There’s no denying that I’m a fan of Shaun Clarida. What he’s done in the sport of bodybuilding is impressive. But what I want to know is, why isn’t he getting more accolades for what he’s doing?
If you really stop and look at what’s happening in bodybuilding right now, you have a bunch of empty promises and drama. Then you have guys like Shaun Clarida, who stays in his lane and simply collects hardware with nearly every show he enters.
The sad reality is that somehow, the conversation around Shaun feels quiet. Almost too quiet. Nearly nonexistent.
And that’s a shame.
We’re watching an athlete do something that almost never happens in this sport. And instead of nonstop hype, it’s being treated like business as usual.
It’s not.
In this article, I want to dive deeper into why I feel Shaun Clarida is the most impressive bodybuilder in the sport right now.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements into your current regimen.
Shaun Clarida Is Redefining What’s Possible
Shaun Clarida isn’t just winning shows. He’s winning shows across divisions. That alone should make people pause.
The 212 division is built for athletes under a specific weight cap. It rewards density, detail, balance, and conditioning. The Open division is a completely different animal. Bigger bodies. More mass. More size-driven expectations.
Most athletes pick one lane. Shaun Clarida didn’t. And somehow, he’s thriving in both.
At merely 5’2”, he’s doing things that very few can say they’ve ever accomplished in the sport. And to me, that’s insanely impressive.
Dominating the 212 Division
Let’s start with what Shaun Clarida is already known for. The 212 division. This is where he cemented his legacy. His muscle density is unreal.
His conditioning is consistently elite. His structure allows him to look massive without ever appearing blocky or smooth.
When Shaun Clarida steps on a 212 stage, he doesn’t just look competitive. He looks like the standard. That alone would be enough to build a Hall of Fame career.
But he didn’t stop there.
Crossing Into the Open Division
This is where things get wild.
Shaun Clarida started stepping on Open bodybuilding stages. Against athletes who outweigh him by 30, 40, sometimes more than 50 pounds.
On paper, this shouldn’t work. In reality, it does. That’s how crazy his physique is.
He brings a level of sharpness and maturity that many bigger competitors simply don’t match. His physique doesn’t disappear next to larger frames. It holds its own. Sometimes, it even steals the spotlight.
That’s rare. Very rare.
Why Shaun Clarida’s Success Isn’t Getting Enough Attention
This is the part that doesn’t make sense. If almost any other athlete pulled this off, the internet would be on fire. Endless headlines. Endless debates. Endless praise.
With Shaun Clarida, it feels muted.
Why?
Maybe it’s because he’s not the biggest guy in the room. Maybe it’s because bodybuilding fans are conditioned to obsess over scale weight. Maybe it’s because doing something unprecedented makes people uncomfortable.
But none of that changes reality.
Shaun Clarida is winning where he “shouldn’t.” And that deserves respect.
I look at him as the Bo Jackson of the bodybuilding world. Being able to crossover into various divisions (and win) shouldn’t go unnoticed. More bodybuilding journalists should be talking about this. The IFBB should be promoting the heck out of him. But they aren’t.
Doing What Others Won’t Even Attempt
Most 212 competitors won’t even consider stepping into the Open. The risk is high. The comparisons are brutal. One bad showing can hurt momentum.
Shaun Clarida took that risk. Not once. Repeatedly.
And instead of being exposed, he’s proving a point. Muscle quality matters. Conditioning matters. Stage presence matters. Size isn’t everything.
Shaun Clarida Represents a Shift in Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding goes through phases.
There are eras dominated by mass monsters. There are eras where shape and flow regain importance. Right now, we’re in a weird middle ground.
Shaun Clarida sits right at the center of that shift. He shows that you can be dense without being sloppy. Big without being bloated. Impressive without relying solely on scale weight.
That’s powerful.
And it’s something the industry needs to acknowledge more openly.
A Blueprint for Future Competitors
Younger athletes are watching. Hopefully, they’re taking notes. If not, they should be.
Whether they realize it or not, Shaun Clarida is setting a blueprint. He’s showing that smart training, disciplined nutrition, and relentless consistency can bridge gaps that genetics alone won’t.
He’s also proving that labels don’t have to define you. 212 competitor. Open bodybuilder. Those are categories.
Shaun Clarida is just a bodybuilder.
Why Shaun Clarida Deserves More Praise Right Now
This isn’t about hype for hype’s sake.
This is about recognizing excellence when it’s happening.
We spend a lot of time arguing about who should win shows. Who was robbed. Who came in off. Who peaked too early.
Meanwhile, Shaun Clarida keeps showing up. Keeps improving. Keeps winning.
Across divisions.
Against expectations.
Against narratives.
That’s impressive.
With a qualification in his possession for both 212 and Open, I truly hope the Olympia allows him to compete in both divisions. It would be super cool to witness a show as big as the Olympia, where you have a competitor standing in more than one lineup.
Consistency, Longevity, and Fearlessness
What stands out most isn’t just the wins. It’s the consistency.
Shaun Clarida doesn’t bounce wildly from look to look. He doesn’t rely on excuses. He doesn’t disappear after a loss.
He competes. He adapts. He comes back better.
That mindset is just as elite as his physique.
Each show, Shaun brings the crisp package we’re all accustomed to seeing. He’s consistent. And that consistency is what helps him live up to the name “The Giant Killer.”
Shaun Clarida Is the Most Impressive Bodybuilder (Right Now)
So, is Shaun Clarida the most impressive bodybuilder right now?
It’s a fair question.
He’s not just winning trophies. He’s challenging assumptions. He’s blurring division lines. He’s forcing people to rethink what “impressive” actually means.
Whether the industry wants to talk about it or not, Shaun Clarida is doing something special.
And history has a funny way of rewarding athletes who push the sport forward. Even if the applause comes later.
Author Bio:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the owner of Weik Fitness. With over 25 years in the supplement industry, Matt is a globally recognized and prolific writer. With a passion for creating health and fitness content, his work has been featured on thousands of websites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored more than 25 published books.
