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Flex Wheeler to be awarded the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award

October 1, 2022

Flex Wheeler to be awarded the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bodybuilding legend, Flex Wheeler, will be receiving the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Arnold Classic, next March in Columbus, Ohio.

The news was made official by the representatives of the Arnold Classic at the Arnold Classic UK, last week.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been awarding athletes and contributors to the fitness industry, the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award since 2000.

Flex Wheeler will join a prestigious club of individuals that have already received this great award.

The bodybuilding world meets “The Sultan of Symmetry”

Flex Wheeler has won the Arnold Classic event on four occasions, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2000. Flex was also very close to winning the Mr. Olympia on a number of occasions. At the 1993 Mr. Olympia, Flex would have to settle for second against the much bigger Dorian Yates. While many believed Flex had much better symmetry, it would be the bigger Dorian Yates taking the Sandow statue home.

In 1997, Flex was hailed as the favorite to win the title, after 6X Mr. Olympia, Dorian Yates, retired. Unfortunately for Flex, he would have to witness the beginning of Ronnie Coleman’s dominance at the Mr. Olympia. Flex would finish in second at the 1997 Mr. Olympia.

Flex would again place second to Ronnie Coleman in 1998.

Till today, the majority of bodybuilding historians, believe Flex Wheeler was one of the greatest bodybuilders to grace the professional stage. No other bodybuilder could come close to Wheeler’s perfect combination of size and symmetry. It is still debated today that Flex should have won a number of Mr. Olympia titles.

During a professional career that lasted just over 10 years, Flex won 17 pro shows. Flex turned earned his pro card in 1992, when he won the overall title at the NPC USA Championships.

In his rookie year, Flex would win four pro shows and place second at the Grand Prix of England and the Mr. Olympia. “The Sultan of Symmetry” would cement his status as one of the greatest bodybuilders in the history of the sport.

Flex Wheeler – An inspiration to all

Life has not been easy for Flex, he has faced a number of physical and mental battles, more than the normal person can handle.

Flex is on record confirming that he was abused as a child, and has tried to commit suicide on a number of occasions, battling his inner demons.

In 1994, Flex was involved in a very serious car accident, narrowly escaping death. Having to battle serious depression, Flex managed to overcome his demons and make his way back to the top as a professional bodybuilder.

In 1999, life would throw another curve ball at Flex. Flex would be diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, that would require a transplant. The following years, Flex would suffer a number of complications due to his kidney disease.

In 2017, Flex made an incredible return to the Mr. Olympia stage. Flex was offered the “Special Invite”, and he competed in the Classic Physique division. Stepping on stage with all his battle scars, due to numerous operations, Flex would retire from the sport in the best possible way, in front of his cherished fans.

During his retirement, Flex would be an inspiration to all those who suffer from mental and physical disabilities.

On October 2019, Flex would have to come to terms with one of the most difficult moments in his life, he would have to have the bottom half of his right leg amputated.

The reason for the amputation was due an accumulation of pre-existing medical conditions related to his kidney disease and other leg injuries that would cause circulation issues.

Following his operation, Flex would have to overcome Covid-19, which landed him in the hospital, almost ending his life, and just recently, Flex had to have shoulder surgery.

With all that has happened to Flex, he still manages to look forward to life and help others who are experiencing the same challenges to continue fighting.

Flex has just recently started his own supplement brand and as well is helping athletes such as Andrew Jacked, one of the favorites to challenge Big Ramy for the Mr. Olympia title.

Flex believes it’s the right time in his life to share the knowledge he has accumulated throughout the years, helping athletes achieve success and as well help them walk on the right path, taking no shortcuts.

The right candidate for the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his partners, could not have selected a better person for this award.

Flex is the perfect example of how a person should accept every challenge thrown at him, on or off the stage.

Not only was Flex Wheeler a legendary bodybuilder, but he has also become one of the most inspiring people in the world.

We at Evolutionofbodybuilding.net would like to congratulate Flex Wheeler for such an achievement, and we are looking forward to him stepping on stage, receiving the prestigious award from Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.

Arnold Classic Official Press Release

The Arnold Sports Festival is honored to announce our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Flex Wheeler.

Flex’s remarkable contributions to the sport of bodybuilding have been nothing short of incredible. As the winner of 4 Arnold Classic Championships, 3 Mr. Olympia runner up tittles, 5 Ironman Pro championships and many more, we consider him to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all-time. His showing at the 1993 Arnold Classic is still widely considered by many to be one of the greatest physiques to ever grace a bodybuilding stage.

In addition to these remarkable athletic achievements, his resilience and courage in the face of adversity in recent years has provided inspiration for so many people facing their own personal struggles around the world.

We welcome everyone to join us in Columbus this upcoming March to celebrate Flex’s incredible accomplishments with the presentation of this award!

Flex Wheeler’s Competition History

1985
Teen Mr America – AAU, Medium-Tall, 1st

1989
California Championships – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
Nationals – NPC, Light-HeavyWeight, 5th

1990
Junior Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 2nd

1991
Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 2nd
USA Championships – NPC, HeavyWeight, 2nd

1992
USA Championships – NPC, Overall Winner
USA Championships – NPC, HeavyWeight, 1st

1993
Arnold Classic – IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix England – IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix France – IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, Winner
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 2nd

1995
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 5th
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 8th
South Beach Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner

1996
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
Canada Pro Cup – IFBB, 2nd
Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Night of Champions – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 4th

1997
Arnold Classic – IFBB, Winner
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner

1998
Arnold Classic – IFBB, Winner
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 2nd

1999
Grand Prix England – IFBB, 2nd
Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 2nd

2000
Arnold Classic – IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, Winner
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
Olympia – IFBB, 3rd

2002
Olympia – IFBB, 7th

2003
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd

2017
Olympia – IFBB, Classic, 15th