Shawn Rhoden (April 2, 1975 – November 6, 2021) was a Jamaican-American IFBB professional bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia.

He won the 2018 Mr. Olympia contest by defeating seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath. He was the oldest bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia title, at the age of 43 years and five months.

Early life

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Rhoden migrated to the United States in 1990 and settled in Maryland. He went through a period of alcohol addiction following the death of his father, Lloyd, in 2002 but overcame it with help from his friend Lenore Carroll.

Career

An aspiring soccer player in his early teens, Rhoden started bodybuilding in 1992[3] with inspiration from a former Mr. Universe, Yohnnie Shambourger, and, after an amateur career ruptured with several injuries and alcohol dependence, won his IFBB Pro card by 2010.[2] He was the 11th at the 2011 Mr. Olympia (Mr. Olympia debut), 3rd at the 2012 Mr. Olympia and 4th at the 2013 Mr. Olympia competition. In 2014, Rhoden was third at the 2014 Mr. Olympia competition and third again at the 2015 Mr. Olympia. In 2016, he was second. In 2018, Rhoden became the new Mr. Olympia replacing Phil Heath. He is the oldest bodybuilder to win the title, at the age of 43 years, 5 months.

Personal life and death

Shawn Rhoden was married to his wife Michelle Sugar in 2018. However, due to personal issues and allegations of infidelity, they got divorced. Rhoden died from a heart attack on 6 November 2021.

Legal trouble

Rhoden was accused of sexually assaulting a female protege while he was visiting Salt Lake City, Utah, in October 2018, shortly after his Mr. Olympia win. In July 2019, he was formally charged in the state of Utah with rape, object rape and sexual abuse. It was alleged that Rhoden invited a married woman who he had been mentoring to his hotel room in Salt Lake, where the reported actions took place. The American Media LLC company, which is the organizing body for the Mr. Olympia contest, released a statement in July 2019 that Rhoden was banned from competing at the 2019 Mr. Olympia contest, as well as future competitions. The governing body of the sport of bodybuilding and fitness the IFBB, released a statement in July 2019 through representative Jim Manion, that no actions would be taken against Rhoden until further information was gathered.

Competition history

Amateur

• 2009 IFBB North American Championships - 1st
• 2009 NPC Delaware Open Bodybuilding - 1st
• 2001 NPC Team Universe Championships - 2nd
• 2000 NPC Team Universe Championships - 4th
• 1999 NPC Team Universe Championships - 3rd

Professional

• 2018 Mr. Olympia - 1st
• 2017 Mr. Olympia - 5th
• 2016 Mr. Olympia - 2nd
• 2016 Kuwait Pro Men's Bodybuilding - 3rd place
• 2015 EVL's Prague Pro - 3rd
• 2015 Mr. Olympia - 3rd
• 2014 IFBB San Marino Pro - 1st
• 2014 EVL's Prague Pro - 3rd
• 2014 Dubai Pro - 2nd
• 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 2nd
• 2014 Mr. Olympia - 3rd
• 2014 IFBB Australian Pro - 1st
• 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic - 2nd
• 2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 4th
• 2013 Mr. Olympia - 4th
• 2012 IFBB EVL's Prague Pro - 2nd
• 2012 IFBB British Grand Prix - 1st
• 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe - 1st
• 2012 Mr. Olympia - 3rd
• 2012 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow - 1st
• 2012 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro - 1st
• 2012 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic - NP
• 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic - 8th
• 2012 IFBB FLEX Pro - 4th
• 2011 Mr. Olympia - 11th
• 2011 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show - 3rd
• 2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show - 6th