Mr Olympia 2002 results and behind-the-scenes stories
Mr Olympia was one of the tightest contests at the start of the century — Ronnie Coleman was defending the title, but backstage dozens of athletes gave interviews about their target weights, condition and expectations. Below are the Mr Olympia results, the official top 10, and the athletes’ own words, as they told the press right before the contest.
Mr Olympia 2002 final results
- Ronnie Coleman
- Kevin Levrone
- Chris Cormier
- Dexter Jackson
- Gunter Schlierkamp
- Lee Priest
- Flex Wheeler
- Markus Ruhl
- Dennis James
- Orville Burke
Coleman won yet another Sandow trophy, Levrone came second and Cormier secured the third step of the podium. Schlierkamp’s fifth place brought an explosively growing fan base — Schlierkamp was the talk of the entire season.
Mr Olympia 2002 pre-contest interviews — what the main contenders said
Art Atwood: “Top 5 is what I’m aiming for, and it’s also what I want to achieve. The competition is tough, but I still want to make a big debut at the Mr. Olympia.” Planned body weight: 121–122 kg.
Orville Burke: “This year I’m considerably bigger and better than last year. I don’t want to start speculating about any placing; my goal is rather to get noticed and earn the respect I deserve.” Planned body weight: 118 kg.
Bob Cicherillo: “With 16 years of training behind me, I’m ready to bring the house down. I’ll give people something to look at: great proportions and big mass — and on top of all that, I’m dry as a bone!” Planned body weight: 116 kg.
Ronnie Coleman: “I’m in the best shape of my life. Every year I get close to my goal, but something always goes wrong at the end. Last year I went to a photo shoot the day before the contest and it wasted too much of my energy. This year I’m saving all my energy for contest day!” Planned body weight: 118 kg.
Chris Cormier: “I want to come in a bit more massive than in previous years, so that I can compete with Ronnie and Flex.” Planned body weight: 117 kg.
Nasser El Sonbaty: “I want to be among the top 6 again. I’m coming in at my usual weight; I don’t want to waste too much energy on planning and speculating. One thing is certain — I’m coming and I’ll be big!”
Dexter Jackson: “I want to make the top five.” Planned body weight: 99 kg.
Dennis James: “I’m already in better shape than I was at last year’s contest! I’d like to make the top six, if not the top four!” Planned body weight: 113 kg.
King Kamali: “I’ll place somewhere between second and fourth. That’s my goal; anything less would be a disappointment. Last year I weighed 112 kg, this year I weigh 116 kg and I’m drier and sharper than ever before!”
Kevin Levrone: “I can’t say what my contest weight will be, and I’m not going to predict anything. All I’ll say is that the show will be interesting! This year I feel especially good.”
Lee Priest: “I really don’t know what else to say except that I’m hungry — not for the title, but for food. I know 20 guys who claim they’ll be in the top six. I’ll just go out there and do my best.” Planned body weight: 91 kg.
Gunter Schlierkamp: “I’ll definitely make the top ten. I’d like to be called out alongside Ronnie Coleman, because I’m bigger than ever before.” Planned body weight: 136 kg.
Ernie Taylor: “I’m better than ever before, and I want to make at least the top ten!” Planned body weight: 107 kg.
Tommi Thorvildsen: “I’m going to win, but I won’t predict anything. I think I’m able to compete with the best, and I’ve become a lot smarter over the past year.” Planned body weight: 116 kg.
Craig Titus: “I’m sticking exactly to the plan and I’m big! My whole body is in good shape — I have no weak points, and I’m going to set King Kamali straight once and for all!” Planned body weight: 111 kg.
What Mr Olympia 2002 ultimately showed
A large share of the pre-contest predictions did not hold up. Schlierkamp did finish fifth, but wasn’t far from the 136 kg target weight — and it was Schlierkamp’s growing mass that drew the loudest applause of the night. King Kamali missed the top 4, while Dexter Jackson came fourth and hit the top-5 goal exactly. Lee Priest’s 91 kg was one of the cleanest physiques on stage and earned sixth place.
Mr Olympia 2002 also went down in history as one of the last times Flex Wheeler competed at the very top. Coleman went on to extend the winning run by four consecutive years.
FAQ
Who won Mr Olympia 2002?
Ronnie Coleman won Mr Olympia 2002 at a contest weight of 118 kg. It was Coleman’s fourth consecutive Sandow trophy.
Who was the heaviest competitor?
Gunter Schlierkamp came to the stage at a planned 136 kg and was the most massive competitor of the evening. Schlierkamp finished fifth.
Who was the lightest top 10 competitor?
Lee Priest competed at 91 kg and took sixth place — proving that Mr Olympia 2002 rewarded compact proportions too, not just weight.
Author: Ero Viik
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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