“A Six-Foot-Five, 265-Pound Giant From Brooklyn”: Despite Being Touted as “Bodybuilding’s New Wunderkind” in 1973, Lou Ferrigno With His Hulk-Like Physique Was Still Unable to Stop Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Juggernaut of Olympia Wins

Arnold Schwarzenegger was the new kid in town when he dethroned arch-rival Sergio Oliva in 1970. After becoming Mr. Olympia in 1970, Arnie defended his crown three times. However, in 1974, the Austrian Oak found himself in the shoes of Sergio Oliva. While bodybuilders of his era competed at around 240 lbs weight, a new challenger arrived who dwarfed the competition in height and weight. 

In 1973 when Arnold Schwarzenegger won his fourth Mr. Olympia title, 22-year-old Lou Ferrigno defended his Mr. Universe title. Ferrigno was a massive bodybuilder who even towered over the Austrian Oak. The media hyped Ferrigno as the one who could dethrone Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his 2012 book, Anire revealed what the build-up to the 1974 Mr. Olympia looked like.

Lou Ferrigno was touted as the new Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote how Joe Weider’s marketing writers hit the ball out of the park. “This year’s drama revolved around bodybuilding’s new wunderkind, Lou Ferrigno,” wrote Arnie. In 1974, Ferrigno was 22 and had immense potential. The seven-time Mr. Olympia said Ferrigno improved at a rapid pace, and had the Mr. Amerca as well.

“Now he was training to knock me off as Mr. Olympia,” wrote the bodybuilding legend. Schwarzenegger described Ferrigno’s physique in his book Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story. He wrote that Ferrigno was “a six-foot-five, 265-pound giant from Brooklyn.” The then-newcomer also had features similar to the Austrian Oak. “He had a terrific frame, wide shoulders, incredible abs…” Arnie stated.

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Schwarzenegger also confessed that Ferrigno could train even longer than him in the gym. The five-time Mr. Universe said the Hulk actor trained six hours each day for six days a week. “More than even my body could stand,” wrote Anire. The seven-time Mr. Olympia thought he had nothing left to prove as he had won four Mr. Olympia titles. He also decided to retire after facing off against Ferrigno in 1974. However, on stage, the tables turned.

The Austrian Oak dominated the competition in 1974

While the media had hyped up the newcomer, Arnold Schwarzenegger showed why he had won four Mr. Olympia titles consecutively. In 1974, Arnold stepped on stage in arguably his best shape. Schwarzenegger looked massive, and his conditioning was better than in previous years. “I copied his poses, doing each one better than him,” Schwarzenegger wrote in his book.

The Austrian also wrote that during the final posedown, Ferrigno looked depressed, as if he had accepted his defeat. The bodybuilding legend said everyone, including the judges and the competitors, knew Arnie had clinched his 5th title. After his phenomenal performance, Arnie didn’t retire and won his 6th title the following year.

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While Lou Ferrigno had immense potential, Schwarzenegger had experience, talent, and charisma, on his side.