Olympia Contest Coverage Sponsored by BODYPRO Gym
With the Olympia less than two weeks out, the anticipation is hard to bear for fans and competitors. With the 2020 Olympia moved to Orlando, Florida, we expect to see one of the most exciting Olympia contests in years. While the 212 Division of Men’s Bodybuilding has not been getting a lot of hype leading up to the big show, there is no lack of excitement for the incredible athletes in this category.
One very disappointing story in the 212 Division, was that of Keone Pearson withdrawing from the 2020 Olympia. After a fourth-place finish at the 2019 Olympia in Classic Physique, he stunned fans when he won the Chicago Pro show, making the move to the 212 Division. We look forward to seeing what he will bring to the stage next season.
Ever since 7-time 212 Olympia Champion Flex Lewis retired from the division, there has been less talk about the category. When we look at the lineup that will be stepping on the Olympia stage this year in 212, we see a number of impressive athletes to discuss. Even though most of the bodybuilding world had not predicted the outcome, it was Kamal Elgargni that claimed the 212 Olympia title in 2019. This shocking victory made Kamal only the second person to earn the 212 Olympia Championship since the category was introduced. We feel that being the reigning 212 Olympia Champion, along with the work Elgargni has been putting in with former champion Flex Lewis in preparation for this year’s contest, makes Kamal our prediction for the 2020 Mr. Olympia 212 Champion.
If there is someone else to claim the title this year, the most likely person that could take the title away from Elgargni in 2020 would be Derek Lunsford. It was Lunsford in 2018 that came in 2nd place to Flex Lewis in his final 212 Olympia contest. Derek then became the leading contender to claim the title in 2019, only to come runner-up once again when Kamal shocked the crowd. Lunsford has made his intentions clear, that he is coming for the top spot this year. He does not want to repeat his runner-up status for the third year in a row and his training shows this desire. He is looking solid and conditioning is already sharp. We look forward to seeing the final form he brings to stage.
Another name that cannot be left out of the conversation, is that of Ahmad Ashkanani. In his short time as an IFBB Pro, Ashkanani has won the Tampa Pro, New York Pro, Arnold Classic, and has been 212 Olympia runner-up twice. Ashkanani has always displayed an incredible physique, although his last two Olympia appearances have not been as impressive. It looks like he plans on bringing something new to the 2020 Olympia stage. He could be a bit of a wild card this year, depending on if he can bring the physique he is capable of when the time comes.
Rounding out our top picks for the 212 Division is George “Da Bull” Peterson. Previously Peterson has been competing in the Men’s Classic Physique category. After 3 consecutive third-place Olympia finishes, he has now made a switch to the 212 Division. We can’t think of anyone that would disagree with this move, as the amount of mass he’s been able to add to his frame is impressive. Normally coming in with a weight around 190 pounds, the additional 20+ pounds on his 5’7” frame has not gone unnoticed. Recent posts Peterson has been sharing to social media of his posing and conditioning in this final stretch could see him making a bigger splash on stage this year than even we are expecting.
One thing we do know for sure is these athletes will not disappoint when it comes time to battle it out on stage, in just a few days.
For more information, visit MrOympia.com as Trifecta presents Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend brought to you by Northern Chill and by Wings of Strength the weekend of December 17-20.
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