Kenneth ‘Flex’ Wheeler, once the darling of the bodybuilding stage, might have retired from competitive showcases, but he remains an avid spectator of today’s talents. During a recent feature on Olympia TV, Wheeler expressed candid observations about the performances of Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada at the 2023 Texas Pro.
Legacy of “The Sultan of Symmetry”
Flex Wheeler, christened by fans as “The Sultan of Symmetry,” has an undying legacy that spans the late 20th century. Although the coveted Mr. Olympia title never adorned his trophy shelf, primarily due to Ronnie Coleman’s reign, Wheeler’s place in bodybuilding history is indisputable. Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, he mesmerized audiences with his unique blend of aesthetics: a delicate waist juxtaposed with voluminous muscle curvature. His accolades include four prestigious Arnold Classic victories (1993, 1997-1998, 2000), and his immense contribution to the sport was aptly recognized with the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award.
Recent Contenders: Labrada and Jacked
The Open class, a central division in competitive bodybuilding, recently witnessed two emerging stars solidifying their positions for the 2023 Mr. Olympia showdown. Earlier this month, Hunter Labrada, radiating with form and finesse, clinched gold at the Tampa Pro. His winning streak, however, was interrupted by Andrew Jacked in their ensuing face-off, where the formidable competitor from Nigeria secured his own Olympia qualification.
The Road to the 2023 Olympia
With the clock ticking down to the pinnacle of bodybuilding events, the 2023 Mr. Olympia, scheduled for November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida, Wheeler shares his insights. He turns his seasoned gaze to the aspirations and potential of the contemporary stars striving for the ultimate recognition in the bodybuilding universe.
View this post on Instagram
Analyzing Weak Points: Wheeler Assesses Jacked and Labrada
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated 2023 Mr. Olympia, bodybuilding icon Flex Wheeler lends his discerning eye to the performances of Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada. With just 11 weeks remaining until the grand event, Wheeler delves into the intricacies that could make or break these contenders on the illustrious stage.
Expert Insight from Terrick El Guindy
Offering a perspective from the realm of IFBB Pro League judging, Terrick El Guindy highlights an aspect of Andrew Jacked’s presentation that caught his attention at the 2023 Texas Pro. El Guindy notes Jacked’s fidgeting during the pivotal back double biceps pose, hinting at a nuanced observation that goes beyond the surface.
Mind-Muscle Connection: A Critical Component
Wheeler, revered for his acumen in bodybuilding, underscores a key factor in Andrew Jacked’s pose execution. His assessment points toward a potential disconnect between Jacked’s mind and his back muscles. This absence of a strong mind-muscle connection, Wheeler believes, is a defining element that contributed to the pose appearing less polished and more ‘amateur’ in nature. As an authority on the subject, Wheeler’s analysis provides a unique lens through which to view the intricacies of competitive bodybuilding.
“One of the things that I want to point out is it looks like Andrew Jacked is adjusting his back double biceps constantly. He’s not hitting it and holding it, you see, there’s constant movement on his back double biceps,” said Terrick El Guindy.
“That’s your sign that you’re not having any contraction, you feel absolutely nothing from the rear. That comes into just posing, posing, posing, posing, so much that you’re tired and you can barely stand up. That’s the same analogy you have on stage: there is no mirror to look at.
You have to have that connection. It doesn’t seem like he was practicing on his rear double biceps a lot – it’s almost an amateur thing, you fidgeting around, looking around and all that, trying to re-contract and all that stuff, that’s a pure sign you don’t have it locked it,” said Flex Wheeler.
The Essence of Connection
Wheeler’s Take on Jacked’s Pose The craft of bodybuilding is as much about the cerebral as it is about the physical. Flex Wheeler, a luminary in the bodybuilding arena, emphasizes the importance of the mind-muscle connection when commenting on Andrew Jacked’s rear double biceps pose. “You have to possess that connection,” Wheeler asserts. His observation of Jacked’s seemingly unfocused demeanor — fidgeting, looking around, constantly readjusting — speaks to a deeper issue. According to Wheeler, these are hallmarks of someone not fully in sync with their pose. “It’s almost amateurish,” he remarks, pinpointing these signs as clear indicators that the pose wasn’t firmly “locked in.”
Wheeler’s Verdict on the Texas Win and Labrada’s Condition
While Andrew Jacked emerged victorious at the Texas Pro, Wheeler’s assessment offers a nuanced perspective. In his view, Jacked’s win wasn’t purely about muscle definition or size; it was his superior aesthetic appeal and leanness that clinched the title for him. On the flip side, the bodybuilding veteran expressed discontent with Hunter Labrada’s presentation. After following Labrada’s physique updates closely, Wheeler had anticipated more. He found himself let down by Labrada’s overall conditioning during the competition, signaling a discord between expectation and reality.
“He’s prettier and a little bit leaner. I was somewhat kind of disappointed in Hunter, I’m going to call him privately. But if you looked at some of his – and this happened all the time, too often. If you look at his pictures going into the show, he was shredded, especially in the last photos. That was not the same guy on stage. He was bloated.
It seemed like he was really bloated and his stomach area, it seemed like his legs were washed out from that deep striation that he had. The Christmas tree was definitely not there. If it was that same physique he had a few days out from the show, it would have been a whole different story for him,” said Flex Wheeler.
View this post on Instagram
Finesse Over Flaws
Wheeler on Jacked’s Hamstrings Flex Wheeler, with his experienced eye, didn’t miss the strategic play employed by Andrew Jacked to mask his less-than-impressive hamstrings during the side triceps pose. According to Wheeler, Jacked artfully used finesse to divert attention from his hamstring shortcomings, especially when juxtaposed against Hunter. Yet, this clever masking couldn’t save him entirely. When it came to the rear double biceps pose, Jacked’s performance fell flat. Wheeler emphasized that this particular pose did Jacked no favors, highlighting areas of improvement rather than showcasing his strengths.
“So many of these guys have so much potential and lackluster, but as far as Andrew’s side tricep and Hunter’s side tricep, it’s because it’s not only a side tricep pose. That’s what people have to understand. No more than a front double bicep is a front bicep pose, it’s a complete pose.
What Andrew is doing is he’s hiding that he doesn’t have as powerful hamstrings as Hunter does. It’s him doing the best at what he has. I’m not sure because we’re looking at a still photo. I don’t know if the judges are calling for like they normally do, they call for that mandatory tricep. Then they switch gears and go into their own. That’s what it is, that’s what he’s doing.”
View this post on Instagram
Cicherillo’s Forecast for Jacked’s Olympia Performance
Bob Cicherillo, a voice of authority in the bodybuilding world, envisions a bright future for Andrew Jacked at the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia. If Jacked continues on his trajectory, emphasizing both volume and muscle definition, Cicherillo is confident that we’ll see Jacked in the first call-out, signaling a top-tier ranking in the competition.
“Andrew Jacked is pretty much a novice when it comes to the years he has and the actual stage time. He’s still figuring it out which is a pretty scary proposition when you consider when this guy finally gets it down and he continues to figure out where that balance is between coming in full and conditioned and then he can’t afford to come in a skinny out,” said Bob Cicherillo.
“I’ll tell you this: he’s getting pretty close. You might see the best version at Olympia and if he does, you’re absolutely going to see him in the first call-out.”
From Coaching to Rivalry
The Wheeler-Jacked Connection In 2022, the legendary Flex Wheeler transitioned into a coaching role, mentoring the budding star, Andrew Jacked. Their partnership was marked by Wheeler’s iconic posing expertise, often guiding Jacked through intricate sequences ahead of major showcases. Intriguingly, both Wheeler and Jacked share a hallmark in their posing – a unique flexibility that adds finesse to their stage presence.
However, paths change, and Jacked has since sought guidance elsewhere, aligning himself with Shawn Rhoden’s seasoned trainers, Chris Aceto and Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis. This shift seems fruitful, judging by the distinct enhancements in Jacked’s physique. Anticipation brews as fans eagerly await Jacked’s second Olympia stint, eager to witness the progression he’s made under his new team.
Hunter Labrada: Fueled by the Past, Aiming for the Future
On the other side stands Hunter Labrada, whose sights are firmly set on redemption. Following a narrow defeat to Jacked, Labrada is channeling his runner-up status into motivation. With both bodybuilders holding a victory over the other, a burgeoning rivalry is emerging. Fans, with bated breath, await their showdown at the upcoming November Olympia, keen to witness which titan prevails.
Catch the Full Insight on Olympia TV Streaming At Youtube:
Overview
Legendary bodybuilder Kenneth ‘Flex’ Wheeler offers incisive critiques on today’s rising stars, Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada, following their performances at the 2023 Texas Pro. While Wheeler, known for his unmatched aesthetics, never clinched the Mr. Olympia title, he remains a significant influence in the sport and recently received the 2023 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. He highlighted Jacked’s potential lack of mind-muscle connection during his poses and expressed disappointment in Labrada’s recent conditioning. As the 2023 Mr. Olympia event looms, Wheeler’s seasoned perspective casts an intriguing spotlight on these contenders, setting the stage for a much-anticipated showdown.
Featured Image @officialflexwheeler, @andrewjacked & @Olympia TV (Instagram & Youtube)
