Who Is Sergio Oliva?
The only bodybuilder to ever defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Olympia, Sergio Oliva is known as The Myth and is regarded as one of, if not THE, greatest bodybuilders in history.
Sergio, a Cuban immigrant who settled in America, was a police officer, a father, and one of the most dedicated and modest bodybuilders who has ever lived.
Arnold, who was known for his rivalry with Sergio, wrote the following in response to Sergio’s passing:
“Sergio Oliva was a good friend and one of the finest bodybuilders of all time. A unique individual who is a hard competitor with a large personality.
Sergio-1969-Olympia-Arnold
I created my posing routines, did you know that? One of the issues with the large promotion men was that. They can’t claim to have created me. Uh, uh. I was solely created by my God, my heart, and the fact that I worked so hard.
Body Measurements Of Sergio Oliva
| Full Name: | Sergio Oliva |
| HEIGHT: | 5’10” (177.5cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 225 – 235lbs (102.1 – 106.6kg) |
| NATIONALITY: | Cuban |
| PROFESSION: | Bodybuilder, Policeman, Actor |
| ERA: | 1960, 1970, 1980 |
Notable Successes
Being a bodybuilder
- Mr. Chicago – First in 1963
- First-place 1964 Mr. Illinois
- Mr. America in 1964 – AAU, 7th
- AAU’s 1965 Junior Mr. America placed second.
- Junior Mr. America in 1965 – Most Muscular, AAU
- 1965 Mr. America – AAU, fourth place
- Mr. America, Most Muscular, AAU, 1965
- Junior Mr. America, AAU, 1966, Winner
- Junior Mr. America in 1966 – Most Muscular, AAU
- Mr. America – AAU, 2nd, 1966
- Mr. America, Most Muscular, 1966
- Mr. World – IFBB, Overall Champion, 1966
- 1966 Mr. World – Tall, First Overall, IFBB
- Mr. Universe in 1966 and IFBB champion
- Mr. Olympia in 1966 – IFBB, fourth
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, Winner in 1967
- 1967 Universe – Overall Champion IFBB
- 1968 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, the undisputed champion
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, Winner in 1969
- 1970 Mr. World – Pro Tall, AAU, Second
- 1970 Mr. Olympia, IFBB, second place
- 1971 Universe – Pro – Tall, 2nd place NABBA
- 1972 Mr. Olympia, IFBB, second place
- Mr. Galaxy, first place 1972 WBBG
- IFBB, Professional, 1973 Mr. International/Mr. Azteca, 1st
- Mr. Galaxy – WBBG, 1st, 1973
- First-place 1974 Mr. International – WBBG
- Mr. Olympus, WBBG 1975 Winner
- The 1976 WBBG Mr. Olympus Award winner
- Pro World Championships in 1977: WABBA, first
- 1978 Mr. Olympus, winner of the WBBG
- Pro World Championships in 1980: WABBA, first
- WABBA won the 1980 Professional World Cup.
- WABBA won the 1981 Professional World Cup.
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 8th place, 1984
- Professional Mid-States Championships of 1984: WABBA first place
- Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 8th place in 1985
Biography
Short Career of Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva, a force in Cuba, was born and raised there. His father encouraged him to enlist in Fulgencio Batista’s army at the age of 16 to fight communism.
Sergio remained in Cuba and frequently hung out on the beach after losing the battle to Fidel Castro but thankfully escaped without injury.
Following a few passes by Sergio, a member of the communist party complimented Sergio’s body and handed him a business card identifying himself as the team manager of the Cuban weightlifting squad.
Taking up weightlifting with the Cuban team
The first thing Sergio was concerned about was the diet needed to become a professional weightlifter. “Let me take care of that. You only need to visit me.
The following day, when construction worker Sergio arrived at the Roger Gonzalez Gym in the city of Guanabacoa, he was instructed to proceed silently to the lifting platform.
Sergio was ordered to lift an Olympic bar above his head after the guy had loaded it with two 45-pound plates on either side (220 pounds total). He completed it with ease.
That was it; the team’s management hired Sergio to clean the gym, paid him once per week, and began teaching him.
Sergio, 21, of Cuba, who was competing in his first amateur event, smashed three records in quick succession, including two that he had set himself in previous lifts.
With his Clean, Snatch, and Clean and Jerk at 900 pounds when he arrived, Sergio continued to refine his technique in Russia. The training was successful, and by the time he left, Sergio was training at 1300 pounds.
Escape from Cuba
Returning to Cuba to get ready for the Pan American Games in Kingston, Jamaica, was the next step. His life altered as a result of this contest.
After a productive day of competition, Sergio snuck past the armed guards and rushed as quickly as he could to the American consulate, where he requested political asylum from Fidel Castro’s communist government.
Sergio was followed by Fidel Castro’s whole Olympic weightlifting team, along with their security personnel.
The Myth’s next stop was Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman. On the FBI’s recommendation, Sergio then relocated to Chicago in 1963.
(He chose Chicago because he liked the name). This distanced him from Cubans and the possibility of being found by any of Castro’s secret Police.
He was finally able to practice and participate in bodybuilding in Chicago after it had been outlawed in Cuba under the communist dictatorship.
972-Mr.-Olympia-Pumping-Up
“He was a great, great guy. Because I lived on the West Coast and he lived in Chicago, we didn’t spend a lot of time together back then, but we did connect when we were at contests and other events we went to.
And he frequented the Arnold Classic in later years. I had the utmost respect for him—his character, work ethic, appearance, everything.
I can assure you that Sergio will never be matched. After him, everything is a fraud. He was the first person. The Myth, he was.
Competing in the IFBB, the Austrian Oak Rivalry
In 1966, Sergio became a member of the IFBB, where he won the titles of Mr. World Tall Class and Overall.
This was only the start. Sergio won the IFBB Mr. Olympia in 1967, went unchallenged in 1968, and defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was supposed to be his greatest competitor, in 1969.
Sergio and Arnold again competed for the championship at the 1970 Mr. Olympia, with the Austrian taking home the prize, which Sergio and some people today feel was stolen from him.
Sergio quickly left the IFBB in 1972 after losing to Schwarzenegger once more. He then joined the WBBG (World Bodybuilding Guild) and dominated there. Following this achievement, he entered the WABBA federation and enjoyed several successes.
In 1984, he returned to the IFBB. However, because of his lack of preparation, Sergio only finished eighth in that year’s Mr. Olympia, earning him the moniker “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Final IFBB Competition And Retirement Of Sergio
Sergio’s final professional bodybuilding contest was the IFBB Mr. Olympia in 1985, where he again finished eighth and Lee Haney won the event for the second time in a row.
The Myth had intended to compete in the 1986 Olympics, but a domestic dispute with his wife turned tragic, and Sergio, then 45, was fatally shot five times.
Even though Sergio was mortally hurt, he was nevertheless able to drive himself to the Chicago hospital where he recovered.
Sergio put a lot of effort into his bodybuilding profession. His work ethic was unwavering as he put in long hours in a foundry and then rigorous 3- to 4-hour workouts.
He also spent 27 years of his professional life working for the Chicago Police Department (in uniforms that were specially tailored to fit his 60-inch chest).
On November 12th, 2012, Sergio would sadly pass away from kidney difficulties, leaving behind his son, Sergio Oliva JR, who had carried on his father’s legacy.
He was the first Mr. Olympia to pass away. Many people still think of Sergio Oliva as having one of the best bodies ever and as the only bodybuilder to ever defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Mr. Olympia title.
“People claim that I only lift weights. I’m not sure about that, but look at my arms and tell me my methods are ineffective.
Training (Workout)
Sergio Olivia, a bodybuilder whose native tongue did not include the word “overtraining,” engaged in somewhat unusual training. Sergio’s joints had suffered as a result of his early weightlifting days.
Sergio adjusted his strategy after a fellow bodybuilder commented that he eventually couldn’t lock out lifts because his elbows would dislocate or his knees would bend backward.
He might utilize heavy weights while only making partial motions because there is significantly less risk of injury. After a long day of performing a physically demanding job in a foundry, Sergio would also work out intensely for 2-3 hours.
Sergio frequently performed 20–30 sets, keeping his form flexible and concentrating his tension on the desired spot while avoiding his connective tissues.
Sergio typically used a variety of exercises to train a muscle, making sure to hit the entire muscle. He was also renowned for his antagonistic supersets, which involved training opposing muscle groups.
“You worked incredibly hard all day. Because of how intense it was, I only started dieting three weeks before each event in 1984, from the first one to the last. I was eating everything, therefore I did not need to diet.
Nutrition (Diet Plan)
Sergio reportedly ate everything he wanted, including burgers, hot dogs, and carbonated beverages before the competition.
One of Sergio’s supervisors visited the lunch area during a shift to learn what secret diet Oliva was following to maintain her figure, only to discover Oliva chowing down on two packs of Twinkies and a bottle of Mountain Dew.
When questioned why he carried a thermos of hot coffee while working out, Sergio explained that it provided him with energy and caused him to perspire. After the workout, water was saved.
“I’m not sure, but I had it. It seemed as though I took care of myself. I abstain from drinking, smoking, and all other vices. I’d just go to work.
Influences And Idols
Sergio’s training buddy is the number one contender for his biggest influence. Mr. America and Mr. Universe in 1966.
Sergio trained in the Duncan YMCA gym, which was run by Bob Gajda, who was the pioneer of the Chicago bodybuilding scene.
It’s important to note that Bob won the 1966 Mr. America competition after defeating Sergio, which led to his eventual retirement from the competition. Little is known about the inspirations that led Oliva to pursue bodybuilding outside of Bob Gajda.
What Sergio Oliva Can Teach Us?
One of the greatest in bodybuilding was Sergio Oliva. The Cuban refugee, though, was also among the most modest.
The best illustration of this is adding 3 hours of instruction after 10 hours of labor-intensive work. The same goes for Sergio’s lengthy tenure as a Chicago PD officer.
The majority of bodybuilders moved to the warmer California coast, where they spent their days lounging about and trying to land lucrative Hollywood gigs, but Sergio kept true to himself.