Ronny Rockel

Infobox bodybuilder

|
name = Ronny Rockel
| image_size =
image_caption =
nickname = The Rock
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|07|12
birthplace = Schlema, Germany
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = 5'7"
weight = 216-220 lbs. (In Season)
238-240 lbs. (Off-Season)
firstproshow = IFBB Grand Prix Holland
firstproshowyear = 1991
bestwin = 2006 Grand Prix Australia Champion
bestwinyear = 2006
predecessor = Lee Priest
successor = Dexter Jackson
yesorretiredyear = Since 1996

Ronny Rockel is an IFBB professional bodybuilder from Germany [cite news | author= Bodybuilding.com| url= http://contest.bodybuilding.com/contestantbio.php?id=153 | title= Ronny Rockel | publisher=bodybuilding.com| language = English | date=2007-07-29 | accessdate= 2007-07-29] .

Biography

Ronny Rockel was born and raised in Germany. Like many other professional bodybuilders from Europe such as Milos Sarcev and Pavol Jablonicky, Rockel grew up under communist rule. Because of this Rockel was not aware of bodybuilding and other things of the outside world. This soon changed in 1989 when the Berlin Wall was taken down. Afterwards Ronny saw the movie Conan the Barbarian that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rockel was impressed by Arnold Schwarzenegger's physique and knew that he wanted a body like his. At the time Ronny, seventeen years of age, 143 pounds decided that he wanted a body like Arnold's, but at the time commercial gyms in his hometown of Chemnitz, East Germany near the Czech border were non existent. Instead of abandoning his interest in bodybuilding, he created his own weight set.

And while Ronny was enthusiastic about training, he had little knowledge about weight training and often made a lot of mistakes during this time. Following the demise of communism, entrepreneurial activities in the East of Germany spawned and with that the first gym opened in Ronny's hometown. He soon joined and began absorbing information about diet and weight training from other members and fitness magazines. Rockel slowly continued to improve his physique. At first he was not eager to compete, he was more interested in his career as tiler. Later on he decided to give bodybuilding competition a go. His first competition, the Hessian Championships, he placed last in his class. But he did not became discouraged, he came back a year later and won the 1995 NABBA German Nationals and placed third at the NABBA Mr. Universe. From then Rockel decided that he had the potential become a professional bodybuilder.

At first his struggle to become a professional due to his job that kept him busy, but managed to do well in regional and national shows. But it was not until 2002 that Ronny achieved pro status by winning the International German Championships. After this victory he won a contract with a nutritional company and relocated with his girlfriend to Venice, California for some time while he competes. Currently Ronny place 4th at the Coloado Pro and is preparing for the Olympia.

Vital Stats

*Full Name: Ronny Rockel
*Birthday: July 12
*Place of Birth: Schlema, Germany
*Current state of Residence: Zwickau, Germany
*Occupation: Personal trainer, Professional bodybuilder, tiler
*Marital Status: wife Kerstin
*Height: 5'7"
*Weight (In Season): 216-220 lbs. (Off-Season):238-240 lbs.
*Eye Color: Light blue
*Hair Color: Brown

Contest history

*1994 NABBA Hessian Championships, Did not place
*1995 NABBA German Nationals Championships, 1st
*1996 NABBA World Championships, Medium, 3rd
*1998 NABBA Mr Universe, Medium, 2nd
*1999 NABBA Mr Universe, Medium, 2nd
*2000 NABBA Mr Universe, Medium, 2nd
*2000 WABBA World Championships, Short, 1st
*2002 WABBA International German Championships, 1st (HW and Overall) (Pro Card)
*2003 IFBB Grand Prix Holland, 7th
*2003 IFBB Grand Prix Hungary, 4th
*2003 IFBB Maximum Pro Invitational Grand Prix, 6th
*2003 IFBB Night of Champions, 15th
*2004 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 7th
*2004 IFBB Grand Prix England, 7th
*2004 IFBB Grand Prix Holland, 7th
*2004 IFBB Hungarian Pro Invitational, 6th
*2004 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational, 10th
*2004 IFBB Night of Champions, 14th
*2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 3rd
*2005 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 17th
*2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 1st
*2006 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 16th (tied)
*2006 IFBB Grand Prix Austria, 5th
*2006 IFBB Grand Prix Holland, 3rd
*2007 IFBB Arnold Classic, 8th
*2007 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 2nd
*2007 IFBB Colorado Pro, 4th
*2007 IFBB Santa Susanna Pro, 3rd
*2007 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 11th
*2008 IFBB Arnolds Classic, 13rd
*2008 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 6st
*2008 IFBB Grand Prix New Zealand, 6st
*2008 IFBB New York Pro Championships, 3rd (HW *2008 IFBB Mr.Olympia 14th

See also

* Ironman Pro Invitational
* List of professional bodybuilders
* Mr. Olympia
* Night of Championsmr.olympia 14th

References

External links

* [http://www.ronnyrockel.de Official Website]