Still Celebrated as One of the Best Aesthetic Physiques Ever, Legend Frank Zane Says He “Never Really Bowed Down to Any Judge”

Since his retirement from the sport in 1983, 3X Mr. Olympia Frank Zane has often voiced his concerns about the changing standards of the sport on multiple occasions. Zane believes that the ever-growing size of modern bodybuilders and awkward posing is a result of bad judging by the panel who “don’t know anything about it.” As a sport thinker, Zane opened up about one of his own experiences with the judges while he was still the defending champion. 

Zane was recently featured on The Mike O’Hearn Show. Zane was not in pursuit of being acclaimed for having the best physique but to earn that title on his own merit. While talking about this, he revealed an incident that happened with one of the judges during the 1979 Olympia.

Zane believed in fair play

Zane revealed that he had his greatest physique during the 79′ Olympia. But there was one judge who gave him a low score. After discussing with the judge, Zane discovered that from the angle from which the judge was scoring, he did not appear to be that impressive. He also stated that he always respected and accepted the judges’ decisions.

However, he shed light on the fact that there were a few bodybuilders who were favorites of the judges and received favorable outcomes as a result. “I never really bowed down to any judge or went to him and played up to them that much…I just wanted to win it on my own,” said Zane. 

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Zane was known for his calm and composed nature both on and off stage. He would often consult the judges to understand his weak points to improve them but he never challenged their decision. His calm and confident nature was pretty much evident during the 1979 Olympia.

How Zane emerged victorious at the 79′ Olympia? 

It was during this period that the judges started to place a greater emphasis on the bigger bodybuilders. While Frank Zane had an aesthetic, symmetrical physique, he was standing against Mike Mentzer who was a bigger bodybuilder. Despite this, Zane stayed confident in himself. He did what he was best at and continued posing elegantly. “I hit a pose and I hold it until all the flashes have gone off,” revealed Zane.

While Mentzer did have a bit of extra muscle mass compared to Zane, it was The Chemist who had much more experience than Mentzer. Mike would strike a pose and then turn to face Zane. But Zane merely kept posing and never returned Mike’s gaze. Mentzer’s glances at Zane made everyone look at Zane as well.

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Zane appeared calm and serene by the end of the posedown, whereas Mike looked tired and anxious. The judges finally gave out their verdict and announced Zane as the still-reigning champion. His calm and confident nature helped him win the Sandow Trophy for the third time in 1979.