Ronnie Coleman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronnie Coleman
Bodybuilder
Coleman during a public appearance in 2014
Personal info
Nickname	The King
Born	(1964-05-13) May 13, 1964 (age 61) Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	Contest: 287–300 lb (130–136 kg) Off season: 315–330 lb (143–150 kg)
Professional career
Pro-debut	IFBB World Amateur Championships, 1992
Best win	IFBB Mr. Olympia, 1998–2005
Predecessor	Dorian Yates
Successor	Jay Cutler
Active	1990–2007

Ronald Dean Coleman (born May 13, 1964) is an American former professional bodybuilder. Many people think he is the greatest bodybuilder of all time. He is known as "The King".

Ronnie Coleman holds the record for the most Mr. Olympia titles, with eight wins, sharing it with Lee Haney. He won 26 professional titles from the IFBB, including the Mr. Olympia contest for eight years in a row. He was famous for being very muscular and strong, and for his extremely heavy workouts. This made him the strongest Mr. Olympia ever.

In 2016, Coleman was added to the International Sports Hall of Fame. In 2021, he received the 'Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award'.

Early Life

Ronnie Dean Coleman was born in Monroe, Louisiana, on May 13, 1964. He graduated from Grambling State University in 1984 with a degree in accounting. While at college, he played football as a middle linebacker for the Grambling State Tigers. His coach was Eddie Robinson, who is in the Hall of Fame.

After college, he worked at Domino's Pizza before becoming a police officer in Arlington, Texas. He served as an officer from 1989 to 2000 and continued as a reserve officer until 2003.

Bodybuilding Journey

Starting Out (1990-1991)

A fellow police officer, Gustavo Arlotta, told Coleman about 'Metroflex Gym'. The gym owner, Brian Dobson, offered Coleman a free lifetime membership if he would train for the 1990 Mr. Texas bodybuilding competition. Coleman agreed and won first place in both the heavyweight and overall categories. He even beat Dobson in the competition.

Later that year, he placed 3rd in the Heavyweight division at the 1990 NPC Nationals. The next year, Coleman became a professional bodybuilder. He placed 4th at the 1991 NPC Nationals Heavyweight division. He also won the 1991 IFBB World Amateur Championships in the Heavyweight division.

Slow Progress (1992-1994)

Coleman's journey to the top was not quick. In his first Mr. Olympia contest in 1992 Mr. Olympia in Helsinki, Finland, he finished last (16th place). He also placed 14th at the 1992 Night of Champions and 11th at the 1992 Chicago Pro Championships.

In 1993, Coleman did not compete in Mr. Olympia. However, he achieved 6th place at the 1993 Chicago Pro Championships. He also got 4th place at the 1993 IFBB French Grand Prix.

At the 1994 Mr. Olympia in Atlanta, Georgia, Coleman finished 15th. Other top bodybuilders were getting better, especially Dorian Yates. Coleman also started lifting heavier weights and training harder. He also took part in powerlifting competitions.

First Wins (1995-1997)

In 1995, Coleman won his first professional show, the 1995 Canada Pro Cup. He also improved his Mr. Olympia ranking, finishing 11th at the 1995 Mr. Olympia. He continued to compete often, traveling around the world.

At the 1996 Mr. Olympia in Chicago, Illinois, Coleman placed 6th. He also won the 1996 Canada Pro Cup again. Around this time, Coleman competed a lot and traveled frequently. He won the 1997 IFBB Russian Grand Prix. However, at the 1997 Mr. Olympia, he dropped to 9th place.

The Rise to King (1998)

In 1998, Coleman's body had changed a lot. He came to the 1998 IFBB Finnish Grand Prix looking amazing. He beat Kevin Levrone and Nasser El Sonbaty to win the title. People started to notice his wide and thick back muscles. His poses, especially his back poses, were considered some of the best ever. He also won the 1998 IFBB German Grand Prix, 1998 Toronto Pro, and 1998 Night of Champions. Levrone said, "It was the beginning of the end, for me and every other bodybuilder."

When Dorian Yates retired after winning his last Mr. Olympia title in 1997, the door opened for a new champion. Many thought Flex Wheeler would win. However, Coleman, who had already won four competitions that year, surprised everyone. He weighed about 112 kg (248 lb) on stage and was incredibly defined. He defeated Wheeler, El Sonbaty, Levrone, and Shawn Ray to win the 1998 Mr. Olympia in New York City. The judges praised his amazing back, V-shape, and overall condition.

Reigning Champion (1999-2001)

In 1999, Coleman faced a very tough group of competitors at the 1999 IFBB English Grand Prix. He won, beating top bodybuilders like Wheeler, Levrone, and Dexter Jackson. This competition became known as 'The Greatest Show on Earth' . Many believe the top three from this contest (Coleman, Wheeler, and Levrone) were the best ever on stage together.

At the 1999 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, Nevada, Coleman successfully defended his title. He was heavier than the previous year, at about 116 kg (257 lb), but still very defined. Many experts believe this was Coleman's best physique. Even as a 2-time Mr. Olympia champion, he was still working full-time at the Arlington Police Department.

In 2000, Coleman easily won the 2000 IFBB English Grand Prix and 2000 World Pro Championships. At the 2000 Mr. Olympia, he won his third title in a row. He received perfect scores, meaning all judges agreed he was the best. He became only the sixth person to win three Mr. Olympia titles in a row.

In 2001, Coleman started the year by winning the 2001 Arnold Classic. He was known for his amazing condition in this show. He then won the 2001 IFBB New Zealand Grand Prix. At the 2001 Mr. Olympia, he faced a strong challenge from Jay Cutler. But Coleman won his 4th Mr. Olympia title. He also made history by being the first person to win both Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic in the same year.

Continued Dominance (2002-2005)

For the 2002 Mr. Olympia, Coleman tried to be even leaner. This caused him to lose a little muscle, especially in his arms and legs. However, he still won his fifth title, beating Levrone in a very close contest.

In 2003, Coleman made huge improvements to his body. He came to the 2003 Mr. Olympia weighing an amazing 132 kg (292 lb) on stage and looking incredibly defined. Jay Cutler, who had taken a year off, said that when Coleman took off his clothes backstage, he knew he couldn't win. Levrone said, "Ronnie Coleman had reached a point, where he didn't look human backstage. It looked like a Silverback Gorilla. 'It' was part human, part gorilla." Coleman won his 6th title easily, tying Dorian Yates for the third most wins in history.

At the 2004 Mr. Olympia, Coleman was even bigger, weighing about 134 kg (296 lb). He won the competition, tying Arnold Schwarzenegger with 7 titles. He became the second most decorated Mr. Olympia ever. He then won three more competitions, becoming the most decorated professional bodybuilder of all time.

At the 2005 Mr. Olympia, Coleman was introduced as a king. He won his 8th Mr. Olympia title, tying Lee Haney for the most wins in history. After he was crowned, the IFBB president said that Coleman would be remembered as the greatest Mr. Olympia of all time.

End of an Era (2006-2007)

Coleman's amazing reign as Mr. Olympia ended in 2006 Mr. Olympia. His rival, Jay Cutler, finally beat him to win his first title. Coleman had very large upper arms, but a noticeable difference in his back muscles cost him his 9th title. Coleman made his last appearance at the 2007 Mr. Olympia, where he placed 4th. He announced his retirement soon after.

Personal Life

In 2007, Coleman married Rouaida Christine Achkar, a personal trainer from France and Lebanon. They later divorced.

In 2016, Coleman married his longtime girlfriend, Susan Williamson, who is also a personal trainer. They live in Arlington, Texas, with their four daughters. Coleman is a devoted Christian and a family man.

Nutrition

During his peak, Coleman was known for eating around 6,000 calories a day. He ate about 600 grams of protein daily. His carbohydrate intake changed from 100 to 1000 grams, depending on whether he was trying to lose fat or gain muscle.

Health Challenges

The extremely heavy weights Coleman lifted over the years caused a lot of stress on his body. Since 2007, he has had more than a dozen surgeries. These include two hip replacements and many operations to help with long-lasting pain from damaged spinal discs. Even though he uses a wheelchair and cannot walk without help because of his surgeries, Coleman still trains. However, he now uses only light weights. Coleman has always said he does not regret his choices. He believes he did everything he could to be the best bodybuilder.

Physical Details

Coleman in 2009, two years after his retirement

• Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
• Contest weight: 287–300 pounds (130–136 kg)
• Off-season weight: 315–330 pounds (143–150 kg)
• Chest / Back: 60 in (152 cm)
• Arms: 24 in (61 cm)
• Legs: 36 in (91 cm)

Famous Lifts

• Deadlift: 800 lb (363 kg) for 2 reps
• Squat: 800 lb (363 kg) for 2 reps
• Bench press: 500 lb (227 kg) for 5 reps
• Dumbbell Bench press: 200 lb (91 kg) Dumbbells for 12 reps
• Military press: 315 lb (143 kg) for 12 reps
• Dumbbell Shoulder press: 160 lb (73 kg) Dumbbells for 7 reps
• Bent-over row: 515 lb (234 kg) for 10 reps
• T-bar (corner) row: 540 lb (245 kg) for 9 reps & 505 lb (229 kg) for 12 reps
• Front Squat: 585 lb (265 kg) for 4 reps
• Hack Squat: 765 lb (347 kg) for 8 reps
• Lunges: 185 lb (84 kg) for 20 reps per leg
• Barbell Shrugs: 735 lb (333 kg) for 11 reps
• Dumbbell Shrugs: 250 lb (113 kg) Dumbbells for 15 reps
• Calf raises: 540 lb (245 kg) for 20 reps
• Leg press: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg) for 8 reps

Bodybuilding Competition History

Films About Ronnie

See Also

In Spanish: Ronnie Coleman para niños

• List of male professional bodybuilders