Flex Wheeler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kenneth "Flex" Wheeler |
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| Bodybuilder | |
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Wheeler in 2023
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| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Sultan of Symmetry |
| Born | August 23, 1965 Fresno, California, U.S. |
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | contest: 212–240 lb (96–109 kg) off season: 265–275 lb (120–125 kg) |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | IFBB World Amateur Championships, 1990 |
| Best win | IFBB Arnold Classic, 1993, 1997–1998, 2000 |
| Predecessor | Vince Taylor |
| Successor | Kevin Levrone (1994) Ronnie Coleman (2001) |
Kenneth "Flex" Wheeler (born August 23, 1965) is an American retired professional bodybuilder. He was known for his amazing muscle shape and balance. Many people, including famous bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman, have called him one of the best bodybuilders ever.
Contents
About Flex Wheeler
Early Life and Sports
Flex Wheeler was born and grew up in Fresno, California. He found school challenging but was very good at sports. He started training in martial arts first. Later, as a teenager, he discovered weight training and began bodybuilding.
Flex is famous for his incredible flexibility. He could even do a full split! This amazing flexibility is how he got his nickname, "Flex." He always considered himself a martial artist first and a bodybuilder second.
Bodybuilding Journey
After working briefly as a police officer, Flex decided to focus completely on becoming a professional bodybuilder. He started competing in 1983. His first big win was in 1989 at the NPC Mr. California Championships.
Flex came very close to winning the 1993 Mr. Olympia, finishing second. He won the Arnold Classic four times, which was a record back then. He also won many other big competitions like the Ironman Pro five times.
In 1994, Flex was in a serious car accident. This accident could have caused him to be paralyzed. He worked hard to recover and returned to bodybuilding at the top level. In 1999, he found out he had a kidney condition. Flex announced he would retire from competitive bodybuilding in 2000. However, he continued to compete until 2003.
He made a comeback at the 2017 Mr. Olympia. He competed in the Classic Physique division.
Life After Competing
After retiring from bodybuilding, Flex went back to his love for martial arts. He practiced Kenp-Kwon-Do, which is a mix of Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, and Aikido.
In 2003, Flex received a kidney transplant. Even after this, he showed his strength by participating in a martial arts demonstration in 2005. He also worked as a director for a sports nutrition company. He helped manage their athletes and appeared in advertisements.
In October 2019, Flex had surgery to remove part of his right leg. This was due to serious blood flow problems in his leg. He said the decision was made because his leg issues had become life-threatening. Doctors believe this was caused by a mix of his kidney condition, past leg injuries, his car accident, and his kidney transplant.
Flex Wheeler's Stats
- Height: 178 cm (5 feet 10 inches)
- Off-season Weight: 125 kg (275 lb)
- Competition Weight: 109 kg (240 lb)
- Arm Size: 58 cm (22.83 inches)
- Leg Size: 80 cm (31.5 inches)
- Chest size: 138 cm (54.3 inches)
Amateur Competitions
- 1985 Teen America (Medium Tall, 1st place)
- 1989 Contra Costa Championship (Light Heavyweight 1st, Overall 1st)
- 1989 California Championships (Light Heavyweight 1st, Overall 1st)
- 1989 Nationals (Light Heavyweight, 5th)
- 1990 Junior Nationals (Heavyweight, 2nd)
- 1991 USA Championships (Heavyweight, 2nd)
- 1991 Nationals (Heavyweight, 2nd)
- 1992 USA Championships (Heavyweight & Overall, 1st)
Professional Competitions
- 1993 Ironman Pro Invitational (1st)
- 1993 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (1st)
- 1993 Mr. Olympia (2nd)
- 1993 Grand Prix France (1st)
- 1993 Grand Prix Germany (1st)
- 1995 Ironman Pro Invitational (1st)
- 1995 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (2nd)
- 1995 South Beach Pro (1st)
- 1995 Mr. Olympia (8th)
- 1995 Grand Prix Spain (5th)
- 1996 Ironman Pro Invitational (1st)
- 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (2nd)
- 1996 Night of Champions (1st)
- 1996 Canada Pro Classic (2nd)
- 1996 Florida Cup Pro (1st)
- 1996 Mr. Olympia (4th)
- 1997 Ironman Pro (1st)
- 1997 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (1st)
- 1997 San Jose Pro Invitational (1st)
- 1998 Ironman Pro Invitational (1st)
- 1998 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (1st)
- 1998 Mr. Olympia (2nd)
- 1999 Grand Prix England (2nd)
- 1999 Pro World (2nd)
- 1999 Mr. Olympia (2nd)
- 2000 Mr. Olympia (3rd)
- 2000 Hungarian Grand Prix (1st)
- 2000 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic (1st)
- 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational (2nd)
- 2002 Mr. Olympia (7th)
- 2003 Ironman Pro Invitational (3rd)
- 2017 Mr. Olympia Classic Physique (15th)
See also
In Spanish: Flex Wheeler para niños
- List of male professional bodybuilders
