Arnold Schwarzenegger is known to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He claimed Mr. Olympia titles six times in a row till he finally resigned from the profession. The only other bodybuilder that has come close to his title is Ronnie Coleman. Not only has Coleman won the Mr. Olympia title two more times than Schwarzenegger, but he has also won the Arnold Classic, a tournament named after the Terminator actor himself. Together, the two are considered the pinnacle of bodybuilding.

Bodybuilding is a sport that is usually associated with competitive and fierce males. And one would assume that two of the greatest bodybuilders of all time will have a beef with each other. However, that is not the case with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman. 

Ronnie Coleman praised Arnold Schwarzenegger

Given how the two have amassed the most titles in the field of bodybuilding, the title of the greatest bodybuilder falls between the two of them. However, Coleman believes that there has always been one winner, and it is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. When Ronnie Coleman received the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, he dedicated his acceptance speech to his inspiration, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The eight times Mr. Olympia said that Schwarzenegger will always be the greatest bodybuilder in his eyes. 

“He got all that mass, class, and size with pure hard work, dedication, and faith,” Coleman said.

The acceptance speech delivered by Ronnie Coleman speaks volumes about his character and proves why he is and will continue to be an inspiration to many. In a sport like bodybuilding, which is by definition an individual sport, it is quite heartwarming to see Ronnie Coleman regard someone else with the prestigious title that many associate with him.

Has Coleman ever gone against Austrian Oak?

Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger are reported to share a good bond with or without the cameras. The acceptance speech is a testament to the respect that Coleman has for Schwarzenegger in his heart. While he did state that the Terminator actor is his inspiration, many would shower their fortunes if the two decided to go against each other in a fight. This will probably never happen, given how they are from different eras.

Who, according to you, is the greatest bodybuilder? Let us know in the comments below.