Sergio Oliva

Last updated

Sergio Oliva
Professional bodybuilder
Personal info
NicknameThe Myth
Born(1941-07-04)July 4, 1941
Pinar del Río, Cuba
DiedNovember 12, 2012(2012-11-12) (aged 71)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Best statistics
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [1]
WeightContest: 225 lb (102 kg)
Off season: 235 lb (107 kg) [1]
Professional (Pro) career
Pro-debut
  • Mr. World
  • 1966
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia, 1967-1969
Predecessor Larry Scott
Successor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Active1962–1985

Sergio Oliva (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjooˈliβa] ; July 4, 1941 – November 12, 2012), often known by his epithet 'The Myth' for his physique and performance, was a Cuban American bodybuilder and three-time Mr. Olympia winner.

Contents

Early life

Sergio Oliva was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba, [2] during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista. As a teenager, Sergio was able to perform clean & jerks above 400 pounds. [3] He was selected to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America and Caribbean Games. [4] While representing Cuba in Jamaica, he successfully claimed political asylum in the United States. Soon after, 65 other Cuban nationals, which included Castro's entire weightlifting team and their security guards, followed Oliva by seeking asylum in the US. In the United States Oliva lived in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman. [5]

Career

Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three years from 1967 to 1969 in a row. He competed at a contest weight of 225–245 lbs. His second title in 1968 was uncontested. [6] In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger. [6]

Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia competition due to the fact that he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe, allowing Schwarzenegger to claim the title. [7] In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger. [8]

In 1985, Oliva returned for a final attempt at the Mr. Olympia title. He finished this year in 8th place - repeating his position from the previous year. [9]

Personal life

Death

Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure. [13]

Bodybuilding titles

YearLevelTitle/OrganizationOverall PositionNotes
1963CityMr. Chicago1st
1964StateMr. Illinois1st
1964National Mr. America / AAU 7th
1965NationalJunior Mr. America / AAU2nd“Most Muscular” Trophy
1965NationalMr. America / AAU4th“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966NationalJunior Mr. America / AAU1st“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966NationalMr. America / AAU2nd“Most Muscular” Trophy
1966InternationalMr. World / IFBB1st1st in the “Tall” Category
1966InternationalMr. Universe / IFBB[ citation needed ]1st
1966International Mr. Olympia / IFBB4th
1967International Mr. Olympia / IFBB1st
1967InternationalMr. Universe / IFBB[ citation needed ]1st
1968International Mr. Olympia / IFBB1stSecond Consecutive Win;

Uncontested & Unchallenged

1969International Mr. Olympia / IFBB1stThird Consecutive Win
1970InternationalMr. World / AAU (Pro)-2nd in the “Tall” Category
1970International Mr. Olympia / IFBB2nd
1971InternationalMr. Universe / NABBA (Pro)-2nd in the “Tall” category
1972International Mr. Olympia / IFBB2nd
1972InternationalMr. Galaxy / WBBG1st
1973InternationalMr. International, Mr. Azteca[ citation needed ] / IFBB (Pro)1st
1973InternationalMr. Galaxy / WBBG1st
1974InternationalMr. International / WBBG (Pro)1st
1975InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st
1976InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st
1977InternationalPro World Championships / WABBA1st
1978InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st
1980InternationalPro World Championships / WABBA1st
1980InternationalProfessional World cup / WABBA1st
1981InternationalProfessional World cup / WABBA1st
1984International Mr. Olympia / IFBB8th
1984Inter-StateProfessional Mid-States Championships / WABBA1st
1985International Mr. Olympia / IFBB [14] 8th

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Sergio Oliva - Greatest Physiques". greatestphysiques.com. July 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ ctosadmin (January 1, 1970). "Oliva, Sergio". Cubans in America (in Spanish). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ (2012, Nov). "Sergio Oliva "The Myth" – R.I.P." Iron Man Magazine.
  4. 1 2 Merritt, Greg. "Sergio Oliva: The Full, Amazing Story of The Myth". The Barbell. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ Wayne, Rick (1985). Muscle Wars. St. Martin's Press. p. 95. ISBN   0-312-55353-6.
  6. 1 2 "The Complete Mr. Olympia Winners Gallery - Muscle & Fitness". Muscle and Fitness. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ Merritt, Greg (March 15, 2023). "The 1971 Mr. Olympia - The Barbell". The Barbell. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Memories Of The Myth: Greats Pay Tribute To Sergio Oliva." Bodybuilding.com.
  9. ↑ Merritt, Greg (February 27, 2024). "Sergio Oliva: The Full Story of The Myth". The Barbell. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Ex-mr. Universe Turned Cop Shot In Quarrel With His Wife". Chicago Tribune . July 25, 1986. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Contests | NPC News Online". contests.npcnewsonline.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Sergio Oliva Jr IFBB Professional Bodybuilder". www.sergioolivajr.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Legendary Bodybuilder Sergio Oliva Dies - Muscle & Fitness". Muscle & Fitness. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
  14. ↑ Sergio Oliva the Myth, Building the Ultimate Physique by Sergio Oliva and Frank Marchante 2007 page 320 (by Gras Publishing company)
Mr. Olympia
Preceded by:
Larry Scott 		First (1967)Succeeded by:
himself
Preceded by:
himself		Second (1968)Succeeded by:
himself
Preceded by:
himself		Third (1969)Succeeded by:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
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