Sergio Oliva – The Myth

One of the best bodybuilders in the history of the sport is three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva. Even today, more than 20 years since he last competed and nearly 40 years since he won the Mr. Olympia title, Sergio is regarded as one of the most genetically gifted bodybuilders to ever grace a stage. 

His battles with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the late 1960s and early ’70s are the stuff of bodybuilding legend. Sergio beat Arnold at their first meeting, and Arnold won the next three, although the debate continues to this day on who deserved to win. It’s very rare that two bodybuilders of that caliber compete against each other. Their legendary battles are like Ali vs. Frazier or McEnroe vs. Connors—two champions who inspired each other to greatness. 

It’s hard to appreciate how amazing Sergio was unless you saw him in person or on video. With his tiny 28-inch waist and huge 22-inch arms, he  was a bodybuilder whose like no one had ever seen before or, in the opinion of many, since. His eye-popping mass was combined with beautiful symmetry and grace. Because of his unreal proportions and size, Sergio was given the nickname “the Myth.”

Wayne Gallasch from GMV Productions has assembled an impressive array of films featuring Sergio Oliva and put them all together in “Sergio Oliva—The Myth.” The DVD includes footage from the mid-’60s, when he was just beginning his rapid ascent to the top of the bodybuilding world, as well as many of the clashes with Schwarzenegger. 

The first competition featured is the ’66 AAU Mr. America. Even though Sergio had only been competing for two years, his incredible genetics are evident as soon as he steps onstage.

Early on, he switched from the AAU to the IFBB. He won the IFBB Mr. World in 1966 but lost the Mr. Olympia title that year to the reigning champ, Larry Scott. Sergio became the king of bodybuilding the very next year, when he won the IFBB Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles on the same night. 

The highlight of “Sergio Oliva—The Myth” is the gripping footage of Sergio and Arnold at the ’72 Mr. Olympia, which was held in Essen, Germany. Sergio was in the best shape of his life, but he lost to Arnold in one of the most controversial Mr. Olympia contests in the history of the sport. Sergio was never bigger or more cut than at that contest.

Two days later he posed for Gallasch outdoors. You’ll be amazed at the awe-inspiring mass and proportions of the Myth as he pumps up and poses for the camera. 

The DVD also includes rare footage of Sergio competing and guest-posing in contests in Australia, Mexico and Paris in the late ’70s as well as his return to the Mr. Olympia in ’84 at 43 years of age. Although he took only eighth place, finishing behind bodybuilders like Lee Haney and Samir Bannout, who grew up idolizing the Myth, his appearance electrified the audience and was the highlight of the contest.

His final contest appearance in the ’85 Mr. Olympia is also featured on the DVD as well as one of his last guest-posing exhibitions—alongside Albert Beckles at the IFBB Mr. Germany. Even though Sergio was 13 years past his prime at that point, his awesome shape, proportions and size still blew away all who were fortunate to witness him onstage. 

“Sergio Oliva—The Myth” is a classic DVD that deserves to be in every bodybuilder’s collection.

—John Hansen

 

Editor’s note: “Sergio Oliva—The Myth” is available from Home Gym Warehouse, www.Home-Gym.com.