Shaun Clarida believes Martin Fitzwater “checked more boxes” than Chris Bumstead.
The 2024 EVLS Prague Pro was one of the most exciting competitions of the year due to a loaded Men’s Open division. Right in the middle of it all was Shaun Clarida, who made a return to the biggest division for the event.
Clarida went up against Chris Bumstead and Martin Fitzwater in Prague and finished third. For him, this was more than he expected.
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“Placing third was a big win for me. I said I went to this show with nothing to lose, nothing to prove, and everything to gain.”
Clarida has won an Open show in the past. He was victorious during the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro and this added a second qualification to the Olympia the following year. Ultimately, Clarida decided to remain in 212 and fight to regain his title in the division.
After hitting Open once again, Clarida clarified that he will remain in Men’s 212 but plans to compete in multiple Open shows during the year. He also announced that he will not be competing at the Arnold Classic in March.
“The focus will always be the 212 Olympia. I’m not leaving the 212 but I definitely plan on doing at least one to two Open shows a year after the Olympia, if I can.”
Shaun Clarida Says Martin Fitzwater Was Better In Men’s Open
Bumstead announced his retirement from competition following his victory in Classic Physique during the 2024 Olympia. Shortly after, he entered the Prague Pro to make his debut in Men’s Open. He finished second to Fitzwater and this result became controversial within the bodybuilding world.
Clarida joined Ron Harris Muscle recently to discuss the results and believes the judges got them right.
“Maybe CBum had maybe an inch or two of more conditioning than Martin, give or take, but at the end of the day, Martin checked off way more boxes than CBum.
It was close for sure but you got to realize this is bodybuilding. CBum is the G.O.A.T of Classic. Classic has a separate criteria.”
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Fitzwater finished fourth at the Mr. Olympia this year. He has quickly become one of the top bodybuilders in the world and is now qualified for 2025, where he will look to contend for the overall prize. Clarida believes that Bumstead was good on stage but Fitzwater was more equipped to win an Open show.
“There is criteria needed to be number one. Size, conditioning, proportions, shape, conditioning. All those things Martin had. CBum had them as well but obviously, muscularity and size and density, that counts for something.”
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