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Sergio Oliva

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Not to be confused with Sergi Oliva.

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, United States
Best statistics
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1]
WeightContest: 225 lb (102 kg)
Off season: 235 lb (107 kg)[1]
Professional (Pro) career
Pro-debut
  • 1966 Mr. World
  • 1966
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia 1967-1969, three consecutive times
  • 1968 uncontested and unchallenged
PredecessorLarry Scott
SuccessorArnold Schwarzenegger
Active1962–1985

Sergio Oliva (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo oˈliβa]; 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.

Early life

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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, including 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]

Life in the United States

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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.[citation needed] In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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.[citation needed] In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger.

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.

Personal life

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  • Oliva was a police officer in Chicago from 1976 to 2003.[4]
  • In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife Arleen Garrett. He sustained 5 bullet wounds to his abdomen from a .38 Special.[6]
  • His son, Sergio Oliva Jr., is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder who won the 2015 NPC Nationals bodybuilding competition, and who has since competed on Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and New York Pro stages.[7][8]

Death

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Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure.[9] He was 71 years old.

Bodybuilding titles

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Year Level Title/Organization Overall Position Notes
1963 City Mr. Chicago 1st
1964 State Mr. Illinois 1st
1964 National Mr. America / AAU 7th
1965 National Junior Mr. America / AAU 2nd “Most Muscular” Trophy
1965 National Mr. America / AAU 4th “Most Muscular” Trophy
1966 National Junior Mr. America / AAU 1st “Most Muscular” Trophy
1966 National Mr. America / AAU 2nd “Most Muscular” Trophy
1966 International Mr. World / IFBB 1st 1st in the “Tall” Category
1966 International Mr. Universe / IFBB[citation needed] 1st
1966 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 4th
1967 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 1st
1967 International Mr. Universe / IFBB[citation needed] 1st
1968 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 1st Second Consecutive Win;

Uncontested & Unchallenged

1969 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 1st Third Consecutive Win
1970 International Mr. World / AAU (Pro) - 2nd in the “Tall” Category
1970 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 2nd
1971 International Mr. Universe / NABBA (Pro) - 2nd in the “Tall” category
1972 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 2nd
1972 International Mr. Galaxy / WBBG 1st
1973 International Mr. International, Mr. Azteca[citation needed] / IFBB (Pro) 1st
1973 International Mr. Galaxy / WBBG 1st
1974 International Mr. International / WBBG (Pro) 1st
1975 International Mr. Olympus / WBBG 1st
1976 International Mr. Olympus / WBBG 1st
1977 International Pro World Championships / WABBA 1st
1978 International Mr. Olympus / WBBG 1st
1980 International Pro World Championships / WABBA 1st
1980 International Professional World cup / WABBA 1st
1981 International Professional World cup / WABBA 1st
1984 International Mr. Olympia / IFBB 8th
1984 Inter-State Professional Mid-States Championships / WABBA 1st
1985 Inter-State Mr. Olympia / IFBB[10] 8th

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "Sergio Oliva - Cuban bodybuilder | WikiZ". Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ "Ex-mr. Universe Turned Cop Shot In Quarrel With His Wife". Chicago Tribune. July 25, 1986. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "Contests | NPC News Online". contests.npcnewsonline.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Sergio Oliva Jr IFBB Professional Bodybuilder". www.sergioolivajr.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  9. ^ Kiran, Joseph. "How did Sergio Oliva (The Myth) die?". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Sergio Oliva the Myth, Building the Ultimate Physique by Sergio Oliva and Frank Marchante 2007 page 320 {by Gras Publishing company}
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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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