The reigning legend of the 1990s, Dorian Yates, has cemented his place as one of the greatest bodybuilders in history. Moreover, the shy English icon pushed the human limits by honing his body to achieve a hulk-like size. The aesthetic bodybuilder never lost sight of condition and symmetry while ushering in the mass-monster era. His high-intensity workouts became one of the leading training practices of the present generation. However, it also had its pitfalls.

Recently, six-time Mr. Olympia (1992–1997) took to social media and discussed his career-ending injury. The damage was so devastating that not only did Yates stop competing, but he also left his strenuous bodybuilding training.

A tendon injury forced Dorian Yates to retire from bodybuilding

Earlier, taking to Instagram, The Shadow shared a throwback picture with his 1.5 million community. It shows the legend working out his right shoulder and arms while his left arm is in bandages. Explaining his decision to leave the glorious journey that he had started as a Mr. Birmingham Novice in 1984, the bodybuilder wrote, “Here’s a couple of shots from late 1997, after my tricep surgery.” Furthermore, he spilled details on his surgery that took place in America. The Shadow also went into the gory details of the day. “In the gym, I remember there being a huge BANG! It sounded like a gunshot and could’ve been heard across the other side of the gym. It was that loud!” added the mass monster progenitor.

Initially, Dorian Yates decided not to compete with the injury. However, he gave Mr. Olympia a shot one more time, as he had been training hard and following a strict diet for many days. Yates further wrote, During the contest, my tricep was pretty much holding on for dear life and I had to be extremely careful when I was on stage. The horrible incident that caused 90% detachment of his tricep tendons contributed to the decision to end his bodybuilding journey. “I never appeared onstage again, not even for guest posing. It was all or nothing!” added the resilient and headstrong bodybuilder who changed the rules of the game forever.

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He set up a standard so high that even the new cohort of bodybuilders find it hard to breach. The journey of the 61-year-old before winning his first title in 1992 was full of highs and lows. The English professional found inspiration for bodybuilding in the unlikeliest place: the prison.

Confused and homeless, Yates started bodybuilding in prison

Yates revealed that he was sentenced to jail for six months at age 18. Furthermore, detailing the genesis of his bodybuilding journey, Yates added, “This was my life in the early 80s … I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life at this point. It wasn’t until I got into prison and discovered my talent for bodybuilding that changed the trajectory of my life.”

After coming out of jail, Yates maintained his passion for the sport and rigorously worked out. The bodybuilder also simultaneously worked jobs to sustain himself. His efforts turned fruitful when he won the British Championships. The glitter of the title did not sway Yates from continuing with his razor-sharp focus. Later, in 1986, the CEO of DY Nutrition took over the Temple gym in Birmingham, which became his Mecca for building a monstrous physique. Little did the audience know that their role model was flexing his biceps for one last time in 1997. Inspired by Yates’s life journey? Share your comments.

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