by Christian Duque
Everyone knows how the 2025 EVLS Prague Professional went. It was a contest with quite a lot of fascinating factors of curiosity. For starters Martin Fitzwater was defending his 2024 title. It’s a cool factor when you might have a champion that takes the title so critically that he returns to the competition the following 12 months in prime type and able to defend it in any respect prices. This was additionally a really huge return for Martin as a result of he positioned High 5 on the 2025 Mr Olympia. Not solely was he the defending champion, however now he was a competitor knocking on the proverbial door at being the best bodybuilder on the planet. That distinction alone would usually have stored the competitors away however not so quick!
2024 Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda, recent off a disappointing 4th place end, additionally threw his hat into the ring. Why on Earth would he do this? Who is aware of? However Prague marked the third present that he had competed in since profitable the Olympia in 2024 that he got here up brief. I wrote an article about that just a few days in the past right here at IronMag, however nonetheless nobody knew he was going to return up brief and everyone was flabbergasted that the just lately defeated Mr Olympia could be gracing the stage at this contest.
Then in fact, you had Keone Pearson crossing over after profitable one more 212 Olympia Showdown. Pearson appeared to be in peak form and firing on all cylinders. In actual fact, there have been some who thought The Prodigy may pull off the upset defeating Martin and Samson. Everyone knows how the placings went. Martin received, Samson took 2nd, and MICHAEL KRIZO positioned increased than KEONE?!? That final level resulted in super dialog all all through the web. However when Shawn Ray voiced his opinion, Michael Krizo simply wasn’t having it. And so, right here we’re, speaking about one other feud that won’t finish anytime quickly.
So what’s the tea? What’s the 411 on this pressure between an IFBB Corridor of Famer and an up-and-coming European professional bodybuilder? Nicely, it offers with opinions. All of us have them, however Shawn’s is somewhat louder than most. He works intently with the Olympia, intently with Bob Cicherillo on the Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, and he’s additionally a sought-after professional in terms of expos and different health occasions. Ray can also be an completed sponsored athlete and contest promoter. When “Sugar” Shawn Ray talks about opponents, all of them cease no matter they’re doing, and so they concentrate. I do know some guys prefer to low cost what the critics say, however they care. And you know the way I do know they care? KRIZO. KRIZO CARED. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have written this text, and also you wouldn’t be studying it.
So who’s Michael Krizo? He’s a European bodybuilder that at one cut-off date had a number of promise. He’s a really giant competitor and has an terrible lot of mass on his physique. With reference to his posing, he leaves somewhat bit to be desired. He’s a tough employee within the fitness center and he works onerous on stage which is essential. With reference to how aggressive he’s on the worldwide stage, that’s one other story.
Krizo shouldn’t be a competitor that in my view goes to win the New York Professional, the Arnold Traditional, or the Olympia. I believe that’s essential as a result of we’re discussing this competitor standing subsequent to one of many biggest bodybuilders within the 212 and who will greater than seemingly be in line to win a Sandow in open bodybuilding within the subsequent few years. I believe that Shawn Ray was actually greatly surprised by the truth that Krizo positioned forward of Keone due to the truth that Keone is a much more aesthetic bodybuilder, had WAY higher situation, and is a much better poser.
And after I say KRIZO had higher situation, I imply simply that. Shawn was speaking about the truth that Krizo’s posing trunks had been actually buried in his physique. Like they disappeared earlier than his very eyes. That could be a very telling issue since you’re coping with a competitor that’s so giant that he’s virtually disproportionate to his body. And he’s standing subsequent to Keone, who’s a really effectively put collectively bodybuilder who ought to beat him each single time. These are simply information, bro.
When Shawn asks what “had been the judges pondering?” It’s a really severe query. As a result of I’ve not discovered a single individual that has agreed with that judging choice. And maybe you might suppose it’s a superb name, however I definitely don’t. The truth that Shawn spoke out about it so rapidly can also be very telling. This was not him being a bandwagon man. Ray is aware of physiques. Hell, he had top-of-the-line physiques within the historical past of the game. We’re speaking about probably the most photographed bodybuilder in FLEX Journal historical past. That could be a very essential distinction as a result of this was in the course of the heyday of the game. I believe Krizo will get it and the truth that such a well-respected bodybuilder rained on his parade in all probability set him off.
Earlier than you go and throw the e-book at Shawn simply understand one essential element. As we identified originally of the article, he’s additionally a bodybuilding commentator. And this touches upon one thing that a number of opponents want to listen to, whether or not they need to or not. Rivals want to have the ability to settle for criticism. I don’t suppose that Shawn was being overly unfavourable; I believe he was simply making his case.
Bodybuilding is a subjective sport. I do know that everyone is aware of that catchphrase however do they actually know what it means? It signifies that your outward look is crucial factor, not how onerous you prepare within the fitness center, not how clear your weight loss plan is. It’s all about what the judges can see on the day in query. Now I don’t know what the hell the judges had been in Prague when it got here to putting Michael in entrance of Keone however I digress. Shawn knew what he noticed, and he spoke out. My hope is that Michael will course of that somewhat bit higher shifting ahead and perhaps do the massive man factor, pun meant, and choose up a telephone and apologize to Shawn. As a result of Shawn did completely nothing improper. I can’t actually say the identical factor about Michael. And it’s not simply Michael. Many opponents would have reacted this fashion. And that’s not the way in which to react in my humble opinion.
However what say you? Do you agree with the placings? As all the time, thanks for studying my article, right here, at IronMag. I look ahead to studying your suggestions within the feedback. Please you should definitely copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It’s certain to generate energetic dialog.