1973 Olympia: The Tijuana Incident

At the 1973 Olympia Arnold brought arguably the best conditioning of his career, and this was also the year Anrold vs. Sergio would come to an end.
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[@NattyvsJuiced]

Joe weider wasn't racist, Arnold even mentioned in his book that when he visited Joe that he owned at least three coloured TVs!

[@enochroot9438]

did he mean televisions or RuPaul types?

[@MandenTV]

Natty vs Juiced weren't the Weider brothers Jewish?

[@kellykizer6718]

Throw communists out of helicopters yes they are Jews.

[@kellykizer6718]

Man lol my dad used to tell that joke. Lol.

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

If it wasn't for Weider, we would never have heard of Black bodybuilders. Regardless of race, one would be hard pressed to name ANY bodybuilder from any other bodybuilding organization from that era if they never brushed up against Weider publications. Even Bill Pearl has a lasting legacy because of heavy Weider promotion in the late 70's and 80's.

[@Mogh]

If Arnold wasn't contest-ready he can't be blamed for not accepting Sergio's challenge (although Franco got up there), but Weider is a bitch for banning Sergio from the Olympia just to protect Arnold's crown and reputation.

[@joet8862]

i love this channel because i'm always finding out new interesting stuff about the bodybuilding world

[@NicksStrengthandPower]

I love this channel too

[@corylooper3144]

You're biased.

[@dugnice]

Agreed

[@retromotivegarage753]

Sergio never reached his full potential. Weirder was part of that.

[@talhabinumeed650]

0:56 Arnold got 1st, not 4th

[@matttaylor1449]

Talha Bin Umeed look at Franko's bulge!

[@matttaylor1449]

Dwarfing the competition.

[@barkercherry9936]

He said it was his 4th time competing

[@everburning8127]

Talha Bin Umeed And right before that it was Arnold and Schwarzenegger against each other. Very confusing! Lol

[@MrPaull1989]

Barker cherry he also said he came 4th

[@jamesbrannigan706]

Sergio every time for me... conditioning notwithstanding, his victory pose / V taper are just breathtaking

[@joe44523579875]

James Brannigan I think Arnold just looks way better proportioned, Sergio just looks weird to me

[@gibsonlespaul796]

Sergio for me as well. Arnold looked great no doubt, but Sergio looked different. Maybe it's his density, V taper, I don't know. Every photo I see of Sergio standing next to Arnold, my eyes are drawn to Sergio !!!

[@Arlianor]

Your videos from the Golden Era of Bodybuilding are just amazing. It seems that we can't get enough of Arnold.

[@xolisa5096]

This channel has one of the most mature people in the comment section and who actually know their stuff. Thank you Nick for this platform.

[@devonhutchings6900]

*I think sergio had better legs*

[@jorchvalenz]

ıllıllı קåȋη-åкåтsυкι ıllıllı ı And The size of Sergio's waist

[@tyronejones4245]

ıllıllı קåȋη-åкåтsυкι ıllıllı ı Clearly. He also had a narrow hip structure and much better forearms.

[@TamaDuder]

conditioning not good enough.

[@sirterry3692]

ıllıllı קåȋη-åкåтsυкι ıllıllı ı Agreed

[@WelshKnight1066]

I disagree. Sergio's limbs--arms and legs---were too thick and stumpy compared to his core. Schwarzenegger was much more proportioned and better cut.

[@Kristianzp]

Columbo accepted that challenge and drawed the contest. What an animal

[@gibsonlespaul796]

The more we learn about what happened from your videos, the more we realize how much of a "work" this whole Arnold thing was. Sergio was better in 70 and banned in 71. Sergio was better in 72 and banned in 73. Arnold co-promotes the 81 Olympia and his best friend Franco wins the show no legs and gyno. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the IFBB was as "worked" as WWF./WWE.

[@Ishbu101]

Your description mentions a bodybuilder "anrold" can you do a video on him next?

[@ashwinagger8786]

😂😂😂

[@NicksStrengthandPower]

Very unknown bodybuilder

[@Twistedhippy]

Ishbu101 haha, never heard of him 😂

[@sneedsneed460]

Frederic Vandeputte Some say he won the Special Olympia 12 years straight

[@sharleenafreeman]

Well "Anrold" must have come first in that year's Olympia coz aparantly Arnold "got 4th" place (0:57) .....I learn something new everyday!

[@edwardsharp7936]

Nick you're a beast brother I love how unbiased your videos are. And your hedgehog is epic

[@aguilaindio7756]

In his 1977 autobiography, "Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder", Arnold tells of their first encounter: "Then for the first time, I saw Sergio Oliva in person. I understood why they called him "the Myth". It was as jarring as if I'd walked into a wall. He destroyed me. He was so huge, he was so fantastic, there was no way I could even think of beating him. I admitted my defeat and felt some of my pump go away. I tried. But I'd been so taken back by my first sight of Sergio Oliva that I think I settled for 2nd place before we walked out on the stage... I never like to admit defeat, but I thought Sergio was better. There were no two ways about it."[4] However, Schwarzenegger won his first Mr. Olympia title by edging the Myth the following year with a score of 4-3. Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia because he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe. This was extremely controversial because Schwarzenegger had competed for this very same contest the year before and without Sergio to challenge Arnold, some felt that the contest was fixed.Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger for the 1972 Olympia in Essen Germany. By all accounts, Sergio was in his all-time greatest shape and completely confident he would regain the Mr. Olympia title. Arnold beat Sergio into 2nd place and was crowned Mr Olympia yet again. Arnold said "In Essen, it seemed like all the top Bodybuilders turned up at their very best except for me. Sergio was back, even more impressive than I remembered."[6]"Compared with all of the other Bodybuilders I've ever faced, Sergio really was in a class by himself. I was struck by that again the minute we were onstage. It was so hard to look impressive next to him with those incredible thighs, that impossibly tiny waist, those incredible triceps."

[@InfiniteSolarMass]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it is said and ostensibly it is true. Some people find Arnold's thick waist, straight legs and average forearms preferable to Sergio's mythical proportions; his wide sweeping lats which V-tapered into a wasp like waist, all supported by massive tree trunk legs with calves to match and if that wasn't enough Sergio's arms possessed an unparalleled mass to this day as his overhead pose is often imitated, however, never duplicated! I contend that given the political environment of that day if Arnold as a European had Sergio's physique and Sergio as an African had Arnold's physique, that Arnold not only would have won but that there would never have existed controversial that exist today.

[@williambeckham7703]

The real reason was that Sergio couldn't fuk with THE OAK in 73 and for sure as hell not in 74.

[@BrentMB79]

wow Sergio just looked unbeatable amazing!!

[@JorgeGarcia-zu1ji]

Mr. Sergio Oliva number #1 The Myth & Cuba Bodybuilder legend RIP

[@joeyfridays]

At 0:57 I think you meant to say Arnold placed first. Sorry for nit picking just trying to help out.

[@musmic17]

Joeyfridays he said it was his fourth win

[@tomschubert8550]

He also said Arnold and schwarzenegger were pretty consistent rivals at the beginning. Must have been a long day lol

[@tcwracing]

And serbge nubret

[@strengthhealthgym5525]

.. As a 17 year old kid, I was there in the audience that night for that show .. The T.J. show where Sergio challenged Arnold was NOT a Dan Lurie show .. I was an annual 'Mr. International' promoted by 1959' IFBB 'Mr Universe' and owner of Sylvestre's gym in Tijuana, Mexico; Eddie Sylvestre

[@mikegrasty5521]

Nick. . . .Love you keeping History alive. Keep Up The Great Work!!

[@militaryphotodepot9029]

Great vid. .Arnold was unbeatable in 1971,1973 and 74

[@Kup1966]

Good no nonsense content, thanks Nick, keep up the good work... From the UK

[@joeytellez5303]

Anyone else think Sergio wipes the floor with Arnold? Probably the best genetics in BBing history

[@willhennigan668]

Joey Tellez 😂😂🤣

[@chefmastershake]

Joey Tellez No. Sergio was a beast for sure but Arnold had the size and cuts. Also better symmetry and posing. For sheer mass, Sergio edges him just a bit but overall, Arnold was more complete. To be honest, these are the only 2 guys that competed in the 60's and 70's (and 80's) that make me go "Holy fuck!".

[@saturnknight4573]

Congrats on the new sponsor yo! So my mom argued with me non stop about Van Damme in the 80's on him being sooo fit. Yo dude do you honestly think that Jean-Claude Van Damme could have been a pro body builder? Please help me settle this argument. I say yes but you the man so help me out please! p.s. thanx for the inspiration to stay natural!

[@urmadscientist]

thanks Nick really appreciate this one i grew up watching this rivalry through the mags im anxious for your vid about the WBBG vs IFBB rivalry i was a friend of wbbg vice president so ive heard both ends of the story👍

[@silverfox8801]

By far the best channel about the subject on KZbin 💪🏼💪🏼

[@Cireunbound]

The most informative bodybuilding channel on KZbin! 👊🏾🙏🏾😎

[@scot2313]

Read Weider quoted as saying Sergio was "too ghetto." Wanted a more marketable White man. Arnold was bigger with personality, & charisma but thick waist no V-shape compared to Sergio. Sergio much more aesthetic and as thickly muscled as Arnold. Saw Sergio posing in 70's. Was amazing. Robbie Robinson said he'd heard Arnold using the N-word. English second language for Arnold not calling him racist. But Weider definitely racist. Whites really don't want to admit how deep racism permeates America and it was worse in the 70's. Denial of racism is racism.

[@tdane5017]

Sergio Olivia was obviously huge with a tiny waist but he always looked soft to me. Not much abs and no veins/cuts. Looked about 3 weeks out of contest shape.

[@carlschnackel3051]

Sergio had an amazing bone structure, along with a small head that would make his body appear even larger. Just consider the time that he was competing in. There was no such thing as scientific training or scientific nutrition. It was common to "bulk up" and then "cut" before contests. The most scientific thing about the nutrition back then was that they knew that they could eat more when bulking up, but had to eat less when in the "cutting" phase. Any more than that, we were told to "lay off the garbage". That was the extent of scientific nutrition. The magazines always advised us to "consume one gram of protein for every pound of bodyweight", which is way too much -- but it did result in huge sales for the food supplement companies. All that much protein did for me was give me massive amounts of bad flatulence. (My co-workers hated it. lol) I attended one of Sergio's "training workshops" that were kind of popular in the 70's. He could demonstrate many exercises, but wasn't articulate enough to explain things adequately. Many times I heard him say that "you need to find out what works for you." He obviously found what worked for him. As I remember it, he was one or the very few bodybuilders that Arthur Jones (the inventor of Nautilus) had any respect for -- because of Sergio's work ethic.

[@joe44523579875]

Taylor McCaffery his arms look weird, kinda like someone photoshopped them onto his body 0:31

[@PatrickEvans-x1v]

Taylor McCaffery the ultra ripped look started in the 80s . nobody in the 70s below 5%bodyfat

[@gpipeline]

+George Dedaj World strongest man competition where Franco got hurt was 1977, not 1980 which you incorrectly stated. Columbo had 4 years to recover, not 1 like you incorrectly stated.

[@tattooism]

+George Dedaj I disagree- Bill Pearl deserved to win that comp. Unlike the Mr Olympia, the NABBA Mr.Universe was not rigged. Also, Franco should not have won the Mr O in 1981.

[@ralphgoodman4670]

This is fricking fascinating. It's hard to come by this sort of info before this.

[@captainbiceps5209]

2:48 Unbeleviable shape. Never seen a guy with big calves and big forearms (big joints btw) but with a tiny waist, this guy was probably the best genetic ever seen on stage

[@failurehaus5979]

These guys lats are just godly, its honestly amazing you really dont see that these days

[@billymacnamara8678]

this was a good one nick keep up the good work buddy cheers from nz

[@OLDTIME47]

it almost sounds like you're trying to make arnolds wins less? look at 4:13, sergio has no chance.

[@hayesman76]

Arnold's legs were incredible in '73.

[@awesomereviews1561]

Sergio knew about the ban situation in advance. He decided nonetheless to compete in those competitions. So it's his fault that he got banned. If someone puts some rules and you go against it, don't be surprise if you get banned. Of course it helped Arnold but nobody forced Olivia to compete on this other shows

[@craigburnham8334]

Hey there Nick love what your doing I'll keep it short as I know your a busy fellow Just what to mention a bodybuilder called Charles Claremont .. he was around about the same Time as Dorian Yates.. amazing Body.. I think bodybuilding fedarations had a lot to do why he wasn't successful Stay strong and keep what your doing Murdoch

[@zivz.3896]

i wish one day to see you interview arnold

[@michaelscott2022]

Nick, can you do a video on Freddy Ortiz, a great forgotten bodybuilder?

[@aaronrus]

There isn't a single Sergio Olivia photo where Sergio has the same level of conditioning that Arnold has. Arnold is always more cut, Sergio always looks like he is retaining water, lack of definition in his front double bicep pose, lack of striations in his chest, etc.

[@marilynfink5771]

Also you have some really good Pics.and comments, do you or have you seen any photos of a 80's contest with Sergio, Bertil, Tony Pearson and Nubret, competing against each other, would be or could be some good stuff

[@bsymph]

yo nick would you ever do an interview segment with rxmuscle? you and dave are the only ones i listen to for bodybuilding facts and topics!!

[@MontaukFilms7]

Great vid. Great channel. Love this stuff-- keep it up, Nick.

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

When you compared the two pictures from 1973 at 0:28 Arnold has better separation and is 'dryer'. Sergio always seemed to have issues with muscle control like keeping his legs and abdominal region tensed. I think the look and condition Sergio brought to the 1972 Mr. Olympia was his best.

[@Bayshuck]

In Rick Wayne's book 'Muscle wars' he talks about the '73 Mr International. He writes that Joe Weider had dinner with the promoter Paul Graham and wanted Arnold to enter but didn't want to risk him losing to Sergio - Graham took this as Weider's way of trying to fix the contest for Arnold, and refused to 'help'. He never promoted another IFBB contest.

[@mikemiller6628]

Its interesting that you mentioned Dan Laure.Im thinking that he was a Weider guy at one time.Maybe you could do a vid on him sometime.In my opinion you have the best you tube channel on bodybuilding.

[@riggzy1000]

35 seconds in you say Arnold and Schwarzenegger instead of Arnold and Sergio lol Good videos though bro really enjoy your uploads. Mike NZ

[@ohmeohmygolly]

The things you find out many years later are so surprising

[@gunnarsamuelsson4611]

Sergio never looked like he was no way near contest condition. He looks like a bloated guy with a tiny waist. Nowhere near contest shape, and everyone knows anything about bodybuilding can cleraly see that. U can hardly see his veines, no separation, he clearly holds a lot of excess water and bodyfat.

[@f100unibody9]

Another great video!! Keep up the good work!

[@carnalcarnage4499]

Hey Nick, great video as always. I find your take on crossovers, like wrestlers' potential in bodybuilding, interesting. Would you cover Yoel Romero? Or heavyweights in other sports like Tyson? I understand why wrestlers make good comparisons, but there are occasional athletes in other sports with gifted genetics. It would just be neat to see your opinion on some of them. Thanks, all the best from Toronto.

[@WJHandyDad]

you certainly make a compelling case. I think you're probably right that Sergio got screwed. Whether or not he could have beaten Arnold head to head we'll never know. But I do think Arnold could have stayed as Mr. Olympia for as many years as he wanted, certainly at least until the mid 80's. His physique in Commando (1985) was phenomenal.

[@jgamez5023]

Sergio was one of the best ever, but look, by 1973 Arnold didn't need ANY help winning at all. The 73-74 Arnold was as good as you can get. Arnold was on fire and there wasn't anyone that could compete with him from then on, 1980 excluded of course.

[@AngelOliva302]

Gamez, You never will know how Sergio would had appeared in 73/74 - Arnold could had competed against him in the WBBG - Dan Lurie but he would never dare and Weider would had never allow it. Bottom line, I met them both when they were at their best and by far Sergio was better. 28 Inch waist vs 34 Arnold.

[@chrisyunge8751]

its good to see the the oak in his heyday, his lats eclipsed segio, his chest,the same, but the oaks arms are so good at the time that was no one close

[@arcocola8183]

Cool video as always. That guys shirt though@ 3:40

[@alexbrookner5331]

Best KZbin channel

[@r1s1nggodz1lla]

Hey man I'm the dude who always says "COP" on your insta posts

[@davidpaxton1638]

Sergio was so blessed. Such great proportion, amazing lines. But the lack of separation, the blocky arms, you have to give it to Arnold.

[@Sagittariustoo]

Sergio had the best genetics of all time. Had he trained a bit better, he could have, easily, been the greatest of all time, bar none !

[@thedarkgate817]

Mr O is shady as fuck.

[@mgtow-balance3409]

damn since back in the day fucking around with weights as a teen, i read the magazines but never paid attention to the personal stuff now i haven't bought muscle mags in a long time, so fast forward to the present and learning about these things with vids like this, and i'm also like what dafuq! shady is the right word, indeed

[@texashistorian7966]

Its a shame Arnold would never return to that original 1971-74 245lb. condition which might have given Haney a fit in the 80s if he would of kept competing at that size up through the late 80s or so, which could have been possible.

[@johnnysullivan436]

I agree with some of the comments below, Sergio was big and he had that extreme tapered waist, but he never had the shreds that Arnold achieved, the peaks on his biceps are unmatched

[@johnganshow5536]

I remember " Mike Katz " from back in those days, he was very impressive. I think he trained in his garage...

[@smattgoss]

No he trained at golds. You thinking about the footage for pumping iron then he train in a garage type looking gym

[@lrm215]

Sergio got screwed over at the 1972 Olympia he should have won that show

[@waylonphillips5626]

I agree completely great video nick!!

[@Hollywood178]

Dam it Nick do you even sleep ??? Great video 👌

[@patrickblackwell777]

Nick the type of guy that could teach Jeff the type of guy some things

[@steventapper7691]

Politics has always played a major role in bodybuilding especially among bodybuilder promoters like Joe Weider, Bob Hoffman and as you mentioned in this video, Dan Lurie.

[@fenrirunshackled4319]

'And Arnold was fourth, this was his fourth consecutive Mr. Olimpia win'

[@PGproductionsHD]

Arnold vs Schwarzenegger was one hell of a rivalry!

[@DrussQuinn]

Sergio is no where near on the same level as Arnold, he looks permanently stuck in the offseason, soft and lacking definition.

[@albertfigueroa11]

Sergio was completely proportion.. Arnold had no legs

[@kylerolle6190]

I like Arnold but when i found out about sergio I thought his physique, muscle density and symmetry was awesome. Really something to be in awe of

[@stanico79]

.. iam big Sergio fan.. but please.. he couldn't touch Arnold in 1971-1975.. not even close.. there was a lot politics involved.. but Arnold never needed any of that help..

[@lloydkline6946]

I love both of them Arnold had a flawless body 1970s Sergio Olivia had weak calves but still close to invincible like in late 1960s. I wish Larry Scott had continued with bodybuilding in the late 1960s, stand still battle with Sergio Olivia, Larry Scott said no money in bodybuilding in the 1960s, wanted to have a successful marriage bodybuilding took too much time

[@robbyface3707]

You should make a video on Uzoma Obilor and his rippling muscles. Interesting stuff.

[@Joyzick]

Can you make a video about who do you think would win the Mr. Olympia if all Mr. Olympias from all eras got together on one stage and brought their best form they have ever brought to the stage and competed all in one competition? that would be interesting, like who is the Mr. Olympia of all Mr. Olympias

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

2:00 Arnold's upper thigh has some great shape and definition. His legs looks awesome in that double biceps pose.

[@sonyx4500]

Far Superior than Sergio. Sergio only had mass but never the shape and definition.

[@shawnapruitt2307]

I remember that there had to be strict rules about the interaction between competition, competitors and audience, manors and etiquette/ time and place.!? I was a girl and only could listen. 😁

[@eeZcrew]

how has nobody noticed at 0:32 he says 'Arnold and Schwarzenegger were pretty consistent rivals'

[@yhideit4427]

Arnold looked incredible in. 1973. Even if Sergio was allowed to compete....Arnold would have won !

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

Thanks Nick !!! can you do one on Ken Waller please !!!

[@StackBundle]

Obviously oliva and nubret both had specific body parts that were better than Arnold's. But Arnold's physique just flowed a lot better. Everything looked like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. Couple that with his posing and that's the reason I think he was a better bodybuilder than everybody else at the time.

[@0lav1234]

0:33 'so up until 1973 Arnold and Schwarzenegger were pretty consistent rivals'. Even Nick thinks that the only one who can beat Arnold was Arnold.

[@marilynfink5771]

NEED TO PUT A cOMPARISON VIDEO W Bertil Fox vs. victor Richards

[@bradchervel5202]

:46 The guy on the bottom right is my hero.I can do this!

[@OLDTIME47]

whatever theory people have against weider or arnold, sergio shape was stuck in the 60s, he didnt evolve to having cuts and conditioning, like arnold. arnold had better shapes to his muscles and was more defined. sergio had no center back, smaller calves and. just lats and long thick arms and thick legs, but no cuts.

[@sonyx4500]

OLDTIME47 4:12 Arnold clearly better than Sergio ever was. Sergio never achieved his potential. His Genetics were God given. But he ruined it with his shitty diet and attitute.

[@champchamp2841]

OLDTIME47 ķ

[@Ericomaioral]

OLDTIME47 dude wtf, segio had 20 inches calves

[@jrudresh1]

Sergio had some of the freakiest mass with a tight waist but he lacked the cuts which Arnold had. Arnold was big.. was cut and was a master poser. Even Sergio was a master poser! So I guess it must have booked boiled down to who has better conditioning. To me they are both right on the top! Love you A and S.

[@zeppafloyd]

Another very good video. Impressed that a young guy such as yourself knows this much bodybuilding history. in the book Pumping Iron Gaines writes about the promoters of bodybuilding ie: Wieder, Luree etc., enriching themselves at the expense of the sport itself. In other words that the sport would perhaps be more mainstream if those in charge were not so greedy and self serving. Sad that the NPC leaders are pretty much the same.

[@felipe367]

How did Arnie win if he placed 4th 0:57? Or am i missing something?

[@jsingh9899]

yes, i understand the politics but Arnold's overall physique was amazing. his posing, his body language and overall looks, everything was impressive. others were good too but Arnold was much better. yes, his legs lacked size but overall he should have won.and he did

[@gv4476]

Back in the day leg was not part of bodybuilding ...

[@Walruskinz]

J Singh Tbh Arnold's posing wasn't top tier

[@mannymasterdaddy3918]

TheLusianPopa you are totally correct in your analyses!!!

[@jacksinclair6524]

Good job nick !

[@mikemtz7280]

plz make a video about the one and only boyer coe, the 💪 prince

[@wxaviere1]

Lol he just said aronld and Schwarzenegger at 0:35 😂😂😂 still a good video though lol

[@deltaflight]

Bodybuilding is corrupt, period. Great channel Nick. Mr Weider was around for decades and he knew about the steroid use.

[@wilsonaguirre6702]

Arnold was that big in the industry that his only rival was himself.

[@jarrettg5423]

Hey does anyone know how to get or find Arnolds workout routine in 1973 or 1974 ?

[@skyunchained5149]

Having people work for you is damn good business

[@doratheexploder286]

The golden age of building, now they just look grotesque with the insane mass and vascularity. Proper V shape and no turtle shell gut.

[@ronz91]

has Nick done the Dan Lurie vs Weider video?

[@ryangrundy6114]

Golden age

[@Satarnoch]

jerome taylor the most aesthetic physiques to ever be on the mr olympia stage

[@ryangrundy6114]

Bodybuilders acctualy cared about if the physique looked appealing not just to be mass monsters n look like a balloon