There’s no denying that I’m a fan of Shaun Clarida. What he’s completed within the sport of bodybuilding is spectacular. However what I wish to know is, why isn’t he getting extra accolades for what he’s doing?
Should you actually cease and have a look at what’s occurring in bodybuilding proper now, you’ve gotten a bunch of empty guarantees and drama. Then you’ve gotten guys like Shaun Clarida, who stays in his lane and easily collects {hardware} with practically each present he enters.
The unhappy actuality is that in some way, the dialog round Shaun feels quiet. Nearly too quiet. Practically nonexistent.
And that’s a disgrace.
We’re watching an athlete do one thing that nearly by no means occurs on this sport. And as a substitute of nonstop hype, it’s being handled like enterprise as normal.
It’s not.
On this article, I wish to dive deeper into why I really feel Shaun Clarida is probably the most spectacular bodybuilder within the sport proper now.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and shouldn’t be used to deal with or diagnose any situation. It is strongly recommended that you simply communicate along with your physician earlier than beginning any train program, making modifications to your vitamin plan, or including any new dietary supplements into your present routine.
Shaun Clarida Is Redefining What’s Potential
Shaun Clarida isn’t simply profitable exhibits. He’s profitable exhibits throughout divisions. That alone ought to make folks pause.
The 212 division is constructed for athletes beneath a selected weight cap. It rewards density, element, stability, and conditioning. The Open division is a very totally different animal. Greater our bodies. Extra mass. Extra size-driven expectations.
Most athletes decide one lane. Shaun Clarida didn’t. And in some way, he’s thriving in each.
At merely 5’2”, he’s doing issues that only a few can say they’ve ever achieved within the sport. And to me, that’s insanely spectacular.
Dominating the 212 Division
Let’s begin with what Shaun Clarida is already identified for. The 212 division. That is the place he cemented his legacy. His muscle density is unreal.
His conditioning is persistently elite. His construction permits him to look large with out ever showing blocky or easy.
When Shaun Clarida steps on a 212 stage, he doesn’t simply look aggressive. He seems like the usual. That alone can be sufficient to construct a Corridor of Fame profession.
However he didn’t cease there.
Crossing Into the Open Division
That is the place issues get wild.
Shaun Clarida began stepping on Open bodybuilding phases. In opposition to athletes who outweigh him by 30, 40, typically greater than 50 kilos.
On paper, this shouldn’t work. In actuality, it does. That’s how loopy his physique is.
He brings a degree of sharpness and maturity that many larger rivals merely don’t match. His physique doesn’t disappear subsequent to bigger frames. It holds its personal. Generally, it even steals the highlight.
That’s uncommon. Very uncommon.
Why Shaun Clarida’s Success Isn’t Getting Sufficient Consideration
That is the half that doesn’t make sense. If virtually some other athlete pulled this off, the web can be on fireplace. Countless headlines. Countless debates. Countless reward.
With Shaun Clarida, it feels muted.
Why?
Possibly it’s as a result of he’s not the largest man within the room. Possibly it’s as a result of bodybuilding followers are conditioned to obsess over scale weight. Possibly it’s as a result of doing one thing unprecedented makes folks uncomfortable.
However none of that modifications actuality.
Shaun Clarida is profitable the place he “shouldn’t.” And that deserves respect.
I have a look at him because the Bo Jackson of the bodybuilding world. Having the ability to crossover into numerous divisions (and win) shouldn’t go unnoticed. Extra bodybuilding journalists ought to be speaking about this. The IFBB ought to be selling the heck out of him. However they aren’t.
Doing What Others Received’t Even Try
Most 212 rivals received’t even think about getting into the Open. The danger is excessive. The comparisons are brutal. One unhealthy exhibiting can harm momentum.
Shaun Clarida took that threat. Not as soon as. Repeatedly.
And as a substitute of being uncovered, he’s proving a degree. Muscle high quality issues. Conditioning issues. Stage presence issues. Dimension isn’t every part.
Shaun Clarida Represents a Shift in Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding goes by way of phases.
There are eras dominated by mass monsters. There are eras the place form and stream regain significance. Proper now, we’re in a bizarre center floor.
Shaun Clarida sits proper on the heart of that shift. He exhibits which you could be dense with out being sloppy. Massive with out being bloated. Spectacular with out relying solely on scale weight.
That’s highly effective.
And it’s one thing the trade must acknowledge extra overtly.
A Blueprint for Future Opponents
Youthful athletes are watching. Hopefully, they’re taking notes. If not, they need to be.
Whether or not they notice it or not, Shaun Clarida is setting a blueprint. He’s exhibiting that good coaching, disciplined vitamin, and relentless consistency can bridge gaps that genetics alone received’t.
He’s additionally proving that labels don’t need to outline you. 212 competitor. Open bodybuilder. These are classes.
Shaun Clarida is only a bodybuilder.
Why Shaun Clarida Deserves Extra Reward Proper Now
This isn’t about hype for hype’s sake.
That is about recognizing excellence when it’s occurring.
We spend a number of time arguing about who ought to win exhibits. Who was robbed. Who got here in off. Who peaked too early.
In the meantime, Shaun Clarida retains exhibiting up. Retains bettering. Retains profitable.
Throughout divisions.
In opposition to expectations.
In opposition to narratives.
That’s spectacular.
With a qualification in his possession for each 212 and Open, I actually hope the Olympia permits him to compete in each divisions. It will be tremendous cool to witness a present as massive because the Olympia, the place you’ve gotten a competitor standing in a couple of lineup.
Consistency, Longevity, and Fearlessness
What stands out most isn’t simply the wins. It’s the consistency.
Shaun Clarida doesn’t bounce wildly from look to look. He doesn’t depend on excuses. He doesn’t disappear after a loss.
He competes. He adapts. He comes again higher.
That mindset is simply as elite as his physique.
Every present, Shaun brings the crisp package deal we’re all accustomed to seeing. He’s constant. And that consistency is what helps him stay as much as the identify “The Large Killer.”
Shaun Clarida Is the Most Spectacular Bodybuilder (Proper Now)
So, is Shaun Clarida probably the most spectacular bodybuilder proper now?
It’s a good query.
He’s not simply profitable trophies. He’s difficult assumptions. He’s blurring division traces. He’s forcing folks to rethink what “spectacular” really means.
Whether or not the trade needs to speak about it or not, Shaun Clarida is doing one thing particular.
And historical past has a humorous method of rewarding athletes who push the game ahead. Even when the applause comes later.
Writer:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the proprietor of Weik Fitness. With over 25 years within the complement trade, Matt is a globally acknowledged and prolific author. With a ardour for creating well being and health content material, his work has been featured on hundreds of internet sites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored greater than 25 printed books.
