1998

After such an overwhelming experience of being thrust among the world’s very best bodybuilders before the ink on his pro card had even had a chance to dry, Markus took a good look in the mirror and knew he needed to be better next time to stand as an equal among them. He and his training partner Marc Arnold went back to the gym with a vengeance, his goals being more mass combined with a more refined and detailed look. Ruhl was coming to American for the ’98 Night of Champions, and he wanted to make an impact his first time on US soil. Markus arrived in New York at 265 pounds and looked to be top-six material, but the judges only allotted him ninth place. The crowd, however, took notice of him and would be on the lookout next time. One thing about the New York fans is that they appreciate a freak. Markus would become something like the mascot of this show over the next few years. Though he was disappointed at not doing better, the crowd response fueled his motivation.