Kai Greene

Leslie Kai Greene (Japanese: 覆面まっちょ Hepburn: Fukumen Matcho)), known professionally as Kai Greene or Kai L. Greene, is an American IFBB professional bodybuilder, personal trainer, artist, and actor. He came in second place at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Mr. Olympia competitions.

Names[edit | edit source]

Mask Macho comes from Kai Greene's appearance for the now defunct Jimmy Z Productions film, Physique Artistry Part 1, in which Kai Greene's veil shown in the film gave him the nickname.

In Japanese, Kai Greene's name is transcribed as Kai Gurīn (カイ・グリーン).

History[edit | edit source]

Leslie Kai Greene was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 12, 1975. From the age of six, he was raised in foster care and residential treatment centers in Brooklyn. 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.

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. This victory qualified him for a career as an IFBB professional bodybuilder.

In 2011, Greene began working with preparation coach George Farah and placed 1st in the 2011 New York Pro Championship. His 3rd-place finish at Mr. Olympia in 2011 qualified him for the 2012 contest, so he did not compete at the 2012 New York Pro in order to focus on Mr. Olympia. He placed 2nd in the 2012 Mr. Olympia, the 2013 Mr. Olympia, and the 2014 Mr. Olympia.

Greene did not compete in the 2015 Mr. Olympia due to unknown circumstances. He issued the statement, "There is a lot more going on behind the scenes that I cannot discuss." Olympia officials allegedly denied any claims that he was banned from competing, but did confirm that he did not register and had been reminded several times since May of that year. Greene did request an extension on the registration period in May; it was extended until July, but he did not meet this deadline either.

On March 5, 2016, Greene won the 2016 Arnold Classic, which he had also won in 2009 and 2010.

On June 23rd, 2017, Greene was given a special offer personally by NPC chairman and CEO of Mr Olympia to join that current year's Mr Olympia competition without going through qualification, as required for all of the other competitors in the 2017 Mr Olympia. Kai Greene decided not to enter the 2017 Mr. Olympia.