Mr Olympia 1998

Sometimes a competitor excelled at compulsory posing: for example Vince Taylor, as well Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler und Dorian Yates. Each of them has transformed the compulsory poses into a sophisticated work of body art in different moments.
This time nobody stood out.
Flex was excellent and the most polished athlete of the round, although he was not at his best. Some fans commented that his facial expression sometimes seemed a little distant or even remote.
Ronnie looked good and spectacular, but there were two weaknesses - a gynecomastia in his left breast and the imbalance between his calves and the rest of his body.
Flex showed no noticeable weaknesses.
Cormier Fought very well, but without the charisma of Flex or the power of Ronnie. Also Charles did his job well.
Dillett was incredibly bulky, but still hasn't learned how to take and hold a clean pose. He staggered this lap, took a small step forward in a double biceps pose from behind and almost lost his balance, which should already be a harbinger of his later problems, which caused him to retire from the show. (He wasn't there by the third round. Wayne DeMilia asked Dillett's girlfriend backstage, but no explanation was given about Paul's condition.)
Shawn war ausgezeichnet.
Taylor was good, but its performance did not match the usual top caliber.
Fux were missing the subtleties and Levrone chewed gum! Kevin! It seemed to get tougher as the competition continued, but had already lost ground.
Overall, the leadership position of Flex and Ronnie became clear in this second round.

The comparisons were as follows:
- Coleman - Wheeler - El Sonbaty
A great comparison! Ronnie showed his impressive improvements and made Flex sweat. A pleasure! Flex tried his little game again this time: to take a few steps back and watch the others, but Ronnies Stage presence was too strong and Flex didn't get away with it as usual. “The pendulum swings back and forth,” shouted an ecstatic fan.

- El Sonbaty - Levrone - Ray
This seemed to be the comparison that would determine third place. Appeared to me Shawn as the athlete of the best and most defined form among the three, although also the smallest.

– Coleman – Levrone – Ray
Coleman had an exceptional stage presence and was able to grab attention which he failed to do on the show last year.
It's just fun to watch.

– Cormier – Priest – Taylor
– Ray – Wheeler – Levrone
– Matarazzo – Taylor – Fux
– Moya – Fux – Sarcev
– Levrone – Cormier – Ray
– Charles – Baker – Moya
- Schlierkamp - Groulx - Haider
– Priest – Ray – Levrone
– El Sonbaty - Wheeler - Coleman

This comparison suggested that the judges wanted one last look at their three favorites. Fans left the primary with the same question they entered it with: who would win this show? The trend seemed to be
but clearly in the direction Coleman due to its mass, muscle density and charisma - to shift as in direction Flex.
But it is known that Flex especially at the evening event with power and charisma while Ronnie is not such a gifted performer.
So you didn't have 100% security!

So the fans came to the completely sold out event full of excitement and anticipation. The set, lighting, special effects, sound system and acoustics were first class, so that the athletes were presented in the best possible light. Every competitor showed his posing, the freestyle were good, some of them were extraordinarily remarkable.
Jean-Pierre Fux made the start, looking better than at the afternoon event, and posted to some passages of Dorian's superpowered music.
Followed him Ahmed Hai-dar and performed a pleasant and fluid freestyle.
Also Kevin Levrone looked better and drier in the evening than in the area code and posted music that was too loud. The freestyle wasn't bad, but not too interesting.
Mike Matarazzo made Madison Square Garden simmer with a series of poses where he gave everything and even stuck his tongue out and "Let's go! Whoa! and yeah baby! ”yelled.
Nasser El Sonbaty kicked off powerfully and began with no less than six (the fans counted it) strong front poses. He then performed two side poses and two back poses. Although the freestyle was carefully put together, it was obvious that Nasser not dry enough and its shape not as polished as that of Flex oder Ronnie.
Then came Flex Wheeler and the crowd stared intently at him. Interestingly enough, he started off with a series of back poses, like saying "Nasser doesn't have a particularly good back, just look at mine!" Flex’s Shape, symmetry and proportions were beautiful, its transitions elegant and its freestyle put together excellently, the best of the evening event until then.
Claude Groulx it was his turn with a not exactly impressive stage presence, the music was too powerful for him and the end too weak. That was definitely not his best achievement.
Ernie Taylor had chosen loud music full of power (that seems to be modern this year) and his freestyle was also acceptable. There was a high point: a new pose in his repertoire. We all know that some bodybuilders shake their quadriceps before contracting them. Well, Ernie shook his upper arms instead. What a sight!
Aaron Baker showed a skillful and expressive freestyle, paired with controlled movements and excellent transitions. He hasn't looked this good in a long time and performed so well.
Johnny Moya’s The freestyle was loosely structured and couldn't be compared to the one at the Night of Champions. His dance moves made it clear that he is no second John Brown.
Shawn Ray’s Freestyle was one of the best, resourceful, controlled with a wide range of facial expressions. She underlined his excellent form, but had better
Can have an end. The problem with Shawn’s freestyle, some people say, is that they are too similar: similar poses that are always performed to the same ballad-like music. It might be appropriate if he could think of something else.
Lee Priest, one of the best posers, showing off his classic Ed Corney style.
Mishko Sarcev always shows an appealing freestyle. This time he had chosen choral music to accompany his classical poses. He could come up with new or more varied poses, like Vince Taylor.
Chris Cormier is another constant poser, although this time his music was offensive to some fans as it contained swear words and street language, which is totally inappropriate for an event like the Mr. Olympia.
Hat De Milia not forbidden such texts?

Then came the one who was waiting impatiently Ronnie Coleman. He not only lived up to all expectations, but also moved his powerful and huge body full of self-confidence and determination, and he looked spectacular even in the relaxed phases. The look on his face showed the crowd that he was ready for anything as he held both arms above his head. Big Ronnie raised the level even further! He received applause as early as his first back pose and kept increasing from then on.
His slowly growing lat pose was just stunning from the front and back. Coleman outdid himself, let himself be carried away by the general mood and communicated with the audience, looked at them and nodded to them.
The man seized the opportunity! As the judges' evaluation sheets were supposed to show, they too were deeply impressed and rewarded him with excellent ratings.
Next came Günther Schlierkamp, who gave his best despite his cold and has what it takes to mix with the best. It wasn't that far that day.
Darrem Charles completed the posing and made it clear why he is currently known as one of the best posers. It is musical, shows variations, perfect muscle control and skillfully performed dance movements. Even Lee Haney remarked: "THAT is really impressive!"

The entire lineup reappeared on stage.
Wayne De Milia announced the Top Ten on, then the first six, and finally the final poseown took place before the placements of the first six were announced. It didn't get boring!
At the pose down she turned Flex immediately in the front center. He and Nasser dueled
literally and put down one most muscular pose after the other, then laughed and hugged. Flex, Ronnie und Nasser determined the happening, which eventually turned more and more to the duel between Flex und Ronnie concentrated.

18. PAUL DILETT
17. CLAUDE GROULX
16. AHMED HAIDAR
15. GÜNTHER SCHLIERKAMP
14. AAR0N BAKER
13. DARREM CHARLES
12. JOHNNY MOYA (as many said, too well placed)
11. MILOS SARCEV
10.JEAN PIERRE FUX (very lucky to make it into the top ten)
9. MIKE MATARAZZO
8. ERNIETAYLOR
7. LEE PRIEST
6. CHRIS CORMIER
5. SHAWN RAY (Boos and "Is not possible" shouts accompanied this announcement)
4. KEVIN LEVRONE (more boos)
3. NASSER EL SONBATY (noch mehr Buhrufe)

And then there were only two men on the stage. "Ronnie, Ronnie"- Chants could be heard, then it fell silent.
De Milia had reached the most dramatic point of the evening and announced:
“The runner-up is …… .Flex Wheeler!” A hell of a racket! An expression of complete surprise crossed Flex’s face. After all, this man has always been dubbed the most talented bodybuilder of all time, and he's now used to getting his own head around.
And Ronnie Coleman is on the ground, collapsing from sheer emotion! Flex bends down and says something, the crowd rages.

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Vince Taylor brings Ronnie’s friend Vickie Gates on stage, Ronnie stands up and hugs Vickie. Ronnie’s mother also storms on stage and throws herself on his neck, the emotions just flow. What a sight! What a night! Finally someone puts a microphone in front of Ronnie.
He barely has his voice under control and says: “Thank God! I've trained so hard, prayed so much, worked so much. New York is the best place in the world to hold an Olympic competition. You are all great [the fans], this is a great city and a wonderful victory. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! ”Wow! But there was something else. "I couldn't have done it without Vickie - she is the most important person in my life, besides God and my mother!"
Then film star and comedian Sindbad takes the stage and lightened the mood by saying: “Buy yourself a milkshake, a sandwich and a pizza and just feel good!” The fans are happy and go home impressed and satisfied you have witnessed one of the most dramatic events in Mr. Olympia history and the coronation of the new Mr. Olympia: Ronnie Coleman, the policeman from Arlington, Texas is the tenth athlete to have entered this glorious list of winners for the Mr. Olympia.
He took home a check for US $ 110,000 while Flex Received 50,000 US dollars.
A great evening and a great show! Thanks Joe and congratulations to Wayne DeMilia and Charles Blake for putting on a great show.

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Mr Olympia 2000

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