2020 Olympia - Flex Lewis Accepts Special Invite To Olympia

[SAMSON123]

After months of speculation, one of the year’s most exciting storylines has been confirmed. Flex Lewis will return to the Olympia stage this year in pursuit of bodybuilding’s most coveted title. After winning a record 7 consecutive titles in the Under 212lb division, followed by a year away from competition, Flex is now focused on becoming just the 16th winner in the 56 year history of the Mr. Olympia. “I spent a year away from the stage The year off has given me the chance to prepare myself for the most intense contest prep of my life.” Flex continues, “It’s every bodybuilder’s dream to become Mr. Olympia. This process started the moment I walked off the stage at the 2018 Olympia. I am laser focused on competing against the best of the best this September in Vegas.”

At just 36 years old, the Welsh Dragon is still in his competitive prime and fans have often wondered how the former 212 King might stack up next to the biggest and the best in the world. Chief Olympia Officer Dan Solomon adds, “The bodybuilding world has waited a long time for this. Flex is one of the most popular bodybuilders on the planet and we can’t wait to see what he looks like without the limitations of a weight restriction.” According to IFBB Professional League rules, an athlete must qualify to secure a spot in the Olympia lineup. In Flex’s case, his previous wins in the Under 212 division do not qualify him for the event, however, Pro League President Jim Manion has cleared the way, “With 7 wins in the Olympia 212 division, Flex’s situation is unique and we feel a special invitation is appropriate.” explains Manion.

With the return of @oksanagrishina to the Fitness Olympia lineup and several other anticipated announcements across all divisions, the 2020 Olympia Weekend is already looking like an epic showdown. -


SOUND CORRECTED

[Matt]

Why would Flex Lewis be given a special invitation this early into the year?  Isn't there ample room for him to qualify?  Does Flex only compete once a year usually, the way that Phil and Ronnie used to?  If so, that makes sense to give him a special invite...given that he was the 212-lb Mr. Olympia winner, seven times.

Does only Mr. Olympia himself get an automatic invite to the next year's contest?  It used to be the top ten, and then it was the top six.

A special invite makes sense, depending on how many Mr. Olympia competitors get automatic invites to the next year's contest.  If it's just Mr. Olympia himself, I'm not sure why Flex Lewis should get an invite [except maybe this one time, given he was a 7x 212-lb winner].  If the top four or top six get automatic invites, I could see why they would give one to Lewis - especially if he only wants to compete once in a year, and the promotion is concerned he will mess up his conditioning if he competes elsewhere in an attempt to qualify.

I'm just not sure who gets automatic invites to the Olympia these days.  I know it's more strict than it once was.

The Master's Mr. Olympia used to get an automatic invitation too - but after both Don Youngblood and Claude Groulx placed last at the Olympia when they got invited when they respectively won the Master's, in 2002 and 2003, the IFBB took away that invite to the Master's winner.

Then the Master's show got axed after 2003 anyway.

[Roast Beef Pecs]

Where's Wahlberg's special invite?

[JAGO]

Why would Flex Lewis be given a special invitation this early into the year?  Isn't there ample room for him to qualify?  Does Flex only compete once a year usually, the way that Phil and Ronnie used to?  If so, that makes sense to give him a special invite...given that he was the 212-lb Mr. Olympia winner, seven times.

Does only Mr. Olympia himself get an automatic invite to the next year's contest?  It used to be the top ten, and then it was the top six.

A special invite makes sense, depending on how many Mr. Olympia competitors get automatic invites to the next year's contest.  If it's just Mr. Olympia himself, I'm not sure why Flex Lewis should get an invite [except maybe this one time, given he was a 7x 212-lb winner].  If the top four or top six get automatic invites, I could see why they would give one to Lewis - especially if he only wants to compete once in a year, and the promotion is concerned he will mess up his conditioning if he competes elsewhere in an attempt to qualify.

I'm just not sure who gets automatic invites to the Olympia these days.  I know it's more strict than it once was.

The Master's Mr. Olympia used to get an automatic invitation too - but after both Don Youngblood and Claude Groulx placed last at the Olympia when they got invited when they respectively won the Master's, in 2002 and 2003, the IFBB took away that invite to the Master's winner.

Then the Master's show got axed after 2003 anyway.

I was thinking the same thing . . . He’s 7 time Mr. Olympia (212lbs.) If you’re Flex and if you want to compete on the woman’s show, you should be able to do whatever the fuck you wants. But, look what the Wings of Strength did to Iris.

J

[Darren Avey]

Itll be great to see Flex there

[Flexacon]

The special invites are turning into some gay shit.

They should just say winning the 212s earns you a free crack at the open. Job done.

[AbrahamG]

212 winners should have lifetime qualifications to any IFBB show. Controversy solved. That being said, Flex is a lock for top 5 and I predict that if he doesn't win that there will be a lot of outrage. Predict he wins people's champ or whatever they call it.

[Irongrip400]

Does he have to gain weight to do the open class?

[pamith]

The reason Flex got the invite is because we need more whites in the sport

[Joe Pietaro]

And he's going to win.

[Matt]

Does he have to gain weight to do the open class?

He doesn't have to - you don't *need* to weigh over 212-lb to compete in the open.  And hopefully he learns from Seth Feroce's mistake, and doesn't purposely gain too much weight like he did for the Toronto Pro, which caused him to get a poor placing, when he could have competed at 210-lb and won the whole thing.

Just because a competitor is competing in the open, doesn't mean they will look better at an "open" [>212-lb] body weight.

That being said, it sounds like Flex has been dieting like crazy to make 212-lb, so maybe coming in 216-lb would be more appropriate - but if he competes at 220-lb+ just to do it, I think he will end up regretting it.  There is no need for him to put on much size, just because he is competing in the open.  If he comes in at his best, he will be top five, as said above.  I'm not sure where exactly he will be in that top five, but given the caliber of competitors lately, it wouldn't shock me if he won the whole show.

[Bevo]

If Hadi can place top 3 in the open coming from the 212, flex can win it all if the line up is weak

[Disgusted]

No reason he can’t win. Prob the most complete physique on stage. Plus he won’t have to lose any muscle. Check out some of his in shape pics before he makes weight.

[joswift]

No reason he can’t win. Prob the most complete physique on stage. Plus he won’t have to lose any muscle. Check out some of his in shape pics before he makes weight.

Most complete, yep, great balance no missing body parts

He likely weighed around 216/18 onstage when he was making the 212 class, hes had 2 years away so coming in 220 should be more than enough
 

[AbrahamG]

Most complete, yep, great balance no missing body parts

He likely weighed around 216/18 onstage when he was making the 212 class, hes had 2 years away so coming in 220 should be more than enough
 

His presentation and polish is also as good as it gets.  I expect him to weigh in the neighborhood of 225 and be a legit threat against anyone who shows up.

[The Scott]

I first thought the title read "Flex Lewis Accepts Invite to Special Olympics"...

In all  honesty and based upon his physique alone, he has an excellent build and I really hope the "Welsh Corgi" can win the O. 

And I hope that nickname sticks.  "Welsh Corgi"...

[stuntmovie]

When 'Flex' first arrived in the good old USA, he told me the detailed story about his younger years while growing up.

It would make one hell of a great motion picture involving coal mines, carrier pigeons, piano moving, and then right into te USA and bodybuilding and ultimate success!

Has  his story ever been published or am I the only one to know this stuff!?

[Matt]

When 'Flex' first arrived in the good old USA, he told me the detailed story about his younger years while growing up.

It would make one hell of a great motion picture involving coal mines, carrier pigeons, piano moving, and then right into te USA and bodybuilding and ultimate success!

Has  his story ever been published or am I the only one to know this stuff!?

I believe a documentary on Flex Lewis was on TLC, and of course - there is social media.  But no - no one told the story yet, in a movie or anything like that.  It would be neat to get another bodybuilding movie made.

[Coach is Back!]

Hadi Choopen weighed 217 at last years Olympia. To the best of my knowledge he has never beat Flex, in almost any of those years that he’s won the 212, he could have EASILY placed in the top 5 and maybe won one or two of them.

It’s about time to start putting height aside and looking at the best bodybuilder

[AbrahamG]

Hadi Choopen weighed 217 at last years Olympia. To the best of my knowledge he has never beat Flex, in almost any of those years that he’s won the 212, he could have EASILY placed in the top 5 and maybe won one or two of them.

It’s about time to start putting height aside and looking at the best bodybuilder

Biased comment.   

[The Abdominal Snoman]

Flex's body weight was rumored to be 250ish. He could be 222-228 on stage. That's plenty of size to win it all.

[Matt]

His presentation and polish is also as good as it gets.  I expect him to weigh in the neighborhood of 225 and be a legit threat against anyone who shows up.

Flex's body weight was rumored to be 250ish. He could be 222-228 on stage. That's plenty of size to win it all.

Flex's maximum off-season weight was 250-lb?

I agree that Flex Lewis can be bigger, if he was dieting down to stay within the constraints of the 212-lb weight class...but Seth Feroce turned pro in 2009, and then won the 2010 Europa Supershow in the lightweight class.  Next in 2012, he competed in the Toronto Pro, and decided to do what you guys are suggesting he do - bring up his weight for the open.

It resulted in Feroce being smooth, and placing only 6th in Toronto.  Bill Wilmore won the whole contest [he was massive - maybe something like 270-lb at 5'10" - big, big man], but I really feel that Feroce could have beaten Bill Wilmore on the strength of conditioning, had he just competed at 210-lb, instead of 217-lb, or whatever he chose to compete at.

I believe Feroce may have won the Europa Supershow when the "lightweight" class was still 202-lb.  Then by Toronto, the class may have gone up to 212-lb...and he still decided to compete at an "open" body weight, and was likely over 215, as I suggested above.  The extra weight was unnecessary - or at least, not necessary to that extent.

IMO, it makes sense for Flex to come in carrying a bit of extra size - I just hope that is within reason.  Maybe - at MOST - eight more pounds of solid muscle.  As long as he focuses on conditioning, and not body weight, he should be fine.  And if he does compete weighing in at 212-lb, I think that's fine too!  Again, as long as conditioning is what he pays mind to, he will be fine.

How many times has Big Ramy came in heavier than necessary and not nailed his conditioning as a result?  I would say the weight shouldn't be a consideration - basically, this prep, Flex can just look in the mirror, and not have to arbitrarily hit 212-lb, which will allow him to come in a few LB's heavier...IF he can carry that extra mass with class.  And I'm sure he can.

I just hope he doesn't show up much heavier than usual, and bloated, and perform worse than he otherwise could have, as a result.