Phil Heath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phil Heath |
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|---|---|
| Bodybuilder | |
Heath in 2015
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| Personal info | |
| Born | December 18, 1979 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | Contest: 240 lb (109 kg) Off season: 270 lb (120 kg) |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | Colorado Pro Championships, 2006 |
| Best win | Mr. Olympia, 2011–2017 |
| Predecessor | Jay Cutler |
| Successor | Shawn Rhoden |
| Active | Yes |
Phillip Jerrod Heath, born on December 18, 1979, is a famous American professional bodybuilder. He is part of the IFBB Pro League. Phil is often called the Gift because of his amazing talent.
He won the Mr. Olympia competition seven times in a row, from 2011 to 2017. This ties him with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the second-highest number of wins. Only Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney have more, with eight wins each. Phil Heath was also known for his friendly competition with fellow bodybuilder Kai Greene. In October 2024, Phil Heath was honored by being added to the International Sports Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Growing Up in Seattle
Phillip Jerrod Heath was born in Seattle, Washington, on December 18, 1979. He went to Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. There, he was a talented basketball player. He played as a shooting guard on the school's main basketball team. His team even won the state championship in 1998.
College Basketball Career
After high school, Phil received a sports scholarship to the University of Denver. He studied business administration while playing basketball for the university. He continued to play as a shooting guard for their Division I basketball team.
Becoming a Bodybuilding Champion
Starting His Journey
Phil Heath began his bodybuilding career in 2002. By 2005, he had already won a big title. He won the overall championship at the NPC (National Physique Committee) USA Championships. This win allowed him to become an IFBB Pro, meaning he could compete as a professional bodybuilder.
Early Professional Wins
In 2006, Phil won his first two professional events. These were the Colorado Pro Championships and The New York Pro Championship. In 2007, he placed fifth at the Arnold Classic, another major competition. Even though he could have competed in the 2007 Mr. Olympia contest, Phil decided to wait. He wanted more time to make his body even better.
Climbing to the Top
Phil won the 2008 Iron Man show. He then placed second to Dexter Jackson at the 2008 Arnold Classic. When he first competed in the Mr. Olympia contest in 2008, he finished third. This was a great achievement for a newcomer. He was the first new competitor to place in the top three since Flex Wheeler in 1993.
He continued to improve, taking fifth place at the 2009 Mr. Olympia. In 2010, he earned second place. Finally, in 2011, Phil Heath won the Mr. Olympia crown. He successfully defended his title six times in a row. His winning streak ended in 2018 when he placed second to Shawn Rhoden.
Beyond Bodybuilding
Appearing in Professional Wrestling
Phil Heath also made an appearance in professional wrestling. On October 20, 2013, he was part of the countdown show for TNA's Bound for Glory event. He walked out with a tag team called The BroMans (Jessie Godderz and Robbie E). They won their match, and later that night, Phil celebrated with them when they won the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
Phil Heath's Major Wins
- 2005 NPC USA Championships, HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
- 2006 Colorado Pro Championships, 1st
- 2006 New York Pro Championship, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Iron Man, 1st
- 2011 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2011 Sheru Classic, 1st
- 2012 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2012 Sheru Classic, 1st
- 2013 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2013 Arnold Classic Europe, 1st
- 2014 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2015 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2016 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2017 Mr. Olympia, 1st
See also
In Spanish: Phil Heath para niños
- List of male professional bodybuilders
