Kai Greene
Kai Greene | |
---|---|
— Bodybuilder — | |
Kai Greene at 2016 Arnold Classic. | |
Personal info | |
Nickname |
Mr. Getting It Done The Predator |
Born |
Brooklyn, New York, United States | July 12, 1975
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Weight |
260–275 lbs (on-season) 300–310 lbs (off-season) |
Professional career | |
Pro-debut | IFBB New York Pro, 2005 |
Best win | Arnold Classic, 2009–2010 and 2016 |
Active | Yes |
Leslie Kai Greene[1] (born July 12, 1975), known professionally as Kai Greene and sometimes Kai L. Greene, is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder. His most recent victory was the 2016 Arnold Classic. He was the first runner up (2nd place) at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Mr. Olympia competition.
Early life
Greene was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. From the age of six, he was raised in foster care and residential treatment center placements.[2] According to his online biography, his rapid physical growth and development drew the attention of his seventh grade English teacher, and since his behavior in school was troublesome, he was introduced to teenage bodybuilding competitions.
Career
NPC
Greene became an enthusiastic bodybuilder, competing in the National Physique Committee (NPC) and aiming to move into the IFBB. He perceives his success in the NPC as mixed. Although he won the 1999 NPC Team Universe, he was disappointed and took a five-year break from competitions, before re-emerging in the 2004 NPC Team Universe contest, which he won again.[3] This victory qualified him for a career as an IFBB professional bodybuilder.
New York Pro & Mr. Olympia
In 2011, Greene began working with preparation coach George Farah and placed first in the 2011 New York Pro Championship. Greene's third place win at Mr. Olympia in 2011 qualified him for the 2012 contest in Las Vegas, so he did not compete at the 2012 New York Pro in order to focus on Mr. Olympia.
On September 29, 2012, he placed 2nd in the 2012 Mr. Olympia competition. On September 28, 2013, he again placed 2nd in the 2013 Mr. Olympia and again on September 20, 2014 for the 2014 Mr. Olympia competition in Las Vegas.[4]
He did not compete in the 2015 Olympia due to unknown circumstances. Per a statement he made, "There is a lot more going on behind the scenes, that I cannot discuss." Olympia officials denied any claims that he was banned from competing; they did, however, confirm that he did not register and was reminded several times since May. Greene did request an extension on the registration period in May, it was extended till July. He did not make this deadline either.[5]
On March 5, 2016. Kai won the Arnold Classic 2016.
Documentaries
In 2009, Greene worked with director Mike Pulcinella to release Overkill which documented his preparation for his first appearance at the 2009 Olympia. In 2010, he teamed up with Pulcinella again to film the sequel Redemption, showcasing his training and philosophies for the 2010 Arnold Classic, which he won for the second year in a row. He features in the 2013 film Generation Iron, detailing the lead up to and events of the 2012 Mr. Olympia competition.
Sponsors and endorsements
Greene was sponsored by Flex. He launched his own supplement brand, Dynamik Muscle, in 2015.
Podcast
In November 2015, Greene and fitness model Krystal Lavenne began co-hosting a weekly podcast titled Generation Iron, in which they discuss various topics while answering questions sent in by fans.[6][7]
Kai Greene Mind-Muscle Connection Principle
Your mind and muscles will eventually develop the language necessary to communicate once enough training has been completed.
Greene has often discussed the "mind-muscle connection". In an article published by Flex as part of his Top Ten Big Back Principles:[8], he explained, "The mind-muscle connection is the number one factor in training. You develop it over time by posing your muscle, and also by paying close attention to how your muscles feel when you work them. Eventually, you get to where your mind can read the feedback your muscles are providing, and your muscles can react to the stimulus your mind is providing. Practice posing between sets or anytime. And feel your muscles working throughout your sets. Eventually, your mind and muscles will speak the same language and communicate back and forth."[8]
Contest history
- 1994 NGA American Nationals
- 1996 WNBF Pro Natural Worlds – 1st
- 1997 NPC Team Universe Championships – 2nd
- 1998 NPC Team Universe Championships – 3rd
- 1999 World Amateur Championships – 6th
- 1999 NPC Team Universe Championships – 1st
- 2005 New York Pro – 14th
- 2006 Iron Man Pro – T20th
- 2006 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic – 14th
- 2007 New York Pro – 6th
- 2007 Keystone Pro Classic – 3rd
- 2007 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic – 1st
- 2008 New York Pro – 1st
- 2008 Arnold Classic – 3rd
- 2009 Australian Pro Grand Prix – 1st
- 2009 Arnold Classic – 1st
- 2009 Mr. Olympia – 4th
- 2010 Arnold Classic – 1st
- 2010 Australian Pro Grand Prix – 1st
- 2010 Mr. Olympia – 7th
- 2011 New York Pro – 1st
- 2011 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
- 2011 Sheru Classic – 3rd
- 2012 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
- 2012 Sheru Classic – 2nd
- 2013 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
- 2013 Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd
- 2013 EVL's Prague Pro – 1st
- 2014 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
- 2016 Arnold Classic - 1st
- 2016 Arnold Classic Australia - 1st
- 2016 Arnold Classic Brazil - 1st
References
- ↑ http://cases.justia.com/new-york/other-courts/2015-2015-ny-slip-op-31386-u.pdf?ts=1438290854
- ↑ https://officialkaigreene.com/who-is-kai-greene/
- ↑ "2004 NPC Team Universe Results". Bodybuilding.com. Bodybuilding.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2014-olympia-weekend-mr-olympia-final-results.html
- ↑ http://www.inquisitr.com/2426051/kai-greene-bodybuilder-banned-from-mr-olympia-competition-could-lead-to-major-rift-in-the-sport/
- ↑ http://www1.play.it/audio/generation-iron-podcast-with-kai-greene/
- ↑ http://generationiron.com/generation-iron-podcast-with-kai-greene-listen-to-the-premiere-now/
- ↑ "Kai's 10 Big Back Principles | www.flexonline.com". http://www.americanmediainc.com/. Retrieved August 11, 2015. line feed character in
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