The 7x Mr. Olympia champion Phil Heath just wanted to congratulate his good friend and the 2008 Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson on his recent IFBB 2019 Tampa Pro win.
Watch: Dexter Jackson’s Winning Posing Routine at Tampa Pro 2019
But Heath added a bit more on his Instagram than just a “congrats,” telling his fans of their close relationship and just being in awe that Jackson is still competing at such a high level after so many years…
At 49 years old, Dexter Jackson won the 2019 Tampa Pro and has won the most competitions in IFBB history, most notably the Arnold Classic a record five times (2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015) and of course the 2008 Mr. Olympia. But what’s astounding is that he has not placed outside of the top 5 at the Olympia since 2011.
There are few who can compare to Dexter “The Blade” Jackson when it comes to amazing genetics, and showing up in amazing shape every show. He’s a true legend and it’ll be sad when the day of his retirement comes.
Check out the heartfelt message for Dexter Jackson from Phil Heath on Instagram…
“Special congratulations to my friend, the big homie @mrolympia08 on his recent IFBB Tampa Pro Victory. Throughout our relationship, we both have grown as competitors but also as friends giving each other friendly banter for the last 14yrs. It all started back in 2005 as I was about to earn my pro card at the 2005 Mr USA and Dexter mentioned that I looked good and could win.
I’m like cool thanks Dex, but then as I began to win some pro shows I began to view Dexter as my focal point of what I felt exemplified, the most balanced, conditioned physique which I felt was a great goal to have. Little did I know it came with a ton of hard work, but also a mentality that Dexter had as he never came in out of shape to a contest and I knew that I needed to be a true professional every time I showed up.
That friendly banter would grow in its intensity with one another that would almost look like a barbershop scene out of the movie “Coming to America.” Him telling me “I’m whoopin yo ass youngster, you don’t want none of this.”
To me saying “sure OLD man is that all you’ve got.” To Dexter later saying “I can only hold ya young ass off for so long but until then imma put this work on ya boiiiiii!!” (Added extra boiiii because that’s how Dex, well if you know you know lol) To me saying “Man I finally got yo old ass and its awesome to be a Mr Olympia just like you.”
To Dexter yelling out, “yeah you good but come in a little off and imma be there to tear dat ass up!” To now me saying, “Bro, I am so fuckin proud of you for maintaining a level of greatness for all of these years for us to watch. We the fans along with the entire IFBB Pro League Family are truly fortunate to watch such an illustrious, beautiful career that for some reason has no limits.”
Dexter, I mean this shit and I believe that you are a legend to our sport and I wanna again congratulate you on a well deserved win and all the best come September. Much Luv to ya oh and yes I have your geritol drink waiting for you along with your Vick’s vapor rub and your…ok ok I’ll stop lol. Cheers Brother you earned it!“
Now, we know Dexter Jackson will be competing at the 2019 Mr. Olympia competition and we’d expect him to come in better than his 7th place finish last year. But we’re still not certain of whether or not Phil Heath will return to the stage in an attempt to win his 8th Sandow.
So, these buddies may have seen their last Olympia together in 2018 if Phil Heath sits and Dexter Jackson retires after this year. But you never know what will happen in the competitive world of bodybuilding.
