Ought to Olympia Rivals Be Allowed to Compete in A number of Divisions?

Dennis James was joined by Milos Sarcev, Jose Raymond, and Joe Palacios for episode 246 of The Menace Podcast, and in every week the place Urls Kalecinski introduced his transfer from Traditional to Open competitors, the gang debated whether or not or not bodybuilders ought to have the ability to compete in a number of classes, notably Keone Pearson, who has dominated the 212 subject since 2023.

The possibly controversial chat concerning Olympia guidelines bought began when Milos Sarcev stated that Keone Pearson, who’s the back-to-back 212 Olympia champ, ought to be allowed to compete within the Open division too.

“Mr Olympia is the very best bodybuilder on this planet,” stated Sarcev of successful within the Open division, explaining that he couldn’t perceive why if a competitor akin to Pearson competes within the 212 finals on sooner or later, why he can’t enter the Open division the following day throughout Olympia weekend. “I’m opening a can of worms once more,” admitted Sarcev. “We’re gonna depart that may closed and sealed,” joked host Dennis James, noting that they didn’t have the ability to make these sorts of choices. “I really feel you,” stated The Menace, nonetheless. “I feel the identical.”

How Would Keone Pearson Truthful within the Open Division?

Below the present guidelines, it’s doable to qualify for the Olympia in a number of classes, however when the occasion comes round, you have to select which division you wish to enter. This situation has typically given bodybuilders a troublesome selection about what weight they need to make, or how they’d honest in the event that they have been to comply with their hearts to a distinct division. Chris Bumstead famously wrestled with sticking within the Traditional division when there’s extra money to be made within the Open class. Derek Lunsford additionally took his time shifting from 212 to Open however gained the occasion outright in 2023.

“For those who qualify for each, it’s best to have the ability to compete in each,” stated The Menace. “Nevertheless it’s less than us.” James concluded by agreeing with Milos Sarcev that Keone Pearson didn’t have any competitors within the 212 division in his view. “The place do you assume he would place, within the Open?” requested Jose Raymond. “I might say I feel he locations as excessive as fourth, proper now,” responded Joe Palacious, the up-and-coming bodybuilder who took third place within the 2025 Tampa Professional and second place within the Texas Professional.

Milos Sarcev went additional, suggesting that Pearson had a shot at successful ought to be discover himself within the Open division, whereas acknowledging that this yr’s ultimate, with defending champion Samson Dauda, plus Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Nick Walker will probably be “off the charts.”

Keone Pearson has expressed a number of instances that he see’s the Open division as his future, however for now the massive man stays focussed on 212 as he makes an attempt to threepeat his title at this yr’s Olympia. To look at the total episode the place the boys additionally went into element on rising star Joe Palacious’ coaching, contest prep, and different breaking bodybuilding information, see under: