Kai Greene Bodybuilder Bio Stats
Kai Greene – Biography, Career and 2010 Arnold Classic Victory
Updated – 09/14/2025
Biography
Full name: Leslie Kai Greene
Date of birth: July 12, 1975 (Brooklyn, New York, USA)
Height: 5’8” (1.73 m)
Contest weight: ~250 lbs (113 kg)
Off-season weight: ~280 lbs (127 kg)
Kai Greene grew up in Brooklyn in difficult circumstances and spent much of his childhood in foster care. He discovered bodybuilding as a teenager, encouraged by a school teacher who noticed his rapid physical development and suggested entering teenage competitions. He won his first national NGA title in 1994 and earned his IFBB Pro Card at the 1999 NPC Team Universe.
Professional Career
- 2007: Winner – Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic
- 2008: 3rd – Arnold Classic
- 2009: Winner – Arnold Classic; 4th at Mr. Olympia
- 2010: Winner – Arnold Classic (second title) and Australian Pro Grand Prix; 7th at Mr. Olympia
- 2012, 2013, 2014: Runner-up at Mr. Olympia behind Phil Heath
- 2016: Third Arnold Classic win
The 2010 Arnold Classic victory cemented Kai Greene’s place among the elite. Known for his massive yet aesthetic physique, he also impressed judges and fans with his creative posing routines, earning multiple “Best Poser” awards.
Style and Philosophy
Kai Greene is famous for his artistic approach to bodybuilding. As both a bodybuilder and a painter, he sees his body as a living sculpture. He emphasizes the mind-muscle connection, practicing posing between sets and focusing on muscle awareness as part of training.
“Art-making is not about telling the truth… but making the truth felt.”
Controversies and Key Moments
Despite three runner-up finishes, Kai Greene never won the Mr. Olympia title, making him one of the most celebrated bodybuilders never to claim the Sandow trophy. His intense rivalry with Phil Heath defined the 2012–2014 seasons. In 2015, he withdrew from Mr. Olympia, citing “things behind the scenes” and contractual issues related to his supplement company and image rights. A much-discussed early-career video (“grapefruit video”) is sometimes raised by critics but does not define his legacy.
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