One of the best battles for greatness.
The current state of bodybuilding is unlike any other era of the sport’s history. Bodybuilders are more massive than ever, breaking records for having the heaviest bodybuilder to ever compete on stage. But the sea of mass monsters that dominate the sport have also been criticized for having large stomachs where the bodybuilders of the classic eras were known for having extremely tapered midsections. The bodybuilders of today may be extremely massive and impressive in their own way, but if you go back only two decades you would find some athletes that were not only massive, but were able to maintain slim waists as well.
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The 1998 Mr. Olympia competition featured some of the best bodybuilders in the world, all of them hungry to take the place of the man who terrorized the open weight division for six straight years, Dorian Yates. The former champion Yates suffered a severe triceps injury the year prior that would effectively end his career and reign as Olympia champion. That meant that everyone was looking to bring the best version of themselves to the stage in hopes of proving to the world that they were worthy successors to the throne left vacant by Yates.
The physiques on display at the event showed that mix of massive muscle as well as great aesthetics. It was a true mix between mass monster and the classic physiques of the Golden Era. But it would prove that massive muscle would be the ultimate deciding factor in the ultimate outcome of the event as little known bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman would come from nowhere to assert his dominance over the field. From there would begin a new reign which would last for eight straight competitions.
The training and build up for the 1998 Olympia was unlike any other, and while we may know the outcome now, the road to get there is one that can be appreciated by any bodybuilding enthusiast. The documentary below captures that feeling exceptionally well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gO4NaPJD8M
What’s your thoughts on the 1998 Olympia?
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