Who Is Berry DeMey?
Berry DeMey, often known as The Flexing Dutchman, is a legend in the bodybuilding world and is remembered as the glamour boy of the 1980s.
Berry created one of the best bodies in the world, becoming more famous for his shape and ideal proportions than for his size.
Short Career of Berry DeMey
Throughout his illustrious career, Berry DeMey made countless appearances in contests and periodicals. He achieved a feat that only Arnold Schwezeneger has matched by winning the IFBB Mr. Europe senior competition at the age of a junior.
But in 1989, Berry sustained an injury that put a stop to his bodybuilding career. He had to start over, and he eventually found success as a photographer and owner of a supplement business.
Body Measurements of Berry DeMey
| Full Name: | Berry DeMay |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: | 1962 |
| ERA: | 1980, 1990 |
| PROFESSION: | Photographer and Professional Bodybuilder |
| NATIONALITY: | Dutch |
| ALIAS: | The Flexing Dutchman |
| HEIGHT: | 6′ (183cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 225-235lbs (102.1 – 106.6kg) |
| ARMS: | 19.5″ |
| CALVES: | 19.5″ |
Accomplishments
1980
Mr. Holland – NPBO, Junior, 2nd
Also, Holland Hercules – NPBO, Junior, 1st
Holland Iron Man – NPBO, Junior, 1st
1981
European Championships – WABBA, Junior, 3rd
Mr. Holland – BBBN, Junior, 1st
1982
European Amateur Championships – IFBB, Heavyweight, 1st
European Pairs Champion with Erica Mes, 1st
Holland Grand Prix – NBBF, HeavyWeight, 1st
1983
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, Heavyweight, 2nd
1984
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, Heavyweight, 2nd
1985
Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 6th
World Games – IFBB, Heavyweight, 1st
World Games – IFBB, Overall Winner
1986
Night of Champions – IFBB, 6th
Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 5th
1987
Grand Prix France – IFBB, 6th
Also, Grand Prix Germany (#2) – IFBB, 9th
Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 6th
Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 6th
1988
Grand Prix England – IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix France – IFBB, 3rd
Also, Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Greece – IFBB, 3rd
Also, Grand Prix Italy – IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Spain (#2) – IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 3rd
Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
1990
Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 4th
1991
BWF Grand Prix – WBF, 3rd
1993
Night of Champions – IFBB, 10th
1994
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 15th
Biography
Childhood and the First Competition
Berry DeMey was born and reared in Rotterdam, Holland, and had a lifelong enthusiasm for physical exercise. Throughout high school, he participated in swimming, running, martial arts, and boxing to stay healthy and active.
When he was 15 years old in 1977, Berry started working out in his father’s garage gym to build the body of his dreams.
The Flexing Dutchman didn’t participate in his first bodybuilding competition, the 1979 Mr. Ironman in his own Netherlands, until he was 17 years old.
Berry, who had little expertise in nutrition, prepared for the tournament by eating three entire chickens every day and arranging his posing routine by browsing magazines.
However, he managed to win the under-190-pound prize via perseverance and hard effort.
This program inspired him to establish a reputation for himself in the field.
More Achievement
After his successful debut, Berry joined three additional shows in 1980 while on a high. He was able to take the first position in every competition, including the IFBB Junior Mr. International 1980.
In the junior Mr. Holland event in 1981, Berry continued his winning streak and brought home another trophy. The Flexing Dutchman had a solid reputation by the time he was 19 years old.
Senior-level Contests
At age 20, Berry started competing in senior events after dominating the junior scene, and it didn’t take long for him to achieve his greatest success to date.
He won the IFBB Mr. Europe show in 1982, adding his name to the list of prior winners that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger as the only other bodybuilder to have won the senior competition as a junior.
Worldwide Champion
Berry kept up his rigorous training, maintaining one of the world’s most aesthetically pleasing physiques, and avoided becoming comfortable. He participated in the IFBB World Games in 1985, winning the overall championship and securing first place.
Berry qualified for the Mr. Olympia competitions and garnered more fame with triumphs on the senior international stage.
Shows by Mr. Olympia
The 1986 Mr. Olympia was The Flexing Dutchman’s largest competition to date, and he walked the stage with Lee Haney.
Despite not taking first place, he finished ahead of Bob Paris and Tom Platz, enhancing his standing as one of the most aesthetically pleasing athletes in the world.
Berry participated in several further competitions between the remainder of 1986 and 1988, with his best finish coming in third. He made a third appearance on the Mr. Olympia stage toward the end of 1988.
He managed to win the bronze medal, joining Rich Gaspari and Lee Haney on the podium, and this event would go down as one of the pinnacles of his senior career. Berry had established himself as one of the greats by the time he was 26 years old.
Injury
Berry DeMey returned to Holland after his victory at the 1988 Mr. Olympia, more determined than ever to bring home another senior trophy.
But when Berry was 27 years old, he suffered an injury that put an end to his aspirations of reaching the top. Berry tore his pectoral muscle while working out in his favorite hometown.
Berry began working out in 2011 after launching his supplement business.
Previous Competition
After healing from his injury, The Flying Dutchman kept competing for the following five years, although he was aware that his injury had slowed his development. His best finish at this time was third place in the BWF Grand Prix.
In his final appearance as a bodybuilder in competition, he finished 15th at the 1994 IFBB Arnold Classic.
He wasn’t going to quit up totally, though. Berry was resolved to succeed in a different line of work after the devastating experience of being forced to retire at the age of 32.
Getting a New Job
After his last competition, Berry went back home and started his professional photography training. He achieved his goal and received his diploma a few years later. But Berry’s love of exercise never faded, and he was eager to get back into the business.
But Berry’s love of exercise never faded, and he was eager to get back into the business.
He ultimately accomplished his objective of returning to bodybuilding after a long absence by launching his own supplements business in 2011.
How can Berry DeMey teach us something?
Berry DeMey has shown us that you can pursue your aspirations at any age.
Never allowing his age to stand in his way, he entered his first bodybuilding competition at the age of 16, winning his first award. He later went on to defeat many more seasoned competitors to win the IFBB Mr. Europe junior category.
One thing we may learn from Berry’s experience is that persistence in the face of difficulty is the secret to success.
The Flying Dutchman tore his pectoral muscle, ending his career before it began, but he recovered well and went on to become a successful business owner and professional photographer.