Bodybuilding News : Ronnie Coleman is Coming Back In 2009

Written by: Allan Donnelly

Ronnie Coleman eyeing return to the stage in early 2009

March 4, 2008
FLEXONLINE.COM

We heard it last night on Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, but we've heard it before. So, after hearing the rumors that eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman was seriously contemplating a return to the stage in 2009, we decided to hear it from the man himself.

"Yeah," Coleman told FLEXONLINE.COM this afternoon, "I'll come back and probably be doing the Arnold [Classic] or something like that. Or some big European show. Im really big in Europe and people appreciate me a whole lot over there. I'm really thinking Australia [for the Australian Grand Prix], thats a big possibility."

Coleman, who says he was weighing around 295 pounds at the Arnold Classic last weekend, said he hasn't been in the gym since October, the longest stretch of time he has taken away from training in more than 20 years.

"Im recovering pretty good," Coleman said. "I'm enjoying the break, but I'm getting a little out of shape. I can tell I have to start hitting it pretty soon."

Coleman, who owned the Olympia stage from 1998 to 2005, finished fourth at the 2007 Olympia, a contest he said would be his final competition. However, on an appearance on PBW before the Olympia, Coleman hinted that he was considering a return to competition, only not on the Olympia stage. By the time Coleman returns to competition - assuming he decides to compete in the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, he will be 44 years old. Coleman, however, claims age will not be a factor in his return.

"It's really hard for me to take off this year," Coleman said. "I guess Im just so used to competing and getting up on stage. It's all Ive known for the past 16, 17, 18 years. It doesnt take much for me to get fired up to compete. With me, this will be the first time I've had a whole year off, so I know that I cant get worse. I can only get better. Ill be pretty close to [100 percent].