Jackson nonetheless appears like he may shine on stage.
Most know Dexter Jackson for his Mr. Olympia victory in 2008. Nevertheless, the bodybuilder is extensively famend as one of many best bodybuilders within the historical past of the game. For over 20 years, from 1999 to his retirement after the 2020 Mr. Olympia, Jackson was a prolific competitor. Judging by some latest coaching clips, the 53-year-old has nonetheless obtained his muscle-building mojo.
On Mar. 11, 2023, Jackson posted an Instagram video of himself working by an assortment of arm exercises, together with a wide range of biceps curls and triceps pushdowns. Simply two days later, Jackson shared one other clip the place he performs varied again actions, together with seated cable rows and dumbbell rows. It’s unclear if each movies have been filmed the identical day, however Jackson has an an identical outfit adorned in every recording. Both manner, they showcase a ripped Jackson seemingly powering by his coaching as he as soon as did in his heyday.
It’d be inconceivable to parse any critical aggressive intentions from two tidbits of Jackson getting after it within the health club, however his movies may be associated to a pending comeback. With the 2023 Masters Olympia returning this late summer time in Romania, the now-older Jackson would qualify for the hallowed contest. Notably, Jackson gained the 2012 Masters Olympia — the final time the competitors was held earlier than its upcoming return.
A doubtlessly profitable prize would await Jackson have been he to make a aggressive comeback on the 2023 Masters Olympia. In late February 2023, the competition’s organizing physique revealed that the general prize purse can be $229,000. Jackson would additionally doubtlessly not be the one older established athlete, previous or present, to characteristic within the competitors. Resulting from a youthful age, seven-time Olympia winner Phil Heath should await at the very least two iterations, however former 212 Olympia champion (2019) Kamal Elgargni has said his curiosity in doubtlessly aiming for the Masters crown at 51 years previous.
No matter his coming steps, Jackson’s general resume has stood the take a look at of time.
Within the late-2000s, Dexter Jackson shocked the bodybuilding world. After the tip of Ronnie Coleman’s principally unprecedented Mr. Olympia dynasty run, Jay Cutler appeared poised to comply with in his footsteps. As Cutler vied for a 3rd consecutive title in 2008, the then-three-time Arnold Traditional (AC) champion (2005-2006, 2008) Jackson would topple the defending Olympia king. Jackson rising to the highest of bodybuilding proper as a brand new “Hulk” emerged could be one of many extra legendary Olympia victories within the competitors’s historical past.
To at the present time, “The Blade” is one in every of solely 4 bodybuilders who’ve ever gained at the very least one AC and the Olympia. The others are Coleman, Cutler, and Brandon Curry. Jackson can also be the one bodybuilder to win the AC, Mr. Olympia, and Masters Olympia titles. Right here’s an summary of the principle achievements from Jackson’s aggressive profession:
Dexter Jackson | Profession Highlights
- Arnold Traditional champion: (2005-2006, 2008, 2013, 2015) — The file for essentially the most AC wins
- Mr. Olympia champion: (2008)
- Masters Olympia champion: (2012)
Even when Jackson doesn’t return to a stage, it’s most likely not shocking to see him proceed to crush it with weights in hand. Icons like Jackson could retire from formal competitors, however that doesn’t imply the hearth to enhance ever goes away.
Featured picture: @mrolympia08 on Instagram
