Ronnie Kuhlman, a name that everyone knows and knows in the field of bodybuilding, his strength and muscles made him unique in the bodybuilding world in the late 90s and early 2000s. His existence is like an eternal mountain that lies between heaven and earth of power and glory. Whether he can win the title of "The World's Strongest Man (WSM)" at his peak has become the focus of discussion. 2023 WSM champion Mitchell Hooper discussed the issue by comparing the Olympia superstar's weightlifting prowess to five-time WSM champion Mares.
1. Ronnie Kuhlman vs. 5th WSM Mares
Mitchell Hooper, the strongest man in the world and the reigning champion of the Arnold Hercules Classic, is unquestionable about his strength and status. He doesn't shy away from exploring the contrasts between the two giants, Ronnie Kuhlman's peak (1998-2005) coincided with the Hercules Champion, a five-time WSM champion in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008. He knows that every small difference can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Ronnie Kuhlman's eight-time Mr. Olympia title is a testament to his legendary status in the bodybuilding world, and his incredible strength is a point of awe for him. Behind the 800-pound deadlift and squat, the 2,300-pound leg lift, these numbers are a testament to Kuhlman's countless sweat and hard work.
However, in Mitchell Hooper's eyes, despite Ronnie Kuhlman's incredible strength, it is not easy to compete with Mares for the title of "the strongest man in the world". He compared Kuhlman's 800-pound deadlift to Mares' 914-pound (415 kg) deadlift and found the difference between the two not insignificant. "Ronnie's 800-pound deadlift, while impressive, pales in comparison to Marris' best of 415 kilograms (914 pounds)," Hooper commented. ”
As for squat ability, Hooper believes Ronnie Kuhlman does have what it takes to compete with Mares. "Squats are one of Ronnie's strengths. We've seen a video of him squatting 800 pounds, and it was a shocking 2 squats. Mares' best squat is 380 kilograms, or 840 pounds, and the difference between the two is not significant. Although Hooper spoke highly of Kuhlman's strength, he remained convinced that Mares's position as the world's strongest man would be unassailable.
But Ronnie Coleman's power still amazed Hooper, who showed off his incredible strength with a 500-pound bench press. For Ronnie Coleman, this weight is a piece of cake, which he can easily repeat 5-8 times, while for Hooper it is almost an impossible task. The squat may have been more challenging for him, but even without wrapping his knees, he was able to do three or four reps at 800 pounds.
When it comes to Mares' bench press personal best of 639 pounds (290 kilograms), Hooper's eyes flash with amazement. He admits that such a force is enough to sweep thousands of troops on today's Hercules Pro Tour, and no one can beat it. Compared to Marcus' bench press record of 290kg, this figure is ridiculous and ridiculous. Hooper even wondered if he really believed in the existence of such a power, because in the world of Hercules, such a power is simply the ultimate insane.
And such an evaluation reminds me of Liu Rui, a traditional bodybuilder in the mainland, because his maximum bench press reached an astonishing 307 kg. This kind of strength is even more shocking compared to Mares's 290 kilograms, after all, Liu Rui is just playing bodybuilding, and amateur defeats professional. Maybe he should try to turn to powerlifting or Hercules to challenge the seemingly impossible task and tap into his true potential.
Second, Ronnie has the potential to become the strongest man in the world
In a hypothetical men's event in the world, Hooper thinks Ronnie Kuhlman has every chance of winning gold if he undergoes some level of orienteering training. He believes Coleman can overcome any challenge, even lifting a 300-pound stone. It's not an easy task, but in Hooper's eyes, Ronnie Kuhlman has extraordinary strength and perseverance.
Speaking about match points, Hooper explained that he currently gives Ronnie Kuhlman a total of 59 points, while Mares has lost one. If Kuhlman can beat Mares in the competition, he will score two more points in the Fingals Fingers and Log Lift events, thus surpassing Marius's 58 points with 59 points, and he will be crowned the strongest man in the world.
As a WSM champion, Hooper is confident in Ronnie Kuhlman's potential. He genuinely believes that if Ronnie can train as a strong man at the peak of his career, he could have a good chance of snatching the title from Maris Puzianovski. "I think Ronnie Kuhlman in 2005 has the potential to be crowned the strongest man in the world," he said. This is an important statement that means he can overthrow the best man of all time in terms of the strongest man in the world. ”
In Hooper's opinion, Ronnie Kuhlman not only has extraordinary genes, but also has the ability to train hard and excel in strength, which makes him one of the greatest Hercules in history. While it is impossible to know for sure whether Coleman will be able to beat Maris Puzanovski in the match, Hooper is convinced that it is a possibility. While the answer to this question remains confusing, one thing is undeniable: in the world of power sports, the quest for greatness knows no bounds.