Kevin Levrone

Kevin Levrone (born July 16, 1964) is an American retired IFBB professional bodybuilder. Levrone began his professional IFBB career in 1991 after finishing first in the NPC Finals. He won the Arnold Classic in 1994 and 1996. Levrone is widely regarded as one of the best professional bodybuilders of the 1990s and one of the greatest bodybuilders never to win the Mr Olympia title. Levrone competed in 68 IFBB professional contests, and held the record of the most wins as an IFBB professional until 2001 when Vince Taylor won his 21st pro win.

Early life

Levrone was born on July 16, 1964, in Baltimore, Maryland, to an Italian-American father (originally from Sicily) and African-American mother. He lost both parents to cancer at a young age. Kevin was first inspired to pursue bodybuilding by his cousin. After seeing the size and condition of his cousin, who had returned from serving in the military, Kevin became more serious about working out and bodybuilding in general.

Training and competition Levrone began his professional IFBB career in 1991 after finishing first in the NPC Finals. After placing 2nd at the 1992 Mr. Olympia contest, for his first participation, he had a severe injury in February 1993. The injury completely tore his major and minor pectorals while bench-pressing 600 pounds, requiring surgery to reattach. That is the record for most Mr. Olympia seconds without a win.

When he stopped competing in 2003, Levrone did not officially announce his retirement; he explained this as he never thought about retirement, but just decided to do something different and find other challenges.

Despite having been away from competition for well over a decade since 2003, Kevin officially announced in May 2016 that he would return to once again compete at the professional level at the Mr. Olympia contest, by special invite; he indeed entered the 2016 Mr. Olympia contest, at age 51, and placed 17th, with only five months of preparation. In 2018, in the lead up to competing in the Arnold Classic Australia competition, Levrone announced that this would be his last competition; he placed 13th out of a field of 14. Many believe he had improved over his 2016 Mr Olympia condition, but he was still far from the condition that had made him a big name in bodybuilding in the 90s and early 2000s.

Levrone has qualified and participated in 13 Mr. Olympia competitions (including a special invite from IFBB President Jim Manion for the 2016 edition). He's placed 2nd four times, once making his Olympia debut in 1992 to Dorian Yates and in 1995. 2 to Ronnie Coleman (2000, 2002). Due to his popularity and close calls he has been given the title of an uncrowned Mr. Olympia (an honorary title he shares with Kenneth “Flex” Wheeler). Levrone has been applauded for his ability to train quickly for competitions, rather than training year-long. Also in 2015, he released 4 songs in various streaming platforms.

He is Christian.

Stats Height: On Season Weight: (peak during active competitive career) Competition Weight: Arm Size:

Competitive history

1991 Junior Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 2nd 1991 Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 1st 1991 Nationals – NPC, Overall Winner 1992 Grand Prix Germany, 1st 1992 Grand Prix England, 2nd 1992 Chicago Pro Invitational, 3rd 1992 Night of Champions, 1st 1992 Mr. Olympia, 2nd 1993 Grand Prix France, 3rd 1993 Grand Prix Finland, 2nd 1993 Grand Prix Spain, 3rd 1993 Grand Prix Germany, 1st 1993 Mr. Olympia, 5th 1993 Grand Prix England, 3nd 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational, 1st 1994 Grand Prix France (2), 1st 1994 Grand Prix Italy, 1st 1994 Arnold Classic, 1st 1994 Mr. Olympia, 3rd 1994 Grand Prix Spain, 2nd 1994 Grand Prix Germany, 2nd 1994 Grand Prix England, 2nd 1995 Mr. Olympia, 2nd 1995 Grand Prix Spain, 1st 1995 Grand Prix Germany, 1st 1995 Grand Prix England, 2nd 1995 Grand Prix Russia, 1st 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational, 1st 1996 Arnold Classic, 1st 1996 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st 1996 Mr. Olympia, 3rd 1996 Grand Prix Spain, 3rd 1996 Grand Prix Germany, 4th 1996 Grand Prix England, 4th 1996 Grand Prix Czech Republic, 2nd 1996 Grand Prix Switzerland, 3rd 1996 Grand Prix Russia, 5th 1997 Arnold Classic, 8th 1997 Mr. Olympia, 4th 1997 Grand Prix Hungary, 1st 1997 Grand Prix Spain, 1st 1997 Grand Prix Germany, 1st 1997 Grand Prix England, 1st 1997 Grand Prix Czech Republic, 1st 1997 Grand Prix Finland, 1st 1997 Grand Prix Russia, 2nd 1998 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st 1998 Toronto Pro Invitational, 2nd 1998 Night of Champions, 2nd 1998 Mr. Olympia, 4th 1998 Grand Prix Germany, 2nd 1998 Grand Prix Finland, 2nd 1999 Arnold Classic, 2nd 1999 Mr. Olympia, 4th 1999 World Pro Championships, 3rd 1999 Grand Prix England, 3rd 2000 Arnold Classic, 3rd 2000 Mr. Olympia, 2nd 2001 Mr. Olympia, 3rd 2001 Grand Prix England, 1st 2002 Arnold Classic, 5th 2002 Grand Prix Australia, 4th 2002 Mr. Olympia, 2nd 2003 Arnold Classic, 5th 2003 Mr. Olympia, 6th 2003 Show of Strengths Pro Championship, 3rd 2016 Mr. Olympia, 17th 2018 Arnold Classic Australia, 13th