Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Strongman
    • Powerlifting
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Arnold Classic
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2025 WSM
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Muscle Groups
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Mobility & Stretching
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Supplements
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Calculators
  • More
    • Forum
    • Strength Standards
    • DIY
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Home » Bodybuilding

Chris Cormier Lists Shawn Ray as No. 1 Giant Killer: ‘He’s Too Detailed from Head to Toe’

Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier discussed some of his favorite athletes like seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis, Lee Labrada and Shawn Ray.

Written by Doug Murray

Published on10 November, 2022 | 1:00 PM EDT

Updated on10 November, 2022 | 1:00 PM EDT

Ask Question?
Chris Cormier On Shawn Ray

Chris Cormier On Shawn Ray - Image via @shawnrayifbbpro Instagram

The sport of bodybuilding has grown tremendously since veteran Chris Cormier last battled on stage. In the latest Prime Time Muscle podcast, Cormier named his top five all-time giant killers in the IFBB Pro League. 

Cormier made his mark in the sport with a blend of aesthetics, size, and conditioning. During his career, he shared the stage with icons like six-time Olympia winner Dorian Yates, Shawn Ray, Flex Wheeler, and eight-time Olympia champ Ronnie Coleman. 

Having competed against a number of different body types, Cormier understands that athletes must use what they have to present the best physique possible. Over decades, even when some of these smaller athletes lacked size, they made up for it on stage with granite conditioning.

The 212 division, which was once the 202-pound division, showcases jacked athletes, but some of them may appear undersized when standing next to mass monsters in the Open. During his latest video, Cormier is breaking down his top giant killers who defied the odds and rose to the top. 

Chris Cormier’s Top Giant Killers: Lee Labrada, Kevin English, David Henry, Shawn Ray and Flex Lewis

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shawn Ray (@shawnrayifbbpro)

Get Fitter, Faster

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!

Please wait...
You're In! Let's Crush Your Fitness Goals Together

Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.

In a YouTube video, Chris Cormier discussed some of his favorite giant killers in the IFBB.

Lee Labrada, father of current Men’s Open Olympia contender Hunter Labrada, established himself as perennial threat while competing in the sport. He never laid claim to an Olympia title, but Lee managed to place in the top four at the prestigious show for seven years straight. 

“Yeah [Lee] Labrada beat a lot of giants. Just to have a close relation with some of these guys, I gotta tell you… I still think Shawn Ray would have beat most of these guys. He’s too detailed from head to toe. So busy. He had a busy body,” Cormier shared.

Cormier felt David Henry, a 212 Olympia winner from 2008 and three-time 212 Olympia champ Kevin English deserved honorable mentions. 

“That kid out of New York, he was from Steve’s gym. He won the Olympia, it was 202 [pounds] at the time. [Kevin] English. English was dominant, you know. Him, David Henry — I was going to say ‘Deadly Henry’ — he’s actually competed this year at the UK Arnold. 

I think Shawn would have beat these guys if I had to bet on it. Kevin English was tough to beat. He was a mass monster for the 202 class,” said Cormier. 

In addition, Cormier named the seven-time 212 Olympia winner Flex Lewis. He added that he saw the greatness in Lewis at a young age when he got the chance to meet him. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shawn Ray (@shawnrayifbbpro)

“Look at him [Flex Lewis]. From head-to-toe, he was definitely grainy. He was knocking them out every year. He’s just a bodybuilder’s bodybuilder. When he was 19 years old, he was already ready to go.

You could see the greatness in him already when I met him backstage in England. I saw it from a young age, and he was already calling himself Flex. He was ready to go from the time he started.”

Cormier believes Shawn Ray was an original giant killer during his prime. He never managed to bag an Olympia title, but placed in the top five at the event for 12 years straight (1990-2001). 

Even though Shawn Ray had a reputation of dominance, Cormier said that aura diminished after his opponents learned of his back lat spread weakness.

“That was Shawn Ray’s weak point was the lat spread from the back. When people found out that was his weakness; I think that’s when the notion of him being the top guy kind of diminished in my opinion. I think he got exposed at one show and then from there it was just kind of like the decline and ultimately his demise,” Cormier said.

In one of his other videos, Cormier listed his Mount Rushmore of all-time greatest bodybuilders that don’t fall into the giant killer category. Cormier named Lee Haney as his number one, with Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Phil Heath following behind.

In addition, Cormier recently deconstructed the size versus aesthetics debate. After looking closely at the 2022 Olympia lineup, Chris says ‘hybrid’ physiques like Akim Williams could find success and upset some contenders. 

RELATED: 2023 Masters Olympia Rumored for Next Aug. or Oct., Chris Cormier Talks Potential Lineup

Giant killers will continue to shake up the sport, just as Shawn Clarida did last year at the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro. While bodybuilding has certainly evolved as of late, Cormier believes physiques like Shawn Ray have stood the test of time. 

Check out the full video below: 


If you have any questions about this news, please feel free to contact Doug by leaving a comment below.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn Pinterest
Categories: Bodybuilding News
Previous Post

Nathan De Asha Out of 2022 Olympia After Right Bicep Injury: ‘Two Bicep Tears in the Same Fuc**ng Year’

Next Post

52-yo Gunter Schlierkamp Shares Jacked Physique Update Next to Dennis Wolf

Doug Murray

Doug Murray

Doug Murray is a News Editor for Fitness Volt with a focus on strength sports, including bodybuilding and powerlifting. His experience covering diverse sports, including MMA, for publications like Sportskeeda and CagesidePress informs his in-depth reporting.

Related

Keone Pearson
Bodybuilding

Keone Pearson Looks Huge in Latest Physique Update 14 Weeks Before Title Defense at 2025 Mr. Olympia

Lee Priest
Bodybuilding

Lee Priest Reveals His Top Barbell Exercises for a Massive Back

Jay Cutler
Bodybuilding

Jay Cutler Explains His Current Training Split at 51 Years Old

Dorian Yates
Bodybuilding

Dorian Yates Shares His Mr. Olympia Bodyweight Ab Routine Inspired by Bruce Lee

Big Ramy
Bodybuilders

Big Ramy Hints at 2025 Bodybuilding Comeback: “I Will Be Back”

Ronnie Coleman
Bodybuilding

Ronnie Coleman’s Condition ‘Remains Serious But Stable,’ Must Undergo Additional Surgical Procedure for ‘Underlying Health Matter’

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Latest

Stiff Hips? Do This One Daily Exercise to Unstick & Strengthen

Keone Pearson Looks Huge in Latest Physique Update 14 Weeks Before Title Defense at 2025 Mr. Olympia

Mr. Beast Challenges Brian Shaw To a Tug-of-War Against a Lion

Lee Priest Reveals His Top Barbell Exercises for a Massive Back

Jay Cutler Explains His Current Training Split at 51 Years Old

Spring Power Surge: 3 Overlooked Exercises to Add 10lbs to Your Bench Press by Summer

Fitness Volt

At Fitness Volt, our mission is to empower every individual on their fitness journey by providing expert advice, the latest research, and comprehensive resources. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, we are here to support your goals with trustworthy and up-to-date information in strength, fitness, and nutrition. Read more.

For inquiries, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]

About Us | Careers | Contact Form

Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • WSM
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercises
  • Training
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Discussion Forum

More

  • Calculators
  • Fasting
  • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Workout Plans
  • At-Home Workouts
  • Programs
  • Supplements
  • Newsletter
  • Review Process
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Strongman
    • Armwrestling
    • CrossFit
    • Results
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2024 WSM
    • Arnold Classic
  • Forum
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Workout Plans
    • Muscle Groups
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Programs
    • Mastering The Deadlift
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
    • Yoga
  • Nutrition
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Supplements
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Reviews
    • Food Facts
  • Fitness Calculator
  • More
    • DIY
    • Strength Standards
    • Motivation
    • Videos

© Copyright 2010 - 2024 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.