The bodybuilding world witnessed a heated and highly contested Mr. Olympia competition in 1980. The two iconic figures, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Mentzer faced off against each other on stage. Decades later, the debate over who truly deserved to win that night has been reignited. However, it is the Instagram post of the Popular Instagram Page The Golden Days that has created a buzz all across social media platform 

The post showcased a glimpse of the 1980 Mr. Olympia, capturing the intense moment when the two legends posed against each other. Fans flooded the comment section, expressing their opinions and reigniting the debate surrounding this controversial event. As fans reminisced about 1980, Mr. Olympia, a central point of contention over the physique conditioning of the two competitors, aroused. 

Fans chose their favorite from the two

Supporters of Mike Mentzer argued that he displayed superior conditioning compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mentzer’s physique was praised for its crisp lines, defined muscle separation, and overall aesthetic appeal. A fan wrote, “Mentzer was the better condition that day”. 

Many fans believed that Mentzer’s sculpted body showcased a level of conditioning that surpassed Schwarzenegger’s. A fan commented, “Mentzer of course, it’s not about preference we are not 5 years old is about honesty. And Mentzer was by far superior that year.”

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On the other hand, supporters of Arnold Schwarzenegger contested the notion that physique conditioning was the sole determinant of victory. They argued that even if it was not Schwarzenegger’s best day, he still possessed the undeniable charisma and stage presence that had propelled him to previous victories. “As much as I’m a fan of Mentzer’s physique and methods…Arnold was not in his best form that day, but Arnold on a bad day still beats Mentzer.”, a fan commented. “Arnold beat him 100% even tho he wasn’t at his best.“, another fan added.    

Revisiting the 1980 Mr. Olympia and the Schwarzenegger-Mentzer rivalry

Schwarzenegger’s supporters emphasized his mass, symmetry, and dominance as the factors that should have secured him the win, regardless of his conditioning. One fan wrote, “Arnold still wins”. The fairness of the judgment at the 1980 Mr. Olympia was another aspect that resurfaced during the revived debate. 

Critics argued that the judging panel may have been influenced by Schwarzenegger’s reputation and past victories, leading to biased decision-making. “Olympia became a money-grabbing corrupted sh**place”, a fan commented. They claimed that Mentzer’s superior conditioning and aesthetic appeal should have been enough to outweigh any favoritism towards Schwarzenegger. Fan commented, “Mike Mentzer was robbed of his crown that day period.”

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The revival of the debate surrounding the highly contested Mr. Olympia of 1980 has once again brought the rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Mentzer into the spotlight. Overall, the debate serves as a testament to the impact these two iconic figures had on the sport and the enduring interest in their accomplishments.