by Christian Duque
Everyone knows how the 2025 EVLS Prague Professional went. It was a contest with quite a lot of attention-grabbing factors of curiosity. For starters Martin Fitzwater was defending his 2024 title. It’s a cool factor when you could have a champion that takes the title so significantly that he returns to the competition the subsequent 12 months in prime kind and able to defend it in any respect prices. This was additionally a really massive return for Martin as a result of he positioned High 5 on the 2025 Mr Olympia. Not solely was he the defending champion, however now he was a competitor knocking on the proverbial door at being the best bodybuilder on the planet. That distinction alone would usually have stored the competitors away however not so quick!
2024 Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda, contemporary off a disappointing 4th place end, additionally threw his hat into the ring. Why on Earth would he do this? Who is aware of? However Prague marked the third present that he had competed in since successful the Olympia in 2024 that he got here up brief. I wrote an article about that a number of days in the past right here at IronMag, however nonetheless nobody knew he was going to return up brief and all people was flabbergasted that the lately defeated Mr Olympia could be gracing the stage at this contest.
Then after all, you had Keone Pearson crossing over after successful one more 212 Olympia Showdown. Pearson in peak form and firing on all cylinders. In actual fact, there have been some who thought The Prodigy would possibly pull off the upset defeating Martin and Samson. Everyone knows how the placings went. Martin gained, Samson took 2nd, and MICHAEL KRIZO positioned greater than KEONE?!? That final level resulted in large dialog all all through the web. However when Shawn Ray voiced his opinion, Michael Krizo simply wasn’t having it. And so, right here we’re, speaking about one other feud that will not finish anytime quickly.
So what’s the tea? What’s the 411 on this rigidity between an IFBB Corridor of Famer and an up-and-coming European professional bodybuilder? Nicely, it offers with opinions. All of us have them, however Shawn’s is slightly louder than most. He works intently with the Olympia, intently with Bob Cicherillo on the Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, and he’s additionally a sought-after professional in relation to expos and different health occasions. Ray can be an completed sponsored athlete and contest promoter. When “Sugar” Shawn Ray talks about opponents, all of them cease no matter they’re doing, they usually concentrate. I do know some guys prefer to low cost what the critics say, however they care. And you understand how I do know they care? KRIZO. KRIZO CARED. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have written this text, and also you wouldn’t be studying it.
So who’s Michael Krizo? He’s a European bodybuilder that at one time limit had a variety of promise. He’s a really giant competitor and has an terrible lot of mass on his physique. As regards to his posing, he leaves slightly bit to be desired. He’s a tough employee within the fitness center and he works laborious on stage which is essential. As regards to how aggressive he’s on the worldwide stage, that’s one other story.
Krizo is just not a competitor that for my part goes to win the New York Professional, the Arnold Traditional, or the Olympia. I believe that’s essential as a result of we’re discussing this competitor standing subsequent to one of many biggest bodybuilders within the 212 and who will greater than doubtless be in line to win a Sandow in open bodybuilding within the subsequent few years. I believe that Shawn Ray was actually shocked by the truth that Krizo positioned forward of Keone due to the truth that Keone is a much more aesthetic bodybuilder, had WAY higher situation, and is a much better poser.
And once I say KRIZO had higher situation, I imply simply that. Shawn was speaking about the truth that Krizo’s posing trunks had been actually buried in his physique. Like they disappeared earlier than his very eyes. That may be a very telling issue since you’re coping with a competitor that’s so giant that he’s nearly disproportionate to his body. And he’s standing subsequent to Keone, who’s a really effectively put collectively bodybuilder who ought to beat him each single time. These are simply info, bro.
When Shawn asks what “had been the judges considering?” It’s a really severe query. As a result of I’ve not discovered a single person who has agreed with that judging choice. And maybe you could suppose it’s an excellent name, however I definitely don’t. The truth that Shawn spoke out about it so rapidly can be very telling. This was not him being a bandwagon man. Ray is aware of physiques. Hell, he had among the best physiques within the historical past of the game. We’re speaking about essentially the most photographed bodybuilder in FLEX Journal historical past. That may be a very essential distinction as a result of this was throughout the heyday of the game. I believe Krizo will get it and the truth that such a well-respected bodybuilder rained on his parade most likely set him off.
Earlier than you go and throw the e-book at Shawn simply understand one essential element. As we identified firstly of the article, he’s additionally a bodybuilding commentator. And this touches upon one thing that a variety of opponents want to listen to, whether or not they need to or not. Rivals want to have the ability to settle for criticism. I don’t suppose that Shawn was being overly adverse; I believe he was simply making his case.
Bodybuilding is a subjective sport. I do know that everyone is aware of that catchphrase however do they actually know what it means? It implies that your outward look is a very powerful factor, not how laborious you practice within the fitness center, not how clear your weight loss plan is. It’s all about what the judges can see on the day in query. Now I don’t know what the hell the judges had been taking a look at in Prague when it got here to putting Michael in entrance of Keone however I digress. Shawn knew what he noticed, and he spoke out. My hope is that Michael will course of that slightly bit higher shifting ahead and perhaps do the large man factor, pun supposed, and choose up a telephone and apologize to Shawn. As a result of Shawn did completely nothing improper. I can’t actually say the identical factor about Michael. And it’s not simply Michael. Many opponents would have reacted this manner. And that’s not the best way to react in my humble opinion.
However what say you? Do you agree with the placings? As at all times, thanks for studying my article, right here, at IronMag. I look ahead to studying your suggestions within the feedback. Please make sure you copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It’s certain to generate full of life dialog.
