to compete in. If in fact he will receive a special invite – the misleading statement made as of now drummed up controversy for no reason.
Do Bodybuilders Today Not Train Legs Hard Enough?
Craig Golias also weighed in on Milos Sarcev’s recent statements in our GI Exclusive interview. Sarcev stated that today’s bodybuilders have weak legs – and there is no excuse for it. In fact, Sarcev believes training legs is easy but modern bodybuilders simply don’t want to train them as hard.
Craig isn’t quite sure about this statement. He thinks this all comes down to genetics. Sarcev’s belief that training legs is easy probably comes from the luck he had with genetics. For others on the Olympia stage – they most likely train just as hard but their genetics make it harder to build those muscle groups up.
Wrap Up
You can check out the full conversation in the latest episode of Talking Huge above. Watch Craig go into full detail about Hulk Hogan, Flex Lewis, Milos Sarcev and also watch Craig answer some fan questions. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Flex Lewis May Not Be Qualified for the 2022 Olympia…Yet
Will Flex Lewis have to qualify for the 2022 Olympia?
Flex Lewis may not be qualified for the 2022 Olympia. The information was recently dropped by Chief Olympia Officer Dan Solomon on his Instagram page.
There was a time when the bodybuilding world was excited to see former 212 Olympia kingpin James “Flex” Lewis compete in the Men’s Open Bodybuilding division. Things were all set and ready for the popular bodybuilder to take to the stage. Then he got injured and had to deal with personal issues and things got turned on it’s head. Since that time fans have been waiting to learn when Flex Lewis would step on the Olympia stage as a Men’s Open Bodybuilder.
With that said it seems that while the hopes of Lewis on an Olympia isn’t out of the question, it appears that he may have to earn his way back on stage.
Not Qualified?
According to a recent story post on Dan Solomon’s Instagram account, Flex Lewis may have to qualify for the 2022 Olympia in the Men’s Open division. While originally he had been given a special invite to compete at the 2020 Olympia. But since his injury forced him off the event and he didn’t compete at all in 2021, no word has been issued as to whether or not he was qualified for the 2022 Olympia. That is until now.
A recent story post made by Chief Olympia Officer Dan Solomon has possibly confirmed the status of Flex Lewis’ qualification status. It appears that Lewis isn’t qualified for the 2022 Olympia, at least not in the Men’s Open. The answer was recently prompted by a question issued to Solomon. The Chief Olympia Officer gave his answer in a pretty concise story post.
Still Training Hard
It appears that Flex Lewis will have to earn his way onto the Olympia stage in the Men’s Open. If this stands it means that Flex Lewis will have to compete at a major show in order to qualify. Of course things are always subject to change, but as it stands now, we may be seeing Flex Lewis on stage competing in the Men’s Open division ahead of the Olympia.
Still, Flex Lewis is hard at work in the gym and is looking strong.
Leg day training at the one and only @arsenal_strength Showroom.
An update to Dan Solomon’s Instagram may now suggest that Flex Lewis will receive a special invite after all.
And the rollercoaster just keeps trucking along. What do you make of Dan Solomon’s updates?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
YouTube star Big Boy joins Flex Lewis For Workout
Big Boy and Flex Lewis recently joined forces for a workout.
Big Boy has turned into a fitness star on YouTube. With over 750,000 subscribers to his page, there is plenty of interest in the workings of this new sensation. Recently, Big Boy joined seven-time Olympia 212 champion Flex Lewis for a workout.
The two joined forces at the Dragon’s Lair gym in Las Vegas. This is Lewis’ gym and Big Boy made the trip in order to put together some strong content. The duo wasted no time and put themselves through a strenuous workout full of many different exercises and rep counts.
Big Boy shared the video to his YouTube page to show his journey through the gym to his followers.
“What’s up guys, so we just finished a shoulder workout. Today, I took Big Boy through a 40-minute workout. You know, as I was saying on his channel earlier, this is a completely different workout style to his as he is usually chasing singular reps as everyone knows, how powerful he is, you know. This is kind of a more isolated muscle group,” Flex Lewis said.
Flex Lewis took Big Boy through a massive shoulder workout. This was the part that was required the most work because of Lewis’ style of training. He does not chase after max lifts but focuses on volume to work the muscles. This has worked throughout his career as Lewis built a championship winning physique.
This is something fans could see back on stage soon. Flex Lewis recently reunited with coach Neil Hill. Following this announcement, it was said that big things could be coming for Lewis in 2022. The duo is looking to accomplish great things after coming together once again.
Lewis is not the first athlete that Big Boy has joined for a workout. In August, he met up with former World’s Strongest Man champion Brian Shaw. The two crushed the gym in the form of a huge back workout. Big Boy continues to join the best of the best to see how elite competitors train on a daily basis.
It is clear that Flex Lewis is back to putting in work in the gym in a big way. As you can see in the video, he is looking like the champion that he is and that means the comeback could be on its way. This is something fans have been waiting for and as the new year creeps closer, Lewis continues to improve and get into competition shape.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Flex Lewis Shares Massive Chest Day Workout
Former 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis recently shared a huge workout for chest day.
Flex Lewis is one of the best bodybuilders in the history of the 212 division. He has taken some time away from competition but still destroys the gym on a regular basis. Recently, Lewis shared a massive chest workout to his YouTube page.
Lewis let viewers into a chest day of his. The amount of work that has been put in recently shows that the bodybuilder could be close to returning to competition. There have been talks of special things coming in 2022 for Lewis. This is especially true since he is reunited with coach Neil Hill. This is something that fans have been waiting for since Lewis last competed in the 2018 Olympia.
Lewis captured seven consecutive Olympia 212 titles from 2012-2018. The 2018 competition was the last time he competed before stepping away due to personal matters and different injuries. With 2021 coming to an end, Lewis should be back on stage soon and has been training hard.
This particular chest workout from Lewis is one that did not feature many exercises but plenty of reps. He went to work in his Dragon’s Lair Gym, along with Dom Cardone. Below, you can find the full list of workouts along with the rep count that Lewis completed for each one.
Standing Cable Chest Fly
Lewis began his chest workout with an exercise that stretches muscles and helps reach a full range of motion. This loosens up chest muscles and maximizes potential to build muscle. Lewis completed 22 reps of this exercise as a warmup before getting into heavier weight.
Seated Strength Machine Chest Press
The chest press machine helps target many upper body muscles and this is a reason it is one of the best exercises to work on chest day. Chest press hits pectoral muscles hard but also shoulders and triceps in the process. Lewis continued his workout by competing 21 reps on this machine.
Dumbbell Press
Lewis then went onto dumbbell press. He grabbed two 60-pound dumbbells and went over the the flat bench. He completed 16 reps while laying down followed by nine on the next set. The dumbbell press boosts overall strength. This is works the same muscles as the chest press machine but is a different variation. The dumbbell press requires a bit more control than a regular bench press.
Seated Machine Chest Press
The final exercise in Lewis’ workout is the seated machine chest press. He completes 27 reps on the machine. Lewis increased the number of sets throughout the workout. This specific exercise helps avoid errors in form and allows the lifter to keep control throughout the motion.
[embedded content]
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Flex Lewis Pays Respects To Shawn Rhoden And States: “Something Needs To Be Done”
Flex Lewis pays tribute to Shawn Rhoden after his passing and believes “this life could have been saved.”
The bodybuilding community was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden. While there has been no official announcement for the cause of his death – original sources speculated it was caused by a heart attack. Many bodybuilding fans, athletes, and coaches have paid their respects to the late pro bodybuilder. Including Men’s 212 legend Flex Lewis – who took to Instagram to not only pay tribute but think aloud on the recent deaths that have struck bodybuilding.
Flex Lewis made a lengthy post on Instagram – and it’s clear he took time to thoughtfully explore his thoughts not only on Shawn Rhoden’s passing but the many too-soon deaths in bodybuilding over the past year.
In the post, Lewis states that he took several hours to write the post and rewrote it many times before making it public:
“This has taken several hours to write/ rewrite deleted. Why am I writing another obituary for another close friend ? We only yesterday spoke about plans to meet up today, after 3wks on the road I was looking forward to catching up with my friend. I took the call about Shawns passing at 2am and not slept since. All day I have tried to make head n tails of it, but I started to think of some the wonderful memories I had with Shawn, we traveled the world competing together, working expos, shows, guest posings and I will hold on to them memories dearly. My heart goes out to his daughter who is around the same age as Adiena I have posted photos of our last win together were we got to celebrate with our Olympia trophies and our biggest trophies our daughters.”
Flex Lewis Pays Tribute to A Man, A Friend, And An Athlete
Flex Lewis was not simply a fellow athlete – but a friend to Shawn Rhoden and was set to actually meet up with Rhoden this very day (as of this writing). It’s clear that first and foremost Lewis wanted to pay respects to a man, a friend, and a legendary athlete.
And it seems Flex Lewis felt the need to make that specifically clear due to a swarm of online comments speculating on the cause of his death, connecting it with other deaths, and turning the passing of his life into some sort of anti-bodybuilding message. He goes on to express his frustration with some of the communities reaction to Rhoden’s passing:
“As the night turned to morning I started to see posts and read some of the most unbelievable things today, just like I did when Dallas passed away. I am deactivating comments because quite honestly I don’t wanna read opinions on how you thought he died, and what he should or shouldn’t done. Celebrate a man, a Mr Olympia champion whom you have cheered for, met at a expos taken photos with.”
A Call For Change
Despite this frustration, Flex Lewis does believe that something needs to change in the sport. While he doesn’t want Shawn Rhoden’s death to only represent talking points for health issues in bodybuilding – he does acknowledge that to completely ignore the past year’s growing list of young deaths cannot be an option.
Flex Lewis closes out his statement claiming that “something needs to be done for the future” of bodybuilding:
“I do agree that something needs to be done for the future, too many athletes are not having regular health checks, I feel lives can be saved if something is implemented or you can’t compete.We lost a good man today, a friend, a father and a champion, I say this with great sadness but I feel this life could of been saved.”
Most notable is the final sentence of Flex Lewis’ statement. He seems to believe that Shawn Rhoden’s death was preventable. We won’t know that for sure until more information comes out on the cause of his death. Regardless, calling for better health measures in any sport does not sully the lives already lost – nor does it matter if these deaths are strictly connected to bodybuilding. Better health measures is always a good thing. If this is what helps spark improvements then so be it.
Lewis makes this confidently clear in his post. He wants to mourn the man first, and hope for a healthier future second. Both can be respected equally.
It’s clear that Shawn Rhoden’s passing is still fresh in the community’s minds and each individual is reacting to the news differently. Generation Iron would like to once again send condolences out to friends, family, and anyone affected by this tragic loss.
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 18: Shaun Clarida & Flex Lewis’ Men’s Open Future
[embedded content]
Craig Golias reacts to Shaun Clarida’s Men’s Open win and debates about his potential in Men’s Open Olympia alongside Flex Lewis and Hadi Choopan.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias discusses the growing number of Men’s 212 athletes moving to Men’s Open including Shaun Clarida, Flex Lewis, and Hadi Choopan. He also talks thoughts on Only Fans and neck training.
The bodybuilding season might be coming to a close but there’s still a lot of exciting news coming out of the sport post Olympia. While the European Tour is no where near as momentous as it was in decades past, some interesting results have surfaced over the last few weeks. The biggest news was not simply Shaun Clarida winning a Men’s Open competition – but his announcement that he wants to try and compete in both Men’s 212 and Men’s Open Olympia next year.
This news alongside Hadi Choopan’s switch two years ago and the impending debut of Flex Lewis in Men’s Open is bringing a wave of Men’s 212 athletes into Men’s Open. How will it all turn out? Vlad Yudin connected with Craig Golias for a new episode of Talking Huge to discuss at length. Let’s jump into it.
Shaun Clarida’s Men’s Open Victory
At the Legion Sports Fest Pro 2021, Shaun Clarida turned heads by announcing he would compete in the Men’s Open division. This put him against the likes of Regan Grimes and Sergio Oliva Jr. Even more surprising were the results – Clarida beat out Grimes and Oliva Jr. for his first victory in Men’s Open. We asked Craig Golias his thoughts on the victory.
While Craig Golias congratulates Shaun Clarida for the victory – he doesn’t see this as a big change for Clarida’s career. In Craig’s opinion, Clarida wasn’t going up against the best of the best Men’s Open competitors. Craig also points out that Clarida isn’t just any Men’s 212 athlete – he’s the former Olympia champion. A Men’s 212 Olympia champion going against a lineup of non-Olympia champion Men’s Open competitors is very different than if Clarida was competing in the Men’s Open Mr. Olympia.
Of course, it seems that Shaun Clarida knows this as well. He’s already made a statement in a recent interview claiming that he’d like to try and compete in the Men’s Open Olympia. In his perfect world, he’d be allowed to compete in both Men’s 212 and Men’s Open. If and when that occurs, we’ll be sure to follow up with Craig Golias on his take.
The Bigger Picture: More Men’s 212 Athletes Move To Men’s Open
We also asked Craig Golias his opinion in the wider view regarding Men’s 212. Over the past few years, a handful of impressive Men’s 212 athletes have moved over into Men’s Open. Hadi Choopan has been competing in Men’s Open Olympia for three years and has made it into the top 5 each year. Flex Lewis has been preparing for his Men’s Open debut at Mr. Olympia – but has not yet competed due to personal circumstances. And now – Shaun Clarida looks to be making waves in Men’s Open.
Could this be a signal that size is starting to play less importance in Men’s Open? After decades of “mass monster” physiques reigning supreme, will aesthetics start edging out size as a deciding factor for victory? Craig Golias is excited to see what happens. He’s curious to see what Shaun Clarida can do in Men’s Open Olympia. He’s by far the shortest competitor in Men’s 212 to make the transition. Craig is most excited for Flex Lewis. He believes if any Men’s 212 competitor could move up and win Men’s Open Olympia – it would be Lewis.
Wrap Up
There are far more topics discussed in this episode than we can cover in this article. Craig Golias also discusses the world of Only Fans and if he would ever make an account. He also talks about neck training and gives an update on his nerve damage injury. You can check it all out in the latest episode of Talking Huge above! Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!