It was a long and winding road that led the last Mr. Olympia to the throne. This is how Sean Roden achieved victory throughout own life!
43-year-old Sean Roden received the title of “Mr. Olympia.”
It was an ordinary sunny, full of energy Sunday at Gold’s Gym in Venice. I made a 45km excursion from Pasadena to Mecca to meet with Bill Comstock – a photographer and videographer to record predictions for Olympia from The Swami.
In addition to Dexter Jackson, who had a tough workout under close attention of Charles Glass, other Olympia rivals are not was seen. When I finished shooting 20 minutes later, I saw a big dude fully dressed in tight workout resting on exercise bike. Sean Roden was in the hall.
“I thought you were staying in Santa Barbara,” I said.
“I told my wife that I have to train last month here at Gold’s, ”Rodin answered calmly. “Now I weigh 118 kilogram, and I’m already in great shape. This is the year I going to win Olympia. ”
It was not said with arrogance, just with confidence. “All talk about double biceps behind Phil Heath, but that’s just one pose, “said Rodin.” I’m wider, with a much smaller waist, and I will dry out. ”
I didn’t doubt the sincerity of Rodin’s words, but honestly, every major competitor feels that everything will be in the competition So. And I did not have confirmation of his words … for now.
The formation of an unexpected result
Fast forward four days. I needed to return to “Gold’s” on Thursday to finish the video. When finished, I left gym when Chris Lewis, who was part of the Rodin team, came up to me and said: “I want you to look at Sean. You understand, and I respect your opinion. ”
I saw Rodin go through mandatory poses. In a word, I was amazed. I mean, it was 21 days before the contest, and I I thought that he could go on stage on the weekend. He looked like so majestic, moreover, on the way out of the complex, I said Comstock that I sincerely believe that Roden may be the fourteenth bodybuilder wearing the Mr. Olympia crown.
I have already posted my forecasts on bodybuilding.com, and already completed the video, so no changes were made. I AM put him in the top six, but not higher than Heath and probably before Big Ramie and Dexter Jackson. And I knew that at that moment I could very wrong.
And, as we all know by now, The Swami was offside this time, thanks in part to Rodin’s brilliant performance.
How much can change in a year
What is the irony of Rodin’s victory? He dropped to fifth in 2017 year after taking second place before that. I might, was the only one who was impressed. Why? Because he suffered with a broken jaw during the offseason and ate through a straw. Not to mention 12 weeks without training. And in the beginning this year, he missed the “Arnold Classic,” struggling with ulcers, sending him to the hospital.
So, I thought, since he was able to become the fifth in such conditions, he could well win in 2018. Do not forget that Roden was third in 2014 and 2015 so it doesn’t look like he never participated in the competition. And many loyal fans this sport was preferred by his physique, instead of winners of Olympia and Arnold Classic.
Therefore, if you think about it, Rodin’s victory should not have been considered so unexpected. His nickname is “Flexatron” (flexible robot), but I always mentioned him as the new Flex Wheeler because of its miraculous forms caused by what should be 71 or 73 cm waist.
His muscle separation, abs and balance are all about the body. Rodin, is world class and talk in Las Vegas and in the internet has rightfully focused on this. So no, I’ll bring clarity, his victory is not an accident. This is not the case when Hit loses the crown. Rodin won her because he spent a lot time and did a great job.
Career went full circle
So, born in Jamaica Rowden, who weighed about 113 kilogram with an increase of 178 centimeters, left its mark in the book highscores. At 43 years old, beating Chris Dickerson, he became the oldest contestant who won Olympia.
And people may not know that this is a person who has lost his class at NPC Team Universe in 1999, 2000, and 2001. is he competed 40 times in pro-ranks and his career lasts two decades. No newbies guys.
But now that he has completed this long, winding journey from an amateur to the best in the world, do not think that his age will keep him from continuing to perfect his physique.
“My coach, Chris Aceto, said I just needed to focus on training, not worry about what others say or do, “Rodin said after his victory. “Just stand your ground. If you are in better shape, you no one will win. ”
Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler also gave Roden some words of wisdom. “In 2012, Jay told me that if I want to be mr olympia then i have to talk like mr Olympia, walk like Mr. Olympia, train like Mr. Olympia. So this is what I tried to do. ”
But there is an opinion that Sean Roden is not as good as that. They say next year there will be a new champion.