Reigning Olympia Bikini champion Janet Layug will not compete during this year’s competition.
Janet Layug has been a force in the Bikini Division since 2013. She has totaled 12 victories since becoming a professional and her biggest came at the 2020 Olympia. Layug finished at the top of the division during the biggest competition of the year but she will not be defending her title this time around.
Layug put together an IFBB Pro show that was Bikini only on Saturday, July 31 called Battle of the Bodies. During the competition, Layug announced that she will not be apart of this year’s Olympia. Mr. Olympia LLC shared the video on their Instagram page.
“I’ve been competing since 2013, a very long time, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. We have the Mr. Olympia show coming up again, here in about 10 weeks. I feel as though, with the journey and the path that I’m taking, I’m announcing that I will not be competing in this year’s Olympia.”
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This means that there will be a new champion in the Bikini Division and it could be Maureen Blanquisco, who took home the prize during Janet Layug’s Battle of the Bodies. Elisa Pecini will also be in line to take back her title this year.
Layug saw great success during the Olympia with three-straight top three finishes. In 2019, she was beat out by Pecini but was able to get her revenge during the 2020 competition. In 2018, Layug finished third behind Angelica Teixeira and Lauralie Chapados.
Janey Layug did not close the door on future competitions but there is no plan of when she will return to the stage. Also, there were no reasons disclosed as to why she will not compete at this year’s Olympia.
“It is a bittersweet moment for me, but I think it’s the best choice. As we all know, when one door closes, a new one opens. So I’m beyond honored to present the award to the Bikini champion tonight, at my show, whoever that might be, and send then off to compete at the Olympia this year.”
The presence of Janet Layug will be missed at this year’s event but there is a chance she will be able to pick up another title in the future. As disappointing as it is to see Layug not compete, it is nice to see one of the best in the sport take a break when it is needed. And we know one thing for sure — there will be a new champion in the Bikini Division.
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