1981 Mr Olympia - "The Greatest Booing Contest Of All Time!" (Worse Than 1980)

Reviewing the deplorable 1981 Mr Olympia, in which Franco Columbu, following on the heels of his friend and fellow bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger the year before, made an incredible comeback to reclaim bodybuilding's most prestigious title.
Franco had noticeable gynecomastia and no cuts whatsoever in his legs, yet somehow managed to defeat a trio of formidable contenders who were all in peak form: Tom Platz, Danny Padilla, and Roy Callander, who would go on to place 3rd, 5th, and 4th respectively.
Ironman magazine article: www.ironmanmag...
Interview with head judge Roger Schwab: bodybuildingleg...
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[@adrianodib]

For those who say that Platz is just legs, there is proof that he has excellent muscle quality throughout his body.

[@Tallmark1]

Yep. I was there and couldn't believe what I saw. Tom looked fantastic.

[@sorenlampe951]

yes he had great muscles, but his proportions were off. the legs were way to huge and made him less asthetic because of that in my opinion.

[@Tallmark1]

@@sorenlampe951 I was at the 81 Olympia and Tom really nailed in that year. I couldn't believe his proportions when he walked on stage!

[@SovereignStatesman]

@@sorenlampe951 Even going by upper body alone, Franco blew him completely away.

[@SovereignStatesman]

Yeah big like a balloon.

[@flangmasterj]

Padilla had the physique every bodybuilder should strive to achieve. Next to flawless. The guy got treated very poorly on multiple occasions.

[@Poeme340]

Agreed-Danny was amazing!

[@BATSITE]

Even you are the minority of one The truth is the truth!! In regards of Padillas not placing better and also Mr Platz....People isnt blind!!!

[@daviddufresne343]

Manlets, when will they learn?

[@tyrantworm7392]

@@daviddufresne343 Way to be a dick about it.

[@michaellinner7772]

1980 comes to mind.

[@billsrippedfitnessover5047]

Platz and Padilla were at their absolute best that year.

[@67marlins]

I agree, but can you explain why Franco shouldn't have won? I always respected him, more than Arnold for example. Don't a decent amount of people think Franco deserves one?

[@Xerxez22]

@@67marlins Gyno, poorest structure out of the top 4, terrible leg development (compared to the top 4). Padilla was the most aesthetic, complete bodybuilder on that stage. Platz second. “Deserved it”? He deserved A win. But he didn’t win this one; not deservedly.

[@pihermoso11]

@@67marlins 4:17 look at their quads, Franco's quads are the weakest in the lineup because it lacks definition 4:22 look at the triceps, Padilla and Platz have bigger triceps than Franco The winner of MR O should not have any weaknesses, but if it's not avoidable, he should have the least weaknesses of all the other rest, Franco's quads and triceps are already an argument that he should not have won 1st place

[@Salvatore_42069]

big ups to the Quad Father 💯

[@aakashvishal4437]

Platz should have won 🏆

[@toprightchannel3080]

Wow. I'm a huge Tom Platz fanboy but I didn't know he ever looked so good as an all round bodybuilder. To judge Franco's physique as better than Padilla's when you put them side by side is absurd.

[@user-li7vv2ub7k]

Franco had better muscular development

[@BatmanBoss]

Tom Platz should’ve been Mr.O This was his best look.

[@jeffsmith3221]

Right on Batman!! :-)

[@Tallmark1]

Right you are Batman. I was in the audience.

[@madmania5080]

You are correct.

[@justiceprevail1552]

Platz legs were just too big compared to the rest of his body, just like Mike Katz who's chest was to big in comparison to his body.

[@theplasticdesert2408]

100% correct.

[@marcelobraga3154]

Despite his height, Padilla is one of, if not the most complete bodybuilders of all time, truly underrated

[@groundcontrol6876]

Yes, because height has nothing to do with it (so long as it's not extreme, like having a 4'2" guy competing or having a 7'6" *Like the Celtics player Tacko Fall who's that tall barefoot*. It's about your muscularity in relation to your frame. I mean, Tacko weighs in at 310+ lbs on the scale, but he looks like all he lifts are his pants.

[@ToddWright2]

He was a really strong guy, too. I saw Danny hit 6 x 405 on BP and barely missed a 7th ... all with perfect form.

[@theultimatemale6820]

ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY! THE GIANT KILLER WAS KILLED BY THE JUDGES. FRANCO HAD SPAGHETTI LEGS. THE 80 AND 81 OLYMPIA WERE TOTALLY RIGGED.

[@LASSEFITTA]

@@groundcontrol6876 Height is definately important. If you ate 5ft 2in like Padilla you get dwarfed by an averege heigt guy and it looks ridiculous. Cant award the Olympia to someone like that.

[@Golgi-Gyges]

Yes, but Franco was short also.

[@cpodurnell3701]

Tom Platz was a class act. He should have won though.

[@hexprime5478]

AGREED

[@engell3707]

Platz the philosopher.

[@Sle0515]

I was at this event for the entire weekend. I met with a lot of bodybuilders and Tom Platz looked fantastic. A lot of people including myself thought he was the rightful winner. This video had a lot of good information and I enjoyed it right up to the moment you described the judges decision. There was a lot of booing that definitely drowned out the cheering but the place did not turn into a madhouse like you claim. It was not pure pandemonium as you called it. I don’t remember people throwing things onto the stage. Platz was pretty gracious onstage but he was really pissed off backstage. I went to the vendor hall with about 100 other fans to meet Tom after the event was over but he was so distraught he decided not to show up. Sorry to disagree with you, but this is just how it went down. The rest of your video was very good though. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for making it.

[@veg1run]

Man, what a time & place to be alive !

[@quantumtechcrypto7080]

The Jewish Weider brothers are political?? Noooooooooooo way.

[@davidmaerz2756]

Thanks Steve I was only 10 at that time but 20 years later when I heard and saw the results I was pissed off! I love Tom!

[@OLOLAK_7777]

Just show the person who posted the video didn't get his facts right aye Steve 🤭

[@Barnes-ml9wg]

@@quantumtechcrypto7080 whoa whoa!! Cool it with the antisemitism!

[@scottcrabtree3239]

Damn, Danny killed Platz in the Side-Tricep, but Platz killed Danny in most other poses. I think this one, should have gone to "The Quadfather"!!!!

[@thesting6820]

Danny weighed 174 lbs.! Not even 200lbs. He was less than 5ft. 1 inches tall! Every one of his poses was shot up close to make him appear bigger. Imagine what this guy weighs without steroids! It would be less than 150 lbs.

[@denali9455]

that has got to be the most aesthetic side tri i’ve seen in my whole life

[@Romans8-9]

@@thesting6820 Who cares? He was shredded to the bone. Olympia is not a height/weight contest.

[@thesting6820]

@@Romans8-9 No. I cannot agree when he was only 174, and jacked on roids. However, if they had a weight class, then yes, he should have reigned for a decades.

[@Denis-fp7ku]

Frank Zane said he was there and he had Danny in first place. Poor Danny and Platz. They got hosed.

[@botanicalabe]

Danny Padilla killed everyone in this Olympia. He deserved to win.

[@TupacComeback]

Moe's franco columbos lats and chest insert lower so no he didnt kill anyone...

[@Ticonderous1]

Moe's .. Tom Platz had it over Padilla for me..

[@edwardfortae2350]

Danny had the best overall package. However all these shots of Franco are altered on contrast. You can even see the strip of black and grey when comparing them. He blew them all away from the back and even with the gyno his chest was insane!

[@botanicalabe]

Edward Fortae 13:31 Tom Platz was showing the most detail and you can even see some striations in his glutes. Franco didn’t have the best back.

[@edwardfortae2350]

Moe's look at the background. They altered the quality. Ive seen good shots in black and white of Franco which he avoids in this video. Franco had way more back details. His legs were off for sure but his upper body was crazy. Get a few old school books from the 70s and 80s. Arnolds encyclopedia has this comparision and he wins for sure. His arms were better to from the back.

[@Roper122]

Padilla or Platz easily. Either one would have been deserving. Padilla is so underrated

[@raymondervin1596]

Cant give it to ARNOLD give it to his best friend

[@illwitness]

Raymond Ervin Tomin8r is just being diplomatic with why Franco won. Your comment above hits the nail on the head.

[@mx8819]

Arnold is a true friend

[@deathadone88]

@@illwitness arnie in his own words "franco is my best friend, I always did my best to put him in as many films as I could and he was my best friend and never had a friend like him" fixed, and fake story put out why he won.

[@stevesmith5807]

In the wake of this event, Tom Platz came to my gym, Bodybuilders, Inc. in Akron, Ohio. As a 19-year-old kid, I had questions about training and eating, and Platz answered every single one in depth. He did not seem bitter to me, although he did mention that back stage after the '81 Olympia, Franco would not make eye contact with any of his competitors. He did refer to Franco, however, as "a one-legged bodybuilder," which drew quite a few laughs from the crowd.

[@heavymetalfitness2091]

Platz deserved this one. Franco was undeserving.

[@IvefoundthetruthonMay]

I had Platz in 1st Danny 2nd and Franco in 3rd EDIT: I'm putting Roy in 3, Franco in 4th, Roy indeed looked good that night.

[@LordWout]

Danny in first imo

[@TheKessi1000]

Man, I just might have put Roy in 1st for that event. It was really close between him and Tom. Roy's upper body was a little better and Tom was lights out on everyone for legs. Tom looked thicker overall, just a little more complete than the rest. Franco was battling for third in this one.

[@commanderwatchman9994]

Arnold deserved to win. He had better steroids!

[@heavymetalfitness2091]

Stacey Hopkins ...he didn’t complete in 1981 but ok lol

[@josebarberena9564]

As I've always said, that was the biggest travesty of any Olympia. Sadly Platz was an uncrowded champ. The way his hams just hang from the bone on the side poses is mind blowing. Hardly ever seen more impressive legs ever since the Golden Eagle. And he ALWAYS showed incredible sportsmanship. He was a true lover of bodybuilding for sure and you could tell in every way. If I had such glaring gyno I'd only step on the biggest stage in the sport if I already knew beforehand I'll be taking the Sandow. Just those blobs of undefined unconditioned legs Columbu had, if it was me, I'd feel so embarrassed standing next to any of the contenders. The Olympia has always been a disgusting event determined by associations and politics. The elite of the sport has always suffered because if it to this day. :(

[@evan2249]

To think that the guy with the best legs ever isn’t a champion is so sad

[@ruckanitepreacher5618]

Yes you said it. Too many deserving men have been overlooked because of politics. If I was a pro at this time I would have just completed in the mr. Universe and called it a day.

[@SeedOilFitnessOfficial]

Arnold rigged it for his buddy

[@ProdigalSonAD70]

Not a bubble gut in sight

[@workout9594]

Robert Connor Padilla's body was insane, an aesthetic beast

[@marcosbona8260]

Franco had horrible gyno though

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

Only the good old steroids... and training 4 - 6 hours a day.

[@aidangriffiths5075]

They're not big enough to get a bubble gut

[@daveyboy_]

No bubble gut but gynecomastia

[@samson9098]

Arnold and Joe were best friend... Franco was Arnold's best friend.. No need to figure out, why

[@Mturner450]

Danny had the full package, platz had the freak factor that makes a mr. Olympia.

[@elijahrobinson2362]

Matt T Freak factor doesn’t warrant ANY major event win. Ever. Danny was better in SOME areas, and also incredible, as was Platz, but overall? Franco. Of course, it will ALWAYS stink because Arnold promoted it and another close friend was a judge. It’s a damned shame that Danny and Tom didn’t have their own wins, especially when Zane was winning (I’ve always thought he was nowhere near worthy of the Mr. O those years he ‘won’).

[@spiritoflifetruth8089]

Markus Ruhl should've placed much higher if freakiness is actually a factor for The Olympia

[@samraizshoaib585]

@@elijahrobinson2362 Freak factor certainly does. Ronnie, Jay and even Dorian prove so. As does Kai.

[@samraizshoaib585]

@@elijahrobinson2362 And no way in hell Franco should have won. He wasn't better especially overall.

[@sorenlampe951]

@@samraizshoaib585yea and thats why bodybuilding started to suck. not the most asthetic body wins - the biggest monster wins

[@HeavyJ318]

Padilla IMO had possible the most perfect physique in history here. Even if you look at his leg/torso length ratio it is perfect. If he was scaled up to 5'11 people would say he was the GOAT in this comp.

[@veg1run]

Dude totally has genetics for bodybuilding & the world stage.

[@redfalconnutrition700]

Danny padilla is clearly a champion here. The seperation,symtery and conditioning is spot on. Platz on second is fair.

[@larryjohnson2306]

Good analysis. From all I've seen, Platz should have been crowned Mr. O 1981. Judges should judge based on what they see that day, and reputation should have no influence once posing begins.

[@nerdyali4154]

Human psychology doesn't work that way. To a certain extent what people see can be influenced by what they are expecting to see. With a guy like Arnie what you see can be influenced by the aura that his fame and personality lend him.

[@larryjohnson2306]

@@nerdyali4154 - You wrote: "Human psychology doesn't work that way." My response: It is false that everyone thinks the way you described. Many people who have integrity and believe in fairness would look at each contestant and judge as honestly as possible based on what they see in the build of each man. There is often biased selection of judges and that's where the problem mostly lies.

[@louissimonelli5351]

@larryjohnson2306 Glad POLITICS haven't been mentioned. Just because the Weiders owned EVERYTHING & EVERYONE everything was on the up and up. Yeah.

[@danielcockriel443]

The depth of these past two Olympia deep-dives has been incredible - this is great stuff. Hope you continue with these!

[@Tomn8er]

Thanks dude it's been fun for me too. Didn't really know much about these older shows until doing all this research. Not sure if I'll continue with '82 as it wasn't nearly as controversial and also the Chicago and Vancouver Pros are next weekend

[@oliverhees3402]

@@Tomn8er Please, make a video about the Olympia 1983 in Munich. It was also a great booing festival there, but, in my opinien the decisions where quiet correct. The crowd wanted Bertil Fox to win, they got Samir Bannout at this time. For me, the right decision, but they loved Bertil for his freakin extra mass ..He was impressive. but lacked a little bit condition.

[@Broco1L]

Yes you’ve got a gift for sharing you knowledge and awareness. Thank You!

[@duhotatoday3277]

I like how Franco was constantly keeping his shoulders internally rotated to make his only positive part (striated chest and shoulders) constantly on display. But when you see him standing next to Padilla, Danny, despite not having such deep striations, completely dominates in terms of aesthetics. Franco's posing just looks so "caved in" in every comparison

[@grahampick1954]

Both Franco and Arnold were gifted wins for being weiders men of favour

[@zdenekburian1366]

And Franco Fassi, the italian judge, was the exclusive licensee of Weider products in Italy, so much so that - about in 1983 - I'm sure that the weight plates got the Weider-Fassi logo engraved! Italian-style business as usual!

[@debowiec3]

Weider wider...............innit!!!!!!!!!!!

[@spec24]

They're all gifted wins. Bodybuilding shows are popularity contests. If you think otherwise you're delusional.

[@grahampick1954]

Real World Warrior lowen you are living in a fantasy world

[@grahampick1954]

Real World Warrior lowen grow up

[@joelwelch7230]

Tom Platz was by far the best competitor in the 1981 Mr Olympia and definitely deserve to win

[@dbdude1231]

By the way: the Danish judge is good friends with Arnold, which could be a reason behind scoring Franco so high

[@Tomn8er]

Interesting tidbit did not know that

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Tomn8er Sven ole Thorson was one of the henchmen in Conan the barbarian (rexor or thorgrim, I can remember, ben Davidson was the other). Thorson and Franco were both in Conan.

[@rawgonza2281]

Arnold was the executive of this show

[@TheSpritz0]

@@Tomn8er Sven Ole Thorson and the ITALIAN judge Franco Fassi always voted Arnold and Franco higher than they deserved at the expense of others who were absolutely more deserving to win... You can see a video of Franco Fassi here on KZbin "President Santonja send greetings to Mr. Franco Fassi"

[@danny6241]

Danny Padilla only weighed approximately 175lbs, but he had great symmetry and balance. Because of his short stature, he was dubbed "The Giant Killer." 💪

[@hughjarms4510]

You go more in-depth than nicks strength and power.I love his channel but your channle is the best by far. Way underrated. Always the best content. Wish it was more frequently updated but ill take what I can get. Great video as always!

[@BatmanBoss]

I agree. Tom you should make a few shorter videos to get more hits and grow the channel. It might help. Great content as always

[@caius6019]

hugh jarms they cover different rhibgs its not fair to compare. Nick mostly covers history and current events tommy breaks down shows

[@hughjarms4510]

Caius I love both channels. Tom's videos are too long to do more frequently.

[@jimkay5984]

hugh jarms. I refuse to watch any of copy and paste little lame Nick's vids anymore. You're right. This vid. is well done and thorough.

[@jordandangelo1808]

Yeah I definitely agree. This is on another level than Nick’s tennager-esque style of making videos. Using basic Wikipedia info and trying to go into detail but not doing in the same intellectual way Tom does. You could tell Tom is intelligent, mature and has vocabulary behind the average KZbinr which is a huge relief for me lol great video Tom. This is the only video that didn’t just say, “ Arnold gave Franco the victory as he was the promoter “ your explanation actually made sense and it was cool to see the scorecard from the show with Jim Manion’s name on it

[@sagarnanaware3463]

Platz truly a sport. Huge respect for the Golden eagle

[@joecanadian1315]

Tom Platz got robbed. I like Franco but did not deserve better than 3rd this year.

[@chungasrevenge9222]

Were you there? Believe none of what you hear and less of what you see.

[@americafirst2159]

Franco fouth Dickerson 5th Platz 1 Danny 2 Roy 3....

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Danny Padilla should have been First and Second for Tom Platz.

[@rudymartinez9861]

This takes me back. Huge Tom Platz fan. I actually got to meet him a few times back then and observe one of his leg workouts at Gold's. Your analysis was right up there with Rick Wayne who I consider one of the truest voices of bodybuilding back then. Thanks for all the work you put into this.

[@blackirontarkus3156]

Platz and Colombu looked like they didn't even workout their triceps. Padilla's triceps were simply unmatched. He had the whole package.

[@nicolaisb2]

Platz 1 and padilla 2 in my opinion. But i agree this is a disaster! Also worth to mention that my fellow countryman Sven Ole Thorsen was one of the judges, and franco was one of his closest friends.... very unfair man

[@abbraxxis5998]

Thats right. THORSEN was a long time friend of Arnold and Franco. He was a Groomsman at Arnorlds wedding. He had bit parts in several Arnold movies including both Conan films as well as the Running man. I have no doubt this was as fixed as 1980. After this Arnold and Franco both continued to support WIEDER's magazines and still do. It was an on going business deal.

[@houstondante777]

IFBB -corrupt. Great video even someone who is not into bodybuilding can look & see that he did not deserve to win!! If you show up and you look incredible you should place Higher,Danny & Tom looked amazing. Franco was flat from the back

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Abbraxxis Actually he had a pretty big part in Conan as one of thulsa doom's henchmen.

[@zabaleta66]

Morgrimm......with the outsized warhammer.

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

Bottom line, body building is Not a SPORT, weight lifting, power lifting, running et cetera are based on facts, body building is based on opinions and money, Weider says this is my man, and the judges if they want to keep the job, they will go along. I'm Italian and I think Franco was a super star and a really l strong dude, a Latino would say the same about Padilla. My self I would've liked to look like Frank Zane no doubt.

[@josephperkins4080]

RIP FRANCO 😭😭

[@guts7179]

Padilla got robbed big time here, he was in amazing shape!

[@kevinhenry1316]

Absolutely agree ... The judges were questionable on this one for sure. Platz was robbed ... and Padilla was there. Dickerson was not good and Callender should have been 3rd ..I would have had Franco 6th behind Dickerson (4th) and Wilcox at 5th.

[@Sean-if7rp]

Danny or Tom should have won for sure

[@iluvmym4]

Sean McGeeney yep

[@big-daddy-o8576]

As a young bodybuilding fan back then, I always viewed Franco as having a squat blocky physique. He just didn’t have the beautiful symmetry that many others possessed. I never would have thought that he could break into the top three (let alone 1st)!

[@xanthromera]

The dark years of the Mr O: 1979 won by Zane but should have gone to Mentzer. 1980 Won by Schwarzenegger, should have been won by anyone else. 1981 covered here. 1982 won by Dickerson as an IFBB retirement gift.. Worst physique ever.

[@arjundev8090]

If you think there was anyone better than Arnold in 1980.. you pretty much don't know anything.. i didn't see anyone there better than Arnold.. Zane looked horrible in 1980.. but i agree with you Mike should've won in 79

[@xanthromera]

@@arjundev8090 1980 was basically rigged. Paul Graham who ran the contest was a close friend of Arnold's, in fact Arnold was best man at his wedding. I think a few guys were off on the night. Apparently Zane had been ill, Mentzer was a little flat on the night and hadn't carbed up properly, but beat Arnold in most body parts with the exception of chest. At 5'8" or 5'9" he was only about 10lbs lighter than 6'1 1/2" Arnold. The story goes that out of the 12 or so judges, only 6 or so scorecards that had Arnold in front were kept with the rest discarded. Most independent critics had Arnold placed no higher than 5th. I have spoken to Boyer Coe via email on the subject and agreed that several competitors should have placed higher but were overlooked on callouts deliberately. So hard to be objective when you weren't there. Worth mentioning that Mentzer never claimed he should have won although the media did. I think CBS scrapped their coverage of the event because even they could clearly see the comp was rigged.

[@sanctuaryism]

@@arjundev8090 arnold was gold in 1980.

[@matthewcordeiro2073]

@@sanctuaryism Get off those nuts.

[@guntertorfs6486]

@@sanctuaryism Yeah , Joe Gold.

[@josephohrablo4866]

Franco should have been 4th-6th and Arnold 3rd-5th the year before . Danny Padilla got screwed horribly in 81. He owned everyone

[@eccesignumrex4482]

Franco was breastfeeding at the time.

[@Porsche35645]

The Italian judge gave Franco Columbu a perfect score. Wow, shocking 😮😂.

[@MontaukFilms7]

Tom, you're killing it dude. LOVE your channel. Just watched this one again with my friends as a "preworkout"!!!

[@latman1]

I talked to Jim Rockell an IFBB judge at the time several years back, and he said it was no question Danny should have won the show!

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Something I just re Member reading back then was that Arnold was running around acting as Franco's "towel boy" and yucking it up in front of the judges and carrying on about how good Franco looked.

[@Vulpes_Inculta]

*Danny Padilla:* Aesthetics: check, Symmetry: check, Swoleness: checkmate! He reminds me of Zane the chemist himself. I call Padilla "Chemical X" brewed to perfection.

[@shred9475]

imagine he was 6 ft plus...

[@henhowell2433]

Not to mention that Franco columbu was still recovering from that severe knee dislocation from the 1977 strongman

[@tomchounong3933]

Olympia is corrupted at that time(1980-1981

[@NilsMueller]

It still is

[@fireplasies5647]

1980 was a screwjob 1981 was rigged and so on and still bodybuilders are getting robbed and nothing is being done.

[@DemDawwwgsEPIC-BEATDOWN]

@@fireplasies5647 rigged in 1981 too...Danny won it in 81.

[@Captain_Neckbeard]

I love Franco but this one was bull.

[@greer776611]

when I actually heard Franco say one time Mike Mentzer looked too thick- too thick? WTF - you wish you looked as good as Mike did- especially at this show buddy!

[@guntertorfs6486]

Columbu is just as big of a provoker as his buddy Arnold. Not exactly honest.

[@neftalithekushite4063]

Always psyched for your videos! I think Danny Padilla deserved to win, he's just the most complete.

[@Tomn8er]

Padilla was the most conditioned and balanced for sure. The reason I prefer Platz is for all the extra mass and freak factor

[@oliverhees3402]

@@Tomn8er Good explaination, i agree. Its not easy to decide the right ranking by pictures, but it seems that Tom is the best one here on stage overall, despite of his dominant leg development. Tom has got some other strong body parts and shows a very good condition on this pictures. Number 2 is Padilla, 3 Callander, 4 maybe Wilkosz, 5 Dickerson 6 Columbo. Greetings from Germany, thank you for this very interesting video and statements.

[@billyrj973]

Tomn8er Padilla was the most aesthetic which I believe that's what bb is about especially in the classic era. Sadly many people wanna see freaks now.

[@el34glo59]

​@@billyrj973Exactly

[@duaneyoutbe]

Columbo was so rugged looking that’s for sure. Columbo was the most rugged looking competitor at this particular Olympia. Platz at his best. He was a victim of the argument that his legs were bigger than his upper body. It was an excuse to be prejudiced towards Platz. Padilla, utterly incredible, he is deserving of a Mr Olympia Trophy and recognition. All of these people were at their best.

[@mikeramgopal3912]

Platz best ever display, Padilla's beautiful aesthetics/condition and lastly Callenders hard, full physique all outclass Columbo. Another one of those results that undermines bodybuilding.

[@prudencesidecafe2572]

I've watched contenders in different competions for almost 50 years. I am personally impressed by buiilders that came even before this. I started long after my favorite. Watching this sport changing has been a little worrying. Bulk or mass, aesthetics, ripped-muscularity and bulging-eye popping vascularity, more and more people dropping dead from the ill management of supplements-natural&synthetic, totally unnatural gym practices, striated muscle owing to a % of body fat that amounts to artificially pushing for results forward even though the body is actually cannibalizing itself, faces and intercostals looking like holocaust victims. 'Competition' means doing or having more than your fellow. Despite improvements in medicine, I'm afraid more and more people are gonna die. It's getting to just Explode every muscle group. Symmetry stands behind pure size. Bring down fat stores to absolutely dangerous levels - the less between skin and muscle the better. Topping all this is gonna eventually gonna be 50 years off your life for a little money, adulation, and a statue.

[@nerdyali4154]

Bodybuilders used to be pleasing to the eye. Body parts flowed together. Nowadays the elite look grotesque.

[@dynastychild]

Yeah. This contest placing was crazy. I forgot how good some of those competitors were. Danny Padilla was the physique that a sculptor would have presented. He was the one that most closely resembled the idealized physiques that fantasy painter Boris Vallejo would have illustrated. It just goes to show how subjective a bodybuilding score is. Franco wears the medal but it really doesn’t mean anything. I agree 100% that the order should have been as you said, and those top three would have been so neck and neck. The ultimate body was really the combination of Platz, Padilla, and Callendar. The shape of Danny’s arms. My God. His entire body show casing this kind of aesthetic. The tie ins of Roy’s pecs and delta into his biceps. That muscle density and the way each muscle belly popped off his frame. Toms mass and granite finish. Plus the guy was definitely the best ambassador for the sport. Those were the physiques that they were putting in those bodybuilding books like maxi cut legs and all those other ones from the 80’s

[@scottmartin222]

Gr8 video dude 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. The Golden Eagle took top spot for me in 81.

[@sebastianpafpaf]

81 is the worst scandal ever in my reckoning. The 80 contest was not that great a scandal as people state. People hate on the 80 contest because they compare Arnold to past Arnold. Imo the 80 win could have been giving to a handfull Arnold included but in 81 Franco(I love Franco btw) should not even have been in top 6..

[@robertsteiner7928]

Well, I think IT IS the right thing to compare Arnold from 1980 to Arnold from 1975. When winning his 6th Mr Olympia title in 1975, he already WAS NOT in the best condition of his life. Yet, he did it. However his shape in 1980 was far cry from that of 1975! (Let's consider that Bodybuilding changed/progressed over the 5 years period). I think, Arnold Schwarzenegger was in his best in 1974 and 1973. By the way, I agree: In 1981 Franco Columbu should be AT HIGHEST 6th, or not even that...

[@Eric-bf5vw]

I lost to a guy in a natural competition where he had significant gynecomastia. I couldn't believe it.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

My pick was Padilla since he had NO weak points. I think the 1981 Danny Padilla was better than many years arnie won(especially 1980)

[@xivwords5448]

Kurt Vonfricken he shoulda won 2 for sure

[@joenagy96]

Being a midget counts as a weak point

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Joe Nagy Maybe, but there's nothing he can do about it. Weak thighs and gyno should be disqualifying....

[@stevensonoma6646]

Kurt Vonfricken he is 5'2 lol that's why

[@odessafile75]

Kurt Vonfricken I agree Padilla deserved to win.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Arnold could be argued the winner with his structure and full calves from the rear in 1980. 1981 was a terrible contest and Padilla was complete so Danny Padilla should have won hands down.

[@donjeon8525]

Well-researched, well-told story. Great job! One of your Tomn8ers best videos.

[@hardertom]

Tom Platz was BRUTAL! Winner on my list!

[@inspiredmilk8351]

Great video man! Support from Canada 🇨🇦

[@gregm9602]

It’s unbelievable how good of an attitude Tom platz has about getting screwed

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Good video. I remember when all this happened. The idea that the judges "weren't ready" for platz, Padilla, and calendar doesn't make a lot of sense. They should judge the body in front of them, not their past or reputation. One flaw of the ifbb shows back then was that the judges were often friends of the competitors. This is wrong and there was almost a built in bias in all these shows.

[@Tomn8er]

They certainly SHOULD but whether they actually do is another matter entirely :P

[@phoenixrisin2269]

Platz is a great man. I know the effort that goes into contest prep and to be robbed like that and not be very upset is something I could not do. Tom Platz and Victor Martinez are unsung Mr Olympia’s. I don’t understand why people choose to ruin a sport. Franco’s legs looked like he didn’t even workout. Platz upper body was better than Franco!

[@davidwicklin9943]

I'd go with co-Mr. Olympia winners in Padilla and Platz.

[@davidson2004fatboy]

RIP Franco 1941 - 2019 👍🙏❤

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

I reallt wonder what actually happened. Was he a swimmer ? Sardinians, most of them can't swim. And we have to believe that an elderly Sardinian goes and jump in the sea for a swim ?

[@davidson2004fatboy]

@@lorenzomagazzeni5425 YEAH ! I HEAR YOU. MAYBE HE WANTED TO LEAVE THIS EARTH ? WE WILL NEVER NOW. MAYBE HE WAS an AVID SWIMMER, and THIS WAS PART of HIS DAILY ROUTINE. SHIT HAPPENS ! I HEAR they are STILL INVESTIGATING the DEATH. Have YOU HEARD ANYTHING in ITALY ?

[@billyrj973]

lorenzo magazzeni why wouldn't they? They live on an island lol.

[@AirBuddDwyer]

@@billyrj973 Don't listen to him, he's probably just from the North of Italy. Northern Italians say crazily racist things about the South all of the time (such as that Southerners are subhuman etc.) and spread all sorts of lies, like that the languages of the South are just Southerns speaking Standard Italian improperly (even though they're literally older languages than Standard Italian), or all the food the South invented actually really comes from the North. "Sardinians can't swim" has zero basis in reality and is just that guy spreading lies to reinforce his superiority complex.

[@greer776611]

Weider wanted his boys to win - Arnold and next year Franco

[@whitecrane542]

I SWEAR if you took off the head of Danny on the poses everyone would think that was Mike Mentzer and that is speaking volumes!

[@koldomakazaga6846]

I totally agree with you. For me, Tom was unfairly uncrowned

[@titaniumsteel9114]

Agree

[@thestork2210]

Crook Arnold meddle in convincing The Weiders to award Franco, no doubts.

[@sng3939]

Tom Platz 100% should’ve one that year.

[@drinkthekoolaidkids]

At that time Arnhold was starting to become a movie star and Joe Weider was cashing in on Arnholds rising fame to also push the ifbb and muscle fitness in to the mainstream.

[@robertsteiner7928]

I've started Bodybuilding in 1988, competed since 1993. So of course I am admirer of Golden Era of this sport, especially 70s' 2nd half, and 80s' first half. However, I do agree almost 100% with the video and it's commentary! Franco Columbu's 1981 victory seems to be the product of officials corruption and partiality. Tom Platz still could improve his upper body a little bit to match his huge legs. Nevertheless, I think deserved to become a Mister Olympia that year. In my opinion Mr Olympia 1981 placings should look like this: 1. Tom Platz. 2. Danny Padilla. 3. Roy Callender. 4. Jusup Wilkosz. 5. Chris Dickerson. 6. Franco Columbu. I think, if Mike Mentzer appeared with his condition from 1979 (or even 1980), surely would be in first 3. By the way, in Mr Olympia 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger shouldn't score higher than 3rd place.

[@shawshank178]

I’m convinced that Arny must’ve asked his mate Joe Wieder to give one Olympia to his other mate Franco.

[@krisdelcid5319]

I like Platz's back better than Franco, and he has better legs, I'll admit that Franco has calves, but Tom has "Cows", so personally, I feel that Tom should have won.

[@BJETNT]

I am a definite Tom platt's fan but even I would have had to give it to Danny Padilla that day. I'm glad I wouldn't have judge because I would have had a hard time picking between Danny and platt's. Franco wouldn't even have been top four.The 1980 and the 1981 was what stopped me from watching the Olympia anymore when I started watching this kind of thing in the late '90s. I realized it was just political on who won. It wasn't really who was the best bodybuilder. I saw it again in 2004 at the GNC show of strength in my hometown of New Orleans. With different judges Ronnie Coleman got fourth place with Gunther getting first. And Gunther deserved first I was there. We need to have rotating judges at the Olympia like Sean Ray says. It should be who's the best bodybuilder not who is the most well-liked either that or we need to get a computer system that does it. doesn't matter if anybody knows them or not the best body on the stage that day should win.

[@ProdigalSonAD70]

2002 Mr Olympia where the crowd was utterly appalled seeing Gunter placed 5th tops it all imo. And not too mention Gunter truly deserved the Olympia win as he would defeat Coleman 1 month later at the NPC

[@kevinwheatley2090]

TheMostHighReignsForever thats right bro i remember that comp gunter won two weeks later beating ronnie

[@Danimal77]

Bertil Fox's placing at the 1983 Mr. O was also just as criminal.

[@mattjoseph4428]

I didn't realise 81 was such a mess. I'd always been aware of the 1980 debacle but didn't pay attention to 81. Tom has been my favorite for many years but I think looking at your video, Danny should've won. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@SIenderplier]

My favourite version of Padilla, great aesthetic flowing physique.

[@garyshilton9502]

1976 and 1981. Arnold was one of the promoters for those contests. So his best mate won those contests.

[@imKeshav]

1980: I've got the most controversial Mr. Olympia of all time! 1981: Hold my Franco!

[@sanctuaryism]

l o l

[@thodorisioannidis6616]

Danni's conditioning was ahead of it's time. One of my favorite bodybuilders ever.

[@shawndaniel2719]

Tom platz had that show allday👍🏻!!!!!!!!

[@nickbritten8132]

If a judge gets caught off guard because someone comes in shape for the first time, they shouldn't be a judge.

[@jeffreylocke8808]

Franco won two Olympia's and this one was a point class debacle. Padilla was the best though in 1981.

[@alexanderspector5224]

13:23 tom platz even had striated glutes for christ sake

[@Ragnar6000]

Arnold should come forward after all these years, and come clean that the show was rigged!

[@bistredehomard2123]

Mike Menzer deserves Mr Olympia 1980 's title and Tom Platz deserves Mr Olympia 1981's title. And Nasser El Sonbaty deserves Mr Olympia 1997's title

[@Golgi-Gyges]

It had been theorized that the judges knew about Franco's prior (very) severe knee injury recovery and incorporated that aspect into the placing.

[@Apanblod]

Was it from his accident in the World's Strongest Man competition?

[@Golgi-Gyges]

@@Apanblod yes. Personally, that aspect should not have been included, if it was.

[@jbc1042]

Great video! We can tell you did a lot of research to bring to presentation to us KZbin viewers. This is a sad day for Danny Padilla and Tom Platz as well as the dedicated and informed fans that watched this travesty. Franco was an awesome bodybuilder but didn't have a 1st place physique for this competition.

[@goldburnm]

And here I thought today's scoring system was a hot mess. I bow down to you 1981! Padilla has the pleasing body overall to my eye, but his size works against him. This is probably the best Platz package--and I'm not really a huge fan of his structure. I wish Callander would have gotten more recognition during his career. 1980-1983: Olympias I prefer to forget.

[@davida6919]

What’s wrong with 1983? Samir looked incredible that year

[@sbsb4995]

Great episode. Thanks.

[@stevenserial4080]

Worst Olympia ever. It's hard for me to even say Franco won two Olympias. Danny deserved this one. Great video

[@tobiasfunke9473]

I've seen the 1980 Olympia documentary and not once does the crowd boo Arnold Arnold was still miles ahead of everyone on stage & thus there was no reason for anyone to boo his win

[@el34glo59]

Agreed

[@iambodybuildingyt221]

Tom was robbed in broad daylight 😤

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Franco, Dickerson, Padilla -- not one of them over 5'5". I actually had the top 3 as Callander, Tinnerino, Platz.