Celebrating 60 Years of Mr Olympia
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In 1965 the biggest prize in bodybuilding was born in Brooklyn, New York as Canadian born brothers, Joe & Ben Weider gave life to a dream come true. Both Joe and Ben shared the vision of global unity through health and fitness which included health products, magazines, gyms, clothing, and the worlds most prestigious physique title aptly named, “Mr. Olympia.”
The Mr. Olympia contest was designed to pit champions that had won the Mr. Universe, Mr. America, and Mr. World Titles against one another to crown a single champion that would officially become recognized as the world’s best built man. The first winner of the Mr. Olympia contest was none other than Larry “The Legend” Scott who would actually win the first two titles in 1965 & 1966 with amazing arms and the right amount of size and conditioning, to go along with his Hollywood good looks!
Mr. Olympia 1965,66’
These prestigious titles that Larry won were right in the midst of the monumental and historic Civil Rights Movement, and on the heals of the assassination of an American President, John F. Kennedy in 1963. One would think, this should have cast a big shadow on a measly physique contest, but Joe & Ben had momentum and global interest that captivated a cult-like audience that couldn’t be denied regardless of the chaos happening in a world of upheaval and turmoil.
The objective in the creation of a 1-title Global Champion by Joe had worldwide implications that would grow to be the cornerstone of the sport’s premier event, meaning anyone from any corner of the world could win the title! Ben would travel the four corners of the world to spread the gospel of bodybuilding and fitness with the creation of the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness).
Once Ben had established the IFBB as a legitimate federation, it became Joe’s reality that he could build on the Mr. Olympia concept of the Best Built Man Contest, on the heals of Larry Scott’s first two victories. As fate would have it, the next champion for the ensuing three years would come by way of Cuba, in the form of Sergio Oliva adding that missing component of “International Champion” to the mix.
Mr. Olympia 1967,68, 69’
By the time 1970 came around, the United States was still knee deep in the Vietnam War, yet a young Austrian Bodybuilder was about to begin a six-year run as the third person to win the crown jewel in bodybuilding by the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold would eventually revolutionize the sport of bodybuilding by holding onto the Mr. Olympia Title a record six times before retiring in 1975 to pursue a career in movies, only to return to the sport 5 years later to defend and retain his Mr. Olympia Title by adding a seventh victory to his resume.
Mr. Olympia 1970-75, 80’
In 1976, as the world climate had calmed and the war had ended, a new look would replace the face of Arnold by way of Sardinia, Italy in the form of diminutive, Dr. Franco Columbo. Franco barely stood 5’5 yet pound for pound was considered by many the worlds’ strongest bodybuilder! Like his training partner Arnold, Franco would retire from competition due to a severe knee injury, however he’d make a comeback as well in 1981 to repeat and defend his Olympia title successfully, similar to what Arnold had done the previous year.
Mr. Olympia 1976,81’ (Photo by Bill Dobbins)
The following years we’d see a few champions repeat as multiple Mr. Olympia champions like the lean and mean Pennsylvania native, Frank “The Chemist” Zane, who would win 3 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1977-1979 and become the first ever Olympia winner to receive the prestigious Sandow Trophy.
Mr. Olympia 1977,78,79’
After Arnold’s comeback victory in 1980 along with Franco’s comeback win in 81’ we would see two of our sport’s finest win the title as “One and Done” in the form of Chris Dickerson, by way of New York, and Samir Bannout from Lebanon, in 1982 and 1983, respectively.
Mr. Olympia 1982: Chris Dickerson / Mr. Olympia 1983: Samir Bannout
In 1984 we would get a look at what was to become the worlds greatest Olympian in the form of South Carolina born, Lee “Totalee Awesome” Haney, who would rattle off 8 consecutive victories into the 90’s! Lee was the second coming of Arnold, however he never missed a show during his career. Lee won everything he’d entered, apart from his first Mr. Olympia attempt in 1983 where he placed 3rd. The amazing reign of Lee was nothing short of amazing as he’d retire at the young age of 31.
Mr. Olympia 1984-91’
The first runner-up to Lee in 1991, was from Great Britain who went by the name of Dorian Yates, aka “The Shadow”. Dorian in his first attempt at winning the title, landed in 2nd place to Lee in 1991 and was poised to replicate what Lee had just accomplished, however injuries would force him into early retirement effectively quashing his quest for the record, still landing him an impressive 6 Sandow Trophies for his efforts.
Mr. Olympia 1992-97’
The bodybuilding world was collectively holding its breath for the next great Olympian, as word spread that Dorian would not defend his title in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1998. The injured Englishman left the door open to many possibilities for a number of hungry young lions who’d established themselves in their own right, and now the stage was set for an unbelievable show! From Arlington, Texas the underdog from a Hall of Fame line-up, Ronnie Coleman not only would make history by way of victory, but he’d become the greatest Mr. Olympia ever by way of holding the title for 8 consecutive years, joining Lee Haney as the only man in history to accomplish this feat!
Mr. Olympia 1998-2005
In 2006 we’d witness the end of an era as the unbeatable Ronnie Coleman had been knocked off his throne by a young yet aggressively patient, Jay “A Cut Above” Cutler hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts. Jay had been floundering in 2nd place for years behind Ronnie yet constantly chipping away at his armor until he found a chink and then he pounced! Jay would win the title a total of four times before injuries would bring his historic career to an early end.
Mr. Olympia 2006,07,10,11’
In 2008, Dexter “The Blade” Jackson who’d previously been on a hot streak to win nearly every main title there was to be had, made history by knocking off Jay Cutler for the Mr. Olympia title in head-to-head competition! By way of Jacksonville, Florida this amazing moment in Olympia history was highlighted by Dexter’s victory speech where he stated, “I didn’t win this title for myself but for all the guys who tried and failed as well” which resonated with Hall of Famers like, Levrone, Wheeler, Gaspari, Labrada, and yes, yours truly!
Mr. Olympia 2008
While we witnessed the final two Olympia victories of the Cutler era in 2009-10, a new era began when The Denver Nugget, Phil “The Gift” Heath arrived in grand fashion, full of genetic potential and promise. Phil arrived on the pro scene like a rocket, winning everything he entered until he got to his first Mr. Olympia where he placed 3rd in 2008. But by 2011, there was no letting up as Phil would win his first of 7 Mr. Olympia Titles!
Mr. Olympia 2011-17’
In 2018, Phil had lost his race to number 8 to North American champion, Shawn Rhoden from Maryland, where many believed Phil was simply too heavy and Shawn was spot on sporting a midsection many dream of, but that Phil simply didn’t display that night. The crowd erupted at the announcement that the new Mr. Olympia had just knocked out the defending champion! Sadly, Shawn would never have the chance to defend his title due to legal issues, and later passed away due to a fatal heart attack in 2021.
Mr. Olympia 2018
2019 was the arrival of Tennessee’s finest, Brandon “The Prodigy” Curry! Brandon, standing 5’8 and weighing in at 250 pounds, resembled bodybuilders of yesterday’s past in terms of height and weight that were previously denied the title in favor of the 90’s Mass Monsters.
Mr. Olympia 2019
In the years to come post 2020, the Mr. Olympia Title would change hands and ownership more than at any time in the history of the show. The Sandow Trophy would find its way around the globe to international countries the way Ben had envisioned it in the early years, highlighting champions, 2-time winner from Egypt, Big Ramy, plus Iran’s only Mr. Olympia winner in 2022 and last years 1st runner-up, Hadi Choopan!
2X Mr. Olympia 2020-21’
Mr. Olympia 2022
Last year’s Mr. Olympia winner is the only Olympia champion to hold Two Olympia Titles from different divisions. Derek Lunsford won the 212 Mr. Olympia in 2021 & Open Bodybuilding Mr. Olympia in 2023. Derek is looking to hold off a hungry field of challengers including Hadi Choopan, Nick Walker, and Samson Dauda to name a few, this October 11-12th in Las Vegas as we celebrate 60 years!
Mr. Olympia 2023
And who will bring home the Sandow Trophy this year? It should be another tough battle between Choopan and Lunsford. Will Derek repeat as the Mr. Olympia Champion, or will Hadi regain the title? Or could this be the year we see someone like Nick Walker steal the show? Let us know what you think will happen this year.
Mr. Olympia 2024?
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