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- Keone Pearson Clinches Third Straight 212 Crown After Razor‐Thin Battle [Mr. Olympia Special Edition]
Keone Pearson Clinches Third Straight 212 Crown After Razor‐Thin Battle [Mr. Olympia Special Edition]
A million-dollar showdown in Vegas is seeing dynasties stretch and new champions emerge.
The 212 division kicked off Friday night’s fireworks, and reigning champ Keone Pearson made sure the party stayed his. During prejudging, his full, round muscle bellies stood in stark contrast to Shaun Clarida’s grainy conditioning, teeing up a classic size‑versus‑shred debate. Pearson tightened up for the finals, flashing a hard back and balanced X‑frame that gave his rear lat spread freak factor judges couldn’t ignore. Clarida fought valiantly but ultimately settled for silver as Lucas Garcia rounded out the podium. The result? A three‑peat for Pearson, plus $50k for first, $20k to Clarida, and $12k to Garcia. [See How the Showdown Unfolded]
Fans packed the Resorts World Theatre as mass monsters stormed the stage for the Open division’s first look. Defending champ Samson Dauda flexed granite‑hard density, but Arnold Classic winner Derek Lunsford countered with flared lats and a razor‑thin waist. Andrew Jacked showed off improved lines and separation, and former champ Hadi Choopan hardened up with each comparison. Nick Walker’s long‑awaited return added a wild‑card vibe that electrified the crowd. The first callout – Choopan, Martin Fitzwater, Walker, Jacked, Lunsford, and Dauda – hinted at a battle too close to call, with second and third callouts stacked with names like Good Vito, Tonio Burton, and Urs Kalecinski. [Check the Callouts and Favorites]
Women’s bodybuilding queen added another jewel to her crown on Friday night. Andrea Shaw hit the Las Vegas stage with feathered quads and washboard abs, delivering her best look to date. Angela Yeo, who upset Shaw at the 2024 Rising Phoenix, faded to fourth as surging pros Leyvina Barros and Ashley Lynette Jones brought more balanced packages. Jones improved from last year’s bronze to take silver, while Barros snagged third. [Witness Her Historic Performance]
The Wellness stage has been Brazil’s playground for years, and a new name just joined the winners’ circle. Eduarda Bezerra, fresh off an Arnold Classic win, carried momentum into Vegas and showcased a balanced blend of lower‑body density and a lean, sculpted upper half. Isabelle Nunes’s trademark leg thickness kept the reigning champ in the conversation, but she ultimately conceded the title and settled for second. Elisa Alcantara delivered a career‑best look to claim bronze, while Rayane Fogal and Leonida Ciobu rounded out the top five. Bezerra’s breakthrough earned her $50k and confirmed that Wellness remains a Brazilian stronghold. [Relive the Showdown]
With three‑time champ Missy Truscott moving to the Figure division, the Fitness Olympia stage was wide open, and Michelle Fredua‑Mensah took full advantage. During prejudging, she and Allison Kramer separated themselves with polished physiques, but it was the final routines that clinched the win. Fredua‑Mensah’s athleticism, creativity, and energy wowed judges and fans alike, making her just the 12th athlete ever to capture the Fitness title. Jaclyn Baker – fresh off an Arnold Classic victory – finished a close second, while Taylor Learmont’s high‑flying performance secured third. [See Her Routine and Results]
Two titans clashed in Women’s Physique, and a former queen reclaimed her throne. Natalia Abraham Coelho, the 2022 champion, squared off against four‑time reigning champ Sarah Villegas in a battle of symmetry and separation. Villegas wowed the crowd with her signature kneeling poses and striated glutes, but Coelho’s deeply separated abs and fuller quad sweeps edged her ahead when it mattered. By the final callout, Coelho’s hard‑as‑nails look sealed the deal, with Villegas taking silver and Zama Benta earning bronze. [Get the Full Scorecard]
Cydney Gillon’s retirement left the Figure Olympia throne vacant, and the final delivered fireworks. British contender Rhea Gayle rose from seventh in 2023 to first in 2025, stepping on stage with a shredded, confident look that evoked memories of Gillon’s own swagger. Lola Montez’s balanced X‑frame kept pressure on the newcomer, while Masters O champion Jessica Reyes Padilla couldn’t recapture her 2024 momentum and settled for bronze. Judges scrutinized every detail in this open field, and Gayle’s polish and presentation proved decisive. [Catch the Surprise Upset]
The 61st edition of Joe Weider’s Olympia weekend isn’t just about trophies – it’s about unprecedented money and storylines. With a record prize purse turning bodybuilding into a million‑dollar spectacle, the Men’s Open winner will take home $600k and the coveted Sandow trophy. Across 11 divisions, Friday night produced both dynasties and first‑time champions: Andrea Shaw notched her sixth straight Ms. Olympia, Keone Pearson defended his 212 crown, and new winners emerged in Figure (Rhea Gayle), Fitness (Michelle Fredua‑Mensah), Women’s Physique (Natalia Abraham Coelho), and Wellness (Eduarda Bezerra). Meanwhile, Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford headline a Men’s Open showdown, and Classic Physique will soon see its first new champion since Chris Bumstead’s six‑year reign. In a weekend already packed with history, Saturday’s finals promise even more fireworks. [See Every Winner and Payout]
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