Harold “King Kong” Kelley, the reigning champion in the Wheelchair division, has once again secured his position as the undisputed champion with his fifth consecutive win at the Olympia 2022.
Harold Kelley is the only athlete to hold the title and continues to dominate the contest. Harold Kelley faced the most extensive field in the division’s five-year history, proving his strength and determination to defend his title.
With his impressive record and unwavering commitment to his sport, Harold “King Kong” Kelley is a true icon in the bodybuilding world.
Harold Kelley Early Life
Harold “King Kong” Kelley was born on April 19, 1971, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA. During high school and college, Kelley was a football player and incorporated weight training into his daily routine.
Even after retiring from the sport, Kelley continued his weight training and tried his hand at fitness modeling. At his gym, several members competed in the NGA natural community and encouraged Kelley to take the stage himself.
Kelley proved to be a natural and quickly earned his pro card. However, tragedy struck just one week before what would have been his third pro show. Kelley persevered and remained dedicated to his sport, eventually becoming a dominant force in the bodybuilding world.
Harold Kelley Bodybuilder Accident
While visiting Arkansas with his family, Harold Kelley was driving through Oklahoma when a deer ran out onto the road before him.
To avoid hitting the animal, he deviated, causing his vehicle to spin out of control and crash into a tree off the side of a ravine. The impact of the crash caused Harold’s torso to snap forward, breaking one of his vertebrae and shifting and pinching his spine.
He managed to push his daughter out of the car to seek help, but moments later, they heard her screaming as she ran back to warn them that the car was on fire. Harold and his wife Ana escaped the vehicle, but the damage had been done.
After the crash, Harold underwent surgery to stabilize his vertebrae using rods and clamps. However, the final analysis revealed that he had suffered a complete T11-T12 spinal injury, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
This life-changing injury forced Harold, the champion bodybuilder, to adapt to a new way of life as a person with paraplegia.
Harold Kelley Bodybuilding Career
Harold Kelley’s bodybuilding career is fantastic. His dedication and hard work paid off as he became a dominant force in the sport, winning multiple competitions and titles.
In 2011, Kelley began competing in the Houston Pro competition and earned his first first-place finish. He resumed his winning streak with back-to-back victories in 2012 and 2013.
In 2014, Kelley took third place in the Dallas Pro competition, but he bounced back the following year with first-place finishes at the Toronto Pro SuperShow, UK BodyPower Pro, and Dallas Pro competitions.
Kelley’s success grew as he competed in more significant competitions like the Arnold Classic, winning first place in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. He also won the 2017 Arnold Classic Africa and the 2017 Toronto Pro SuperShow.
In 2018, Kelley added two more first-place finishes to his resume, winning the Dallas Europa Games and the Wheelchair Olympia competitions. He repeated his victory in the Wheelchair Olympia in 2019 and 2021 and also won the 2019 Dallas Europa Games.
In 2022, Kelley took second place at the Arnold Classic but regained his winning form at the Wheelchair Olympia, winning first place for the second time.
Harold Kelley also won the Arnold Classic 2023 after winning the Olympia 2022. Kelley’s bodybuilding career is a testament to his hard work, determination, and resilience in adversity.
Harold Kelley Contest History
- 2023 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2022 Olympia, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2022 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 2nd
- 2021 Olympia, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2020 Olympia, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2020 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2019 Olympia, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2019 Dallas Europa Games, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2019 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2018 Wheelchair Olympia, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2018 Dallas Europa Games, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2018 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2017 Dallas Europa Games, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2017 Toronto Pro SuperShow, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2017 Arnold Classic Africa, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2017 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2016 Arnold Classic, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2015 Dallas Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2015 Toronto Pro SuperShow, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2015 UK BodyPower Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2014 Dallas Pro, Wheelchair, 3rd
- 2014 UK BodyPower Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2013 Houston Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2012 Houston Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
- 2011 Houston Pro, Wheelchair, 1st
Harold Kelley Body Measurements
| Harold Kelley Height | 5 Feet and 9 Inches |
| Harold Kelley Weight | 75 to 85 KG |
| Harold Kelley Date Of Birth | April 19, 1971 |
| Harold Kelley Age | 52 Years |
| Harold Kelley Arm Size | 18 Inches |
| Harold Kelley Chest Size | 46 Inches |
| Harold Kelley Religion | Christian |
| Harold Kelley Nationality | American |
Harold Kelley Wife
Ana is an accomplished NPC Figure competitor and a supportive wife to Harold Kelley. Her dedication to fitness and strength training has inspired Harold to push himself to new heights in his training.
As his spotter, she always supports him, lifting hefty weights like 500 pounds on the bench press.
Ana is a skilled athlete in her own right, with a rigorous training schedule. She has competed in numerous NPC Figure competitions, and her hard work and dedication to her craft have earned her numerous accolades and awards.
Her experience and expertise in strength training and fitness make her an invaluable resource to Harold, who relies on her support and guidance in his training.
Harold Kelley Training Routine
Harold usually trains at around 6:00 p.m. every night and relies on his wife Ana, an NPC Figure competitor, as his spotter, even when bench pressing 500 pounds for reps. He uses an XXL belt to strap himself down to the bench, his specialty lift.
He has done a max with 535 pounds and can do 225 pounds for 35-40 reps and 15-20 reps daily with 315 pounds. Harold’s nickname “Kong Kong” stems from his strength and power; he is known to be one of the biggest and strongest guys in the gym.
Although he typically trains with a group of guys, he only needs them to hand him dumbbells once he gets into the 150- to 200-pound range.
Harold must be strapped for pulldowns and rows on a bench regarding back training. He can also do chin-ups with two to three 45-pound plates hanging off him at an off-season body weight of 185 pounds.
Regarding cardio, Harold uses the cardio cycle bike found at some gyms and most rehab facilities, pedaling with his hands. At 45 days out from a contest, he starts with 20 minutes a day, increasing his bouts to 30, then 40 minutes.
He wanted to be extra conditioned for his first Olympia win, so he did two daily sessions of 35 minutes each. Harold also emphasizes that having the proper diet and not letting yourself get too out of shape is crucial for achieving optimal results without needing a ton of cardio.
FAQs
While visiting Arkansas with his family, Harold Kelley was driving through Oklahoma when a deer ran out onto the road before him.
To avoid hitting the animal, he deviated, causing his vehicle to spin out of control and crash into a tree off the side of a ravine.
The impact of the crash caused Harold’s torso to snap forward, breaking one of his vertebrae and shifting and pinching his spine.
Harold Kelley is 52 years Old.