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

Bodybuilding legend Frank Zane is one of the bodybuilders who had a tremendous aesthetic physique back in the day. Moreover, he is especially known for his classic muscular definitions and wisdom about the sport. The 3X Mr. Olympia began his bodybuilding journey in his teenage and started competing in 1961 at the teen level.

Zane was also one of the bodybuilders who defeated the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, after that one time, Arnold never lost to him again. A few years ago, Frank Zane openly criticized the decision of the 1981 Mr. Olympia winner and revealed his choice of champion.

Frank Zane disclosed his opinion on 1981 Mr. Olympia’s result

Franco Columbu won Mr. Olympia in 1981. However, Frank Zane felt that was the worst decision in the history of Mr. Olympia. Zane felt Danny Padilla was the bodybuilder with the best physique that year. Moreover, he was sidelined because of his smaller height.

In an interview in 2019, Zane said, “The way it went with Franco winning in 1981 was probably the worst decision anybody ever made in a Mr. Olympia contest. Padilla was incredible and I think he should have won.” 

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Frank was pretty sure who should have won the contest and he knew that would not happen. However, Frank felt he should have competed in the 1981 Mr. Olympia in place of the 1980 Mr. Olympia. Why did he say so?

Why did Frank not compete in Mr. Olympia 1981?

Frank Zane won three consecutive Mr. Olympia from 1977 to 1979. Even though he wasn’t in his 100 percent shape in 1980, he still competed in that one. However, in 1980, Mr. Olympia ended to be one of the most controversial ones. Because Arnold Schwarzenegger took a surprise entry in 1980, Mr. Olympia, just before the competition began.

And when several bodybuilders, including Zane, protested against this, no action was taken. In addition, to increase the situation, Arnold also won the 1980 title. As a result, some massive bodybuilders like Frank Zane, Mike Mentzer, and Boyer Coe boycotted the 1981 Mr. Olympia, which gave other bodybuilders an open opportunity to win the mega-event in 1981.

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Judging bodybuilding is a very tough thing to do because everybody can have their own opinions about the winner. Just like many thought, Jay Cutler should have won much earlier than he actually did. Similarly, Frank Zane has his opinion of the 1981 Mr. Olympia result.