“I’m going home,” he tweeted on December 29. “Cosmetic surgery was a huge success. I’ll be back on stage in a couple of weeks.”

Coleman further tweeted that he had the operation to add more size to his already massive frame. “It never hurts to get bigger.”

The 5’11″, 330-pound former champion has not competed since placing fourth at the 2007 Olympia but has never officially announced his retirement and seems to enjoy frequent rumors of his impending return. Coleman has kept himself busy with guest posing appearances in the years following his record-tying Sandow run (1998 to 2005), as recent as December’s IFBB Pro  World Masters.

RON COLEMAN CONTEST HISTORY

• 1990 Mr. Texas (Heavyweight & Overall)
• 1991 World Amateur Championships (Heavyweight)
• 1995 Canada Pro Cup
• 1996 Canada Pro Cup
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia
• 1998 Night of Champions
• 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational
• 1998 Mr. Olympia
• 1998 Grand Prix Finland
• 1998 Grand Prix Germany
• 1999 Mr. Olympia
• 1999 World Pro Championships
• 1999 Grand Prix England
• 2000 Mr. Brody Langley
• 2000 Grand Prix England
• 2000 World Pro Championships
• 2000 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
• 2001 Mr. Olympia
• 2001 New Zealand Grand Prix
• 2002 Mr. Olympia
• 2002 Grand Prix Holland
• 2003 Mr. Olympia
• 2003 Grand Prix Russia
• 2004 Mr. Olympia
• 2004 Grand Prix England
• 2004 Grand Prix Holland
• 2004 Grand Prix Russia
• 2005 Mr. Olympia
• 2006 Grand Prix Austria – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Grand Prix Romania – IFBB, 2nd
• 2006 Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
• 2007 Olympia – IFBB, 4th

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:30 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived and available free on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes. Join us on the air by calling in at (347) 884-8157.

Be sure to visit Rhoden’s official website, www.shawnrhoden.com, and his Facebook page.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Marshall Faulk, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.

CONTEST RECORD

1999

Jan Tana Amateur – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 2nd
Team Universe Championships – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 3rd

2000

Team Universe Championships – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 4th

2001

North American Championships – IFBB, Light-HeavyWeight, 2nd
Team Universe Championships – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 2nd

2002

Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 14th

2009

North American Championships – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
North American Championships – IFBB, Overall Winner

2010

Europa Supershow – IFBB, Open, 16th

2011

Europa Supershow – IFBB, Open, 3rd
Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 11th

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:30 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes. Join us on the air by calling in at (347) 884-8157.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Marshall Faulk, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.

JASON ARNTZ COMPETITION HISTORY

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“Being back in Venice Beach after all these years, I was inspired to get back in shape,” Gaspari wrote in his blog on June 24th. ‘The Dragon Slayer’ then set up a cover photo shoot for Iron Man Magazine and another shoot with Hidetada Yamagishi (one of his Gaspari Nutrition athletes) for Muscular Development.

At 48, Gaspari is still young enough to get back on stage in some capacity. “Who knows how far I will take this?” he continued. “Featured Guest Poser Rich Gaspari? You never know.”

Guest posing is definitely something that would be a big attraction in the sport and Gaspari may even take it a step further. The Masters Division is something that has not garnered a lot of interest the past few years, but adding a name like Gaspari can give it a boost.

The IFBB Pro World Masters Championship is being held in Miami in December and some famous names have already committed. Ronnie Coleman, Samir Bannout, Dexter Jackson, Stan Frydrych, Andreas Cahling, Chris Cormier, Pavol Jablonicky, Roland Czuirlock, Toney Freeman, Troy Alves, Dennis James, Darrem Charles, Gary Strydom, Lee Apperson, Bill Wilmore and Lawrence Hunt are competing. An impressive line-up will be even bigger if Gaspari jumped on board.

Only time will tell if Gaspari takes this comeback all the way.

Competition history

• 1983 NPC Junior Nationals Overall Winner
• 1983 NPC Junior Nationals HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1983 NPC Nationals HeavyWeight, 5th
• 1984 NPC Nationals Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1985 IFBB Night of Champions 2nd
• 1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia 3rd
• 1986 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Championships Winner
• 1986 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 1986 IFBB World Pro Championships Winner
• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany 2nd
• 1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany (2) Winner
• 1987 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix England 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Germany Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Greece 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Italy Winner
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain (2) 2nd
• 1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain Winner
• 1988 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
• 1989 IFBB Arnold Classic Winner
• 1989 IFBB Mr. Olympia 4th
• 1990 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th
• 1991 IFBB Arnold Classic 7th
• 1991 IFBB Mr. Olympia 10th
• 1992 IFBB Arnold Classic 13th
• 1994 IFBB Chicago Pro Invitational 16th
• 1994 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational 15th
• 1994 IFBBNight of Champions- Did not place
• 1995 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 5th
• 1995 IFBB Night of Champions 12th
• 1996 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 11th
• 1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 12th
• 1996 IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational 16th

“Confirmation one hundred percent,” Strydom told Ray. “It is confirmed already. Signed, sealed and delivered (that) I’ll be there. So hopefully all of the other guys will be there and the show materializes.”

Some of those ‘other guys’ Strydom referred to just happen to include three former Mr. Olympia winners in Ronnie Coleman, Samir Bannout and Dexter Jackson. Also on the list are Vince Taylor (2001 Masters Olympia winner), Andreas Cahling, Chris Cormier, Pavol Jablonicky, Milos Sarcev, Toney Freeman, Troy Alves, Dennis Newman and Darrem Charles. Guest posers like Tom Platz, Robby Robinson, Tony Pearson and Juliette Bergman also jump off the page. This will be a very memorable evening, for sure.

The news of Strydom’s comeback is not much of a surprise, as the soon-to-be 51-year-old had announced that he was going to compete again back in 2009, as reported right here on MuscleSport Mag:

http://www.musclesportmag.com/2009/07/09/gary-strydom-49-may-be-planning-olympia-comeback

That did not materialize but this time it does seem genuine, as Strydom has a few business projects that will obviously benefit from his comeback. He has a supplement line called Strydom Professional Series and an upcoming launch of his own clothing line. Strydom has previous experience in the latter with Crazzee Wear, one of the most popular brands in and out of the gyms worldwide in the 1980s and 90s.

Two years ago, Strydom had visions of qualifying for the Mr. Olympia, but this appears to be a much better strategy. By going up against similar competitors, he has a good chance to place well and come full circle.

GARY STRYDOM’S COMPETETIVE CAREER

• 1983 NPC Florida Championships, Junior – Heavyweight, 1st and Overall
• 1984 NPC USA Championships, HeavyWeight, 1st
• 1986 NPC Nationals, HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
• 1987 Night of Champions, Winner
• 1988 Chicago Pro Invitational, 2nd
• 1988 Mr. Olympia, 5th
• 1989 Arnold Classic, 3rd
• 1989 Grand Prix France, 1st
• 1989 Grand Prix Germany, 2nd
• 1989 Grand Prix Melbourne, 1st
• 1989 Grand Prix Spain (2), 2nd
• 1989 Grand Prix Spain, 2nd
• 1989 Grand Prix Sweden, 1st
• 1989 World Pro Championships, 2nd
• 1990 Grand Prix England, 2nd
• 1990 Grand Prix Finland, 3rd
• 1990 Grand Prix France, 2nd
• 1990 Grand Prix Germany, 4th
• 1990 Grand Prix Italy, 3rd
• 1990 Houston Pro Invitational, 2nd
• 1990 Ironman Pro Invitational, 4th
• 1991 Night of the Champions
• 1991 WBF Grand Prix, 1st
• 1992 WBF Grand Prix, 1st
• 1996 Night of Champions, 12th
• 2006 Colorado Pro Championships, 7th

This news has come with mixed reviews, as the hardcore bodybuilding fan base can be heard complaining that the contests are too long as it is and adding another division will only water everything down more and that it has only been introduced to elicit more money from the competitors. Then you have the other side of the coin, where the fans will have a more diverse field to cheer for in both the men and women’s categories now.

What do you think? Where do you fall into the above categories? Why not pick up the phone and call in live and let us know. The call-in number is (347) 884-8157.

Cologlu recently won the NPC Eastern USA’s and has kicked off his career on the right foot. Tune in live or via free download to hear what he has in his sights for his future and what he feels is the benefit of the new division. Be sure to check out his recent interview on www.rxmuscle.com.

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:30 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Marshall Faulk, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.

Photo Courtesy of Melih F. Cologlu

“I just didn’t feel like doing it,” he said when asked why he sat this one out. “I’m going to concentrate on the Olympia. A lot of people are under the misnomer that you have to win an Arnold before getting an Olympia and that’s just not so. There’s been Olympia winners that never won the Arnold and Arnold winners that never won the Olympia.”

Heath is sort of correct in that assessment. Since the first Arnold Classic in 1989, there have been 14 different winners. Only three of those men (Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson) have also tasted victory at the Mr. Olympia. It remains to be seen if Branch Warren can become the fourth.

Since 1989, there have been only five different men taking home the Sandow. Besides the aforementioned three, Lee Haney and Dorian Yates finish out that short list and they have never competed at the Arnold. Taking it further, there have been two who have won both contests in the same year (Coleman in 2001 and Jackson in 2008).

So it behooves someone to cement their place in bodybuilding history by winning an Arnold Classic en route to making an attempt at the pinnacle of the sport in Las Vegas each September. Heath is right in his statement, but the pattern has shown that one has a better chance on being named Mr. Olympia if they have an Arnold in their back pocket.

MR. OLYMPIA

Year	Winner	Venue
1965	Larry Scott	New York City, New York, United States
1966	Larry Scott	New York City, New York, United States
1967	Sergio Oliva	New York City, New York, United States
1968	Sergio Oliva	New York City, New York, United States
1969	Sergio Oliva	New York City, New York, United States
1970	Arnold Schwarzenegger	New York City, New York, United States
1971	Arnold Schwarzenegger	Paris, France
1972	Arnold Schwarzenegger	Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
1973	Arnold Schwarzenegger	New York City, New York, United States
1974	Arnold Schwarzenegger	New York City, New York, United States
1975	Arnold Schwarzenegger	Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
1976	Franco Columbu	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1977	Frank Zane	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1978	Frank Zane	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1979	Frank Zane	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1980	Arnold Schwarzenegger	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1981	Franco Columbu	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1982	Chris Dickerson	London, England, United Kingdom
1983	Samir Bannout	Munich, Bavaria, Germany
1984	Lee Haney	New York City, New York, United States
1985	Lee Haney	Brussels, Belgium
1986	Lee Haney	Columbus, Ohio, United States
1987	Lee Haney	Gothenburg, Sweden
1988	Lee Haney	Los Angeles, California, United States
1989	Lee Haney	Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
1990	Lee Haney	Chicago, Illinois, United States
1991	Lee Haney	Orlando, Florida, United States
1992	Dorian Yates	Helsinki, Finland
1993	Dorian Yates	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1994	Dorian Yates	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1995	Dorian Yates	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1996	Dorian Yates	Chicago, Illinois, United States
1997	Dorian Yates	Long Beach, California, United States
1998	Ronnie Coleman	New York City, New York, United States
1999	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2000	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2001	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2002	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2003	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2004	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2005	Ronnie Coleman	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2006	Jay Cutler	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2007	Jay Cutler	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2008	Dexter Jackson	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2009	Jay Cutler	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
2010	Jay Cutler	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 1:30 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Sandra a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Marshall Faulk, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.

SANDRA BLACKIE’S CONTEST HISTORY

Be sure to visit his official website, www.albertbeckles.com.

***Please note this special day of this particular episode***

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Albert a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.

Obviously a major portion of the show will be a review of WWE’s Summer Slam, which will take place on August 15.

Besides writing for us, Silberkleit’s work can also be seen on www.sportsgrumblings.com

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Jared a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

MuscleSport Radio has enjoyed a steady flow of special guests since launching, with famous names in the bodybuilding and sports industry such as Samir Bannout, Bill Grant, Boyer Coe, Troy Brown, Ronnie Coleman, Gunter Schlierkamp, Leo Ingram, Heather Mae French, Cathy LeFrancois, Colette Nelson, Cathy LeFrancois, Dena Westerfield, Bill Romanowski, Tony Mandarich, “Leapin’” Lanny Poffo, Taylor Boyd, Steve Michalik, Dan Lurie, Emy Silvagni, Rae Holitt, Tom Terwilliger, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Kevin Levrone, Layne Norton, Randy Roach, Debi Laszewski, Heather Armbrust and more.