Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Results
      • Mr. Olympia 2022
      • 2022 WSM
      • Arnold Classic
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Food Facts
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
    • Deals
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Results
      • Mr. Olympia 2022
      • 2022 WSM
      • Arnold Classic
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Food Facts
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
    • Deals
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
OP-EDOP-ED

Why We Weren’t Surprised Shawn Rhoden Was Crowned Mr. Olympia 2018

Ash, ACE, MSc

Written by Ash, ACE, MSc

Last Updated onOctober 26, 2018

Phil Heath’s Back Pose Is Not Enough for New Era of Bodybuilding

The debate about why Shawn Rhoden defeated Phil Heath is still happening around the world. However, unlike past Olympia’s where most controversies were justified, little can be argued about this year’s Olympia decision. Nobody saw it coming before the show and most people assumed Phil Heath would tie for most Olympia wins ever. However, there’s a new champ in town (Shawn Rhoden)!

The question is… how and why was Shawn Rhoden able to convincingly beat Phil Heath. Let’s judge based on a few important factors…

Phil’s Midsection (Bubble Gut) Was Out of Control

Shawn Rhoden has arguably one of the best set of abdominals in the game today. His midsection brought back the days of Flex Wheeler (While of course being more conditioned and larger). Phil’s midsection has slowly creeped up on him to the point of no return, while Shawn Rhoden was aesthetic as you can be (No bubble guts in sight). Even between poses, Phil’s “gut” was just all around unappealing and that carried over into the final judging.

Shawn Rhoden Had Better Conditioning

Conditioning is something that Shawn Rhoden clearly beat Phil in. He was overall more striated and harder looking. He looked phenomenal in fact and everything flowed like a perfect wind on a Spring morning. Phil was playing the size game and although he has better genetics in many areas (Hence the name, “The Gift”) he was simply outclassed. Now, Phil is known to be possibly the most “gifted” bodybuilder to ever walk on stage. His three-dimensional physique has allowed him to defeat the best of the best on the Olympia stage. However, the package he brought this year wasn’t enough to prevail over Shawn Rhoden’s proportional and symmetrically balanced physique.

Shawn Rhoden Brought Incredible Symmetry

Like mentioned before, Shawn Rhoden brought symmetry and there was no doubt about it. He looked like a 90’s bodybuilder but in many ways even more impressive. For how Shawn’s body is shaped, he did an amazing job at creating a balance between his strong and weak points. Phil doesn’t really have weak points aside from his midsection (the Big problem this year) but Shawn’s weak points are obvious in his lack of comparable (In regards to Phil Heath’s unworldly muscle shape and fullness) triceps, chest and back development. However it is good to see that this year’s contest was judged on balance, symmetry, and conditioning rather than from the back poses.

Shawn Rhoden’s Posing Was on Point

Posing routines can prove to be a double-edged sword… you could expose your weakness or you can learn how to accentuate your strengths. Shawn Rhoden did the latter quite effectively and as a result, his posing routine was more visually pleasing than Phil’s.

Heck… Flexatron (Shawn Rhoden) could have won the Olympia just from his silhouette as he was walking on stage. He looked that good!

Phil Heath is a great champion and his posing has been good enough to win him many titles but Shawn’s physique again had already won the show before it started.

We Simply Needed a New Champ and Shawn Delivered

If it weren’t for politics we’d have a new Mr. Olympia more often. However, Shawn displays all of the great characteristics of a deserving champ. He not only has the physique but he is also a good ambassador of the sport. It would have been very disappointing for many people around the world if Phil would have won his 8th Sandow when it wouldn’t have been well deserved. Who knows what his future holds but for now the focus has been diverted to someone else! Shawn Rhoden’s ability to overcome his obstacles and come back and shock the bodybuilding world was nothing short of a miracle. It says a lot about his work ethic and determination as well as his belief in himself when the impossible seemed all too likely.

The Battle May Not Be Over Just Yet

Based on Shawn Rhoden’s miraculous comeback win, we can only hope he will bring the same determination next year. The competition will be even fiercer (Especially if Phil decides to compete in 2019) and he will need to be at his current level or even better. Of course, Phil Has a few more good years in him as does Shawn but who knows what’s ahead for their future rivalry.

A New Era of Bodybuilding

We can’t help but to be hopeful for the future of Olympia competition based on this year’s turn of events. We wanted it… and the sport needed it but more than anything else, we get the satisfaction of knowing that the judging was fair. Maybe things will be different from now on regarding competition but either way, we can mark a proud day in the history books!

Congratulations to Shawn Rhoden for his historical victory to be remembered forever.

For the latest news and updates please follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: Featured OP-ED
Previous Post

Embarrassing News: Synthol Freaks Received Awards At 2018 Amateur Olympia Brazil

Next Post

Conor McGregor Posted Heartbreaking Life Story Video On Instagram

Ash, ACE, MSc

Ash, ACE, MSc

Ash is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). She holds B.A. in biology from Rutgers, and M.S. in Exercise Science (Kinesiology) from CBU.

Recommended For You

Jay Cutler On Phil Heath

Jay Cutler Shoots Down Phil Heath Return to Bodybuilding: ‘He’s Not Coming Back’

Jay Cutler is a four-time Mr. Olympia champion and led one of the most successful bodybuilding careers in the sport's...

Phil Heath Shows Off Abs

Bodybuilding Legend Phil Heath Shows Off Abs in Recent Physique Update

Bodybuilding royalty Phil Heath has reached incredible heights as an IFBB Pro, and still understands the ingredients necessary to achieve...

Phil Heath Possible Return

Phil Heath Credits ‘Hard Work, Discipline’ for 7 Mr. Olympia Titles, Chance of Return ‘Staying at 5%’

Phil Heath is a legend of the sport and one of the most successful bodybuilders to ever walk the earth....

Phil Heath Looks Huge

Bodybuilding Legend Phil Heath Looks Massive In A Recent Workout Video

Bodybuilding legend Phil Heath recently shared a short workout clip. Heath is one of the greatest bodybuilders and won the...

Phil Heath Tribute Cedric Mcmillan

Phil Heath Shares Emotional Tribute Honoring the Late Cedric McMillan

Following the tragic death of Cedric McMillan, the bodybuilding community has been mourning the sudden loss. In a recent Instagram...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Superhero Workouts

5 Superhero Workout and Diet Programs: From Hulk to Ant-Man

Derek Lunsford calves and delts training

Derek Lunsford Annihilates Delts And Calves Workout, Shares Healthy Cheat Meal

Olivia Reeves

Weightlifter Olivia Reeves (71KG) Clean & Jerks 138-kg (304.2-lb) For a New American Record 

Recent Reviews

Best Vitamin C Supplements 1

10 Best Vitamin C Supplements of 2022

Best Pump Supplements

Top 10 Best Pump Supplements of 2022

Best Barefoot Shoes

Top 11 Best Barefoot Shoes for Working Out

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workouts
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Mr. Olympia
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • 2022 WSM
    • Diet
    • News
    • Arnold Classic
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Deals
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.