Tag: Keone Pearson
Hunter Labrada, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov & Keone Pearson Shine in Recent Guest Posing
The IFBB Pro League has arguably never been more loaded with talent. In a collection of Instagram posts, fans were blown away by recent guest posing appearances from Hunter Labrada, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, and Keone Pearson.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition approaching, athletes are on a mission to secure their qualifications. They have until the October 9 deadline. One competitor who has yet to earn his invite is Hunter Labrada, son of bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada.
Last year at the Mr. Olympia show, Labrada slipped placings. However, in 2022 he encountered difficulties as he dropped to seventh. In the aftermath, Labrada mentioned that problems arose with his prep and peak.
Moreover, fans and judges alike took notice of his washed-out midsection, which prevented him from placing higher. That hindrance is something Hunter has worked diligently on to fix. In addition to gut health shakes, he regularly practices vacuum poses for abdomen control. He and his father announced that Hunter planned to compete at the 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro on the horizon. With five weeks away, Hunter appears to be close if not, at his all-time best.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, meanwhile, traveled a different path en route to becoming an IFBB pro. Last year he switched from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the NPC (just like Michal Krizo). He wasted no time in earning his IFBB Pro card at the 2022 Musclecontest International Brazil Nationals. Vito, who has gone viral several times online for his freaky physique, has ambitious plans this year like Hunter.
Good Vito has kept fans updated on his progress before his next show. Considering his jaw-dropping physique updates, many consider him a frontrunner heading into the 2023 European Pro Championships in nine weeks.
And the 28-year-old Keone Pearson is another big name in the sport ready to dominate. Having found success in the Classic Physique division, fans are excited to see Pearson’s continued transformation in 212. He plans to compete in the 2023 Texas Pro in approximately five weeks. En route to the big day, Pearson has let fans in on his 3,500-calorie diet.
Hunter Labrada Looking Massive in Guest Posing Appearance
Check out Labrada’s recent guest posing appearance at the 2023 NPC South Central USA.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov Guest Poses, Falls Off Stage, and Reportedly Hospitalized
During Good Vito’s guest posing obligation at the 2023 Musclecontest International Brazil, his freaky muscularity and huge arms/quads were on full display. However, when he attempted to exit the stage by jumping off from the front, he appeared to injure himself.
Keone Pearson Teases Statue-Esque Physique While Guest Posing Before 2023 Olympia
Keone Pearson is five weeks from taking to the stage in Texas. You can find clips from his latest guest posing session at the NPC Twin Cities Open below:
All three of these competitors are after the same thing: a ticket to the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia contest – the biggest bodybuilding show of the year. There is no point system now so athletes who intend to enter Mr. Olympia must win a pro event. This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia will take place in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Having re-introduced deadlifts back into his workout routine, Labrada is optimistic about his chances in Texas, where he’s expected to face the reigning champion, Andrew Jacked. They actually competed against each other at Olympia last year with Hunter getting the upper hand.
Should Good Vito prove successful in getting an Olympia invite, many in the sport already see him as a promising threat. Top Men’s Open competitor Iain Valliere told Fouad Abiad during a recent Bro Chat Podcast that most athletes from North America are afraid to stand against Vito on stage.
Keone Pearson’s balance, muscularity, and symmetry have also gotten the attention of some big names in the sport, such as former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout. While Bannout thought Pearson had the tools to win the 2022 Olympia show, he ended the contest in sixth.
RELATED: Samson Dauda Shows Off Monstrous 327-Lb Physique Guest Posing at 2023 USA Fit Games
Time will tell if Hunter Labrada, Good Vito, and Keone Pearson earn invites. Regardless, fans are in store for some epic contests in the weeks to come as 2023 Olympia inches closer.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 3:36 PM EDT
Keone Pearson Takes Up A 3500-Calorie Diet, Getting Ready For The 2023 Texas Pro
Keone Pearson is getting ready to make a statement in the 2023 competitive season. The prodigy is set to return to the stage and has a new diet plan that will take his physique to the next level. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a certain degree of success in the Classic Physique as well as the 212 division of the IFBB Pro League throughout his career. His first ever Olympia appearance came in the Classic Physique division at the 2019 Olympia where he finished fourth. However, Pearson decided to make the 212 division home for the rest of his career.
The divisional debut saw him take home the 2020 Chicago Pro trophy which ultimately qualified him for the 2020 Olympia. Unfortunately, Pearson had to pull out of the competition owing to personal troubles.
He returned the following year and finished 14th at the 2021 Olympia. A dominant win at the 2022 Tampa Pro gave Keone the fourth opportunity to prove his mettle at the grandest stage of bodybuilding. The bodybuilding community was impressed by his progress and many expected him to give top contenders like Shaun Clarida and Kamal Elgargni a lot of issues. Pearson put up a fierce fight and surged into the top seven, finishing sixth at the 2022 Olympia.
The Prodigy will compete at the 2023 Texas Pro that is scheduled to take place on August 18-19. 16 weeks out of the show, his competition prep has officially started. On the first day of prep, Keone shared what he would be eating throughout the day to get the right body composition for the show. So let’s see how Keone Pearson is fueling his body to rock the 2023 competitive season.
Keone Pearson’s full day of eating for 2023 Texas Pro competition prep
Meal 1
A usual day during the competition prep starts with a 45-minute cardio session in a fasted state. An abs workout followed it on the day of recording the video. Pearson then rushes back home to fuel his body after the calorie-intensive activity and eats the first meal. It consists of:
Oats – 80 grams
Banana – 1 full
Beef – 100 grams
Whey Protein – 30 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 718 cal, Protein – 66.6 grams, Fats – 18.1 grams, Carbohydrates – 83 grams
Tip: Find your daily protein intake
Meal 2
As a couple of hours pass by, it’s time to go and train hard in the gym. But before that, Pearson has to fuel his body with a good pre-workout meal. His current diet plan has him consume a rice and chicken-based meal before hitting the gym. The 2022 Tampa Pro winner’s pre-workout meal includes:
Chicken – 200 grams
Jasmine Rice – 75 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 426 cal, Protein – 64.8 grams, Fats – 7.6 grams, Carbohydrates – 20.8 grams
While Keone Pearson likes to eat rice in 75-gram portions, he is not opposed to varying them according to personal preferences.
“Honestly, you can do it however you want it. If you wanna eat it in one sitting for your one meal or three just do it as you get the same food,” he said.
Keone savors the meal and then heads over to the kitchen to prepare his pre-workout and intra-workout drinks.
Pre-workout and intra-workout shake
As a professional bodybuilder, Keone Pearson has to ensure that his workouts yield the best results. To fuel the workout and get the most pump out of the training, the 212 competitor consumes a pre-workout drink that has the following ingredients:
Pre-Workout Drink
Stimulant-free Pump Pre-Workout Supplement with 5 grams L-Citrulline, 3 grams GlycerPump, 1 gram Agmatine Sulphate, 1 gram L-Tyrosine – 2 scoops
Caffeine – 1 scoop
Sea Salt
Related: Best pre-workout supplements ranked
Intra-workout drink that keeps the energy high during the training session consists of:
EAA + BCAA formula
On the day of recording the video, Keone trained chest and it was his high day where his caloric intake was higher than it is on a leg day.
“Today is actually considered a high day because I have a high day for chest and back, not on legs, which is pretty surprising. Those are my low days. I guess he wants me to push harder for that…” Pearson stated.
After pushing through an intense workout in the gym, Pearson returns home to have the post-workout meal.
Meal 3
To enable muscle recovery and growth in the arduous training routine, Pearson downs the protein shake and fruits. The post-workout meal is a hefty one and comprises of:
Whey Protein Isolate – 1 scoop / 30 grams
Pineapple – 50 grams
Jasmine Rice – 75 grams
Lean Ground Beef – 200 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 756.7 cal, Protein – 80.9 grams, Fats – 18.3 grams, Carbohydrates – 35.8 grams
Meal 4 and 5
The next two meals in Pearson’s full day of eating consist of high-quality protein sources like chicken and Salmon complimented with cream of rice and Potatoes.
Meal 4 consists of:
Cream of Rice Cereals- 75 grams
Chicken – 200 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 588 cal, Protein – 67.2 grams, Fats – 3.9 grams, Carbohydrates – 58.5 grams
The next one, meal 5, is the last meat/fish based meal that includes:
Salmon – 200 grams
Potatoes – 200 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 598 cal, Protein – 49 grams, Fats – 24.2 grams, Carbohydrates – 42 grams
Meal 6
This bedtime snack is the final bit of food that Pearson puts in his body every day. Rich in protein, healthy fats, and Complex carbohydrates, it keeps late night hunger pangs at bay and promotes muscle growth. Additionally, nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter contain tryptophan which can promote sound sleep.
The meal includes:
Oats – 50 grams
Whey Protein Isolate – 30 grams
Almond Butter – 30 grams
Approximate Nutritional Values
Energy – 466 cal, Protein – 41.2 grams, Fats – 22.3 grams, Carbohydrates – 41 grams
Total caloric intake and macronutrient profile for the day
Energy – 3509 calories
Protein – 303.2 grams
Fats – 81.7 grams
Carbohydrates – 390.4 grams
Keone Pearson has found his footing in the 212 division after a successful 2022. While he has to prove his mettle against the likes of reigning champion Shaun Clarida and former champ Kamal Elgargni, he still has a lot of mileage left. If he shows patience and focuses on making incremental gains, the 28-year-old can dominate the 212 division in the years to come.
Watch Keone Pearson share the diet here, courtesy of his personal YouTube channel:
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 9:19 AM EDT
Keone Pearson Shares Physique Update 6 Weeks Out, Squats Over 800Lbs
Keone Pearson looks beastly six weeks out.
Six weeks out from competition, Keone Pearson looks amazing. The 212 bodybuilder has shown some drastic improvements to his physique since last competing. His incredible genetics have taken him far in his bodybuilding career, and now he’s applying intelligent and hard training to take his physique to the next level.
With the Texas and Tampa Pro shows both around the corner, Keone Pearson hopes to qualify for the 2022 Olympia. While he has always looked impressive, it appears that Pierson has put on a considerable amount of muscle ahead of the shows. The former classic physique competitor has taken the switch to 212 very seriously. We can see that Pearson has developed even more muscle than he ever had in his previous weight class.
Ahead of his return to the stage, Keone Pearson has shared some incredible physique updates. While he may remain self-deprecating, it’s clear that Pearson has made some drastic improvements. With six weeks to go until competition, Pearson will no doubt continue to fine tune his physique ahead of the Texas and Tampa Pro.
In the Instagram post below, you can see that Pearson has an incredible V taper that is looking quite sharp. In the post, he says that he’s flat though he clearly looks nothing but.
Nothing pleasing here.Just a flat man standing. No flex this morning.
Other recent updates showcased just how massive Keone Pearson is looking these days. The post below showcases some pretty incredible arm development from Pearson. He is looking absolutely massive six weeks out.
Working on my best version ??
Massive Squat
Perhaps his most impressive feat in his recent training camp is squat over 800lbs. Keone Pearson is clearly playing for keeps and is hungry for the Olympia stage.
Make sure you’re working harder everyday to get better . Remaining the same will only hold you back.#championmindset⭕️nly
What do you think of Keone Pearson and his latest physique update?
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Keone Pearson Has Announced Return To Classic Physique Division
Keone Pearson will return to Classic Physique to bring back “best & healthy version” of himself.
Keone Pearson has been a rising star in bodybuilding for years now. He began his career as a Classic Physique competitor before making the switch to Men’s 212. After a 14th place finish at the Olympia, Pearson has announced that he will be returning to Classic Physique.
Pearson originally made the change after finishing fourth at the 2019 Olympia Classic Physique. He saw success early in 212 but underachieved at the Olympia in Orlando. Pearson took to Instagram to make an announcement that he will be going back to where he began. Pearson also claims there will be a YouTube video released this week explaining his decision.
“Let’s run it back!This has been on my mind for sometime and I had talks about it & this is honestly the best decision for ME. Going back to classic & bringing the best & healthy version of myself ever! Call me crazy but watch me make it happen ?For everyone that supports me an Rock with me truly appreciate you all ❤️For more in-depth why I’m switching , YouTube video will be up this week!!!Click link in the bio to subscribe ??”
It was a bit surprising to see Keone Pearson move to 212 in the first place. He saw success early on in Classic Physique winning the New York Pro and coming in fourth during the Olympia and Arnold Classic. When he made the change, the success continued.
Pearson won back-to-back titles at the Chicago Pro. This began in 2020 but he did not compete at the Olympia that year because of personal issues. He repeated as champion in 2021 but did not finish as high as he wanted during the Olympia. Pearson came in at 14th and has decided to make the switch back to Classic Physique.
The Classic Physique division is one that has improved over the years since Pearson was last involved. This begins with Chris Bumstead, who won his third consecutive Olympia title this year. Bumstead has become the competitor to beat and that has been a difficult task. Terrence Ruffin finished second to Bumstead at the Olympia this year after winning gold at the Arnold Classic. Breon Ansley continues to be in the mix as a former Olympia champion.
It will be interesting to see where Keone Pearson compares during his return to Classic Physique after a couple years away from the division. Pearson has vowed to bring back a better and healthier version of himself. If this is the case, Pearson might be able to throw his name in the mix moving forward.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Keone Pearson Full Interview | Last Year’s Lockdown Prep, Genetic Phenom Claims, & More!
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Keone Pearson.
Keone Pearson’s first competition was in 2017. Only three years later and he’s been dubbed a genetic phenom with big possibilities in his future. During his early years, Keone also had the distinction of being trained briefly by Flex Wheeler. He became an “it” competitor and all eyes were on every move he made. This past weekend, he won the Chicago Pro 2021, reigniting the hype behind his name.
Just last year, we were able to connect with Keone Pearson to talk about his rising star status among other topics about his training, nutrition, and future plans during an uncertain time for the world. With his recent win – we decided to now release the full uncut interview.
Over the past year we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with George Peterson. This uncut full length interview including topics such as his early status as a genetic phenom, the pressures that come with it, and how he trained during the uncertainty of the lockdown in 2020 and other topics.
Listen To Our Keone Pearson Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Keone Pearson interview here:
On The Pressures Of Being Dubbed A Genetic Phenom
Keone Pearson details what it was like to suddenly be a name in headlines across the web. It certainly made him nervous. It also threatened to distract his focus away from the most important thing – training his physique to perfection so he can live up to the hype.
Ultimately, he received some good advice from his coach at the time. He was told to simply avoid social media and the web. Don’t look at the comments or the posts. Just do what you need to do quick for your sponsors… then put your head down and get back to training.
This helped Keone block out the stress and anxiety and focus on competing. With each passing year and each competition under his belt, Keone becomes more experienced. Perhaps soon he will become no longer a promising young phenom and instead a proven champion.
So far his fondest moment has been winning the New York Pro. It’s his proudest accomplishment to stand tall on Steve Weinberger’s very own stage. Now poised to compete in the Men’s 212 division – perhaps he will make a new greater memory in the form of a major win. Only time will tell – but Keone hopes to prove himself worthy of the prodigy title bestowed upon him.
Keone Pearson Details His 2020 Lockdown Training
In an interesting window into the past of the pandemic, we spoke with Keone Pearson about the lockdowns that spread across the country mid-2020. At the time, we were only a few weeks into the lockdwon. It’s an interesting look into how Pearson was planning to keep his body in pro shape despite gyms closing.
Keone Pearson discusses how, initially, the lockdowns provided a good break for recovery. He makes mention of the legendary Flex Wheeler and how he would typically take 2-3 weeks off after a big show. This kind of mental and physical recovery is what Keone was looking for. By being forced upon him – it allowed him to bring himself to a reset.
Of course, the lockdowns and pandemic have lasted much longer than a few weeks. Luckily, gym openings did eventually return. And it seems like his reset break helped. He just won the Chicago Pro 2021. Keone Pearson has long been seen as a future champion in the sport. This win further builds that hype. We can’t wait to see what he has in store after a more traditional year when this pandemic is behind us.
Wrap Up
Keone Pearson is a powerhouse bodybuilder who is also open to going in-depth on some of the most vital topics in bodybuilding. That’s why you should check out the full GI Exclusive interview above! He shares his personal experience and tips for training, nutrition, and more.
Zane Watson: The Most Inspirational Bodybuilders Currently Competing
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Zane Watson talks about his future plans and the current bodybuilders that most inspire him.
Legends never die – which is why most athletes will list bodybuilding greats such as Ronnie Coleman, Dorian Yates, and Lee Haney in their list of most influential bodybuilders. It’s for good reason. But as these athletes recede further into the past, new athletes rise up to inspire a new generation. Zane Watson is a relatively young bodybuilder in his 30s and finds himself inspired by the rising current crop of athletes succeeding today. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Zane Watson lists his picks for the most influential bodybuilders currently competing today.
Zane Watson is looking at a three year plan to success in pro bodybuilding. He’s been competing already for some time now but last year’s pandemic put a halt to his original plans. Now he’s looking to compete in the Arnold Classic 2021 this September. He’s had a routine memorized in his head that he’s excited to finally share with the world. He hopes this will be the first step towards further success and, hopefully, a future Olympia title.
We asked Zane Watson which bodybuilders inspired him most and helped influence his physique and posing routines. He had previously spoke with us about his original influences from past eras – but which bodybuilders currently competing excited him most and affected his approach?
Watson stated that he has multiple influences depending on which area of bodybuilding you are focusing on. For example, John Meadows is a big inspiration. He may no longer compete but now he trains athletes – including current Men’s 212 champion Shaun Clarida. Watson believes that Meadows’ training principles are legendary and have helped shape him into the bodybuilder he is today.
When it comes to pure physiques, he believes that Keone Pearson is a future Men’s 212 Olympia champion in the making. He believes that Pearson has one of the best physiques currently on stage in all of bodybuilding. He uses that as a beacon or goal to reach towards in his own physique.
Zane Watson also has a deep love of posing. He is most inspired at the moment by Terrence Ruffin’s posing routines. He believes that he will also become an Olympia champion in the Classic Physique division one day. Watson is a rare younger bodybuilder who believes posing is equally important as physiques. Without pitch perfect posing – the entire physique wouldn’t come together for the judges to see.
Athletes like Keone Pearson and Terrence Ruffin have been gaining heat for the past few years now. It makes sense that Zane Watson sees inspiration in them as well as motivation to rival them on stage with his own physique. Perhaps Watson will be the next guard of athlete to catch attention alongside these two bodybuilders. Watson’s New York Pro showing in 2018 caught a lot of attention. If he can earn a victory in the next step up such as the Arnold Classic – it can upgrade his status even further. We can’t wait to see his three year plan come to fruition.
You can watch Zane Watson’s full comments about his future plans and his inspirations in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!