On Dec. 31, 2020, two-time Women’s Physique, Olympia Champion Shanique Grant has formally announced her retirement on her YouTube channel. The video was posted on New Year’s Eve. The formal statement from Grant can be heard at the 7:30 mark in the video below.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4oqxVkEYLAo
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“I have been and I am ready to finally announce my retirement. There’s so much more life to live,” Grant said in the YouTube video. “At 25 years old and living out here in Las Vegas, I have never been anywhere besides where my boyfriend, Jeff, took me for my birthday, and that was the first time I ever stayed on the strip. I’m ready to live my life. I’m ready to be a mom. I’m ready to be a wife.”
Grant expressed that it is possible to compete and develop a family but felt she personally couldn’t compete at the highest level while doing so.
Grant was an absolute force in the Women’s Physique division. Just four months into her competitive career — which started in 2014 as a Figure competitor — she won her pro card. According to NPC News Online, her first pro win came two years later at the 2016 New York Pro, which was also her Women’s Physique debut. In 2018, Grant won her first Women’s Physique Olympia title at just 23 years old. In 2019, she repeated. She also won the Women’s Physique International title at the Arnold Classic in 2018.
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As a competitor, Grant is known for her wide shoulders and narrow waist. At 25 years of age, she was expected to have a long reign as champion. However, she placed second at the 2020 Olympia. The judges awarded the title to new champion Sarah Villegas in what was considered one of the biggest upsets of the weekend in Orlando, Florida. Based on this announcement, that will be Grant’s final contest.
Grant also shared in the video that she and her boyfriend tested positive for COVID-19. She stated that she was feeling better after struggling for several days. Both are expected to recover from the illness. Grant closed the video by announcing that she would be devoting more time to creating YouTube content and connecting with her fans.
“Shanique Grant the bodybuilder might be going away, but I’m still here for you guys, my fans,” Grant continued. “Of course, I’m still going to be in the gym killing weights. So much more content is coming. 2021 is going to be filled with so much excitement, so many blessings, and so much more happiness. I’m still here.”
Featured image: @therealfitnessbeauty on Instagram
