When we think back to our 2020 Olympia Women’s Physique predictions, all expectations were for 2-time Ms. Physique Olympia Champion Shanique Grant as the favourite to retain her title for the third year in a row. Grant brings a physique that balances well-developed, full muscles, with wide lats and a very slim waist. Put this incredible V-taper together with excellent legs, and you have a defending champion that is hard to defeat. When all was said and done, everyone was stunned to see Shanique dethroned, finishing as the runner-up to Sarah Villegas.
On New Year’s Eve, the former champion took to her YouTube channel to announce that she has decided to retire from competing. Shanique goes on to explain that she is so happy with all she has been able to accomplish. Starting with earning her IFBB Pro Card just 4 months after her first competition, to winning the Ms. Physique Olympia title in 2018 and 2019. Grant went on to explain that she has been contemplating this decision for the better part of a year now. Shortly after the Olympia contest, Shanique and her boyfriend both contracted Covid, but are already starting to feel better. She also has old surgeries and old injuries causing problems, needing another surgery on her eye and a new surgery on her forearm.
As she states in the video, she feels now is the time to take care of her health, as well as not agreeing with the direction the Women’s Physique division appears to be going. Shanique also explains her desire to start a family and to enjoy life.
“I know you guys are very confused on what happened (at the Olympia). All I can really say, and all I really know, is that the IFBB is looking for something completely new,” Grant said. “That’s okay, because I have been, and I am ready to finally announce my retirement. There’s so much more life to live.”
“I’m ready to live my life. I’m ready to be a mom,” Grant continued. “I’m ready to be a wife. I’m not saying that competing is going to stop that, or you can’t have both. Competing at my level, it takes everything out of you.”
While many fans are supportive of her decision, there were some that felt the decision to retire came as a result of Grant placing 2nd at the 2020 Olympia. She once again took to social media defending her decision and to clarify that it had nothing to do with the outcome at the Olympia. She suffers from severe back pain and eye pain on a regular basis and it’s time to take care of herself.
We can only hope that the future might bring Shanique Grant back to the Olympia stage once again. She is an incredible competitor, with limitless potential. At just 25 years of age, if she can take care of her injuries and surgeries now, we would not be surprised to see her come out of retirement. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking on our part though.
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