Markus Rühl
| Markus Rühl | |
|---|---|
| professional bodybuilder | |
 Rühl guest posing in Biberach an der Riss during 2005 off-season | |
| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Freak |
| Born | February 22, 1972 Roßdorf, Darmstadt, West Germany |
| Best statistics | |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | Contest: 120–132 kg (265–291 lb) Off season: 140–148 kg (309–326 lb) |
| Professional (Pro) career | |
| Pro-debut |
|
| Best win |
|
| Active | 1995–2011 |
Markus Rühl (born 22 February 1972, in Roßdorf, Darmstadt, West Germany) is a retired IFBB professional bodybuilder, who is widely regarded as one of the biggest "mass monster" bodybuilders of all-time.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Rühl began training at the age of 18 following a doctor's recommendation to build some muscles in his legs after sustaining an injury in his left knee while playing football. Despite his lanky frame at a bodyweight of 54.5 kg (120 lb), Rühl began training hard six days a week because he loved to go to the gym and to be a bit bigger than his friends. In five years he reached a level where he started competing at professional level.
He also worked as a used-car salesman and an office clerk.
Bodybuilding career
[edit]In 1997, Rühl won the Hessian state championship and the German championship as an amateur. He then received the IFBB professional card and started bodybuilding as his profession. At the 1997 Pro Grand Prix in Germany he took 10th place. His on stage weight was 117 kg (258 lb).[3]
In 1998, Rühl took 9th place at the Night of Champions with an on stage weight of 120 kg (265 lb). In 1999 IFBB English Grand Prix he placed 7th, took 4th place at the 1999 Night of Champions and qualified for the 1999 Mr. Olympia but tested positive for diuretics and was disqualified.[4]
In 2000, he excelled his placings at the Night of Champions to 2nd place, placed 5th on 2000 English Grand Prix and won 2000 Toronto Pro. At 2000 Mr. Olympia he placed 7th behind Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, Nasser El Sonbaty and Lee Priest. In 2001 Mr. Olympia Rühl hit a downfall with 14th place.
In 2002 Night of Champions, Rühl brought up his best physique ever weighing a staggering 129.5 kg (285 lb) on-stage, massive and ripped to easily win the competition.[5] Numerous critiques and fans rate this version of Rühl to be one of the freakiest and best bodybuilding physiques of all-time.[6]
In 2003 Arnold Classic Rühl emerged 3rd and placed 5th in 2004 Mr. Olympia behind Coleman, Jay Cutler, Gustavo Badell and Dexter Jackson, which is his highest placing ever at the Olympia. He weighed 127 kg (280 lb) on stage.
Among Rühl's higher placings thereafter were 3rd in 2006 IFBB Austria Pro Grand Prix and again 3rd in 2009 New York Pro. His final Olympia was the 2009 Mr. Olympia competition.
Other ventures
[edit]From 2006 to 2007, Rühl ran a sports studio in Kelsterbach together with his colleague Stefan Hammerschmiedt. He signed sponsorship deals with Ultimate Nutrition in 2008, BMS in 2014 and All Stars Supplements in 2015. He also ran a fitness studio called 'Rühl's fit&fun' in Darmstadt-Nord until 2017. In 2018 Rühl started his own supplement company 'Rühl's Bestes'.[7]
Personal life
[edit]On 31 August 2017, Rühl married Alicja[8] and they have a daughter.
Physical statistics
[edit]- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Contest weight: 120–132 kg (265–291 lb)
- Off-season weight: 140–148 kg (309–326 lb)
- Chest/ Back: 150 cm (59 in)[9]
- Arms: 61 cm (24 in)
- Legs: 85–88 cm (33–35 in)[9]
- Waist: 91–97 cm (36–38 in)
Bodybuilding chronology
[edit]| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Night of Champions | 9th |
| 1999 | English Grand Prix | 7th |
| 1999 | Night of Champions | 4th |
| 1999 | Mr. Olympia | DQ[note 1][10] |
| 1999 | Joe Weider's Pro World | 7th |
| 2000 | Toronto Pro | 1st |
| 2000 | Night of Champions | 2nd |
| 2000 | English Grand Prix | 5th |
| 2000 | Joe Weider's World Pro Cup | 5th |
| 2000 | Mr. Olympia | 7th |
| 2001 | Mr. Olympia | 14th |
| 2002 | Toronto Pro Classic | 2nd |
| 2002 | Night of Champions | 1st |
| 2002 | Mr. Olympia | 8th |
| 2003 | Arnold Classic | 3rd |
| 2004 | Mr. Olympia | 5th |
| 2005 | Mr. Olympia | 15th |
| 2006 | Mr. Olympia | 8th |
| 2006 | Austria Pro Grand Prix | 3rd |
| 2009 | New York Pro | 3rd |
| 2009 | Mr. Olympia | 15th |
| 2010 | Europa Super Show | 7th |
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Markus Rühl: XXXL | [11] |
| 2004 | Markus Rühl: Made in Germany | [12] |
| 2007 | Markus Rühl: Big and loving it | [13] |
| 2010 | Markus Rühl: Ruhling 4 Ever | [14] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Merritt, Greg (24 April 2015). "Retro Athlete: Markus Rühl The German mass monster who became a fan-favorite sensation". Muscle & Fitness.
- ^ Bluhm, Thomas (22 June 2011). "Markus Rühl Biografie – Sein Leben & Werdegang als Bodybuilder". www.got-big.de.
- ^ Anon. "Der Weg zum Profi". www.markus-ruhl.com. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Getbig.com. "1999 Mr. Olympia Results - October 23, 1999 at Las Vegas, Nevada". www.Getbig.com. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ "Night of Champions 2002, Posing Markus Ruhl". YouTube. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ Santonja, Rafael (September 14, 2005). "2002 N.O.C. Results!". www.bodybuilding.com.
- ^ Stefan Pohle. "Markus Rühl – IFBB Professional Bodybuilder". www.markus-ruhl.com. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "Meine wunderschöne FRAU alicjaruehl Jetzt offiziell Frau Rühl She said YES 31.08.2017 👰🏼🎩". Instagram, Markus Rühl. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Markus Rühl - IFBB Professional Bodybuilder". www.markus-ruehl.de. Archived from the original on 2004-12-05.
- ^ a b http://www.getbig.com/results/e-mroly.htm GetBig.com Olympia results
- ^ https://www.videofight.com.br/produto/markus-ruhl-xxxl-bodybuilding/ MARKUS RUHL – XXXL BODYBUILDING
- ^ https://gmvbodybuilding.com/bodybuilding-videos/male-bodybuilders/male-bodybuilding-dvd/markus-ruhl-made-germany-dvd/?v=d0fa06cd9333 Markus Ruhl – Made in Germany (DVD)
- ^ https://www.amazon.com/Markus-Ruhl-Big-Loving/dp/B009MZX088 Markus Ruhl Big and Loving It
- ^ https://www.ruehl24.de/de/Video-DVD/markus-ruehl-ruhling-4-ever-dvd.html Markus Rühl - Ruhling 4 ever - DVD
External links
[edit]- Markus Rühl's website
- Markus Rühl's old website
- Video Clip of Markus Rühl posing at the 2006 Mr. Olympia contest
- Markus Ruhl Bodybuilding Gallery
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