Best Comebacks in Competitive Bodybuilding

The bodybuilding arena captivated its audience over the years with its athletes posing in ripped physiques on the Mr. Olympia stage. The excitement is unparalleled when their stars flex their muscle glory on stage. However, what is even more intriguing for bodybuilding enthusiasts is witnessing the terrific comebacks of their stars. The fans of the sport do not enjoy the Mr. Olympia champions losing their title or quitting the sport. But if they make a comeback nothing could match their fans’ excitement.

Since the 1970s, the Mr. Olympia stage has witnessed many such terrific comebacks. A few iconic bodybuilders were even crowned with the Mr. Olympia title in their comeback stories. So, let us see a few spectacular comebacks in the sport.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comeback in 1980

The Austrian Oak retired from the competitive arena in 1975 after lifting his sixth Sandow trophy to focus on his acting career. While his retirement news was heart-wrenching for his fans, Schwarzenegger made a comeback in 1980. He was seen filming for the Conan film and was maintaining his super shredded physique for the sword and sorcery film. 

So, he wanted to lift one more Sandow trophy. However, he entered the competition at the eleventh hour, stunning the audience and competitors. He won his seventh Mr. Olympia trophy with just seven weeks of training. Despite being controversial, it is one of the most talked about comebacks in the sport. However, the following year, his friend would repeat the story. 

Franco Columbu 1981 Mr. Olympia win

Another controversial comeback story is of Columbu. After winning his first Mr. Olympia in 1976, the Sardinian Strongman suffered a major knee injury and didn’t compete for five years. However, when he flexed his muscles on the Mr. Olympia stage in 1981, many believed the late icon lost his bodybuilding charm. But he won the Sandow, and the crowd didn’t approve of the outcome. Another Golden Era bodybuilder is in line to make a comeback a decade later. 

The desire to be Mr. Olympia

Lou Ferrigno amassed immense followers as Incredible Hulk, but his bodybuilding career lacks luster without a Sandow trophy. The arch-rival of Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t win the Mr. Olympia title in the 1970s before his shift into movies. However, the desire to become Mr. Olympia champion was still burning in Ferrigno’s heart. 

So, the 2x Mr. Universe made a comeback onto Mr. Olympia’s stage at 41 in 1992. However, the competition has evolved a lot since the 1970s, and mass conditioning was expected from athletes. The Hulk could bring only mass to the stage. He occupied 12th place and, the following year 10th place. He quit the Mr. Olympia stage afterward without realizing his dream of lifting the Sandow trophy. 

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Lenda Murray: The Stunning 2002 Comeback

The name Lenda Murry resonates loudly in the women’s bodybuilding arena. She won six Ms. Olympia titles before coming second in 1997. However, she made an awesome comeback at the 2002 Ms. Olympia show and won her seventh Sandow trophy. The following year, she won her eighth title. 

Jay Cutler’s 2009 comeback

The bodybuilding enigma defeated King Ronnie Coleman in 2006 to win his first Mr. Olympia title. In 2007, he lifted his second. However, Cutler had to lose his title to Dexter Jackson in 2008, and the pain of loss was intense for the 4x Mr. Olympia champion. So, he trained intensely under Hany Rambod and made a spectacular comeback in 2009.

When Jay Cutler flexed his Quads with a stomp, the crowd knew he would reclaim the title, and the judges couldn’t agree more. His iconic pose earned him a nickname too, the QuadStomp. The following year, he won his fourth and final Sandow trophy. 

Kevin Levrone’s comeback in 2016

If not for Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Levrone would have been Mr. Olympia’s champion at least once. He was consistently placed second in competitions, and bodybuilding fans believe he is the greatest bodybuilder to not win the Mr. Olympia along with Flex Wheeler. However, Levrone didn’t want to lose hope till 2016.

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That year, he made a surprise comeback to win the trophy. But luck was not in his favor. He suffered a pec tear during the training regimen and was placed 15th. He later quit the stage once and for all. 

The Sultan of Symmetry wants it too

Flex Wheeler was also never crowned with Mr. Olympia despite offering the most perfectly symmetrical physique the sport could ever witness. Health and other issues continuously hampered his bodybuilding journey, but the Sultan of Symmetry wanted to compete one last time in 2017. His routine on the Mr. Olympia stage fetched him a standing ovation but not the ultimate glory. He occupied 15th place and left the competitive arena with only regret. 

Phil Heath and Kai Greene also had their comeback stories. Next year, Hadi Choopan will fight to reclaim his lost title. Whether his comeback story will be stunning, only time will tell. However, now fans can understand why a retirement in the bodybuilding arena is not always a full stop. It can be sometimes take a comma for something great to unfold.