1972 Mr Olympia Review : Sergio Oliva vs Arnold Schwarzenegger

Here is is almost 50 years after the 72 Olympia and people still argue about who the rightful winner was. Both Sergio Oliva and Arnold Schwarzenegger were two of the greatest of all time so a match like this deserves a second look. As we all knnow Arnold won this event officially bt many people claim Sergio was much better that night. Lets do our best with the pictures we have and find out if Arnold deserved his 3rd Olympia title.

[@rendrmo1687]

There was no one like Sergio Oliva. He was from another universe. I saw him on stage when he was 33 years young and he completely blew the field away. When you see someone come on stage with such a narrow waist and insane lats and shoulders, the effect is otherworldly. The most impressive bodybuilder I've ever seen.

[@lloydkline1518]

Late 1960s sergio oliva was unbeatable : ❤️ to see 1966 larry scott vs 1967 sergio oliva

[@richbrake9910]

Pearl slayed Sergio at the 1971 NABBA Pro Universe....

[@lloydkline1518]

@@richbrake9910 could old man bill peal beat sergio oliva in 1972 mr olympia ;; ?? No sergio oliva was unbeatable 1972

[@richbrake9910]

@@lloydkline1518 probably true.

[@lloydkline1518]

@@richbrake9910 1972 sergio olivia vs arnold schzanegger anyone either have win mr olympia;; ; i didn""t know how fit bodybuilding was ; late 1960s sergio oliva was unbeatable : arnold schzanegger took bodybuilding to another level ;; ❤️ late 1960s sergio olivia body

[@robertjones8260]

Regardless of who you think was better in 72, I think most of us can agree that they both look better than the overgrown, beer-belly bodybuilders of today.

[@killerjoe5628]

Yeah, those bodybuilders physique in the '70s and '80s were truly beautiful. All that came to an end with the reign of Dorian Yates. Dorian was big but his body was a bulky distended belly mess.

[@barbraabsalom4531]

If you just look at the comparison photo at the beginning of the post , it’s no contest , a walkover , Sergio is supreme

[@Bismarck.1871]

Yes definitely.

[@leevancleef358]

Absolutely! I have been saying for years that if Arnold at his BEST...maybe 73 or 74 walked on stage RIGHT NOW I would pick him as winner of Olympia. As an example...which physique better : Arnold at his best or 2022 winner Hadi? I don't think it's even close...Arnold all day.

[@svuy9801]

True

[@naturalbreed3745]

Arnold had the biceps Sergio had the triceps

[@jordangroff8978]

Sergio had much better forearms too

[@iidontlift]

@@jordangroff8978 and delts

[@lloydkline1518]

@@jordangroff8978 back sergio was better : sergio had great chess

[@lifegoes2074]

Yes Arnie had those freaky peaks! But Sergio had such a better flow symmetry and conditioning over Arnie.

[@karlkamphefner8529]

..and the forearms!

[@machinegunjackmcgurn4188]

The minute Sergio raised his arms over his head in the Victory pose the contest should have been over. Come on. In Essen in ‘72, Sergio wasn’t human.

[@shredphreek]

Sergio..the greatest structure in BB history

[@DeadMouse32]

By far

[@lloydkline1518]

❤️ late 1960s unbeatable sergio olivia

[@rendrmo1687]

I saw him at a bodybuilding tournament at the Beacon Theater in New York in 1974. Even against other greats at the show, like the legendary Serge Nubret who was ripped, Oliva was so surreal that it was as if he was from another universe. He won this contest hands down.

[@VoxTheUkrainianComrade]

What about Flex Wheeler?

[@shredphreek]

@@VoxTheUkrainianComrade he's not in the same league as Sergio

[@NelsonMontana1234]

I was at the 1969 show when it was just the two of them. Arnold blew everyone away. But when Sergio stepped on the stage it was like seeing something from another planet. It was no contest.

[@rendrmo1687]

That is correct. You don't see this in photos, but in person, Sergio was from another solar system.

[@hardcorehouse]

It’s really a shame that there are much in the way of pics or videos from 69 through 74 Olympia’s. It’s possible that some of the good photographers Weider used took some shots but they are not available to the public at this point.

[@dondadanyc718]

You’re old AF

[@richardlawson6787]

Wow...a witness to the 1969 Olympia!!..where was it held and how many were in the audience?!

[@NelsonMontana1234]

@@richardlawson6787 The Brooklyn Academy of Music -- an old concert hall that's still there. If I recall, it was pretty full. Maybe it holds about a thousand people? But I could be off on that.

[@quantumpotential7639]

The pic of Sergio at the very end, this alone makes him the all the time champ because no other body builder in the history of the universe could ever pull off this pose. I think it is an epic shot that transcends the sport itself.

[@GhettoPCbuilds]

Agreed

[@aamirsid6684]

Lee Priest

[@Baba24M]

Paul dillet......

[@waynestone6462]

@@Baba24M Dillets lats were shit

[@Baba24M]

@@waynestone6462 i don't know how big you are, but according to me they were massive

[@farazalikhan5242]

Yes, Sergio was decided to won the Olympia but the decision was changed in last few minutes, as Joe Weider thought who could sell more Magazines out of the two, complete politics, even Arnold himself said that he didnt deserved to win in '72 in an old interview

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@Darrell Nypaver now THAT is funny. Arnie may have a better lower back but his back was not better than Sergio's.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@Darrell Nypaver Arnold isn't wider but he is taller. Apart from chest striations and biceps peaks Arnold doesn't have anything on Sergio in terms of muscularity and density and structure. Arnold's lats aren't as wide. His triceps and quads do not have enough sweep. His calves are more defined but they aren't bigger in size than Sergio's. Sergio was never known for vascularity and deep separation. He was known for thick dense muscle with a wide V taper and tiny waist. Mike Quinn said when he saw Sergio guest pose it made him feel as if he (mike) had never lifted a weight in his life. A # of BB's have had this reaction when seeing Sergio in person. He was very shocking because of his muscle bellies and structure. Also his forearms are better than Arnold's. Both of their abs serratus intercostals sucked.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@Darrell Nypaver are u denying he does clown?

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@Darrell Nypaver pearl was a great BB. No shame in it. You expect Sergio to win every competition?

[@dmc3863]

@Darrell Nypaver your explanation of Sergio's weakness couldn't be further from the truth. Uneducated response from you. Sergio wasn't stupid, he was a normal working class man family man that did all of his traing around his life. Arnold was a full time bodybuilder with financial support and did nothing else until he started in Hollywood. Only attests to the talent Sergio had. Arnold was more or less always in peak form and Sergio was probably never even at 70% of his potential. That's why real fans appreciate Sergio's god given genetics which carried him most of the way. Both world class in their own right.

[@mercuryrising2424]

Probably the two greatest bodybuilders of all time.

[@REVOisMYname]

Insane that Oliva’s shoulders were as wide as the extremely broad Arnold but his waist and hips were somehow half as wide

[@Bryanseas]

8:38 the rear victory pose is the greatest pose ive ever seen. Noone can mimic how unhuman sergios arms look. Complete unison from shoulders down to his wrists. Flawless symmetry

[@lateralus2199]

@@Vkat696 How old are you kid? 5? That's an actual pose on it's own, dumb dumb. That's Sergio's Iconic pose. Are you always this stupid?

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Sergio had hardly any cuts in his thighs. And his arms have no clear separation between the bicep and tricep. But this version made Arnold train to be more massive yet cut.

[@herculssatan5883]

Honestly not sure how people don't see Arnold as the clear winner here. Bigger and more conditioned. Everyone likes to talk about how small Sergio's waist was but no one seems to be mentioning how big Arnold's torso was. He's a lot wider. Also, not sure where this notion that Sergio had bigger legs than Arnold this year? Look at 4:06 . Arnold's legs are just straight up bigger. And pretty much every other shot supports that his legs were at least as big as Sergio's. And they had better separation! Arms are a bit closer, I can see you giving the nod to Sergio for the forarms and to a lesser extend the triceps. But Arnold still had those massive biceps and much better separation. That one great shot of Sergio at 5:05 is at a really favourable angle for him, much more so than the shot of Arnold. I don't think this is a blowout by any means, Sergio was competitive. But Arnold is winning.

[@euron1361]

Is more about symmetry I think, Arnold is much taller and yeah, a little bit bigger, that's why having similar legs with Sergio makes him look disproportionate, Sergio is shorter, so even if he had the same size of Arnold's legs (which not, Sergio's are slighlty bigger, you can notice in back poses) Sergio looks better, he has indeed better back, arms, upper-lower body symetry, better shoulder-waist ratio, and overall looks more pleasant to the eye, for me is clear his victory, Arnold looks weird with those extremely long arms, wide waist, and underdeveloped legs

[@JotimThingadane-eq3dt]

U have been brainwashed by the Arnold train and nothing can make you think realistically.

[@DerrelTheReal]

Look at 4:06 . Sergio's waist is VERY thin. He makes Arnold look fat. Lol I was told Sergio had a crazy 27 inch waist... that's unbelievable. Crazy good genetics. I'm 165 with a 32 inch waist.. can't imagine a 27 waist and looking like Sergio.. geez!!!

[@posthawk1393]

Sergio is better in so many respects...the larger legs, the smaller waist, the thicker back. Arnold has better biceps, but Sergio has better triceps. I can't give this to Arnold.

[@DerrelTheReal]

@@Vkat696 lol how can you look fatter with muscles.. Sergio looks more toned with a thin ass waist. Arnold looks more fat

[@stevegeorge6880]

Sergio had bigger arms, much bigger legs, and a smaller waist. Arnold knew how to get in Peak shape and how to pose in competition. Arnold also had the advantage of being more marketable. Call that however you want.

[@jeffrey2999]

proportions are insane on Sergio

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Arnold had a better biceps peak. Otherwise Sergio all day long. But it still was close. Imagine Sergio if he was as disciplined as Arnold.

[@KLRGT500KR]

In 1971, 1973 and 1974, Arnold was simply untouchable and that comes from historians who watched Arnold in those years. No one from the 70s could have ever beaten him in those years. He was beginning to hit his peak in 1973 and even got his all time best in 1974.

[@fender1000100]

@@jeffrey2999 The best ever. No Mr Olympia ever had a 2/1 chest to waist ratio like Sergio. He was a genetic freak. One of a kind.

[@lifegoes2074]

And then Ronnie Coleman came along... 😳

[@jacaranda777]

Arnold has better definition and muscle separation

[@richbrake9910]

Only in his back.

[@barrylane7018]

I actually think Arnold looking better in 72

[@howy3333]

Suprisingly arnold seems to have more separation in his back. I didnt expect that

[@shred9475]

Arnold had a very detailed back

[@richbrake9910]

Yes, The back is probably the only thing he had on Oliva that night. Arnold's lower lat insersions are also better than Oliva's. They are fuller , longer, and cover a bigger area going to the spine.

[@gregorydacosta2102]

I think Arnold had him on conditioning, separation, back, and calves. Had Sergio come in shredded, I think there would be zero debate.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Arnold had better calves and better defined. It inspired Arnold to get bigger in 1973 to dominate Sergio.

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

Arnold Had better calves only from behind. From the front Sergio showed more calve development. Sergio had much better 4arms as well. Both in there prime Arnold wins but not in 72.

[@KLRGT500KR]

Arnold's worst years were 1972 and 1980. In 1972, I could see Sergio in his best shape beating an off Arnold. In 1970 and 1975, he was good enough to win against the competition he had, but not anywhere near his best shape. In 1971, 1973 and 1974, he was simply untouchable. As a historian who watched Arnold in 1974 said, even if King Kong showed up on stage, he would not have been able to beat Arnold. 248 lbs of lean muscle mass and conditioning according to Arnold himself. Arnold really started peaking in 1973 and hit his ultimate in 1974. Then he decided to retire at the age of 27 in 1974, but he could have continued to get better and would have been even better in 1975, if he had not stopped training and lost 50 lbs of lean muscle for "Stay Hungry".

[@rishabhsaxena7]

Dude Arnold just doesn't have the genetics and if Sergio would have thought him as an competition until he got there , he would have been a freakin monster

[@KLRGT500KR]

@@rishabhsaxena7 I am just saying Arnold was starting from behind. Arnold in 1971, 1973 and 1974 was untouchable and Sergio would not have beaten him no matter what when comparing peak vs peak condition. Everyone agrees. Arnold was a lot younger than Sergio. Arnold was only 27 when he started peaking in his career and then retired.

[@leart78]

Rishabh saxena so, being thought it doesn't depend on genetics? plus for what i see, there's no comparison, Arnold looks like a statue the other guy its just a muscle freak with no proportion and zero appeal

[@belok177]

@KLRGT500KR Exactly!

[@eustacebagge3869]

@@leart78 You talking about Arnold with a waist that would put my fridge to shame?

[@jeffhayes2177]

Sergio was always to soft with poor conditioning. Arms were blocky with no seperation. In fact his whole upper body was blocky. He lacked definition and zero polish on his physique. I always felt like he relied on his great genetics to much.

[@luisgoncalves7161]

@Moses Martinez fuck you Sérgio got no biceps

[@davidwirth2716]

Moses Martinez : Jeff Hayes is spot on , I agree with most of what he is saying.

[@sanjaykakurla4256]

To be fair to him if u compare their resources Arnold should have destroyed him (not even competitive) but it was because he had massive support from the wieders

[@sanjaykakurla4256]

@Moses Martinez he literally had twinkies in his diet and worked several jobs

[@sonyx4500]

@@sanjaykakurla4256 Sergios Diet was his own fault. Thats why his conditioning suffered.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

The tightness of Arnold and staying flexed all the time made Arnold squeak out the win...barely.

[@csabapalagyi6721]

Yes. Plus separation and deeper cuts overall, better calves, much better posing ...

[@brettdziekonski1451]

NOW THIS IS BODYBUILDING!! BOTH ARE AWESOME

[@beornthebear.8220]

Arnold grew bigger. Sergio is the only bodybuilder I'seen point his arm straight up and they still look huge.

[@JamesPetroff]

Sergio won, and if they didn't kick him out of the organization, he would have kept beating Arnold. Arnold would have been forced to be bigger and better.

[@markvimalsathanar6599]

You always say Arnold trick and Sergio is not match with Arnold by muscle speration. I have not seen Sergio hitting front double arms biscpes with peak. You always against Arnold man.

[@jimmywarner6124]

I agree. Definitely biased

[@Baba24M]

Just facts bro, he always tries to favour Arnold but this wasn't close from any aspect

[@CycoSven69]

@@Baba24M It's not facts.

[@LUVSSMYNEBRASKANATTY]

I thought Sergio was robbed! I actually corresponded with Frank Zane thru emails...years ago. Of course, I asked him, who won the 1972 Olympia? Frank thought Sergio won easy, adding...you have see Sergio in person to truly appreciate Sergio!! Plus, give Sergio credit, no way Sergio was leaving Essen Germany (Arnold country) with the Olympia trophy!!

[@lopetta4077]

Arnold is Austrian not German

[@panathatube]

Arnie's birthplace is close to the Slovenian borders. Essen is next to Netherlands.

[@lloydkline1518]

late 1960s & 1972 sergio olivia unbeatable & invincible ; bill peal beat sergio olivia ;; ❤️ sergio olivia

[@ravsinghrajput2105]

Arnold had better seperated arms, and if you closely look @7:10 Arnold had bigger separated calves

[@leart78]

and two times bigger chest

[@ramboterminator4366]

@@leart78 their chest looked the same size

[@sanjaykakurla4256]

@@leart78 chest is the same size Arnold displayed it better

[@lloydkline1518]

Sergio olivia better back ; chess area ??? Sergio olivia unbeatable late 1960 ; maybe 1972

[@chickentwisties2298]

@@sanjaykakurla4256 Arnold had a way thicker chest then Sergio

[@KCDarin]

Great Video & your Arnold imitation is on point! I agree with your assessment. Although it is a vote against Arnold; it also shows how good Arnold was at his very peak as I don't think a 1972 Sergio (at his best) would beat Arnold at his best 1973-74 & maybe 71.

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

totally agree. I dont think we got to see a truly conditioned Sergio. It would have been incredible

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

@Lucien there you are

[@hardcorehouse]

Oliva later acknowledged that he should’ve stuck with Arthur Jones in 73 and 74, which was realistically the only way he could’ve further improved, especially his conditioning due to the training partners, machines, and methodologies used under Jones

[@modestoquinto1911]

Arnold's advantage: Joe Weider..😊

[@ThouSwell-zx3fd]

Oh give it up 😂

[@MP-pz9oe]

Sergio was the only man capable of defeating Arnold ; yet they were best friends .

[@stephenlewis6409]

Arnold always had his 'game face' on in all the photos with Sergio.

[@aaronrus]

Sergio’s ‘size’ would not be nearly as impressive if he came in at the same bodyfat percentage as Arnold.

[@m.s.9535]

Sergio wins almost every single pose.

[@leart78]

he was fat, if he had the arnold condition he would had been a lot smaller

[@101snapper]

@@leart78 Hahahaha

[@Pablo-sr2zx]

Good content and also good comparison and Sergio Oliveira should of definitely of had this in the bag I would of loved to have seen what Sergio could of gotten to with what is available today drug wise as we all know he was way ahead of everyone else just a nice thought

[@richardlawson6787]

Drugs havent gotten better...they still basically use the same steroids today just more

[@FR-rx8wy]

The separation of muscles in the arms and Arnold's chest really made a difference

[@mikthe2004]

Yeah, Arnold is way sharper. Sergio's arms show no separation whatsoever!!

[@batangalamat2637]

Korek

[@chrissuponcic5181]

It seems like your a big sergio fan, which is fine. I appreciate you doing the video so everyone can make their own decision. For me it's arnold all day and it's really not even close. When judging an ifbb contest conditioning is paramount in every round. Flex wheeler with his superior shape could never beat Yates because of conditioning. Arnold is just far more defined and dyer from head to toe. Arnold presents a complete package and displays a level of conditioning sergio was never able to bring to stage

[@thebigpicture2032]

No. Arnold stayed flexed all the time so he may look that way from the blurry far away pics but look at the close up. Sergio was far more cut and vascular.

[@chrissuponcic5181]

@@thebigpicture2032 I've seen all the footage available from the show. Arnold was clearly more defined and polished which should be the hallmark of any Mr olympia. As for being flexed all the time that's a must. Your being judged the entire time your on stage

[@thebigpicture2032]

That’s my point. It’s all footage and pictures. The entire house was screaming for Sergio and sure that he had won. Even Arnold later admitted that Sergio was better.

[@jaganraina9797]

Chris Suponcic exactly...🤝

[@leart78]

TheLusianPopa omg are you blind? arnold looks like a statue and sergio just like a (smaller) muscle freak with zero appeal and definition. why the heck should sergio beat arnold ? just for having bigger arms but blocky? pfff

[@M.J.D.R]

Arnold has bigger waist, but he’s also a bigger man. Sergio was NEVER conditioned enough and showed no details at all

[@marxmaxmuscle1]

very true, but if you notice the very first picture, sergio seems to have much thinner skin than Arnold. The 72 Oak was not his best.

[@thebigpicture2032]

Arnold was taller but if you look at the pictures, Sergio’s shoulders are slightly wider, waist narrower, arms the same size, legs bigger, forearms and calves bigger.

[@M.J.D.R]

The Big Picture they might be bigger in certain areas but still I see no separation at all , both front&back double are the perfect example and honestly those arms of Sergio look ugly in all poses except the victory pose, which is not mandatory at all . In the end the only advantage he had was that super small waist

[@theklaks878]

@@M.J.D.R I mean his arms were freaky and not ugly but that just my opinion and sergio had many more advantages beside the super small waist his Proportionen were out of this world and symmetrie i mean anrold had always one arm bigger than the other one but over all Arnold was a master of posing and always was pelled to the bone but not this time in 72 sergio was better imo

[@M.J.D.R]

The Klaks duuuude please, how can you speak about symmetry to someone like Sergio ? He literally has a triceps twice as big as the other, and that’s too obvious when he hits the victory or the crucifix pose

[@pupo2568]

Sergio had better construction, byť Arnold had far better muscle separation, front poses and Also back

[@mikthe2004]

Yep. Arnold has more polish.

[@erikbartlett2147]

Arnold definitely had better definition in his arms with the separation between his biceps and triceps.

[@tekrey3004]

Arnold is better more proportion balance definition

[@melaniepage5499]

Fuck no dick head

[@Baba24M]

No he isn't, you're just a fan boy.

[@tekrey3004]

@@Baba24M arnold is better i terms of symmetry and overall

[@mikielikie2543]

Give me a break...arnold was better.. better lower back...better calves...seperation in quads..more ripped...if sergio was in arnolds condition..he would be smaller...

[@leart78]

finally one that understands.. being that ripped its cost a lot of size, but most of dudes here have no idea

[@eustacebagge3869]

@@leart78 one that understands... yet arnold has the shittiest waist and looks soft

[@lichtsoldat7697]

Sergio is only guy Arnold couldn't bully and or psych out. Sergio's physique intimidated Arnold, but Sergio was also very self confident and believed he was the best. No other competitor that Arnold went against had that.

[@seanmcmillan472]

I'll admit that Arnold had better biceps but Sergio's physique was more symmetrical overall.

[@lifegoes2074]

Exactly

[@-TheUnkownUser]

Top bodybuilders: -Sergio Oliva -Serge Nubret -Frank Zane -Ronnie

[@fatboy5926]

1:48 Jesus man - it’s not a shot at Arnold - but Sergio is simply better. Taper fullness chest shoulders legs waist. Simply amazing

[@Dan.50]

Both amazing but there is just something about Arnolds proportions and aesthetic.

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

*Look at how wide Arnold waist was, plus his legs were weak as well and let not even speak on back! I guest when you have the owners in your back pocket, that's all that count smh!*

[@mrkipple2080]

These two men definitely deserved the Title.... Mr Olymia

[@TheJoesanto]

Sergio's overhead victory pose is something Arnold never could do and make it a win pose for him.. But : Arnold was the best 1973 - 1975 no matter what

[@101snapper]

We will never know because after Sergio was robbed he left the IFBB for WABBA

[@israelvibrations100]

Gosh I have to say somthing..pictures will never do justice to how someone looks in real life...I'm absolutely certain Sergio was an Absolute freak of amazing structure thick freaky and just plain powerhouse body.......but......BUT.....buuuuuuut the more I look at Arnold....his conditioning his more refined muscle separation made his body much more pleasing to the eye..like 🎨 Art...his muscle looked much more defined and pronounced may not look even more larger than Sergio but in some ways or many ways gives the illusion of better ascetic...I can clearly see the debate.....but my EYE still looks twice at Arnalds.....and see more and better muscle definition and bellies of each muscle......Sergio just looks bigger but not defined ......sorry to anyone who is a Sergio fan......I looked at this 100s of times and still see Still a more pleasing body art to Arnold

[@hunk1697]

Arnold was not at his best, yes. But he was more detailed in his legs and calves, had better bicep peaks, his lats were lower and he was the far better poser. Sergio could hide behind ARNOLD but ARNOLD could not hide behind Sergio. Sergio did have a smaller waist, but ARNOLD was way taller. Arnold deserved the win.

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

More detail in the legs, better lats, and was taller so he should win? 🤔🤔🤔 I didn't know height was apart of the competition smh lol

[@hunk1697]

@@HEAVYCHEVY409 I’m certain I mentioned other factors for Arnold winning than just height. But yes, a taller bodybuilder often will beat a shorter bodybuilder in similar condition.

[@BobsWS61]

Arnold definitely blew him away in the calves department. Sergio’s calves look like carp. Also Sergio lacked separation in his arms. This video is extremely subjective.

[@samraizshoaib585]

Arnold's legs were far smaller. Easier to show details with smaller legs. And Sergio had better shoulders, traps, taper, lats and quads. He was overwhelming for Arnold.

[@josephohrablo4866]

Not really Sergio pretty much dominated Arnold . Smaller waist , better legs , better triceps , better shoulders., better back , his genetics are 100 x better

[@1manforequality]

Oliva was incredible. the man looked like he was carved out of stone.

[@gregorypadilla5422]

Thank you for reminding me that Frank Zane and Serge Nubret were also in better condition than Arnold at the 1972 Olympia. So Arnold should have placed 4th at that show if the contest had not been FIXED by the Weiders. SONY X4500, please remember that a bodybuilding show is NOT an actual contest. It is a Beauty Contest, nothing more. The judging criteria is totally subjective. Without an objective measure (more runs or goals scored) to judge a victor in a contest. It is NOT A SPORT. The Weider's tried to make Bodybuilding an Olympic sport. They paid the corrupt I.O.C. all kinds of bribes. It NEVER happened because Bodybuilding is NOT a sport! The Bodybuilding Show history is so full of HORRIBLE decisions, it Boggles the mind! The 1980 and 1981 Olympias for example. That's why, like Pro Wrestling, Vegas will NOT place odds on a Bodybuilding Show. SONY X4500, you still did NOT explain why Sergio's skin was lighter than Arnold's!!!! Or why Arnold's legs, triceps and forearms were PUNY. And his waist is too thick and shoulders too narrow. Or those WEIRD CALF IMPLANTS on Arnold. Or why Weider magazines NEVER published photos of Arnold hitting a side tricep or frontal leg/ab pose? Because the Weider's had to protect their Arnold investment. That's why Arnold was not allowed to compete at the 1971 NABBA Universe where without Weider rigged judges Arnold would have placed third. And Sergio was NOT allowed to enter the 1971 Olympia contest too. To all the Arnold Fan Boys out there try to absorb the fact that Arnold was NOT the best Bodybuilder in his Era. Sergio Oliva was the best bodybuilder from the late 1960's through the early 1980's. Arnold was the BEST MARKETING TOOL for the Weider company (I.F.B.B.). Nothing more. Arnold had a very good manager (Jim Lorimer) who told Arnold what he was actually worth to the Weiders. He was woefully under paid, like the previous Weider Marketing tool Dave Draper (The Blonde Bomber). So when Arnold retired after 1975, it was NOT in good terms with the Weider's. Yeah, Arnold Fanboys will throw out any semblance of TRUTH or LOGIC in defense of their GOD. I read the 1980 reports of the Olympia judging FIASCO in the various Muscle Building magazines that I use to religiously read. I remember well the Jack Neary report in Muscle Builder that to Joe Weider's credit he allowed to be published. Jack was there and gave a TRUE insider report and DISHED out all the DIRTY DEEDS that Arnold pulled off behind the scenes. OLD SCHOOL BODYBUILDING ROUTINE is totally delusional and needs to be fact checked. First off, a CBS ENG crew is NOT going to run out of tape while recording an event. SO this is total B.S.!!! CBS did record the "contest", then the field producer who witnessed the BOOING of the FIXED outcome and saw the total injustice decided NEVER to air the disgraceful footage ever. AT the time, CBS was in heavy competition with ABC in the arena of Sports Coverage. They use to air Weight Lifting, Power Lifting and Bodybuilding Contest to counter the ABC programing. So NOT airing the 1980 Olympia was a matter of News integrity. When something SMELLS ROTTEN, it's because it's RANCID. And the 1980 Olympia TOTALLY STUNK!!!! Arnold's movie career was going nowhere at this time. So he contacted George Butler and Charlie Gains to produce a sequel to Pumping Iron. So off they went to Australia with a filming crew. Arnold had been contracted by CBS to do commentary. But everyone knew Arnold was up to something underhanded. They knew he had been training and then he started smooching every bodybuilder and asking them to sign a paper. When Arnold approached Mentzer, he asked to see the paper he wanted to sign. Arnold tried to B.S. and say it was a mere formality. But it was was actually a release form. You see, most of these bodybuilders were NOT very savvy about signing papers. But Mentzer was and quickly connected the dots and informed the other bodybuilders what Arnold was trying to pull off. He saw the film crew with lights, sound and film cameras and knew that another type of documentary was being shot. Arnold was forced to fess up and tell everyone in the room that he was competing. Everyone asked Arnold how much was he going to pay them to appear in his movie. When he said nothing, everyone ripped up the signed release forms. Knowing full well that the "FIX" was in! Arnold then demanded a rule change to create a 200 over and under class. And at that point, the SH_T hit the fan! It turned out that the judges were Arnold's personal friends (Reg Park) who had refused to recuse themselves like Bill Pearl had done (he was Chris Dickerson's friend and trainer). At this point in Arnold's training, he could NO longer squat because of his damaged knees. So NEVER having good leg development to begin with (Calf Implants too!), he now presented a pair of CHICKEN LEGS at the show. During the contest, Arnold refused to do compulsory poses (Side Tricep and Leg Ab poses) in order to NOT display his WEAK TRICEPS and THICK WAIST and PUNY LEGS. Arnold was UNDER SIZED, ASYMMETRICAL and DISPORPORTIONATE. He should have been disqualified at that point, but the RIGGED judges let him sly! Arnold should NOT have even placed within the top ten either. That's how BAD he looked!!! But Arnold FAN BOYS won't face the FACTS! Everyone who was there and NOT an Arnold FAN BOY saw through the judging nonsense. Bodybuilding is NOT a SPORT because it is judged subjectively. Without an objective measure to determine a victor (goals or runs scored) you do NOT have a sport. The Weider's used to pay the corrupt I.O.C. massive bribes to try to make Bodybuilding an Olympic Sport. It NEVER happened!!! Arnold was the person who was UPSET with Mentzer because his Pumping Iron sequel went down the tubes. Bad as the 1980 Olympia was, the 1981 show was worse! That's the one that Arnold promoted and allowed a Gyno Bitch Titted Chicken Legged Franco to win! The fans BOOed and Threw junk at the judges. And like the 1980 show, NO footage exists except for some blurry fan shot silent footage. Ever wonder why Vegas will NOT put out odds for bodybuilding shows? Because Vegas knows that just like Professional Wrestling, Bodybuilding is NOT a sport. Just a Beauty Contest, nothing more. Today, it is still a niche activity where Bloated, Horrible looking bodies parade around and Die young because of the Massive Drug use. All because Professional Bodybuilding does NOT PAY. Competitors are forced to use drugs year round to appear jacked for their Social Media and Promotional appearances. Its a tough way to make a living!

[@scottallen6227]

Sergio's tiny head made him look bigger than he was

[@ThouSwell-zx3fd]

Lol Yeah rick wayne thought this as well 😂

[@jordangroff8978]

If Sergio's Separation/Conditioning was as good as Arnold's, I definitely think he would have beat Arnold in 72. A 73-74 Arnold though, not sure.

[@lloydkline1518]

Bill peal beat sergio olivia like 1970

[@joebrooks4448]

Arnold's arms have much more bodybuilder shape, definition, and vascularity than Sergio's. Sergio's looked like a powerlifter or arm wrestler's. That was problematic. This debate has been going on since the late 1960s and through the 70s. Frank Zane probably beats them all, if you are looking for classic bodybuilding muscularity, shape and proportion.

[@lifegoes2074]

Problem is Sergio wasn't conditioned enough, this doesn't help if your stuffing your face with pizzas and coca colas all the time lol

[@drbonesshow1]

If Sergio was ever cut he could have won any contest even when Ahhnold cheated.

[@ThouSwell-zx3fd]

That's a big 'if' 😂

[@JameyBarnett]

Sergio legs more defined from the side. Arnold only won 5 of his 7 titles

[@Infinite_Peter]

3:42 Dont agree that Sergio got better back, Arnold has better back development in any area

[@corymedina6165]

False ! I don't know what you're looking at

[@mercuryrising2424]

After seeing the individual posing, I would give the title to Sergio. And I am as big of an Arnold fan as they come.

[@johnsalvalzo9679]

When bodybuilders looked great. Had tapers. Had calves. Had forearms. Had flow. Had proportion. Knew how to pose.These two blow anyone today out of the water

[@kamranbutt4279]

Arnold's conditioning & better proportions with smart posing made him winner

[@johnr6676]

Sergio with the rear overhead shot. Amazing. Even looks better than lee priest with the definition in his arms and forearms. My favorite pose by any bodybuilder.

[@patrickbrowne4606]

Lou Ferrigno and Danny Padilla, both friends of Schwarzenegger, have said the Olivia should have won the ‘72 Olympia, and they were there. Politics and (Weider) favoritism prevented Olivia from winning this show. It certainly wasn’t a better physique.

[@pulsarlights2825]

Weider had the Olympia contests rigged to sell his magazines and protein shakes.....He is the Vince McMahon of Bodybuilding. LOL at anyone who thinks these are legit competitions....

[@vedeshrambarran9038]

Arnold...better definition and muscle separation

[@karlkamphefner8529]

Sergio had a smaller frame, but his muscles were just as big if not a little bigger than Arnolds.

[@erikbartlett2147]

I disagree with your assessment of Oliva should have won in 1972. It was however, the greatest 2 bodybuilders in history going at it. The stuff of legends and, they both were.

[@pleaseenteraname3607]

I’d give one maybe two Olympias max to Arnold. So many body’s completely outclassed Arnold’s. He mainly had chest and arms. Chicken legs compared to many, an alright stomach vacuum but no definition. Conditioning always sub par. But still. No one has yet ever come close to Arnold’s charisma on stage and his ability to network and control outcomes and bring money and attention to the sport. Honestly if Arnold did not win so many Olympia’s the sport of body building would not have the global impact it does today

[@lifegoes2074]

Indeed all Arnie had was great bicep peaks and chest the rest had struggling details...

[@stephanM5]

Your analysis is on point here. Sergio in all fairness had to be seen in person to appreciate just how freakishly good he looked. The photos don't do him justice. Having said that Arnold does look amazing as well. I never saw Arnold compete in person as I was too small back then but I did see the Myth in 1980 where he guest posed at a local competition.

[@heavymetalfitness2091]

The waist size really doesn’t matter imo. Sergios waist looked fake. Idk I’d go with Arnold. Wide waists sometimes look more powerful

[@101snapper]

Hahahaha it's called genetics

[@tonyvaldes8352]

A friend & restaurant owner at "The Village" in Chicago,Il.had the honor of meeting Mr.Oliva...He had lunch there often.

[@theriseofnumidia]

Sergio had the most harmonic shape, had even a better round chest, better legs too, Arnold needed Jesus to beat this guy absolutely

[@drbonesshow1]

Frank Zane won the 1972 Mr. Olympia trophy for best mod hair style: 0:55

[@MDmatthewdean]

Sergio's crucifix is on another level

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Sergio was everyman and Arnold played the heel. But Arnold got it done.

[@thinkforyourself2109]

Oliva deserved the 72 win. Muscle & Fitness photos of the time retouched Oliva to make him flatter than he actually was, to justify fixing the contest for Arnold.

[@colonalklink14]

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't deserve to win in 1972, 1975, and definitely not in 1980. He was far superior to Sergio in 1974, but of course Sergio wasn't allowed to compete that year.

[@hippo4214]

i like Arnold Schwarzenegger better, but its very close.

[@senjo31]

Sergio victim of racism and American politics. However your greatness will never be forgotten.

[@joyr.4469]

1970, 1971 and 1972 true mister olympia is Sergio Oliva "The Myth" 💪🏻

[@glengabruch4664]

I am an Arnold fan, but Sergio is definitely beating him in '72. 💪

[@micpowers1136]

Sergio beats Arnold.Its like not even a competition.

[@cornpopwasabaddude4729]

Sergio Oliva appeared bigger than Arnold Schwarzenegger due to him being shorter eventhough they both had same muscle mass. I would say they both came in extremely close in being a winner. I believe being in darker skin tone possibly has more advantage than lighter skin. Darker skin appears to be stronger & it also helps in hiding some of the flaws. That's why 100% of all body builder competitors color themselves dark tan skine tone. As comparison, I am favoring with Arnold. He had beautiful overall proportion in height. Notice his muscles also define with strings of fiber that define each muscle in human anatomy. Arnold & Franco Columbu did shared so many similarity in every catagory. That is why they both deserved to win the titles.

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

73 & 74 was peak Arnold.

[@Bob-wc8hp]

Sergio is just to good for Arnold best genetics ever long muscle bellies everywhere on his body thats why he looks so good no matter what

[@leevancleef358]

Sergio was flat out incredible....and YES he was probably better than Arnold in 72..but it was close...and Arnold's Back / Rear Double Bicep shot is SO phenomenal...and Arnold's incredible Calf development makes it unbeatable. My opinion - Yes Sergio in '72...but that pic of Arnold in '73 at 9:56? Nooone is beating that guy. Arnold in "73 and "74 was better than Sergio at his best in my opinion.

[@richbrake9910]

Nubret looks bigger than everyone just standing there.

[@lateralus2199]

Nubret looked fantastic at this show! Maybe his best showing ever!

[@Naturalhit]

Arnold was better at posing. Sergio was definitely the better bodybuilder.

[@hunk1697]

You’ve been smoking crack. Arnold dominates in just about every pose.

[@ccrider00]

Clickbait picture for this video---- sergio much bigger than arnold! Sorry all you fanboys of arnie!

[@lakeeriesailor2852]

If the Mr. Olympia was judged fairly and correctly every year, the number of titles of most of the various winners over the years would change quite a bit. Sergio a four time champ 67-69, plus 72. Arnold five time champ: 70,71,73-75 (remove 72 and 80 of course). Zane two time champ 77,79 (Robbie Robinson deserved it in 78). Chris Dickerson in 80 (but not 82). Samir two time champ 82, 83 Lee Haney seven time 84-89,91 (Lee Labrada deserved the win in 90). Dorian three time champ (92, 93, 95). Kevin 94, Shawn Ray 96, Nasser 97. Ronnie six time champ (98-2001, 2003, 2004) Jay Cutler four time champ (05, 06, 09, 10). Gunter 2002 by far. Victor Martinez in 2007, Dexter in 2008, Phil a seven time champ still.

[@101snapper]

There is little doubt Sergio won - Weider wanted a white champion to hawk his product line and Sergio was robbed - Sergio left the IFBB as a result going to the WABBA organization - He saw the writing on the wall - I met Sergio Olivia at the Arnold Classic and had a photo taken with him - I found him to be one of the most gracious men that I have ever met - RIP my friend!

[@jobanjeetsingh7667]

Arnold win

[@黃晨傑-w3m]

If Arnold is terminator , that *Sergio Oliva is ALIEN Before Ronnie Coleman*

[@TheSyrian75]

Sergio should have won 1972 as he is in a better conditioning shame!

[@olegariomartinez6807]

Even Frank Zane who was there claims Sergio was better that day. I saw Oliva from 73 to 76 and he was huge but about 2 weeks out. These were the Dan Lurie WBBG shows. I also saw Arnold in Brooklyn at the 73 Olympia and. At the 74 Olympia held at MSG. Arnold was the better of the two had they competed those two years.

[@bogdanlucas2176]

Sergio was better in 72. Arnold didn't had the size. To much size difference.But for me Sergio had way to bigger arms in terms of proportion. They were almost as big as the waist. And btw, what is this obsession with small waist?Small waist is for the girls not men. Arnold had a vaccum at 230 pounds. That is way more than enough.

[@jamescherney5874]

The more I see these comparisons between Arnold and his competition the more I think he was overrated. He did not have the genetics and symmetry of some of the others. His legs always looked small compared to the rest of his body.

[@colonalklink14]

Sergio Oliva should have won the 1972 Mr. OLYMPIA.