The Arnold Classic 1996/ Kevin Levrone

This was the Arnold classic where Kevin Levrone won for the second time.

[@3317alibaba]

look at that fucking line up

[@samuellijones1]

the 90s baby

[@BenMotivated]

They look fuckin crazy. You look at today's lineup and you're like ehh. I partly believe a lot of today's genetically gifted individuals no longer want to suffer from shitty politics or health issues which is why the Mr. Olympia is dry as fuck.

[@lucjanwilczewski824]

Damn right Bro What a F.... line up !!!

[@shihi51]

steroids don't lift the weight for you, and yes always stay natty for health

[@mansamusa5197]

Look at all these guys faces. Their conditioning was on another level. Look at Kevin's face during the interview. He looks emaciated. 90s bodybuilding was tough.

[@healthhulk2584]

Mansa Musa lol, that diuretics.

[@1stGenStunter]

Right. Emaciated at probably 230-240lbs

[@delta9mda]

Not emaciated, its called condition and no slin

[@JeanPauJean]

@rob foster They just didn't take has much insuline like the guys today...!

[@kikarias79]

Mansa Musa Death faces everywere. Like it is supposed to be!

[@MrSlickJerk]

Days when Arnold looked happy with bodybuilders.

[@ZeoNeXus]

Look at Paul Dillet standing next to these guys. Truly Behemoth!

[@thomassevilla4452]

When bodybuilders looked like bodybuilders

[@HeyImDateMike]

And not ninja turtles lol

[@garthwright6308]

When bodybuilders were bodybuilders!!!!!!!

[@JeanPauJean]

Even Paul Dillet look pretty aesthetic for a mass monster and he was in shape!

[@mrpurfect09]

Two men with great builds..real bodybuilders!!

[@fiz0746]

When they didn't have problem with bubble guts.

[@gilfiazon2575]

Without a doubt the 90's were the best era of bodybuilding. So much talent on this stage. Anyone in the top 3 here could win the Olympia against todays bodybuilders.

[@postrock3374]

@Scott Adam Moron.

[@strahilvoivoda7515]

Even in top 10 😄

[@Rock-gi9fn]

Vince Taylor also was looking very good

[@fitmaxas381]

Top 3 even paul dillet would beat big ramy today, cant compare legends with a fans of today LOL

[@steroidsR4losers]

When are the ROIDERS going to be PROSECUTED for STEROIDS? ROIDERS are LAW BREAKING UNHEALTHY FAKES! Stay natural buddy!

[@talibe801]

the nineties where the best years of bodybuilding,imo!

[@tomijojo]

Rui Calado Agreed physiques of today are no where near this level

[@cdubb2447]

I think there's been a systemic effect of the shoulder and traps becoming disproportionately larger than the other muscle groups due to the potency of the drugs today and not being concerned with balance. Arnold's era obviously used PEDs but their potency was no where near today's. Since the delts and traps contain high levels of androgen receptors, they blow up too easy. The harder and more amount of the drug, the more they get that horrendous ninja turtle look. The 90s was the last era before this effect got out of hand.

[@Tomn8er]

Flex's physique flows so much better in the front relaxed pose

[@surbjits]

bonzihunter kevin had the best combo of mass and proportion..

[@TheLusianPopa]

+bonzihunter yeah but relaxed poses are pretty irrelevant in deciding a contest

[@turnippatrol4607]

+bonzihunter True, but things change when they turn to the side: forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3908023&d=1322693574 Look how "thin" Flex looks next to Kevin in that picture. Kevin's lats are much lower, fuller & thicker than Flex's. Levrone's delts have full & long muscle bellies as well. Flex looks better in the video but the high resolution photos show a different story - Kevin's lighter skin tone was being washed out by the stage lighting which gave Flex & Paul and the other darker skinned athletes an advantage at this show

[@utkarshsinghrajawat5294]

Tomn8er n he's better conditioned than Kevin

[@emanuelmanvelyan3395]

Kevin was better conditioned

[@BillPairaktaridis]

Jesus, could Paul Dillet fly with those wings?!

[@kennethcunningham70]

That's from the relax the back poses and his shakiness never allowed him to win majors

[@Trenacetate43]

The only guy that had his back better relaxed lmao.. I forget who said it might be Dave palumbo on rxmuscle

[@geoffreythomas7253]

Those wheels looked alittle off here though.

[@RLnSara]

best comment!! LMAOOOO🤣

[@noelthomas7509]

Yeah Paul was the most massive and biggest back then too... another uncrowned Mr Olympia

[@lucianm5459]

Damn , Paul Dillet just dwarfin' everyone...

[@Nobodyyoucarabout]

so big lolol

[@viniciusoliveira3887]

The Old School's time was much better then actually days

[@sadikmeah4057]

Paul dillet was just a beast and in a class of his own

[@Anonymous-vj3tt]

How can you say that he couldnt even pose and his back looked like shit

[@PanzerCrewman]

It was still a decent back, he just dwarfs anyone here and it’s what you look like not how you pose

[@samAesthetics77]

Kevin levrone's conditioning slapped everyone in the face. Well deserved win!

[@davida6919]

Idk if that was a pun but I can tell by his face that he had great conditioning

[@beewalk34]

"I took alot of protien this time"...LMAO

[@igorrosales1799]

Jajajaj

[@Yusuf729_]

Vince Taylor handling that with absolute class. Utter respect for him.

[@Tabish29]

Thing with Kevin is his structure is so gifted that he looks athletic. The way his traps swoop down to his coconut delts and his low calves. To top it off he's git great arms. Despite not having the greatest back and slightly narrow clavicles he's always spot on.

[@michaelnewkirk1566]

The Maryland machine muscle was a monster and will always be a crowd favorite. He is a great dude for the sport and to his fans.

[@packleader8826]

What an amazing line up. This is bodybuilding at its finest.

[@imranahmed1542]

I think this is the biggest levrone had appeared on stage around the 255lb mark, he looked great

[@jaystallztv]

Kevin Levrone has a sexy beautiful body he truly looks like a work of art ♥️♥️😋🔥

[@mikebird5148]

Bodybuilding was more majestic back in the 90's, it was more, mysterious, with social media today we see these guys post pictures and videos every day, so it's really nothing exciting to see them compete like it used to be, all people used to have were magazines to see these guys, I think social media has made the sport less spectacular, less surprising, you would hardly ever see these guys up until a show, now you see bodybuilders everyday on social media and it just makes the day of the contest less exciting IMO.

[@BountyRogueCinemax]

this is true

[@The0Almighty0Lord]

really good point sir. I remember those days. I remember buying the magazine's at the grocery store. I remember several years later watching Ronnie Coleman on an online video and I was thinking what the fuck is up with his voice??? I miss those days

[@carlosparrahernandez685]

Mike Bird Yeah you are completely right, but you have a solution: only see the competitions and not all the previous vídeos ☺

[@dalewilson5613]

Mike Bird very true

[@Illmatic25]

I agree with that. You have non-pros (men and women) just getting instagram praise and buzz. Social media more so damaged this industry than anything else

[@itvideoluver]

What a line-up, all 5 looked great!

[@audiogarden1]

When the hell is the last time that an Olympia top 6 looked anywhere near this good? THIS was the true golden age of bodybuilding. And we arent even seeing the 2 best guys in the world here.

[@akibanu007]

keven & flex two of the greatest genetics of all time

[@RoddyBezerra]

This is ur point of view buddy.

[@mnbvcxz123S]

***** They're ALL drugs genius. Pro bodybuilders are walking pharmacies

[@kibskibs498]

nick dean and genetics fuck tard... not everyone who takes roids can get even close to this amazing.

[@akibanu007]

+xoulepos tell me a name who didn't abuse steroid. and how many people achieved that type of massive but aesthetic physique after using roids.

[@TheLusianPopa]

+AW Wasi they both have narrow clavicles, kevin's legs back and chest were never impressive imo.His legs a big early on in 90s but after got weak

[@JeanPauJean]

Damn Paul Dillet! How can he be that huge with that small waist and that good conditionning??

[@richardobdeijn1757]

I am a Levrone fan, but damn...Flex looked great too..could have gone either way, still think both of them should have been mr.O in the past...two of the greatest bodybuilders to ever grace a stage..

[@blueicydasani4543]

Late reply, but yea Flex's symmetry and shape was better. Kevin had better conditioning and just overall had better poses

[@01laris]

Definitely...

[@GustavoForever]

A felicidade no meu rosto vendo o levrone ganhar não tem igual

[@russellthompson6079]

Paul Dillet was awesome, literally dwarfing the other competitors!

[@SpookyConcepts]

MAN Kevin's face in the interview!! The guys don't do it like this anymore

[@jdgeibe]

Kevin's face during the post win interview 😳 You know he was dieting hard and suffering and you just don't see that 💀 on today's bodybuilders regardless of what anybody says! 90s bodybuilding all day baby! 😎👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@BonheurNtwari]

he's backkkk

[@mikebird5148]

Cant wait to see him on the Olympia stage again, I don't think he will even make top 10 but seeing him compete again will be awesome, his wheels and his back were lacking in his prime so I doubt they will be superb now that he is much older.

[@BonheurNtwari]

+Bird Man wheels were just fine back then. proportional to the rest of the body to say it better. but I agree with u on the back, his lower back especially was a weak point but kevin is kevin, he can do anything and everything that people think cant be done. that dude isn't like any other person. we shall just wait and see

[@mikebird5148]

I was comparing his wheels with the top guys of today, Heath, Kai, Rhoden, but yea bro I agree with you, the dude is a genetic freak, I hope he proves me wrong and shows up close to what he used to look like, I dont doubt him at all, cheers mate! Bonheur fitness

[@BonheurNtwari]

+Bird Man yeah true bro these guys are freaks but not aesthetic in my eyes. if kevin comes in close or better to what he looked like which i believe he fuckin can coz why not its kevin he might place top 6. people love him and its the look that everyone wants plus its good way to make more money for the federation

[@mikebird5148]

Bonheur fitness Yea if shows up anywhere like he used to, top 6 easily, his back is his only weak-ish spot.

[@WZ912]

Best line up ever

[@d.pharmbot2092]

Kevin Levrone looks like a dang movie star. I need to put a bag over my head.

[@feralheartbg]

Kevin beats Flex in every pose but FDB & BDB. He's more massive and has that freaky factor. Clear win for the MMM.

[@anabolicstephen8387]

arnold's face looking in contest shape😂

[@DeathsW1ngs]

Gotta love studying those older shows, thanks for the update!

[@gaborszakacs168]

Kevin is humble. I like the way he did it! - and does it again!

[@buridoughboy4497]

Vince Taylor looked really good actually

[@mikebird5148]

Yea he looked great, they all did lol, hard to judge.

[@OriginalMindTrick]

They all looked amazing.

[@mikebird5148]

still not sure How Levrone won this show, even though Kevin is my fav of all time, I just dont understand how he got by Flex here.

[@kaldesjarlais375]

fav of all time?

[@mikebird5148]

kal Desjarlais Yes, Levrone is my fav bodybuilder of all time, not my favorite physique of all time per say but his physique, his posing routines and his personality I just liked better than most others.

[@jrv7054]

Take a good look guys these are the true bodybuilder aesthetic gods

[@torque122]

levrone-Drier fuller condition and symmetry is second to none. Levrone was phenomenal here, but he hit his best in 2002 in my opinion. Flex just could never replicate his '93 ASC condition for the rest of his career.

[@abumuawiyyah5579]

Look at this line up ..Man! This era was something else.. hope it comes back :/

[@waleedkhan7938]

LOL Kevin looked great but seriously how did flex not win that

[@TheDiadara1]

you can't judge the whole competition by this one video of them doing basically a front relax pose only,check out all other poses and then pass your verdict

[@jdgeibe]

Kevin outmuscled Flex and the judges went in that direction. Either guy deserved to win 😎

[@PrinceArthas100]

Shawn Ray was off, Vince Taylor was good but no match for the top 3. Paul dominating from the front and side, but his back and posing were his downfall. Kevin wins more poses than Flex, assuming both show up in good condition. FDB-Flex FLS-Kevin RDB-Flex RLS-Kevin SC-Kevin ST-Kevin AT-even MM-Kevin wins the hands clasped, Flex has a better crab and hands on hips, so Flex wins the MM 4 poses for Kevin, 3 for Flex, one could go either way

[@senatus]

Damned good analysis. Kudos! :)

[@alexworm1707]

no way in hell flex wins MM, kevins clasp handed wins against any MM from Flex, its called favorite MM, kevins favorite wins any MM from Flex

[@gustave9744]

MM wasn't mandatory back in the 90s

[@manduheavyvazquez5268]

Kevin ,Ray and flex. Top 3. Greatness.

[@madballz28]

Levrone then and now looks ageless.

[@mikebird5148]

Him and Dexter Jackson have some insane genetics to still be able to look so young at their age.

[@micahdavid4867]

how about dexter jackson

[@RoddyBezerra]

2:06 Flex look at Dillet saying "Whadahell!!"

[@capoman1]

Crowd booing??? Even if you are a huge Wheeler fan, or you don't like Levrone that much... It's not like Kevin came in soft. He earned the win.

[@bigstink9]

capoman1 In the 90s Flex Wheeler had the best aesthetics in the sport. When he lost it was because he wasn't hard enough. But based off pure lines and possessing the most 'beautiful' artistic physique, he was untouchable. No one had rounder muscle bellies than Wheeler. Most fans were shocked when Flex lost. He body was that impressive when you saw him pose. Levrone looked good, but I always felt his awesome bodyparts didn't flow well together. You see it when he' stands there relaxed. He's got narrow clavicles and his back flair is too angular.

[@sosissalam8665]

+bigstink9 relaxed yes but you can see here in all poses when they hit he looks rounder fuller and sharper especialy in most muscular pose flex got levrone in front double back double and abs and ties but rest of the pose levrone won and flex hems and glutes was soft

[@turnippatrol4607]

Flex has high lats and a weak back. Levrone's back is thick & full & fully tapered all the way down to the hips due to superior lat bellies. Flex's waist is slightly narrower but remember, the best back usually wins

[@gingerkyriakos6968]

Paul Dillet the beast! Only if he had put a smile on his face and could have held the pose for a little longer, he would have been a multiple times winner in every show he was at .But in a reality, "if" never wins an argument.

[@hectorhernandez2395]

Flex wheeler looked phenomenal.

[@loneshinystar]

Every in Top 5 could be Mr olympia 2019

[@1seanv]

No way Paul Dillet looked better than Shawn or Vince - NO WAY!

[@MrInzombia]

+ThePOPKILLA hes so freaken huge , flex and kevin look so tiny

[@MrInzombia]

+ThePOPKILLA he really did have freakish genetics

[@alaskanmalamute101]

he had gigantism i think why he has odd lookin face

[@Robertv1984]

Paul had size, but he never could hold his poses. He deteriorates when it comes to rear poses.

[@fistoftulkas7335]

Yes he did, you can make a case for him actually winning here... Both Wheeler and Levrone didn't look that great, Dillett was clearly superior from the front...

[@raymondfarrell6585]

I went to this show! I have relatives in Columbus and really enjoyed the contest.💪mrwtby

[@jeremytaylor988]

Levrone and flex were always neck and neck..2 of the best ever

[@traynikhwanan6633]

Now guys, that is what you call the "Out of the Oven" look, crisp and dry asf! Later in his career his face never used to be that dry, he needs to bring that dryness this year

[@khmuriythrash7360]

Леврон был достоин титула мистер Олимпия,хотя бы раз...жалко недооценили в своё время...

[@khmuriythrash7360]

+# Преступники на Диете Нууу,не знаю,по мне так генетика у обоих норм, мнения разные на этот счёт, многих прокатили с этим титулом незаслуженно,причин много,от политики до личных симпатий,некоторым бы я вообще не давал этот титул,но это личное мнение...

[@BodybuildersGR]

What a line up of pure talent!!

[@farazalikhan5242]

This was memorable man !

[@CHARLTON2015]

The conditioning here is unreal.

[@OGBlac]

I agree with most comments on here Flex had better definition. Should have won

[@XcrazyX10]

You didn't see him from the back. and quality of this video is low. And Levrone has alot better legs from the back.

[@emanuelmanvelyan3395]

Kevin had crazy striations, he was better conditioned.

[@ramonsapiens]

Better chest and back too

[@PedroTRamos1]

Poor quality but kevin looks to be more conditioned, could have been the determining factor.

[@delta9mda]

Flex was probably soft in the hamstrings and the glutes as usual

[@hulkhulk4819]

Best time for pro bodybuilding, guys now have no idea how amazing that time was

[@aldonoriegacruz2537]

The best times in the bodybuilding

[@aleks9248]

0:30 - Mr. Dianabol LOL

[@malikjamshed1207]

Flex conditioning looked better then Kelvin,s when they were waiting for decision,Kelvin,s stomach looked flat as wel.

[@Jumbod007]

Ultra Classic stuff both Kev/Flex … awesome stuff … !

[@willbendingsteel6258]

Fact is Kevin will also be back again 22 years later on Arnold classic Australia 2018 ;)

[@tunguyen-zo9ch]

2016, first time seeing this. In my eyes flex looks better overall.

[@VerisimilitudeDude]

+tu nguyen At first I thought so too, but if you watch the entire pose down and posing routines, you'll see that Kevin has more dense muscle and has more of a classic physique.

[@tunguyen-zo9ch]

i know people stress about density and conditioning, but flex wheelers conditioning isn't that much of a gap anyway. What I see in 2:29 is that the hardness of flex is well displayed here when they are standing side by side. Pause it

[@VerisimilitudeDude]

+tu nguyen Yes, Flex is definitely dense and hard as a lot of top tier bodybuilders can be, but he lacks the true thickness of muscle that Kevin has, especially in the shoulders, pecs and arm area.

[@tunguyen-zo9ch]

***** thats how IFBB jumped the G-wagon (growth hormone) I don't necessarily agree on the whole mass ideal

[@VerisimilitudeDude]

tu nguyen Do you think Kevin was on the vitamin G?

[@SFSomega]

Winner gets 100k $ and almost 20 years later in 2015, prize money is only 130k $ ???

[@samualhouren379]

But second third and fourth place gets alot more money now...

[@kibskibs498]

SFSomega There are now alot more competitions for pros, so the top ones can get over 1-2 million a year instead of back then where they got around 400k- 500k

[@kanagawayarichin]

plus they get a hummer

[@fuocobrucia3134]

@m v Take into consideration that a million $$$ isn''t much nowadays when you factor in the cost of living/

[@denwilson7278]

Wow what a top 5... anyone of these would be Mr Olympia today

[@22NiggaPlease]

I understand what people seen in flex, but Kevin had it man

[@AllanBilodeau1992]

1. Flex Wheeler 2. Kevin Levrone 3. Vince Taylor 4. Shawn Ray 5. Paul Dillet

[@nocturnaltongue]

Flex Wheeler Paul Dilette Vince Taylor Kevin leverone

[@edisonsalcedo9619]

Kevin Levrone Paul Dillet Shawn Rayn Flex Oil Wheeler

[@JC-ic3wq]

I just commented the same thing with out looking at you comment. That is how obvious it was.

[@JC-ic3wq]

Paul Dillet body was uggly ass heel but I guest some of you guys like it cause he had a bubble gut too.

[@chrismestas7403]

I agree with these standings tou post.... especially in regards to Vince Taylor. Looked soo much better then Paul Dillet. All these guys looked Amazing back then!!!

[@PaulBodyBuilder]

Paul Dillete is a monster

[@kevin45802]

Beeing a monster is not enough,you gotta have aestetics like Levrone,Wheeler and Ray.

[@billcarson6284]

Paul he's not a monster , Nasser was a monster , dorian was a monster but Paul Dillet is Godzilla (paulzilla) :)

[@sosissalam8665]

peter prestor tell that to 8 times mr.o ronnie coleman... 0 aestectics 100 freak he won 8 times...

[@theometallica]

My right ear enjoyed this!!! :P

[@edwardrodascotera8417]

Vaya época.. Cualquiera podía ser campeón... Y calidad que en estos tiempos ya no se ve.

[@ederrick987]

Flex Wheeler clearly won this contest...

[@shabatdati]

levrone and flex had exactly the same condition here

[@svetoslavbananov398]

This is bodybuilding!!!

[@HatianHurricane]

This had to be one of the most competitive line-ups in history! Easily 5 of the top 10 bodybuilders of their era!

[@suraj-op2bx]

Paul dillet has same expression through out entire competition even after going away from stage He should have smiled at least

[@matt7002]

lol have you seen him smile? i don't think that's what you want

[@davida3014]

Paul dillet made everyone look small.

[@tunguyen-zo9ch]

+David A he had a slight bloaty stomach and sheer size but lags a little in aesthestics but youre right tho

[@veilofmayaa]

I'm at loss for words. Just look at them, a nightmare for the judges. They are absolutely incredible, size, conditioning, symmetry, you name it. Most importantly, no God damn mutant like guts. Kevin looks like a Greek God or maybe better than one. Miss the real bodybuilding. Truly a golden era.

[@TuranciHareket]

How everybody is pissed off except of the winner of course and vince taylor he smiled it away just like that and why not. Kevin levrone won but he gave every athlete credit. Back in the 90s and early 2000s there were 6-7 competitors who deserved a win. Now that the phil heath era might be over rhoden, ramy and winklaar will fight for the trophy.

[@ObiWanSatoshi]

wow that dead face. you could even tell how depleted he was in the arnold interview. wow lol

[@alaskanmalamute101]

he looked older in that interview than he does now at 52 lol..new level of death face

[@jep91975]

went Bodybuilding was on ESPN

[@dannydydy816]

This is my favorite bodybuilder. Kevin Levrone🙌🙌

[@eaglekatipunero560]

Bodybuilders overall physique of the 90's were much better than as of today...

[@davespark10]

good god look at his cheek bones!

[@calledmoe]

+David Mendoza akromegalie ^^

[@davespark10]

***** maybe its the lighting... But they too "conditioned" like they looked starved x( .. Which is what they basically had to do to look that ripped...

[@Tain950]

+David Mendoza I know he looks sucked in like crazy.

[@rambomoore381]

Yeah, Arnold was way cut there

[@pizzaDhut]

Thought it should have been 1 Dillett, 2 Wheeler and 3 Levrone

[@erasercool]

Best Arnold Classic Ever...

[@nicholausant3635]

Very high level of everybody's condition

[@fabriciobizzo1]

1:49 check the Freak-einstein Dillett

[@WinterNapalm]

Im a big fan of Kevin, but Flex should have won, he was in better condition.

[@strahilvoivoda7515]

Kevin deserved it then I mean look at that shape! Nobody could ever get to that perfection...

[@mc_sim]

Absolutely deserved! Levrone's aesthetics is just insane. Flex is awesome also, but my fav goes to Kevin.

[@gla300]

"I took in alot of protein this time" I guess I know what is he referring to xD still, dem shoulders

[@billy2693xz]

they robbed flex

[@sedricrobinson9499]

They actually did. Levrone and Flex were equal from the front, until they turned around and Flex easily beats him. Back development was Kevin’s Achilles heel.

[@Wikingking]

@@sedricrobinson9499 Common misconsception a.k.a. bullshit. His rear lat spread was the 2nd best in the entire lineup only after Dorian, while his back double was decent (his lower back lacks definition, but arms and traps were on point). Flex had an excellent back double (waistline above) but mediocre lat spread. So ultimately lower body development decided, which Kevin took easily and hands down (striated glutes, better hams). He was more conditioned than Flex, just look at his face. If anything, Flex was awarded 2nd, but still, this top 6 was deep af, it could have gone either way, but Kevin seems to be a legit winner.

[@TheSacred55]

I am stuck in the beginning looking at Arnold's chest and arms. To this day, nothing compares!!! and that was using free weights only

[@chrisg9615]

Just looking at the two stood there... Kevin is being destroyed by Flex.

[@MushIAF]

0:29 mr dianbol?

[@logant44]

lol

[@Kiido11]

HAHA, it sure did sound like that!

[@RoddyBezerra]

Dillet RULES!!

[@notme6793]

If this Levrone came up in Arnold Classic 2018 in Australia, his standing could have been much higher for sure!

[@lionelhideaki]

Paul Dillet the real mass monster right there. Kevin exceptional genetics and shape. Legendary.