by Matt Weik
I can only speak from my own experience, however in my opinion, the 2018 Olympia was the very best we have seen in a long time. I felt like the judges were 100% fair as well as accurate, Steve didn’t enable the athletes to get brought away on stage as well as made Camiseta Wolverhampton Wanderers them present when he asked, as well as we had some outstanding records being broken. much more specifically, two Flex(s) had their sights set on making history – Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden as well as James “Flex” Lewis.
FLEXatron
In 2017 I was extremely important of Shawn Rhoden. In fact, I questioned if he even wished to contend anymore. Look, he’s no spring poultry as well as his time in this sport might extremely well be concerning an end, however the look he given the 2018 Olympia stage made me shut my mouth as well as rethink things.
Rhoden didn’t just come to compete, he concerned WIN. The typically extremely peaceful competitor was quick to dissect Phil Heath’s poses at the press seminar which numerous believed was poking the bear – never a great thing. He called numerous of Phil’s poses “crap.” But, Shawn backed it up as soon as the posing oil was used as well as he stepped out onto that Olympia stage.
I have never seen Rhoden look the method he did on that Friday as well as Saturday night in Vegas. as well as I don’t believe I was the only one who was viewing that had to pick their jaw up off the floor when Rhoden graced the stage. He had the total package. He subjected a somewhat off Phil Heath as well as ended up being the 14th Mr. Olympia in the record books.
A tired Phil at the press seminar kept stating talk is cheap, which may be why he didn’t do much speaking at the press seminar because he really didn’t have the body to back up his mouth. After winning in 2017 as well as complying with it up with a hernia surgery, Phil discussed his abs would be much much better as well as he would be able to manage his belly simpler in 2018. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the situation as well as his tummy manage makes me question if there wasn’t something wrong with Phil.
Rhoden subjected Phil from the front. in that top 5, not one competitor came even close to touching Shawn’s midsection. His abs were on point as well as sharp. His muscle mass Camiseta Selección de fútbol de Ecuador meaning had deep cuts that others just couldn’t contend with. The composing was on the wall that if the judges were fair, Rhoden would be dethroning the champ – as well as he did.
There were numerous of us who believed from the back, Phil might hold onto his title as well as win his 8th Sandow, however as soon as Phil would hit any type of other present from the back, your eyes were just drawn to Rhoden. Shawn has that “x-factor” that we believe of when we talk about a man like Toney Freeman. He’s broad up top which tapers down to a crazy little waist. then (unlike Toney), Rhoden might still stand toe-to-toe with the legs of any type of competitor on the stage. Again, he just had the total bundle and, in my eyes, was a look that ought to have been winning the Olympia for many years versus the mass monsters who are available in ridiculously big, however with bit conditioning.
The next concern in the chapter of Shawn Rhoden is if he can continue to find into the Olympia with the exact same size, shape, as well as conditioning. If so, it’s honestly going to be difficult to beat him. as well as all of us understand exactly how difficult it is to knock off a reigning Olympia champion.
FLEX Lewis
What can you state about flex Lewis? The dude is consistent! In both pre-judging as well as the night show, I never wavered with my viewpoint he will win the 212 division for the 7th time. Yet, when it was all stated as well as done, we left the 2018 Olympia wondering what the future really holds for Flex.
Lewis revealed that this would be his last year contending in the 212 as well as thanked his fans. With rumors of a possible comeback in the open division, numerous question just exactly how huge flex can get in purchase to stand next to men like Ramy, Rhoden, Winklaar, Phil, as well as Bonac. Can he potentially add sufficient size to look like he belongs as well as can hang with those monsters?
Flex likewise hinted that he may want to broaden his household with one more child. This increases the concern of if he may lose some size during this period? It’s incredibly difficult to make a comeback in any type of division, let alone a comeback where you relocation from the 212 division as much as the open.
Might we see flex on the Olympia stage in 2019? who knows? Personally, I don’t believe so. I believe flex will take the year off (maybe even two years) as well as come back to test the waters in the open division. Can he do well? only time will tell. however regardless, nobody can state that flex isn’t a champion either method for the center he put on in the 212. I just hope we haven’t seen the last of flex as he is Camiseta FC Utrecht a true champion as well as somebody who, in my opinion, the sport needs.
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