“Sergio Was Better Than Arnold”: Bodybuilding Legend Who Defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger Disclosed the Unknown Details About 1972 Mr. Olympia

Seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger and three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane first met on the stage in 1968. That year, the Austrian Oak faced off against Zane in the Mr. Universe contest, and the American won. However, soon Schwarzenegger would make massive improvements after taking advice from Reg Park. By 1970, Schwarzenegger captured the Mr. Olympia crown defeating his arch-rival and former Mr. Olympia, Sergio Oliva. In 1972, Zane participated in his first Mr. Olympia and got an on-stage view of the battle between The Myth and the Austrian Oak. 

On March 31, the 80-year-old bodybuilding legend sat down for an interview with Generation Iron. During his interview, the former Mr. Universe talked about competing against Schwarzenegger and Oliva for the first time on the Olympia stage. While the Austrian won his third Olympia that year, Zane had an interesting take on his physique when compared to Oliva’s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t ready?

During his conversation with the interview, the King of Aesthetics recounted his experience at the 1972 Mr. Olympia. Zane said it was his first Olympia, and he had entered the contest shortly after winning the NABBA Mr. Universe, “pro-universe” title. “I went from London, the next day, to Essen, Germany which is where it (Mr. Olympia) was,” Zane said.

The 80-year-year recalled seeing all the big names in bodybuilding at the show. Sergio Oliva, Schwarzenegger’s arch-rival was there too. The Myth had lost his title to Schwarzenegger in 1970, and the IFBB didn’t allow him to compete in 1971 Mr. Olympia. Seeing Oliva and Schwarzenegger side-by-side, Zane felt that the defending champion was not in the best shape.

“Sergio was better than Arnold. Arnold was like maybe a month out, you know,” said Frank Zane. Zane thought that then two-time Mr. Olympia still needed a month to nail his conditioning. “He wasn’t really ripped like Sergio was, Sergio had a lot going on,” stated Zane. However, he also implied that Schwarzenegger had the home advantage. “It was in Germany. Now come on…” said Zane. However, not just the King of Aesthetics but Schwarzenegger himself made a startling statement.

What the Austrian Oak thought about the contest

The 1972 Mr. Olympia is one of the more controversial editions of the premier bodybuilding contest. According to Sergio Oliva, he was set up to lose from the beginning. Oliva claimed that the organizers made the tallest bodybuilder (Arnold Schwarzenegger) stand in front while he stood slightly behind.

READ MORE | Frank Zane Called Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Late Friends’ Victory “The Worst Decision Anybody Ever Made in a Mr. Olympia Contest” in 2019

The setup put Sergio Oliva at a disadvantage, and even fellow competitor Serge Nubret said, “They have cheated you.” However, Oliva also clarified that Schwarzenegger wasn’t in on it. In fact, when he later found out, the Austrian Oak said, “I don’t deserve to win this.”

What did you make of Frank Zane’s revelation? Did you think Sergio Oliva deserved to win the 1972 Mr. Olympia? Let us know in the comments.

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