The 2009 Mr. Olympia on September 25-26 is shaping up to be the most competitive in history. Loaded with star power that hasn’t been seen since the explosion of talent that populated the lineups of the nineties and into the new millennium, it sparks the timeless debate: Who was better, the champions of yesterday or the champions of today? To answer that, we’ve pitted the class of ’09 against legendary names from the past, each in a one on one battle to determine once and for all, who will reign supreme.
The fourth in our Olympia Clash of the Titans series shines the spotlight on two men who seemingly have it all. The first is fighting to regain his momentum after coming back from a near career ending injury. The second will go down in history as one of the greatest physiques of all-time. It’s a battle of the genetically gifted as Victor Martinez takes on Flex Wheeler.
SCOUTING REPORT: MARTINEZ Martinez sports great structure with long, full muscles and excellent proportions. His wide clavicles and chest to back thickness give his torso incredible depth. Straddling the line between size and shape more than any other modern bodybuilder, Martinez is a serious threat in any lineup.
SCOUTING REPORT: WHEELER Known for his flowing lines and flawless symmetry, Wheeler was the epitome of the classical physique, combining stellar shape with intricate details. His tiny joints and billowing muscle bellies made him appear at least 15-20 pounds bigger.
FRONT VIEW: Standing relaxed, Wheeler presents a pretty physique but Martinez outsizes him with his wider structure. Wheeler just edges out Martinez in the front double biceps and front lat spread with his smaller joints, greater quad flare and overall condition.
SIDE VIEW: Both men have hams that drop to the floor with deep separation from the quads but Martinez has greater torso mass to take the side chest. Side triceps are just about even.
REAR VIEW: Martinez exposes Wheeler’s lack of width in the rear lat spread. However, Wheeler, owner of one of the most intricately detailed backs in the sport’s history, evens the score with his rear double biceps.
THE WINNER: WHEELER Although Martinez’s mass and shape are standouts against nearly every competitor, Wheeler’s detail, especially in his abdominal region and front quads, draw our eyes. Bodypart for bodypart, the two are nearly equal but overall, Wheeler’s genetic gifts, i.e., his cartoonish proportions, give him the edge.
