Phil Heath ruled one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions stage for more than half a decade since 2011. While he never officially announced his retirement, he has been missing in action since 2020. However, it looks like 2023 is the year the bodybuilder might finally make his much-awaited comeback. Heath has been hinting toward his probable comeback for a while now.
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Most recently, he shared his competitive plans for 2023. Heath revealed that he is going to train again for the competition. However, whether or not he’ll eventually participate will depend on the results of those workouts. It isn’t the first time Heath has hinted toward a comeback in 2023. In 2022 also Heath dropped such hints on multiple occasions.
Is ‘The Gift’ coming back?
Recently, Phil Heath appeared on the 56th episode of his predecessor Jay Cutler‘s podcast, Cutler Cast. Herein, among the wide range of topics, Heath spoke about his plans for Mr. Olympia 2023. Heath revealed that he is planning to make a comeback in 2023. The podcast was shot before Mr. Olympia 2022. Hence, Heath acknowledged that he’ll be asked questions about his comeback. “You’re right, I’m going to get questions about a comeback, and I am going to come back,” said ‘The Gift.’
He added that to prepare himself for the contest, he will have to undergo three months of rigorous training. Once he is done with the training, only then will he take the final decision regarding the comeback. If he is satisfied with the results at that time, then the fans will get to see him on stage again. If not, then the fans might have to wait longer.
Phil Heath said, “Hey look, all I gotta do is train for three months and see what happens. If I like what I see… then we’ll see.” Heath won Mr. Olympia from 2011 to 2017. He was the runner-up in 2018 and secured 3rd place in 2019. Heath did not compete in 2020 as his body was still recovering from the after-effects of Covid-19. He hasn’t participated ever since.
Not the first time Phil Heath hinted toward a comeback
It isn’t the first time the 5’9″ tall bodybuilder has teased his fans about his comeback to the sport. In late 2022, a set of 4 videos were posted on the Fitness Volt Network’s official Instagram profile. The videos of Heath working out in the gym were recorded by himself.
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In these videos, Heath revealed he had been working on totally rebuilding his physique. He further added that 2023 was going to be crazy. Connecting the dots, one can figure out what the bodybuilder was hinting at.
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Only time will tell if Heath will make a comeback this year. But if he does, will he be able to snatch back the title? Will Heath become the third bodybuilder to be an 8x Mr. Olympia winner?
