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After a profession of excellence, James “Flex” Lewis — winner of seven 212 Olympia titles — is retiring from aggressive bodybuilding. On Could 13, 2022, the 38-year-old Lewis introduced the information within the first episode of his podcast, Straight Outta the Lair. Not quickly after, Mr. Olympia President, Dan Solomon, confirmed the reveal in a put up on his Instagram profile.
Lewis makes the official announcement beginning at 22:10 within the video beneath:
“[Bodybuilding’s] been one thing I’ve been doing since I used to be 19,” Lewis says on the podcast. “There’s actually no simple method to say this, nevertheless it’s time. Bodybuilding has served me very effectively. It’s opened superb doorways for me. It’s time for me to hold up my posing trunks. It’s been an incredible highway. One which I’ve been very blessed to say I’ve achieved extra issues than I ever imagined.”
A Residing Legend
Lewis has been a aggressive bodybuilder for practically 20 years in some capability. In response to Muscle Reminiscence, Lewis made his skilled bodybuilding debut through the 2003 Worldwide Federation of Bodybuilding and Health (IFBB) British Championships. At fairly the beginning of a profession, he captured first place whereas that includes within the Juniors division.
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From there, Lewis’ profession would quickly snowball into one thing unimaginable.
In 2007, Lewis notched his Professional Card whereas successful the general British title. Later, he debuted on the 2008 IFBB Europa Supershow, the place he received first place within the Light-weight division. After a number of makes an attempt over the subsequent few years, Lewis would win his first-ever 212 Olympia title in 2012. That yr additionally noticed the champion bodybuilder “flex” on his competitors and take residence victories within the prestigious IFBB British Grand Prix and IFBB Prague Professional.
At his peak, Lewis was a prime fixture within the Light-weight bodybuilding scene. Even because it shifted from 202 to an eventual official 212 classification, it appeared as if Lewis by no means misplaced any steam. A run of seven consecutive 212 Olympia titles (2012-2018) is proof as a lot of his distinctive achievements.
Listed here are a few of Lewis’ extra notable profession outcomes:
James “Flex” Lewis | Notable Profession Outcomes
- IFBB Olympia Champion (212) — 2012-2018
- IFBB Prague Professional Champion (212) — 2012-2014
- 2014 IFBB Arnold Traditional Champion (212)
- 2014 IFBB San Marino Professional Champion (212)
- IFBB Korean Grand Prix Champion (212) — 2014-2017
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Into The Sundown
In 2018, Lewis introduced his intentions to compete within the Males’s Open division. He would take your complete 2019 season off to construct mass however finally needed to withdraw from the 2020 Mr. Olympia due to an undisclosed damage. The yr 2021 was to mark his return, however then he and his spouse positioned their deal with the incoming start of their youngster.
When the cons outweigh the professionals, you actually need to assess issues.
Lewis didn’t talk about his plans for his particular person future now that his aggressive bodybuilding profession is over. Contemplating the announcement continues to be contemporary, it’s comprehensible. That mentioned, he appeared to put loads of weight on the game’s rising stars to thrive for years to return.
In different phrases, Lewis desires to assist depart skilled bodybuilding in a greater place than he discovered it.
“As an athlete, a champion, there’s much more work for me to do off-stage to assist athletes be represented,” Lewis says. “To do what they don’t actually wish to do, and that’s get well being checks. And, additionally, open extra doorways for these athletes in varied completely different divisions and with varied completely different sponsorship alternatives. My work is just not finished, and it’ll by no means be finished. It’s simply finished on-stage.”
Featured picture: @flex_lewis on Instagram
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