How many times did Kevin Levrone lose Mr. Olympia? Story of the ‘uncrowned king’

Kevin Levrone showcasing his exquisite physique
Kevin Levrone showcasing his exquisite physique (Image Source: Kevin Levrone's Instagram)

Kevin Levrone is one of the bodybuilders who got close to winning the Sandow Trophy but didn't get a chance to lift it with his own hands. Levrone even held the record for most IFFB Pro wins before the entry of eight-time Sandow Trophy winner Ronnie Coleman. He has spent more than two decades in the bodybuilding industry and competed in around 14 Mr. Olympia events, securing top-five rankings 10 times.

The bodybuilding legend started his competitive journey at the NPC Junior Nationals, in the heavyweight class in 1991, and secured second place. But he wasn't satisfied with his performance and competed in the NPC Nationals in the same class to secure his first-ever competitive bodybuilding victory. Since then, Levrone has never looked back and achieved unmatched success.

The Uncrowned Mr. Olympia participated in the 1992 Mr. Olympia for the first time and was runner-up behind the six-time Mr. Olympia, Dorian Yates. The same year, he competed in various events and won the Night of Champions, defeating Robby Robinson, Milos Sarcev, and even the King of Bodybuilding Ronnie Coleman himself.

In 1993, Levrone was among the top five rankings behind Yates and Shawn Ray at Mr. Olympia. After this, the bodybuilding legend won the Arnold Classic in 1994. The same year, he secured a bronze Sandow Trophy, finishing third in the Mr. Olympia.

The uncrowned Mr. Olympia was in the top five rankings of the Arnold Classic and won the title twice. Apart from these events, he even competed in the 1998 Toronto Pro and was also a runner-up there. The bodybuilding legend retired in 2003 and did pretty well in his career.

The tales of him winning most IFBB Pro wins, securing the top five ranks in Mr. Olympia, and defeating some of the bodybuilding behemoths like eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and Robby Robinson back in his prime earned Levrone his nickname, Uncrowned Mr. Olympia.

Some of Levrone's notable victories are:

  • Grand Prix Germany, 1st place in 1992
  • Grand Prix Germany, 1st place, in 1993
  • Grand Prix Italy, 1st place, in 1994
  • Grand Prix Spain, 1st place in 1995
  • Grand Prix Germany, 1st place in 1995
  • Grand Prix Hungary, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix Spain, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix Germany, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix England, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix Czech Republic, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix Finland, 1st place in 1997
  • Grand Prix England, 1st place in 2001

The year 1997 was a booming year for uncrowned Mr. Olympia's career, and he won many titles. Despite not being able to win any Olympia trophy, the bodybuilding veteran won many hearts and etched his name in the history of bodybuilding.

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee