In the latest of what has been a string of confirmations from some of the biggest names in bodybuilding, seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath has announced that he will not compete this year for a record-tying eighth Sandow trophy.
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In a video posted by Muscular Development on YouTube, online editor Ron Harris quoted Heath in an interview that included what Harris called Heath’s “official answer” as to whether or not he will step onstage.
Heath stated, “I am thankful to finally announce that I’m not competing in this year’s 2019 Mr. Olympia contest.”
Heath won the Mr. Olympia title every year from 2011 until 2017. The 7th win tied him with Arnold Schwarzenegger for overall wins. He was the third man to win seven in a row along with Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman, who hold 8 each. After the 2017 win, he underwent surgery on a hernia on his abdomen and returned to the stage in 2018. He would place second in that show to eventual champion Shawn Rhoden.
Since the 2018 contest, Heath has had another surgery on his midsection due to complications from the first surgery. He worked on a speaking tour across the United States and the United Kingdom and recently launched his supplement brand, Phil Heath Labs. He also has been devoting time to supporting his wife, Shurie, as she recovered from her own surgery in August.
With Heath now officially out, that leaves 2008 Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson as the only past Mr. Olympia champion to be in this year’s lineup. Jackson will be onstage with Arnold Classic champion Brandon Curry and 2018 Olympia People’s Champion Roelly Winklaar as well as other contenders in Las Vegas. If anyone besides Jackson wins, that athlete will be the 15th to hold the title of Mr. Olympia.
Stay tuned to BarBend with the latest updates as the 2019 Olympia weekend approaches.
Featured Image: Instagram/philheath