1999
1999: Naturals Swiss Championship: 3rd place, junior heavyweight

2001
2001: IFBB Cup Luzern: 1st place junior heavyweight

2003
2003: IFBB Cup Wettingen: 1st place junior heavyweight division
2003 IFBB Cup Wettingen: 5th place men heavyweight
2003 Swiss Championship: 1st place junior heavyweight division
2003 Swiss Championship: 4th place men heavyweight
2003 Int. South German Championship: 1st place junior heavyweight division
2003 WPF Junior World Championships: 1st place

2005
2005: Int. South German Championship: 2nd place men heavyweight
2005 Int. German championship: 5th place men heavyweight

2006
2006: IFBB Int. South German Championship: 1st place men heavyweight + overall victory
2006 IFBB Swiss Championship: 3rd place men heavyweight
2006 IFBB World Cup Ostrava, Czech Republic. Rep .: 13 Place

2007
2007 IFBB Body Xtreme Invitational: 8. Platz
2007 IFBB Int. South German Championship: 1st place men heavyweight
2007IFBB World Championship, Jeju Korea: 1st place super heavyweight men

2010
Mr- Europa PRO 2010 - 17th place

2011
EUROPA BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS 2011 – Platz 12
EUROPA SUPERSHOW 2011 - 14th place

Body-Fitness-XXL: You were preparing for your professional debut, then came your chest muscle injury. How did it happen and what are your plans for after rehabilitation?
Phil von Kaenel: It happened while doing the incline bench press. It was my last training set of this exercise .. I actually wanted to make a decreasing set of it, that was my luck, because there were two guys at both ends of the bar who were supposed to lower the weights. I actually wanted to push the 220kg 4-6x and then reduce the weight but on the 2nd rep.
There was a crack and I knew immediately what was going on ..
Now it means a 3 month break and then slowly start again ..
What happens next depends on how quickly I get my deficit back in, I'll leave that open at the moment.

Body-Fitness-XXL: Can you train now and if so, how does your training look?
Phil von Kaenel: Just a little cardio and your legs very light. The upper body has to stay still because I am not allowed to move my right arm. To be honest, for me it's more about being in the studio and having at least some exercise.

Body-Fitness-XXL: How did you get into bodybuilding?
Phil von Kaenel: I used to do judo. I started with simple youth-friendly strength training to support me and I really liked that because I saw results.
When I was old enough to go to a fitness center, I immediately bought a subscription and stuck with it.

Body Fitness XXL: What motivated you to build such a body?
Phil von Kaenel: The successes ... I've seen progress in me and that has always motivated me.
I started buying magazines and devoured everything in them. Luckily it was in the studio I was training in
(and still training today) a couple of seasoned bodybuilders who slowed me down. That was necessary at the time.
Today these people are still training, I think that's pretty cool.

Body Fitness XXL: Who were your idols ...Arnold ?
Phil von Kaenel: Jean-Pierre Fux was my hero. The first time I went to a competition he was a guest star and I just couldn't believe how massive a person can get ... just amazing.
In the beginning Arnold was less of my role model. Today I admire him far more.
For his entire career, his incredible achievements and his determination. Something like that will probably never happen again.

Body-Fitness-XXL: What does your training look like? (please give an example of weights, WH, sentences)
Phil von Kaenel: I usually do 4 exercises with 4 sets for each large muscle group, increasing the weight with each set. The first two sentences don't quite go to the limit. The 3rd movement goes so far until I don't do any repetitions on my own.
Do more and the 4th movement is then completed with an intensity technique. E.g. a decreasing set or forced repetition. I do this through all 4 sets. But I have to say that I have to rethink my training after my demolition ...

Body-Fitness-XXL: Do you pay close attention to your diet?
Phil von Kaenel: Yes of course. It's clear in the diet. In the structure I eat according to plan, but if I have an appetite for something else then just put it in ... the diet is hard enough so you can relax a bit in the structure.

Body-Fitness-XXL: How does your training and diet change in preparation for a competition?
Phil von Kaenel: I try to keep the actual training as long as possible. In addition, there is simply cardio training depending on your fitness level.
The diet changes so that I shift the carbohydrate-protein ratio in favor of protein. I.e. less KH more EW.

Body-Fitness-XXL: What is planned for 2009/2010?
Phil von Kaenel: Well, in 2009 I will have to dedicate myself to my recovery. I hope to be able to continue building again at the end of the year. In 2010 I will make my professional debut. I would like to leave it open where that will be, it depends on how quickly I get back to the old level.
Thank you for the interview

Phil von Kaenel - Interview August 2010

Chris: Hello Phil, during the last preparation you hurt your chest muscle. How far has it recovered, can you train fully again?
Phil von Kaenel: It's actually completely cured. Of course, I pay special attention to correct execution, good warm-up etc. since my injury ...

Chris: You are currently preparing for the EUROPE SUPER SHOW in Dallas on August 13-14. How is your preparation going?
Phil von Kaenel: I think it's going pretty well. I'm ready for my first pro show. During this preparation I tried out a lot, which I can benefit from next year and hopefully improve my performance.

Chris: With what body weight are you planning your professional debut?
Phil von Kaenel: In the end, the form counts. I expect that I will be on stage with about 112kg.

Chris: How do you train in preparation?
Phil von Kaenel: In this preparation I mainly focused on volume training. I think this way of training is ideal for me. When I say volume, I mean around 18-25 sets for a large muscle group.

Chris: How are the last few days before the show? (Nutrition, training)
Phil von Kaenel: I can't say exactly, it will be adjusted depending on the change. What I can definitely say is that I will not discharge much and that I will keep charging within limits.

Chris: Are you planning any more competitions in 2010?
I also plan to compete in Mr. Europe Spain and then in October in Dubai.

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Phil von Kaenel - Interview April 2011

Question: You have just started your preparation. Which competitions are planned?

Phil von Kaenel: As the first competition I am planning the Europe Battle of Champions 2011 on July 28th in Hartford, after that I will take part in the Europe Super Show 2011 like last year and as the third competition I will start at the Phoenix Pro 2011.

Question: How heavy are you now and what weight do we see on stage?
Phil von Kaenel: My weight is currently about 128kg, with an acceptable off-season shape. The competition weight will, I hope, be between 114-116kg, but that's just a guideline, in the end I just have to be tough.

Question: What is your preparation like? What changes in your training and diet?
Phil von Kaenel: So, the only thing that changes in training for now is that I built in a cardio unit before breakfast. The workout remains the same for the time being. I try to keep training as hard as I can in the off-season as long as I can. Towards the end of the diet this will no longer be entirely possible, but at the moment it is still working quite well.

Question: Last year you said you still have a lot to learn for the professional business. How do you rate your chances with the pros this year?
Phil von Kaenel: It's hard to predict. It depends on so many factors that I can barely assess it. I think in terms of the basic mass, I can certainly keep up, now it depends on how my body reacts to the diet and how well I manage the divisions and muscle sharpness. This will likely be a sticking point as my body is prone to water retention.
At the moment I'm not worried about the chances I plan for myself. In the end, it is only important that I can be satisfied with my performance and that I cannot blame myself for not giving my all.
I cannot influence the rest.

Thank you for the interview.

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Phil von Kaenel - Interview (August 2011)

Question: I think you have achieved the best shape of your life in the Europa Battle of Champions 2011. How do you feel?
Phil von Kaenel: Yes, that was definitely my best form, no doubt about it. I think we did everything right. I'm feeling pretty good. I am happy that everything went well. What I'm less happy about is of course the 12th place.
But I think as a newcomer it's a little harder at first.
I had fun and can be satisfied with the shape, everything else is out of my power.

Question: You have intensively involved Dennis Wolf prepared in Golds Gym.
What was different this year?
Phil von Kaenel: Yes, training with Dennis messed up my training system.
I've always trained longer, but Dennis trains short and hard.
To work the muscle short and hard and then let it rest.

Question: What are your plans for 2011? What are your goals?
Phil von Kaenel: My goal from the beginning was to reach a top ten place this year. I hold onto that.
Next I will be attending the Europa Super Show 2011.

Question: Do you want to move to the US in the future to focus more on your career?
Phil von Kaenel: Of course, every bodybuilder's dream is to make the leap to the States.
But I'm also very happy in Switzerland.

Thank you for the interview.

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