“Can’t Imagine How Huge He Was”: Long Forgotten German Beast Takes Bodybuilding World to the Golden Years of the Sport

The German Ruhl, Markus Ruhl, was among those bodybuilders who could have given stiff competition to the 8x Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman. He was long forgotten in the realm of bodybuilding. Born in 1972 in Germany, Rühl embarked on his bodybuilding journey in 1991, when he was just 19 years old. He chose to pursue bodybuilding after a knee injury during soccer. Moreover, in 1995, he made his debut in amateur competitions, starting with the Bachgau Cup in Babenhausen, Germany, where he not only won the heavyweight title but also secured the overall championship. During the same year, he achieved an impressive second-place finish at the Grosser Preis von Hessen in Germany.

Initially, Markus had a more classic and aesthetic physique in his early bodybuilding years. However, as time passed, he aimed to pack as much muscle as he could onto his broad frame. In the 2004 Olympia, he stood on stage with the other competitors, presenting a jaw-dropping spectacle to the audience with his towering 5’10” physique.

A throwback to the most enthralling Olympia 

An Instagram page of Flex magazine that goes by the name @flex_magazine posted a video with the caption, “Mr. Olympia 2004 Challenge Round – Markus Rühl.” While the challenge round was going on between Ronnie Coleman and Markus Ruhl, the anchor questioned Markus Ruhl on which pose to go for. In response, he said, “Front Lat Spread,” hence, Coleman and Ruhl were at loggerheads. Moreover, it was a clear sight that the wide deltoids of Ruhl were massive and there was no comparison. While the crowd was calling out, shouting Ruhl, Ruhl, Ruhl, and the fans were not stopping. 

In the next pose, it was between Jay Cutler and Markus Ruhl, and when the anchor asked Markus, he replied, “Side Chest.”Yet again, Ruhl ruled the stage with his massive triceps bulging outside and his quads stunned the audience. The victory of Markus Ruhl was as lucid as it can be. He just made a clean sweep in the side chest pose. 

Read More: “Markus Was Way Stronger”: Ronnie Coleman’s Supremacy Questioned by Fans After German Mass Monster Shares an “Unforgettable” On-Stage Moment

Then comes the last pose, which actually exhibited the true proponent of the Sandow trophy. In a pose-off between Ronnie Coleman and Markus Ruhl, showcasing their most muscular poses, Ruhl emerged victorious once again. His broad shoulders, colossal strength, stunning biceps, and the accrued mass over the physique were surreal. It was at this very moment that the crowd and their clamor hailed him as the mass monster. 

Fans went gaga by watching the throwback video

Though Ruhl won all the poses against Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman, he was placed in the fifth position in the 2004 Olympia, which made fans go mad. However, reminiscing about the throwback post, one of the fans commented, “Das Freak! Man, I loved Markus Ruhl! He was freaky but had a unique shape to him that couldn’t be matched by anyone.” Another fan said, “Marcus should have won.”

One of the fans appreciated his massive size by commenting, “ I can’t imagine how huge he was in person.”Moreover, he got other appreciation as well from fans commenting, “Markus was GOATED.” Fans enjoyed the most muscular pose of the mass monster and commented, “Most muscular pose.” Other comments were, “Markus it’s first my opinion.” He was one bodybuilder who never won any Olympia, but he was loved and admired by fans. What do you think about the competition between the trio? Do comment below.

Watch This Story: “Bro, Really Is Mr. Beast Now”: Chris Bumstead Praised Mr. Beast’s One-Year Fitness Update