Clarida is a two-time 212 title winner and won the 2020 and 2022 Olympia competitions, but he was held back from victory this year after Keone Pearson won his third title in October 2025. That same month, Pearson attempted to qualify for the 2026 Olympia, but instead of focusing on a fourth 212 trophy, “The Prodigy” competed in the Open division instead. It was an impressive performance in Prague, in which he took fourth place, but lost to the likes of Michal Krizanek, Samson Dauda and Martin Fitzwater. But with a potential vacancy looming at the top of the 212 division, Shaun Clarida shocked many critics by making the trip to Japan to carve out his own place in the Open division, and the results on November 24 spoke for themselves.
“The last time I visited Japan in 2018, I competed in the same show but in the 212 division, where I came in second,” Clarida reflected via Instagram, just a few days after the 2025 Japan Pro. “This time I’ll be competing in the OPEN division again and competing against the big boys again. This is a very deep and impressive lineup and I’m excited to show up and put on a show for everyone!”
Shaun Clarida wins 2025 Japan Pro in the Open Division
Indeed, the massive lineup Clarida commented on included rising stars like Joan Pradells and mainstays like James Hollingshead and Marc Hector. Ultimately, however, Clarida was most impressed with Japan, with fans hailing his performance as “the perfect highlight.” That evening, Clarida captured a check for $16,000 and claimed his place on the 2026 Olympia Open podium.
The final results were as follows:
1) Shaun Clarida
2) Florian Poirson
3) Joan Pradells
4) Jan Turek
5) Marc Hector
For his part, Keone Pearson has stated that a a permanent move to the Open division is now unlikely because he wants to spend time getting even bigger, but for Shaun Clarida the biggest stage in bodybuilding beckons.
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