Sergio Oliva

[PA Kodiak]

https://youtu.be/2QsDZXuiGF4

Seriously, what a physique. Dare I say better than Arnold? I don't think theres any question about it. Sergio was truly a real mans man. Wish there was more footage of him out there.

[Curt James]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2QsDZXuiGF4

[the mighty stu]

I've always thought that he was undoubtedly better than Arnold, and if he hadn't been such a problem to Weider, he would have stayed at the top regardless of Arnold's silly stories about choosing a certain color room to his advantage in a pose down.

S

[cook]

Sergio is arguably the best ever.

[Spartak]

He was never really in full competition shape....

[apickerill]

I've always thought that he was undoubtedly better than Arnold, and if he hadn't been such a problem to Weider, he would have stayed at the top regardless of Arnold's silly stories about choosing a certain color room to his advantage in a pose down.

S

Why was he a problem weider


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[PA Kodiak]

I was going to ask the same thing. I know there was an incident in which the judges were swapped at the last minute and Arnold just so happened to beat Sergio after the swap but that to me wreeks of bs. To Weider, Arnold was money so Im sure the swap was done in favor of Arnold.

[the mighty stu]

I have a pretty big collection of of BBing history books. Among my favorites is one by former M&F top dog Rick Wayne. In it he recounts Sergio always demanding money up front from Joe, always strutting around like Joe needed him more than he needed Joe (which was fairly true until Arnold showed up), entering amateur contests because he wanted to collect a certain title (having just earned his US citizenship he felt he needed to add the Mr America to his army of titles and trophies)... basically knowing his worth to a publisher/promoter when every other athlete was being treated like Joe was doing them favors.

When Arnold showed up, Wayne explained that Joe suddenly had someone who would do what he asked, no questions, who was white (which allegedly resulted in more magazines sales each month), and who at least until he earned his own impressive status would credit Joe publicly for whatever silly supplements, training equipment or training methods he wanted.

For people who didn't follow the history, Oliva entered a contest (I forget the details, so anyone who can, please chime in!) that was outside IFBB juridiction, and so managed to get himself a suspension. This meant that Arnold was unopposed at a certain Olympia. AFter that, Oliva seemed to say Screw This and went around destroying the competition in other federations, never to return to the IFBB until one Mr O during Haney's reign. At his prime though, the guy was just too damn good IMO.


S

[Curt James]

He was never really in full competition shape....

Why would he need to be in full competition shape? The man was incredible even at 80%.

[Curt James]

This may be of interest to some readers:

http://planetmuscle.blogspot.com/200...us-master.html


Sergio and Joe, 1984

[beefyfan]

Why was he a problem weider


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Weider was enamored of his BBC and didn't want to let the cat out of said bag.

[John Hansen]

I have a pretty big collection of of BBing history books. Among my favorites is one by former M&F top dog Rick Wayne. In it he recounts Sergio always demanding money up front from Joe, always strutting around like Joe needed him more than he needed Joe (which was fairly true until Arnold showed up), entering amateur contests because he wanted to collect a certain title (having just earned his US citizenship he felt he needed to add the Mr America to his army of titles and trophies)... basically knowing his worth to a publisher/promoter when every other athlete was being treated like Joe was doing them favors.

When Arnold showed up, Wayne explained that Joe suddenly had someone who would do what he asked, no questions, who was white (which allegedly resulted in more magazines sales each month), and who at least until he earned his own impressive status would credit Joe publicly for whatever silly supplements, training equipment or training methods he wanted.

For people who didn't follow the history, Oliva entered a contest (I forget the details, so anyone who can, please chime in!) that was outside IFBB juridiction, and so managed to get himself a suspension. This meant that Arnold was unopposed at a certain Olympia. AFter that, Oliva seemed to say Screw This and went around destroying the competition in other federations, never to return to the IFBB until one Mr O during Haney's reign. At his prime though, the guy was just too damn good IMO.


S

That contest was the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe where Sergio lost to Bill Pearl. Arnold won the Olympia unopposed that year but Sergio was allowed to guest pose (along with Franco, who was also suspended).

[bigmikecox]

Sergio should have won in 72....was way better than Arnold that year

[the mighty stu]

but Sergio was allowed to guest pose (along with Franco, who was also suspended).

Yup, Weider always found a way to capitalize and make money on "his" guys, even when they were suspsensed.

S