Jackson always looks like he could shine on stage.
Most know Dexter Jackson for his Mr. Olympia win in 2008. However, the bodybuilder is widely recognized as one of the greatest bodybuilders in sports history. For more than 20 years, from 1999 to his retirement after the 2020 Mr. Olympia, Jackson was a prolific competitor. Judging by some recent coaching clips, the 53 years still has sound muscle building mojo.
On March 11, 2023, Jackson posted an Instagram video of himself working on an assortment of arm exercisesincluding a variety of bicep curls And tricep pushes. Just two days later, Jackson shared another clip where he performs various back movementsincluding seated cable rows And dumbbell rows. It’s unclear if the two videos were shot on the same day, but Jackson has an identical outfit adorned in each recording. Either way, they feature a torn Jackson seemingly going through his workout like he once did in his prime.
It would be impossible to parse the serious competitive intentions of two Jackson tracks that go after the gym, but his videos could be tied to an imminent return. With the Masters Olympia 2023 Returning this summer to Romania, the now older Jackson would qualify for the hallowed contest. Notably, Jackson won the 2012 Masters Olympia – the last time the competition was held before his upcoming comeback.
A potentially lucrative prize would await Jackson if he made a competitive return to the Masters Olympia 2023. In late February 2023, the competition’s organizing body revealed that the the overall scholarship would be $229,000. Jackson would also potentially not be the only older established athlete, past or current, to compete. Due to a younger age, seven-time Olympia winner Phil Heath must wait at least two iterationsbut former champion 212 Olympia (2019) Kamal Elgargni declared his interest in potentially aiming for the Masters crown at 51.
Regardless of his next steps, Jackson’s overall resume has stood the test of time.
In the late 2000s, Dexter Jackson shocked the bodybuilding world. After the end of by Ronnie Coleman most unprecedented Mr. Olympia dynasty race, cutler jay seemed ready to follow in his footsteps. As Cutler battled for a third straight title in 2008, the triple Classic Arnold (AC) champion (2005-2006, 2008) Jackson would topple the reigning king of Olympia. Jackson’s rise to the pinnacle of bodybuilding as a new “Hulk” emerged might be one of the most storied Olympic victories in the competition’s history.
To date, “The Blade” is one of only four bodybuilders to have won at least one AC and the Olympia. The others are Coleman, Cutler and Brandon curry. Jackson is also the only bodybuilder to have won the AC, Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia titles. Here’s a look at the major accomplishments of Jackson’s competitive career:
Dexter | Career Highlights
- Arnold Classic Champion: (2005-2006, 2008, 2013, 2015) — The record for most AC wins
- Mr. Olympia Champion: (2008)
- Olympia Masters Champion: (2012)
Even if Jackson doesn’t return to a stage, it’s probably unsurprising to see him continue to crush it with weights in hand. Icons like Jackson may retire from official competition, but that doesn’t mean the fire to improve is going away.
Featured Image: @mrolympia08 on Instagram
