Friday’s prejudging is behind us, and the Las Vegas stage—bearing the sign “Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend 2026”—is truly shaking to its foundations! We’ve finally witnessed the long-awaited showdown in the Men’s 212 category, where the densest and most “dehydrated” muscle mass faces a strict weight limit.
It’s clear that the spirit of the legendary seven-time king, Flex Lewis, still hovers over this category, but today’s 212 has its own rulers who don’t mess around.
“The Prodigy” is stepping on the gas
When champion Keone Pearson was called to the stage, it was immediately clear that this guy wasn’t here for silver. Keone is after his fourth title, and this year he clearly plans to put an end to the constant speculation that he should move up to the Open division with the heavyweights. He’s decided to cement his legacy in the 212.
Last year’s brutally close battle with Shaun Clarida clearly kept him up at night. This year, Keone brought an incredible balance to the stage—bulky, full, and in perfect conditioning. When he flexed his rear double biceps and spread those legendary wings (lats), he displayed such density that even the judges probably had to brace themselves. He thus deservedly held onto that coveted spot in the center of the stage.
The Giant Killer Is Still in the Game
But let’s not kid ourselves that Shaun Clarida was going to make it easy for him. “The Giant Killer” hasn’t lost any of his famously tough edge. When he tenses up, it looks as if someone carved him out of granite. His muscle definition stood out from the stage, and throughout the entire prejudging, he made it clear that he wouldn’t give up Keone’s throne without a fight.
The beauty of muscle is not dead
While Pearson and Clarida brought mass and hardness, Lucas Garcia and Vitor Alves Porto De Oliveira saved the day for aesthetics. Their shapes and overall symmetry rightfully catapulted them into the absolute elite and ensured that both the first call and the final call were incredibly exciting.
Who is in the running for medals?
You can already tell from the callouts how the cards are stacked:
First Callout – Podium Elite: Right from the start, the judges brought the top contenders to the front so we could see who’s in charge:
- Keone Pearson (Reigning Champion)
- Shaun Clarida (Rock-Solid Former Champion)
- Lucas Garcia (Aesthetic Powerhouse)
- Vitor Alves Porto De Oliveira (Shape and Symmetry)
- Nihat Kaya
- Felipe Moraes
Final Callout—At the very end of the prejudging, the judges selected only the top four, from whom the new (or returning) champion will emerge. Who will come out on top?
- Lucas Garcia
- Keone Pearson
- Shaun Clarida
- Vitor Alves Porto de Oliveira
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