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“Don’t Foresee That”: 4X Arnold Classic Champion Flex Wheeler Once Wished to Be Alive to Just See if Anyone Could Ever Match Ronnie Coleman’s Prime Physique

Published 10/22/2022, 1:40 PM EDT

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Flex Wheeler is a bodybuilding legend. He possessed one of the most proportionate physiques and is known as the “Sultan of Symmetry”. In 1998, the four-time Arnold Classic winner was slated to begin a new era as Mr. Olympia. However, no one, including Flex, could’ve guessed that Ronnie Coleman would be the one to start that era. While both were rivals, Wheeler and Coleman are also good friends.

In 2018, Wheeler revealed what he thinks about Ronnie and if he can see someone surpassing the physique of prime Ronnie Coleman in the future.

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Flex believes no one has beaten prime Ronnie Coleman yet

In 2018, Flex Wheeler came onto the ‘Mind Pump Show’ YouTube channel. During the podcast, the “Sultan of Symmetry” spoke about competing against Ronnie Coleman and that he believes Ronnie is still the king. Wheeler said“He’s the king. Ronnie will always be the king,”. The four-time Arnold Classic winner then said, “I hope I am alive and hope I’m safe to look at the person who beats his best physique ever. I don’t foresee that.”

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While Wheeler’s statement may seem surprising, the former bodybuilder has good reason for making such a statement. Flex Wheeler has been suffering from rare kidney disease since he was 14. While it didn’t affect Flex when he was young, things worsened in the late 90s. In 2003, the 3 times Mr. Olympia runner-up even got a kidney transplant.

Throughout the years, Flex has gone through many major surgeries. Flex never stopped admiring the underdog who bested him many times. Ronnie Coleman surprised everyone when he upset Flex Wheeler at the 1998 Mr. Olympia. Coleman’s best placing till then had been 7th.

 

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After Dorian Yates retired, many thought Flex was the heir apparent to the Olympia throne. However, Ronnie beat him and won the title consecutively for the next seven years. To this day, many fans and bodybuilders believe that prime Ronnie Coleman is the greatest bodybuilder of all time. Flex believes it too.

Both Wheeler and Coleman worked with the same nutritionist

Everyone knows that Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman were rivals on stage. However, what few know is that Wheeler and Coleman worked with the same nutritionist. Chad Nicholls guides both rivals and once told Flex, “Wow! Ronnie can’t handle your diet.” Despite beating Wheeler on the Olympia stage multiple times, Ronnie couldn’t match Wheeler’s extreme pre-show diet.

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Watch this story – Ronnie Coleman Delivered His Top 10 Lineups for Mr. Olympia 2022

Flex has a complex medical condition and had good reason for doubting the future state of his health. While Wheeler would like to see who will dethrone Coleman as the all-time best, he also can’t foresee it happening. Maybe ever. Do you agree with Flex? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by:

Sagnik Bagchi

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Sagnik Bagchi is a US Sports writer for EssentiallySports. He has completed his Bachelor's and Master's in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. He has experience working as a freelance MMA writer for Sportskeeda.
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Edited by:

Pritam Priyedarshi