Sergio Oliva

Infobox bodybuilder
name = Sergio Oliva


image_size = 160px
image_caption = Sergio "The Myth" Oliva
nickname = The Myth
birthdate = birth date and age|1941|07|04
birthplace =
deathdate =
deathplace =
height = 5 Ft. 9 in.
weight = 255 lb
firstproshow = 1966 Mr. World
firstproshowyear = 1966
bestwin = IFBB Mr. Olympia 1967-1969, three consecutive times
bestwinyear =
predecessor = Larry Scott
successor = Arnold Schwarzenegger
yesorretiredyear = Retired 1984

Sergio Oliva is known in bodybuilding circles as "The Myth". This sobriquet was given to him by bodybuilder/writer Rick Wayne. Wayne had begun calling Oliva "The Myth" "(because everyone who saw him at the 1967 Montreal World's Fair said he was "JUST UNBELIEVABLE")". [cite book| last = Wayne| first = Rick| authorlink = Rick Wayne| title = Muscle Wars|publisher = St. Martin's Press| date = 1985| pages =P. 257| id = ISBN 0-312-55353-6]

Background

Early life

Oliva was born in Cuba on July 4, 1941. At the age of twelve he worked with his father in the sugar canefields of Guambaco. When Oliva was 16, his father suggested that he enlist in Fulgencio Batista's army. In the absence of a birth certificate, the recruiting officer took the senior Oliva's word that his son was old enough to enlist in the fight against communism.

After losing the war to Fidel Castro, Oliva took to hanging out at the beach. There he met a fellow sun worshipper who invited him to the local weightlifting club. After just six months of training Oliva was doing clean & jerks with over 400 pounds. Totalling 1000 pounds in the three Olympic lifts at a bodyweight of 195lbs, considered a middle-heavyweight. With his impressive weightlifting feats he was soon chosen to represent Cuba at the 1961 Pan American Games hosted in Kingston, Jamaica.

During his stay in Jamaica, Oliva snuck out of his quarters while the guards were distracted. He ran at top speed until he was safely inside the American consulate. Arriving breathlessly he demanded and received political asylum. Soon, sixty-five other Cuban nationals followed him, including Castro's entire weightlifting team. Soon afterword, Oliva was living in Miami, Florida working as a TV repairman. [cite book| last = Wayne| first = Rick| authorlink = Rick Wayne| title = Muscle Wars|publisher = St. Martin's Press| date = 1985| pages =P. 95| id = ISBN 0-312-55353-6]

Life in the United States

In 1963 Oliva moved to Chicago, Illinois. There he worked at a local steel mill and began working out at the Duncan YMCA. Working 10-12 hour days at the steel mill and putting in another 2.5-3 hours at the gym gave Oliva very little time for anything else. Soon the bodybuilding grapevine was abuzz with gossip about a Cuban powerhouse who lifted more than any of the local Olympic champs. Oliva won his first bodybuilding competition -- the minor Mr. Chicago contest in 1963 -- he was successful again at the Mr. Illinois in 1964. He lost in 1965 at the AAU Jr. Mr. America winning 2nd place and still won the trophy for "Most Muscular". In 1966, he finally won the AAU Jr. Mr. America and again he claimed the trophy for "Most Muscular". He then joined the International Federation of BodyBuilders IFBB in which he won both the Mr. World Contest and the Mr. Universe titles. In 1967 he won the prestigious Mr. Universe contest. Oliva then went on to win the Mr. Olympia title three years in a row. At 5 feet 9 inches and at a contest weight between 240lbs-255lbs, Oliva displayed a level of muscle mass and definition - including a "V" shape to his large, well-formed upper-body that tapered down to a narrow waist - unlike anything seen in prior competitions. His upper arms measured nearly 23 inches unflexed, forearms were 20 inches, his chest measured at over 58 inches, his waist tapered down to 28 inch waist and two well-muscled legs measuring 33 inches. Oliva would go on to win the Mr. Olympia competition in 1967, 1968, and 1969 - where he would defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger 4 to 3, marking Schwarzenegger's first and only loss in a Mr. Olympia competition.

Distinctions

*The only bodybuilder to win all of the top titles in all four of the major BodyBuilding federations.
*The first Black athlete to win Mr. America, Mr. World, Mr. Universe, Mr. Olympia.
*The second bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia competition.
*The only bodybuilder to ever defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Mr Olympia contest, 1969.
*The only bodybuilder to win a Mr. Olympia Contest uncontested, 1968. [cite book| last = Wayne| first = Rick| authorlink = Rick Wayne| title = Muscle Wars|publisher = St. Martin's Press| date = 1985| pages =P. 250| id = ISBN 0-312-55353-6]

Trivia

*Has served the city of Chicago as a police officer for more than 25 years.
*In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife. He sustained 5 bullet wounds.
*His son, Sergio Oliva Jr, is following in his father's footsteps into competitive bodybuilding in Miami Florida.

Bodybuilding titles

*1963 Mr Chicago
*1964 Mr Illinois
*1964 Mr America - AAU, 7th
*1965 Junior Mr America - AAU, 2nd
*1965 Junior Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular
*1965 Mr America - AAU, 4th
*1965 Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular,
*1966 Junior Mr America - AAU, Winner
*1966 Junior Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular
*1966 Mr America - AAU, 2nd
*1966 Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular,
*1966 Mr World - IFBB, Overall Winner
*1966 Mr World - IFBB, Tall, 1st
*1966 Mr Universe - IFBB Winner
*1966 Olympia - IFBB, 4th
*1967 Olympia - IFBB, Winner
*1967 Universe - IFBB, Overall Winner
*1968 Olympia - IFBB, Winner
*1969 Olympia - IFBB, Winner
*1970 Mr World - AAU, Pro Tall, 2nd
*1970 Olympia - IFBB, 2nd
*1971 Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
*1972 Olympia - IFBB, 2nd
*1973 Mr International - IFBB, Professional, 1st
*1974 Mr International, Professional, 1st
*1975 Olympus - WBBG, Winner
*1976 Olympus - WBBG, Winner
*1977 World Championships - WABBA, Professional, 1st
*1978 Olympus - WBBG, Winner
*1980 World Championships - WABBA, Professional, 1st
*1981 Pro World Cup - WABBA, Winner
*1984 Olympia - IFBB, 8th
*1984 Pro States Championships - WABBA
*1985 Olympia - IFBB, 8th

References

ee also

*List of male professional bodybuilders

External links

* [http://www.sergiooliva.com/ SERGIO OLIVA: The Myth!] Official Website
* [http://blog.legendarylife.com/legendarylife-profile-sergio-the-myth-oliva Sergio Oliva Profile]
* [http://www.builtreport.com/oliva.html Sergio Oliva Gallery]
* [http://www.palmieribodybuilding.com/ Sergio Oliva Article]
* [http://www.bodybuilding-pics.com/ Sergio Oliva photo gallery]