Danny Hester on comparing Olympia champions to other eras: If you go back far enough there are Mr. Olympias that wouldn’t win the nationals today.
Danny Hester is an old school guy – so it makes sense that he became the first ever Classic Physique Olympia champion. But it also made us curious about what he thinks about the modern era of bodybuilding in general. Does he share similar opinions to that of recent statements made by Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman? Yates and Coleman recently criticized the modern era and specifically Brandon Curry as Mr. Olympia champion. Neither believed he could hold up to their era even in the top 5. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Danny Hester gives his thoughts on Brandon Curry as Olympia champion and the notion of comparing eras in bodybuilding.
As we’ve been conducting our GI Exclusive interviews across a wide variety of athletes and experts in bodybuilding – we’ve made certain to touch upon one of the more controversial statements bubbling up in the industry ever since the Mr. Olympia 2019. While Brandon Curry earning the title of Olympia champion is truly an honorable feat that must be respected – many fans and even past athletes are using him as a lightening rod for their criticism of modern bodybuilding as a whole. Namely, that the physiques today couldn’t stand up to those in the 90s.
Brandon Curry at the Olympia 2019 (above).
Danny Hester’s bodybuilding career started in the 90s – so he’s certainly partial to that time period. Much like legends such as Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman, Hester is looking at the today’s bodybuilding from the lens of his prime years. So what does he think about the criticism of Brandon Curry? And what are his thoughts on the best era in bodybuilding?
Hester agrees that Brandon Curry would likely not stand up to the best of the best in the 90s era of bodybuilding. That being said, Hester also thinks Curry is just getting his start and will continue to improve and possibly obtain a level on par with the likes of the best 90s athletes.
Moreover, Hester points out that comparing eras to any one single year is a foolish endeavor. While he agrees Curry isn’t on the same level as Dorian Yates, Kevin Levrone, or Ronnie Coleman – he also points out that if you go back far enough there are Mr. Olympia champions who couldn’t stand up to today’s athletes. Not only that, but Hester believes there are Olympia champions that couldn’t even compare to amateurs that compete in The Nationals today.
Danny Hester doesn’t name names – and perhaps that’s the point. Why single someone out and take away their accomplishment? Hester believes that pound for pound Brandon Curry was the best on stage at the Mr. Olympia 2019. That’s all that matters. Each year is different and certainly each era is different. It’s only with hindsight that we can look back and say someone is the greatest of all time. Perhaps this is just the beginning and Brandon Curry will one day be considered one of the greats. We’ll only know with time.
You can watch Danny Hester’s full response in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
