Though Fans Believe Nasser El Sonbaty Was Robbed at 1998 Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath Picks His Favorite Without Second Thoughts: “Ronnie M*kn Coleman”

On October 10, 1998, the Madison Square Garden in New York City was a star-studded affair for any bodybuilding fan. Not only was it bodybuilding’s biggest competitive stage that night, but it was also perhaps one of the most closely fought competitions in Olympia history. Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, and Nasser El Sonbaty took the top three spots in the competition. But fans are to date divided on who truly deserved to win that year.

In a recent Instagram post by mrolympiallc, a throwback video from the “Epic Battle” between Coleman, Sonbaty, and Wheeler in 1998 was shared. While fans under comments rallied for Sonbaty, who they believed deserved to win, seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath was affirmative in his support for The King.

Thus arrived Ronnie Coleman

“1998 MR. OLYMPIA EPIC SHOWDOWN” read the Instagram post by mrolympiallc. A small snippet from the event in 1998 was attached alongside, where Coleman, Sonbaty, and Wheeler can be seen flexing their various muscles and taking various poses. A highly energetic piece of music that played with it, added to the overall feel.

Coleman won the competition. And it would be the first of his eight-time winning streak, which finally ended in 2005. While today, Ronnie Coleman is widely regarded by many as one of the greatest bodybuilders to ever live, his first-time victory was still an unlikely one. As was the buzz around, Nasser El Sonbaty, Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, etc were some of the favorites to be title contenders. Coleman’s victory even put fellow competitor Flex Wheeler to shame for not putting his best step forward.

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Dorian Yates, who won 1997 Mr. Olympia, suffered a triceps injury and announced his retirement, thus, leaving the door open for a new Olympia winner. And Coleman, then a 34-year-old, accepted the opportunity with both hands. Although Coleman went on to build his legacy in bodybuilding, several fans are still upset that Sonbaty, at the height of his prime in the late 1990s, did not win the 1998 competition.

It was Nasser El Sonbaty’s best chance to win, believes fans

Here’s how fans showered their support for Nasser El Sonbaty, who they believe was robbed of an Olympia title in 1998. But Phil Heath, who himself went on to win seven consecutive Olympia titles, still has his complete, unwavering love for Ronnie Coleman. “Ronnie M*kn Coleman!!!!!!” Phil Heath penned.

The game of lats has been a big deal throughout the 80s and 90s with Mr. O champs like Lee Haney and Dorian Yates. With an insightful remark, this person of few words thought Ronnie had better lats, and his Christmas tree-like back could have earned him the extra brownie points.

“Nasser lost from the back”

Fans came out in numbers in support of Nasser.

“Ronnie is the goat but Nasser probably looks the best in this competition”

“All respect to Ronnie but Nasser should’ve won. That’s one of the best looks in history period”

“Nasser was robbed big time”

“They were so unlucky to be at the same time with Ronnie , They deserved to be champion at least once”

Sonbaty never went on to win Mr. Olympia, but during the 1990s, he came close to winning it many times. Nevertheless, he did carve a place in the hearts of his fans. Coleman on the other hand, left a legacy behind that every aspiring bodybuilder to date looks up to and wishes to replicate.

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