While Ronnie Coleman’s victory in the 1998 Olympia by three points stunned the world, it also shocked Flex Wheeler. In a 2018 interview, Wheeler made a veiled reference to how politics could’ve played a role in Coleman’s victory. He also gave his real opinion on Coleman’s physique and posing. 

The bodybuilding champion made these revelations to the Mind Pump Show in 2018. At the time of the 1998 competition, Coleman and Wheeler were great friends who also traveled together. Talking about a big change in his and Coleman’s life, Wheeler hinted that the change might’ve cost him too much in 1998. 

Flex Wheeler unfolds the real backstory behind Ronnie Coleman’s 1998 Olympia victory 

Admitting that Coleman looked better than him, Flex Wheeler indicated how he didn’t want to hide the real facts anymore. “I gotta be honest regardless who I upset or not”, he firmly stated. Wheeler then spoke about how he signed with another company (Biochem) fifteen days before the Olympia. “So I left the Wieder organization”, he said. However, this was not the end of the story. 

Later, Wheeler revealed Coleman had shared with him that Joe Weider had approached him. Continuing, Wheeler expressed that Coleman had divulged, “He offered me a contract.” At this, Wheeler encouraged Coleman to accept the contract which he did. 

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After this, the exciting final show of the 1998 Olympia began. “He was in call-out three and I was in call-out one”, Wheeler elaborated. According to Wheeler, while his scores were 5 5, Coleman’s scores were 7 or 9. Later, there was a posing round, where Wheeler expected to shine. “I was a great poser and Ronnie’s not really noted as a great poser.” However, despite Wheeler’s efforts at posing, Coleman won. This was a huge blow to ‘The Sultan of Symmetry’ at that time. In 1999, Wheeler suffered another devastating blow when Coleman again defeated him and won the Mr. Olympia title. During an interview in the year 2007, Wheeler gave his thoughts on this defeat. 

The Sultan of Symmetry’s interesting reaction post his defeat by Ronnie Coleman 

Wheeler spoke about how he had a better physique as compared to the 1998 Olympia. Not only this, but he also had put on 17 pounds more. Despite this, ‘The King’ Coleman managed to achieve a perfect score.  

This had an impact on Wheeler, who began to feel that defeating Coleman was out of his reach by any means. The Sultan of Symmetry also indicated how Coleman’s perfect score made him easily accept the win without overthinking. If there was a single point difference between his and Coleman’s scores, Wheeler indicated that he would’ve thought more about how he could’ve been better. 

Watch This Story: Ronnie Coleman Once Dove Deep into His Bodybuilding Passion which Led to 8 Mr Olympia Titles 

Wheeler’s admissions hint at how Coleman’s victory in the Olympia and their professional rivalry are unforgettable for him. This rivalry and their irreplaceable contribution to bodybuilding shall inspire future generations of bodybuilders for years to come.