The iconic bodybuilder of the 1990s, Dorian Yates, elevated the sport to an unimaginable level through his superior conditioning and muscle mass. Yates introduced the world to high-intensity training (HIT) methods inspired by Mike Mentzer and Arthur Jones. Many even consider the ‘Shadow’ to be the progenitor of the mass monster era. Yates preferred living away from the common bustle, but would suddenly appear in competitions to win titles. His elusive nature further added a charismatic note to the bodybuilding competitions. However, he had a competitor who achieved glory in 1998.
Another bodybuilder who displayed a herculean structure and won the Mr. Olympia competition eight consecutive times is Ronnie Coleman. Fans often compare the two bodybuilders due to the similarity in muscle mass. The raging question refuses to die. Recently, a throwback post by Dorian Yates ignited the debate once again.
Dorian Yates shares a throwback picture from 1993
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Taking to Instagram, the consecutive six times Mr. Olympia’s winner posted a carousel of seven throwback pictures. The English bodybuilder is posing in all the snaps. Explaining the context, Yates said, “The game-changing year…Throwback to pretty much bang on 30 years ago, where I was six weeks out from the 1993 Mr. Olympia.” Although Yates had won the previous year’s Olympia competition, most people had not registered the tenacity of the bodybuilder.
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In 1993, the Shadow further improved his physique and took a gigantic form. His conditioned back and lower body had shocked everyone onstage. The monstrosity was to continue till 1997, establishing the bodybuilder as one of the best in the world. At the time of the photographs, Yates weighed 270 lbs, and the photos were clicked by Kevin Horton. The icon further mentioned, “I actually didn’t know until years later that my physio Stuart Cosgrove filmed this on an early camcorder!” His photographs started a debate between fans over who had the best body- Coleman or Yates.
Ronnie Coleman vs. Dorian Yates – Fans debate the ultimate king of the 90s
Amazed at the spectacular physique of the English pro, a netizen wrote “That is the definition of “DENSITY”. In the same breath, another follower added, “Yeah, no one is beating this back double NO ONE. One fan pointed out, “Coleman comes close, but his flutes are symmetrical and are not in proportion with his body.” Agreeing with the statement, another netizen commented, “Finally someone has a brain. Bro, I agree with you. Even Steve the head judge, when Milos he ask him about who has the best body ever has, say it will be very close between Ron and Dorian, and he say the most impressive two bb ever are Ron and Dorian they are kings, I’m big fan of Ron and Dorian.”
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In the battle of the Titans, there is no clear-cut winner. Another fan chimed, “Bro Ron in 98 and 99 his gluts are good, but in 03 it was very big, you’re right.” Both the bodybuilders were legendary for their double-back biceps and wide lats. The King, in his prime, was arguably the only bodybuilder who could match the muscle density and conditioning of Yates. However, fans argued that he lacked symmetry.
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Even Yates took notice of Coleman in 1996. Both competed during the 1990s, but the English IFBB pro was unbeatable from 1992 to 1997. In an interview in 2021, the Shadow revealed that he appreciated Ronnie Coleman’s “structure and muscle balance.” However, he was surprised to witness the King win against Flex Wheeler in 1998 a year after Yates’ retirement. The King trained very hard each year to get bigger and better. No one came close until Jay Cutler dethroned him. Who do you think is the best bodybuilder in the 1990s?
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