Written by Peter McGough
16 June 2016

16gunterbeatsronnie

The Night Gunter Beat Ronnie

And Rocked the Bodybuilding World

 

In the biggest bodybuilding shock since this scribe put his finger in a backstage light socket at the Poughkeepsie Open, Gunter Schlierkamp defeated reigning Mr. O Ronnie Coleman at the 2002 GNC Show of Strength in New Orleans on November 8 of that year. This was three weeks after Coleman nabbed his fifth Sandow, with crowd favorite Schlierkamp finishing four spots behind.

This was the first time a reigning Mr. Olympia has not been top dog in a contest since Samir Bannout lost his title to Lee Haney in 1984. And the only previous times a reigning Mr. O has lost outside of the Olympia was when Sergio Oliva gave way to Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1970 Pro World, then a few weeks later lost again to Arnold at that year's Mr. Olympia showdown.

At the announcement of Coleman in second place, Schlierkamp dropped to the stage, mimicking Coleman's usual flat-to-the boards victory reaction. He collapsed in convulsions of joyful sobs as the less than capacity audience went bonkers. As Schlierkamp regained his feet he stood, tears in his eyes, as buddy and fellow pro, the non-competing Kevin Levrone, raced onstage and embraced the big German. Levrone had finished as the runner-up to Coleman in the Mr. O three weeks earlier, and he called Schlierkamp’s win, “One of the highlights of my life". For his part Ronnie wasn’t too happy at Levrone onstage actions, feeling it was unsportsmanlike.

OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

Against that historic background, and the seemingly unwritten law that a Mr. Olympia -- like Jay Leno in a chinning contest -- never loses, what were we to make of this stunning result? Over to you Dr. Phil, "What y'all have to understand is that exploiting other peoples' miseries makes me rich and happy." The thoughts of a man starting his own bodybuilding federation, perhaps?

But we digress. As the result thundered around the bodybuilding world, the conspiracy theorists soon began shouting fix, a cry that had others asking what are you smoking, you grassy know-alls? What was beyond doubt was that Gunter’s win shook up the serial winning monotony of the Olympia scene but claims of skullduggery were about as legitimate as a chocolate squat rack.

The truth is sometimes in bodybuilding, momentum takes hold, and in the latter half of 2002 no one generated more momentum — save Dom DeLuise on a ski slope— than 300 pound Gunter Schlierkamp. At the 2002 Olympia he was a revelation; a special invite who had never cracked the top ten, he was overlooked early on before finishing faster than a rookie in a whorehouse.

Simply put, at the 2002 Olympia Ronnie was not at his best, while Gunter was at his all-time best having made major improvements in his upper body while hitting it right on the button, condition and fullnesswise. The recipient of an Olympia standing ovation he took that "man of the moment" momentum to New Orleans, and with everyone mindful of happenings three weeks earlier, he got the first call-out and captivated the judges and audience alike in taking all four rounds against a Coleman who was actually better than at the Olympia. What should not be forgotten is that between the Olympia and the Show of Strength contests Coleman had traveled to Europe and won the Dutch Grand Prix. And while Ronnie was clocking up those frequent flyer miles Gunter was sitting stateside and waiting. Was Schlierkamp four rounds to zip better than Coleman, and if he had not done so well at the Olympia would he have received the first call out in New Orleans? Was Gandhi’s dying request, Now can I have a friggin' sandwich?

THE AFTERMATH

Ronnie is a great champion, who lost out to the physique of a peak Schlierkamp, but probably more succinctly, lost to the physique he himself fashioned in winning the 2001 Arnold Classic. However as 2003 dawned Ronnie was still Mr. Olympia and having been given a bigger wake-up call than a hobo sleeping under Big Ben he returned to that year’s Olympia at a huge 287 pounds and crushed the opposition.

The 2002 Show Of Strength was Gunter Schlierkamp’s shining moment. It was the peak of his career and he was never as good again, and closed out his career with tenth spot at the 2006 Olympia. But oh, what a moment he had that sweltering and sensational night in New Orleans.

 

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