Roelly Winklaar Rethinking Retirement: “I Never Thought I Would Have Ended It Like This”

Egberton Rulove “Roelly” Etienne-Winklaar‘s official retirement status has yet to be decided. In a recent The Menace Podcast, Winklaar, joined by Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier, discussed injuries, protein intake, and whether or not a comeback is on the horizon. 

As a standout Men’s Open competitor, Winklaar quickly garnered attention in the IFBB Pro League with cartoonish muscle density, size, and pronounced triceps. The Curaçaoan/Dutch native has proven himself against elite talent, having earned and competed at Mr. Olympia a total of 10 times. 

Fans of bodybuilding will be amazed but not surprised to hear that Roelly Winklaar has the most impressive and colossal triceps in bodybuilding history. Roelly’s triceps are so enormous that they redefine what is possible in bodybuilding.

What’s more, Roelly’s triceps are massive even when his arms are at rest. But he also knows how to show off his triceps with perfect posing. Whether he’s doing his signature side triceps pose or a cross-body arm pose, Roelly has unparalleled triceps that make him stand out as one of the best in the business. 

In 2018, Winklaar recorded his best Mr. Olympia performance, where he pushed the late Shawn Rhoden in the first call-out. He ultimately finished third but also received the Olympia People’s Champ Award. Well-respected for his active schedule, Winklaar’s last competition saw him reach ninth at the 2021 Romania Pro.

Questions surrounding Roelly’s retirement have lingered for some time. Last year, fans noticed he downsized his physique, which spurred rumors of his departure from the sport online. In addition, he helped fellow compeittor William Bonac prepare for 2022 Mr. Olympia. 

Following a five-hour left shoulder rotator cuff surgery, Winklaar voiced that his future in bodybuilding was uncertain. He said the healing process would factor into his decision to make a comeback. And while he admits he may never build the physique he carried in his prime, Winklaar isn’t ready to close the door on his career. 

Roelly Winklaar Hints at Comeback, Talks Injuries and Retirement

When explicitly asked if he was officially retired, Roelly Winklaar had the following to say: 

“I can’t answer that no, [officially retired] I don’t want to retire. I don’t want to retire but the injuries that I have I think I can do better to be my best back on stage. I was fighting with myself to train so I can compete with myself even training to look good, but to be the best and what I want… I think it could be never anymore but,” Roelly Winklaar said.

“If I go back, I’ll be smarter and just control the muscle, the pump, and everything,” said Winklaar. “It was after Tampa, after my surgery, exactly. It was… I was training light weight but I was still feeling fit. It was after my surgery [where I decided to stop]. I was just trying to but it wasn’t going.” 

Winklaar believes his heavy training likely caused the shoulder injury that has prevented him from working out and competing. 

“I don’t know how to call it in English, rotator cuff, it’s done. It’s too much, third-grade [tear]. I tried food, I tried. No, it’s only from the gym from all the years of heavy training,” said Winklaar. “Yeah [I had surgery] that was in 2020 when I did it. I started training back again. And exactly all my last shows, 2021, I didn’t want to eat well. I don’t exactly know, that’s why I placed bad.” 

According to Dennis James, ‘The Beast’ has nothing left to prove as a bodybuilder. 

“Roelly doesn’t have anything to prove anymore, your name is cemented in the IFBB Pro League forever. People will talk about ‘The Beast’ for the next 100 years. You’ll never have to worry about that. Maybe, I would have loved to see was you getting off stage and telling your fans ‘This is it for me, I’m going to hang it up.'”

Winklaar would have preferred to leave the sport on his own accord instead of an injury forcing him to stop. 

“Exactly, I’ve never had a chance to do that. I never thought that I would have ended it like this, you know,” says Winklaar. 

Regarding his career’s best physique, the 45-year-old believes his greatest look came in 2018. 

“The Arnold Classic Australia,” added Roelly. 

During his tenure, Roelly was over 300 pounds but said pushing the limits of his size never helped at shows.

“The heaviest I have ever been was maybe 138 kilos (305 pounds),” said Winklaar. “I can’t go heavier because in that time, I was like heavier on stage. I was like 128 and nobody was liking my shape anymore. That’s why I don’t be heavier anymore.” 

To maintain muscle mass, Winklaar discussed common proteins he consumed. 

“I was eating in my prep I was always eating fish. No more, like two kilos, two kilos of chicken,” said Winklaar. “I don’t have protein [shakes] no, shakes. No shakes. With eggs [and chicken] for breakfast.” 

This isn’t the first time Roelly Winklaar has reflected on his career. In a special appearance on William Bonac’s Gye Nyame podcast, Winklaar revealed that politics affected his placings at contests ‘a lot.’ However, he made it clear that his exit from bodybuilding was a direct result of his recent shoulder injury.  

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While it doesn’t appear to be final, Roelly Winklaar is heavily considering a comeback. Given his abrupt departure, fans would love to see him back on stage. 

You can watch the full video below from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel: 

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