Within the late twentieth century, Ken “Flex” Wheeler was a bodybuilding icon. Years after the tip of his competitive profession, he’s about to receive one other honor marking his place within the strength and fitness sport’s history.
On Sept. 25, 2022, throughout the final day of the Arnold Sports Festival UK, promoters announced that Wheeler will likely be the recipient of the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. The reveal of his honor was made throughout the finals of the 2022 Arnold Classic (AC) UK bodybuilding competition with the living legend present. The icon will officially get the esteemed award in a ceremony that may happen across the time of the 2023 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, held in March.
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First awarded in 2000 to Joe Weider, the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award is a recognition of a person’s significant contribution to the game of bodybuilding and the overall fitness world. Winners have ranged from bodybuilding legends like Frank Zane (2003) and Bill Pearl (2004) to Hollywood fixtures like Sylvester Stallone (2010) and World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) “Triple H,” Paul Levesque.
Wheeler’s honor undoubtedly comes partly from a results of a powerful output as a bodybuilding titan. The highlights of Wheeler’s competitive carer are his 4 Arnold Classic titles (1993, 1997-1998, 2000). Notably, Wheeler was a Mr. Olympia runner-up on three occasions (1993, 1998-1999), but he never stood atop the rostrum.
After nearly 15 years away from competing, a 51-year-old Wheeler made his last contest appearance within the Classic Physique division on the 2017 Mr. Olympia. He would finish in fifteenth place, where eventual two-time Classic Physique champion Breon Ansley captured the primary of his major titles.
Wheeler has handled various health problems through the years. In 2003, he received a kidney transplant. Later, in 2020, he would endure a right-leg amputation resulting from life-threatening circulation issues. Wheeler would receive the inaugural Olympia and Inspiration Courage Award in 2020, given to a one that exemplifies courage when facing adversity. The legend now spends much of his time coaching, often working directly with 2022 AC UK winner and rising star Andrew Jacked.
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On the time of this writing, Wheeler has not publicly commented on the news of his receiving the 2023 Arnold Classic Achievement Award. As a substitute, his social media appears to be rife with various pictures and clips about personal fitness responsibility and succinct celebrations of athletes he works with. There may not be a greater testament to why Wheeler was chosen for this bodybuilding and fitness honor.
Featured image: @arnoldsportsuk on Instagram