The King gets his due.

Sports have a major influence on society. Fans may have their favorite sports teams, a favorite player, a favorite fighter, a favorite bodybuilder. Whatever it may be, the end result is always the same. Sports and in particular sports figures are a major inspiration to fans and onlookers who either aspire to achieve the same greatness or simply seek enjoyment at watching an athlete perform at the best of their abilities.

In bodybuilding there are quite a few different athletes that have inspired the masses. The most prominent and popular is no doubt Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian bodybuilder was not only a dominant bodybuilding champion but a major influence on popular culture as well. The same drive and determination that Schwarzenegger used to become a seven time Mr. Olympia champion is exactly what he used to become one of the most successful actors in the world. Couple that with the fact that Arnold was once the Governor of California and you have a sports figure that really managed to transcend his sport and effect individuals on a major scale.

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Another bodybuilder who has had a major impact on bodybuilding is the great Ronnie Coleman. Coleman is an eight time Mr. Olympia winner with a reputation for training hard, working hard, and being a positive influence on training partners and fans alike. Many fans have gone as far as to suggest that Coleman is the greatest of all time. As of late Coleman has been a major inspiration outside of bodybuilding. Years of training has taken it’s toll on Coleman’s body, the former champion just recently having to undergo back surgery that took away his ability to walk unassisted.

But Ronnie hasn’t let his circumstances slow him down. When it was announced that Coleman was one of the many list of tremendous athletes to be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame, Coleman made it his mission to be able to walk on stage and receive his award. It’s Coleman’s ability to battle back from adversity that has made him a true inspiration in recent years and will no doubt be a positive influence for years to come.

So was Coleman able to be on stage for his Hall of Fame induction? Check out the video below to see for yourself.

Who is your most influential sports figure?

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