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03-24-2016, 05:54 PM #1
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Did Lee Haney get the last laugh? Does his durabilty prove he is the best ever?
Lets get one thing straight: This isn't a dig a Ronnie Coleman. Ronnie is arguably (hence the thread) the best ever.
However, while both Haney and Coleman share the record for most Olympia titles (8) won, do other, more recent factors come into play?
Ronnie has paid the price to be the best. His determination through his recent health problems has been legendary. The guy always rocks a smile.
Haney however, seems to have remained relatively healthy all of these years.
Who competed against the best competition?
Haney competed in the golden age of bodybuilding.
Ronnie was the biggest (and most complete freak) amongst the mass monsters of his era.
Are they tied?
Does Ronnie's recent health problems give Lee the edge?
Editor's note: I am not discounting the fact that guys like Arnold and Yates belong in the GOAT conversation. This is strictly involving the co-record holders for most Olympia titles won.
Discuss.
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03-24-2016, 05:57 PM #2
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03-24-2016, 06:16 PM #3
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I thought this was a bodybuilding site?
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03-24-2016, 06:18 PM #4
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03-24-2016, 06:22 PM #5
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03-24-2016, 06:26 PM #6
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03-24-2016, 06:32 PM #7
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03-24-2016, 06:41 PM #8
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03-24-2016, 06:49 PM #9
My opinion:Coleman had the better build and faced tougher competition.Lee Labrada and Gaspari were great but didn't have the size to challenge Lee.Haney's quality of life is certainly better at this point.Only Coleman can answer if it's worth it now.
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03-24-2016, 06:57 PM #10
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Thank you for responding Mr. Cook ( I respect my elders).....
You are obviously old enough to have a better perspective on 80's competition, compared to me (I am 34) but I have always heard that 70's and 80's bodybuilders were the gold standard.
I know it is tough, but you cannot judge the two based on era, or similar poses.
Obviously Coleman would obliterate Haney by today's judging standards, but it is not as simple as judging physique vs. physique.
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03-24-2016, 07:01 PM #11
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03-24-2016, 07:12 PM #12
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03-24-2016, 07:14 PM #13
Each was a great champion during their respective eras. Both styles fit with the character of the person and were genetically gifted.
As a subjective sport, one must often decide if they will conform to the desired "look". Numerous athletes over the years have chosen to highlight freaky bodyparts over balance and symmetry which hurt their contest placings but added to their fan base.Training and diet consulting available. Send me a PM.
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03-24-2016, 07:19 PM #14
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But is health even an issue? Both have 8 Olympia titles.
If we can argue health, can we also argue career earnings?
I assume Ronnie has earned much more than Haney over the years.
Would you take a tie in Olympia's, and more money, in exchange for back and hip surgeries?
FYI, many of the younger generation have no idea who Lee Haney is.
Haney is the Whitey Bulger of Olympian GOATS. You may have heard about him, but you have no idea what he looks like.
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03-24-2016, 07:30 PM #15
Ronnie Coleman in his prime gets beat by no other bodybuilder. They each dominated their era, but Ronnie's era was deeper and his physique beats every other physique in history if judged by IFBB standards. As for current health serving as a tiebreaker for their 8 Mr. Olympias apiece, that would be unfair. The Mr. Olympia is about muscle and conditioning in a two-day period, judged annually. It's not about how well you're walking when you're 50, 60, 70. An athlete leaves it all on their playing surface -- in this case, the stage. Ronnie did what he needed to do. He annihilated the weights and packed more striated muscle on his frame than anyone in history, and he did it happily. For all we know he'll never have another surgery and will live until he's 90.
If anything, Ronnie deserves more credit in a tiebreaker for competing right until the very end. He loved it. He wasn't afraid of losing. Haney was young and knew Dorian wasn't going to finish second again. Not even Haney's wife could convince him to try and stand his ground. We'll actually never know what he could have looked like. Him and Dorian could have pushed each other and their physiques into the mid-90s, but Haney wasn't willing. I'd say he could have been the freakiest bodybuilder of all-time if he kept going and pushing the envelope with Dorian, but he didn't train hard enough. He mentally wasn't in it to win it anymore. Also, his nice-guy image is overrated. He talked way more shit about his competitors than anyone.
LEE HANEY'S SHADOWS
Mohamed Makkawy '84
Albert Beckles '85
Rich Gaspari '86/'87/'88
Lee LaBrada '89/'90
Dorian Yates '91
RONNIE COLEMAN'S SHADOWS
Flex Wheeler '98/'99
Kevin Levrone '00
Jay Cutler '01
Kevin Levrone '02
Jay Cutler '03/'04/'05Last edited by MusclePoppins; 03-24-2016 at 07:31 PM.
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