Roelly Winklaar talks about retirement rumors

Roelly Winklaar talks about retirement rumors

The last time bodybuilding fans saw Roelly Winklaar on stage was at the 2021 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, Florida, where he placed 11th. He started the entire 2022 season and has not yet actively prepared for a 2023 contest, leading many fans to question whether he even called it a career.

Dennis James recently had Winklaar as a guest on an episode of The Menace Podcast and addresses these rumors early on. Although he wants to get back on stage, he feels like he wouldn't be able to keep up and look the way he thinks he should.

“No, I don’t want to retire,” he told James, Milos Sarcev and Chris Cormier. “But because of the injury I have, I think I can do better to be at my best again on stage.”

A major issue that may keep him out of action is the shoulder injury he suffered. He told Cormier that his rotator cuff had seen much better days,

“It has just been accomplished,” he said solemnly. He confirmed that the injury only came from training in the gym and not from his youth playing football. In 2020 he underwent surgery to repair the damage, but in 2021 he did not win any shows. He believes the injury stopped him from performing at his best.

“That’s why I placed so poorly.”

Even though the 45-year-old no longer competes, he has had a career that many competitors wished for, including an Arnold Amateur victory, a New York Pro title and the honor of being the first Olympic belt "people's champion" in 2018. Nonetheless, he wishes he could have been sent off like another bodybuilding legend - Dexter Jackson.

“I like the end of Dex saying, ‘This is my last show, guys, bye.’ That’s a good ending for everyone.”

Among other things, Winklaar talked about his entire career and what life is like for him now. Visit the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel to watch this and all episodes of TMP, airing every Sunday at 3:00 pm Eastern Time.