I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Sergio Oliva at the 1996 Mr Olympia contest when he was 55 years old.He was one of the most energetic and friendly pro bodybuilders that I have ever met.Sergio was easy to approach and he smiled and laughed very willingly.He was very eager to shake hands,take pictures and sign autographs.He was still a physical freak too!He must have weighed about 240 to 250 pounds.He was still lean and his muscles were very dense and full.Sergio was wearing a red shirt with a collar,unbuttoned down to the lower chest.The sleeves were short and cut on the sides so he could display those massive arms.Over his shirt he wore a stylish,snug black vest that led down to his clean pressed,white dress pants and black shiny leather shoes.On top of that he was blinged out as well.He wore a thick gold chain around his neck,a massive,beautiful gold bracelet on his left wrist and an even more massive gold watch covered in diamonds on his right wrist,a gold huge gold ring with even more stones on it and a gold earing on his left ear.The man was big,bold and proud of it!Mr Sergio Oliva was a class act in my book.It was my pleasure to meet The Man,The Myth,The Legend!
Right on, Careful Thinker! In the era of the 1970s, '80, up to the 1990s, for the most part, bodybuilders, and the beliefs, and concepts of bodybuilding were to build a wide appearance! It was about a V shape, or taper, wide shoulders, sides of deltoids standing out! Furthermore, outside thighs, and sides of calves stood outward, to a smaller midsection; which meant a the oblique muscles were not as built outward! A physique back then in the 1980s, up to the late 1990s was the look of a bodybuilder. Also the areas of muscle-groups flowed from one area of the body to the next. There was shape, and proportion in what a physique was supposed to be about.
When God was passing out genetics, Sergio got in line twice. I spent three day in Chicago watching Sergio train for articles I wrote for MuscleMag International, and what an experience. Sergio had bulked up to 260-pounds yet his wife Arlene told me Sergio still wore 30-inch pants. Sergio told me his arms had been measured at 23-inches the week before and they were massive. He made incredible size and mass, but told me his favorite meal was pork and beans and rice, with a can of Coke.
Sergio Oliva was Cuban Weightlifter who defected while competing at the Caribbean games In Jamaica 🇯🇲.He worked in a steel mill in the US for 10 to 12 hours a day and then trained for 3 hours at the Duncan YMCA!He became a Chicago officer 👮♀️ for 22 years.He was shot 5 times with a 38 special by his then wife and survived!He was the most genetically gifted Bodybuilder of all time! The Myth lives in the memories of Bodybuilders everywhere.
Richard Young : And he was also an Actor in Mexican movies in 70s. There is a movie call. Poder negro (black power) and he also acted w/ mil mascaras. The only reason he couldn't make it was because his voice. His voice was dubbed to a much thick voice. As you know Sergio Oliva had a very think voice.
@@juliobasulto3288 He also had the chance to be in the movie the Predator with Arnold but refused because they wouldn't pay him what Arnold was getting crazy eh
In my mind, the most iconic bodybuilding photo of all time is not even properly a bodybuilding photo. Sergio standing there with that pool cue, that smooth as hell hat, and those arms straining the v-seam of that short sleeve shirt. You can't beat that pic for sheer atmosphere and cool.
I was at the 1978 Mr. Olympus show. My friend Anibal "Al" Lopez, who had won the Pro Mr. America title earlier, went up against Sergio in the Mr. Olympus competition at the end of the night. Al, being a smaller natural bodybuilder, knew he was outgunned and just ran out, laughing, and handed Oliva the trophy. Oliva was a BEAST. 😊
Sergio Oliva is the king of bodybuilding. My true hero and inspiration...Sergio Oliva the myth......no bodybuilder can ever come to that level of achievement in terms of mass development and muscle definition which Sergio goes par off.
These guys look so much better than the blocky human buildings of today. When the current guys step out they look like juiced up babies with tiny diapers and thigh rashes from their bloated legs rubbing together.
no doubt about it....chemical use was relatively miniscule comparted to what modern BBers take....it has blurred deep etched separation, and any form of aesthetics.....
Sorry buddy can't agree with ya there, Ronnie C. had it all - perfect proportion, huge! and great poser, he would bury Arnold and guys from yesterday now, but it's really a totally different era in the sport, you can't compare guys from the 1970's to today's guys. The roid part of the sport became a science...
Funny story I read: arnie was marveling to Franco about how awesome Sergio's back looked. Franco said:"don't worry Arnold, it's the lighting that makes it look like that". Arnold said to Franco: "there's no lighting on earth that can make a man look like that"
Saw the 1970 Mr. World on TV's Wide World of Sports. Arnold 1st, Sergio 2nd, Dave Draper 3rd, and Dennis Tenerino 4th. The very next day I went to Sears and purchased my first barbell set. Cement filled and plastic coated all 110 lbs. I was 13 and that began a lifelong quest for muscle. Can anyone else recall that exact moment in time that changes your life forever?
At age 12 seeing an ad in the back of a boxing magazine back in 1972 for the Universal Bodybuilding course, placing my order and receiving the periodic lessons. The never ending quest remains!
I was at the 1970 World Weightlifting Championships. The Pro Mr. World was held Sunday night after the Supers. I had to leave to catch the bus home to go to High School the next day. One of my biggest regrets.
John Douglas John same story for me, Sears 110 set etc. Was in doctor office waiting room summer 76 story in issue of Time magazine about Arnold went next week to Sears 2 years later training 2 times a day at local gym totally hooked for about 10 years
These are great memories and stories, thanks fellas. I don't recall the exact year of my "awakening" but I do know that comic and magazine ads for Charles Atlas were involved. Also, Arnold was roaring into mainstream about then and Conan The Barbarian was shortly after. The huge blast to my ego when the girls started commenting on my arms and guys started asking what I was doing was life changing for me. I was built with a lighter frame than most guys my age at my school and had very low self esteem as well. My parents kept my head from swelling (also at least partial source of the esteem issues but I digress) and I worked extremely hard to fit in. I grew up in a hockey town and didn't play on organized teams so my popularity growing up certainly did not get outta control heh, heh. Most know that the pump is addictive and that was my drug of choice (thank God). ..........................PEACE!! ...{EDIT}...I also started out with the Sears plastic and concrete Weider set after finally convincing my parents that I wasn't too young heh, heh. Aaaahh good times.
Do you guys remember Service Merchandise ? remember D.P. plates and barbells ? (Diversified Products). My dad bought for me the 110lbs. set, when I was 12 years old.
In his book, "Sergio Oliva: The Myth. His Life Story" it quotes: "Writer Irving Muchnick, in his book 1991 SPY magazine article "Pimping Iron" quotes Joe Weider as admitting to associates back in 1970, "I put Sergio in the cover, I sell x magazines. I put Arnold in the cover, I sell 3x magazines". As the Mafioso always say," Business is business". Like most of the fans back then, I swallowed all the hype on Arnold via the Weider magazines. Only later did I realize that Arnold had nothing on Sergio with the exception of Weider's backing.
I had the great oppourtunity to train with Sergio and a couple times with Arnold back in the late 70's. Back when they made a living traveling and doing training seminars at local gym venues. Memorable times.
@@matthewellis8626 It is my understanding that Sergio was stronger than Arnold in most/ all lifts. Sergio was a competitive weightlifter for his native Cuba prior to defecting to USA and becoming a bodybuilder.
another difference between Nick and Kenny, kenny will stretch out a video past 10 minutes and repeat himself 100000x to get more revenue while nick could care less however long the video needs to be is what it is on this channel
Great video. Sergio will always be my all-time favorite bodybuilder. The Myth, the Cuban Superman... No one had his physique, then or since. Most BBs look smooth. Sergio looks like they carved him out of stone!
Sergio Oliva was the most gifted Bodybulider of all time and also the greatest. He had a 27 inch Waist and a 59 inch Chest with perfect muscle Insertion and bone structure. His Proportion and symmetry was beyond perfection, that's the reason why they call him the Myth. Sergio mesurements was not even Humanly, when you look at Steve Reeves perfect proportion, this was the maximum potential that a human can achieve but Sergio's aesthetic was on an another level, it was Alien like. He is the Archetyp of Bodybuliding and the Perfect Physique.
Sergio was the man, great physique. Robbie Robinson was underrated also. That picture of him with Serge Nubret and Olivia posing with a vacuum at 6:01 is one of the best front doubles I've ever seen
Man people sleep on Robbie Robinson! He's never in the discussion. Did you see how impressive he was on stage and crushing that vacuum? He's still around and still ripped. Thats Bodybuilding! As far as I'm concerned he's the GOAT
The 8th placings for Sergio in 1984/5 was a fix against Sergio. When you mentioned about Sergio's being banned for competing in non-IFBB competitions, you should have added that other bodybuilders broke this rule but it wasn't enforced for them. Sergio was a threat to Arnold and thus Weider. Even Arnold knew that one Olympia Sergio should definitely have won. Sergio was punished for being black then for being a threat to the corrupt Weider empire. Others also suffered like Kal Szkalak and Mike Mentzer.
Weider had arnie in his pocket and it was his golden goose. There's no way a legit judge would put any bodybuilder above Sergio on that stage in 72.fuckin perfection
Hey man, really love your vids. Pls make exclusive video on Franco Columbo. I feel that man deserves a video showcasing his upbringing, life, struggles and his achievements. Looking forward for it..
Sergio Oliva made Arnold a better bodybuilder because he had to be able to stand with Sergio who was so dramatically built. Arnold got after it after 1972 in a close win and came in awesome in 1973. He was untouchable in 73 and 74.
G Really??? You young guys are idiots. It’s all about the gear. And what be a shriveled up pussy half the year? These guys were great because of their simple basic compound movement work outs and minimal drugs. Today’s bloated, insulin/hgh blurred, oil injected bodies look like shit compared to those guys. They were real, not some swole up fake 4 months out of the year not knowing if you will drop dead tomorrow! I know young guys don’t understand hard work and things like honor and integrity but we did things right back then. I’ve been training 40 years and I’m 59. Care to catch an arm workout with me? Bring your puke bucket. Last guy I worked out with was a 3O year old ex Texas A&M football player who was in good shape by today’s standards. He puked 6 times and quit. Haven’t seen him around in a while. Now I hope you understand the difference!
Thanks, great video. Sergio was always one of my favorites and it's so unfortunate the troubles that he faced. Great to see so many shots of Serge Nubret, as well. I always felt that he was one of the best ever, too, and has rarely been given the attention that he deserved.
Thanks for the memories ..I had the honor to train with Papi and his Son in the early 2k's in Chicago on Montrose....!!! He stressed to me and his son to work our forearms and Calves... always...! Bless up Serge jr....!!!
I always thought Of Sergio’s victory pose as a Praying mantis. His arms were just huge and he had a real tiny waist for a man of his size. British bodybuilding fans loved this guy.
Hey dude like allways very professional of you to bring out this kind of legend 'iam so proud of this man' being cuban my self' and very little cuban professional bodybuilders in the field is a honor to see you talking about him. anyway thanks again for your love for this sport ...jay miami
I feel oliva is abetter bodybuilder than Arnold,due to problems with d Joe he was robbed of titles.ifeel he is the most greatest bodybuilder ever.great.
His stats are very impressive 5'10" at 236 on stage is huge, hard to really get a sense of that in pictures, he must have been incredible in person to see at the gym. Always a fan.
I first met Sergio in 1969 at the Chicago Police and Fire Show at Soldier Field, I was working as a Chicago Police Cadet at age 19. Years later, I was honored to train at his gym in Rogers Park on the North side of Chicago at age 36 while working for the Government. I have a photo of the two of us shaking hands. A treasured photo that’s a piece of history.👍
SERGIO!! SERGIO!!! SERGIO!!!!!! If he had today's modern day training, he would've been possibly the greatest O' of all time! With that wasp waist, and a modern day weight of about 240~245lbs.... It was said that during a double bicep pose, the height of his arms exceeded the height of his head! 1971-1972....
Thank you for this video. I met him twice in my life. Once at a bodybuilding competition he was a guest. Secondly, in the 80s at his gym on the north side of Chicago. Just one of the best aesthetic physiques ever. Again, thank you...
If I could chose how I am in next life I would want to become a new Sergio Oliva. Every day would be great after looking that in the mirror. What I read, no matter whether anybody had more titles, Sergio has always been looked at like a king everywhere, even by people who wouldn't know who he was and even by people who actually despised bodybuilding...
This is a fantastic video on Sergio Olivia. As we get to learn more from your great videos, in particular, this one specifically, we get to see that there was controversy that cost Sergio chances to continue to compete, due to banning. Wonder how things would have been against Arnold in the early 70’s? Arnold was truly a taller guy, and still big, but I think it might have been different. BUT....Arnold DID show up to win in those early 70’s Olympia’s. I think Arnold had the widest waste in bodybuilding. He probably should have met my Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant/Powerlifter that swatted me practically across the room with his big MITT of a hand, for doing dumbbell side raises. My attempt to build my abs. I had no clue that we didn’t need to do ab exercises like that to have a great waist.
Hey nick iam jay from miami florida' iam cuban raised in miami' it means so much to me and all the latinos for you to take the time to give respect to a legend like oliva' iam so glad you are here very professional and a good guy. thanks again love your video's keep up the good work god bless...jay miami
After working with Dr. Authur Jones from '70 to '71 Sergio went from competing around 225-230 to around 250. Weider would not let him compete in the '71 olympia saying he was 'disqualified' because he had competed in a rival league earlier that year. PS. Arnold also competed in a 'rival league' earlier. Sergio went on to guest pose instead at around 255. Mike Mentzer used Dr. Jones high intensity methods to make Dorian Yates the beast he was in 1993 putting on nearly 30 pds and only training around 4 days a week.
Only one thing to correct about your post: Arthur Jones was neither a medical doctor, nor did he have a PhD. In fact he dropped out of high school. There is no reason "Dr." should prefix his name.
Nick, thanks for the videos. Don't forget Freddie Ortiz with his front-upraised arms (and in his case, the 'vacuum' (present day term) at the same time). Great chest on Freddie, and what a lat spread when he laid them out. Oh, and 'passable' arms, too! Regards. He and Sergio, both naturally beautiful, but nature asked a lot of work first, for their best.
0:36 Did something happen to Sergio's left tricep prior to his comeback in 1984? You can clearly see that its distal insertion has retreated waaay back from his elbow. The muscle as a whole also seems to have shrunk too, judging from the front view at 9:09
Yes. It happened sometime between 73 and 74. It was still fine at the 1973 Mr International contest, which from the few pics I've seen looks like his best ever shape. By 74 it had shortened, obviously a tear.
Some video titles dont appeal to me and don’t make me wanna watch them, but I do it anyway cause I know that at the end, it will be a good time spent with alot of “general knowledge “... You are become a trademark yourself... Keep it up bro...
Another fantastic video Nick, really great stuff. Sergio was amazing and absolutely set standards in the industry. I agree that he set the bar extremely high for that Victory Pose and he may never be surpassed on that one. I think that whole "non-sanctioned policy" is complete bullshit. Talk about monopolizing the talent and dictatorship...damn! I also believe that only competing once a year is bullshit and should not be allowed. We all know that the current Mr. O. couldn't stand to be bested on another stage. His ego wouldn't be able to handle it all and "the cooperation" may be involved in that as well. Just another entity that cannot deal with competition. I find all of that so frustrating and it absolutely detracts legitimacy from the sport (or whatever you wanna call it). Hey, on the up side, Sergio Jr. shows some terrific potential and he really could do some damage if he wanted to. Terrific images and commentary Nick...as always. Thanks! ............................PEACE!!
Years ago part of the bodybuilding competitions were standing "relaxed" in forward, side and rear positions, that way is was easier for the judges to see your true proportions. They still have that rule but bodybuilders today are totally flexed and unnatural when they are supposed to be relaxed. I am always blown away at photos of the past legends in a relaxed state like at 3:23... Pearl never played that flexing game...
Unchained Oliva
I always thought that Serge Nubret should have won Mr. Olympia. One of the most perfect physiques of all time. Just incredible!
I agree so does my wife
100% agree!!!
Jusayin No legs .
His legs were way weak.
I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Sergio Oliva at the 1996 Mr Olympia contest when he was 55 years old.He was one of the most energetic and friendly pro bodybuilders that I have ever met.Sergio was easy to approach and he smiled and laughed very willingly.He was very eager to shake hands,take pictures and sign autographs.He was still a physical freak too!He must have weighed about 240 to 250 pounds.He was still lean and his muscles were very dense and full.Sergio was wearing a red shirt with a collar,unbuttoned down to the lower chest.The sleeves were short and cut on the sides so he could display those massive arms.Over his shirt he wore a stylish,snug black vest that led down to his clean pressed,white dress pants and black shiny leather shoes.On top of that he was blinged out as well.He wore a thick gold chain around his neck,a massive,beautiful gold bracelet on his left wrist and an even more massive gold watch covered in diamonds on his right wrist,a gold huge gold ring with even more stones on it and a gold earing on his left ear.The man was big,bold and proud of it!Mr Sergio Oliva was a class act in my book.It was my pleasure to meet The Man,The Myth,The Legend!
Lucky man, original black beauty
Wow, really met him, I love his late 1960s& 1972 body , today bodybuilders are too big & fake muscles
He doesn't even look real in some of those photos 😂. Arguably the most genetically gifted bodybuilder in history
Damn 5 foot 10 inches at 235 pounds with a 27 inch waist 😫😫...dude was a BEAST 💯💪🏾
Right on, Careful Thinker! In the era of the 1970s, '80, up to the 1990s, for the most part, bodybuilders, and the beliefs, and concepts of bodybuilding were to build a wide appearance! It was about a V shape, or taper, wide shoulders, sides of deltoids standing out!
Furthermore, outside thighs, and sides of calves stood outward, to a smaller midsection; which meant a the oblique muscles were not as built outward! A physique back then in the 1980s, up to the late 1990s was the look of a bodybuilder. Also the areas of muscle-groups flowed from one area of the body to the next. There was shape, and proportion in what a physique was supposed to be about.
Original mr invincible, my favorite body to look at late 1960s, early 1970s Sergio Olivia body
It's almost as if stats given aren't the real stats
Wow I’m fat as fuck. I’m 5’11” 235 - 38 inch waist lol.
When God was passing out genetics, Sergio got in line twice. I spent three day in Chicago watching Sergio train for articles I wrote for MuscleMag International, and what an experience. Sergio had bulked up to 260-pounds yet his wife Arlene told me Sergio still wore 30-inch pants. Sergio told me his arms had been measured at 23-inches the week before and they were massive. He made incredible size and mass, but told me his favorite meal was pork and beans and rice, with a can of Coke.
Sergio has Biscuit oliva named after him.
Haha big facts
Sergio Oliva was Cuban Weightlifter who defected while competing at the Caribbean games In Jamaica 🇯🇲.He worked in a steel mill in the US for 10 to 12 hours a day and then trained for 3 hours at the Duncan YMCA!He became a Chicago officer 👮♀️ for 22 years.He was shot 5 times with a 38 special by his then wife and survived!He was the most genetically gifted Bodybuilder of all time! The Myth lives in the memories of Bodybuilders everywhere.
Richard Young : And he was also an Actor in Mexican movies in 70s. There is a movie call. Poder negro (black power) and he also acted w/ mil mascaras. The only reason he couldn't make it was because his voice. His voice was dubbed to a much thick voice. As you know Sergio Oliva had a very think voice.
@@juliobasulto3288 He also had the chance to be in the movie the Predator with Arnold but refused because they wouldn't pay him what Arnold was getting crazy eh
In my mind, the most iconic bodybuilding photo of all time is not even properly a bodybuilding photo. Sergio standing there with that pool cue, that smooth as hell hat, and those arms straining the v-seam of that short sleeve shirt. You can't beat that pic for sheer atmosphere and cool.
Photo by Art Zeller
I know the one! I agree.
I Cannot seem to find that picture
I believe the photo you're refering to is Serge Nubre.
I always liked that pic.
I was at the 1978 Mr. Olympus show. My friend Anibal "Al" Lopez, who had won the Pro Mr. America title earlier, went up against Sergio in the Mr. Olympus competition at the end of the night. Al, being a smaller natural bodybuilder, knew he was outgunned and just ran out, laughing, and handed Oliva the trophy. Oliva was a BEAST. 😊
Sergio Oliva is the king of bodybuilding. My true hero and inspiration...Sergio Oliva the myth......no bodybuilder can ever come to that level of achievement in terms of mass development and muscle definition which Sergio goes par off.
I'm sorry but you are dead wrong, sergio was never even ever that conditioned to begin with
These guys look so much better than the blocky human buildings of today. When the current guys step out they look like juiced up babies with tiny diapers and thigh rashes from their bloated legs rubbing together.
no doubt about it....chemical use was relatively miniscule comparted to what modern BBers take....it has blurred deep etched separation, and any form of aesthetics.....
Sorry buddy can't agree with ya there, Ronnie C. had it all - perfect proportion, huge! and great poser, he would bury Arnold and guys from yesterday now, but it's really a totally different era in the sport, you can't compare guys from the 1970's to today's guys. The roid part of the sport became a science...
True. The bodybuilders of today look like strongmen and not bodybuilders.
Probably the greatest natural genetics in all of bodybuilding history.... Truly one in a billion
joseph abrams genetics so good they couldn't beat Arnold's!
joseph abrams what are non natural genetics? I don't understand. Are you trying to say Sergio was a natural body builder?
He had better arms and a smaller waist than arnold's. Sergio has genetics to be envied no matter who you are.
Theeee best bodybuilder of alllll time. Period.
You miss the part where he is one of 3 men to defeat Arnold on a bodybuilding stage?
Funny story I read: arnie was marveling to Franco about how awesome Sergio's back looked. Franco said:"don't worry Arnold, it's the lighting that makes it look like that". Arnold said to Franco: "there's no lighting on earth that can make a man look like that"
Sergio Oliva was ahead of his time. He was the original MASS MONSTER but he had the mass with class.
Saw the 1970 Mr. World on TV's Wide World of Sports. Arnold 1st, Sergio 2nd, Dave Draper 3rd, and Dennis Tenerino 4th. The very next day I went to Sears and purchased my first barbell set. Cement filled and plastic coated all 110 lbs. I was 13 and that began a lifelong quest for muscle. Can anyone else recall that exact moment in time that changes your life forever?
At age 12 seeing an ad in the back of a boxing magazine back in 1972 for the Universal Bodybuilding course, placing my order and receiving the periodic lessons. The never ending quest remains!
I was at the 1970 World Weightlifting Championships. The Pro Mr. World was held Sunday night after the Supers. I had to leave to catch the bus home to go to High School the next day. One of my biggest regrets.
John Douglas John same story for me, Sears 110 set etc. Was in doctor office waiting room summer 76 story in issue of Time magazine about Arnold went next week to Sears 2 years later training 2 times a day at local gym totally hooked for about 10 years
These are great memories and stories, thanks fellas. I don't recall the exact year of my "awakening" but I do know that comic and magazine ads for Charles Atlas were involved. Also, Arnold was roaring into mainstream about then and Conan The Barbarian was shortly after. The huge blast to my ego when the girls started commenting on my arms and guys started asking what I was doing was life changing for me. I was built with a lighter frame than most guys my age at my school and had very low self esteem as well. My parents kept my head from swelling (also at least partial source of the esteem issues but I digress) and I worked extremely hard to fit in. I grew up in a hockey town and didn't play on organized teams so my popularity growing up certainly did not get outta control heh, heh. Most know that the pump is addictive and that was my drug of choice (thank God). ..........................PEACE!! ...{EDIT}...I also started out with the Sears plastic and concrete Weider set after finally convincing my parents that I wasn't too young heh, heh. Aaaahh good times.
Do you guys remember Service Merchandise ? remember D.P. plates and barbells ? (Diversified Products).
My dad bought for me the 110lbs. set, when I was 12 years old.
Joe Wieder is such a douchebag.
Garhon Wong He’s kinda like the Don king of bodybuilding!
Weider
He was a pimp
Yeah and every single product like vitamins and all the other stuff was all powdered sugar what a piece of crap
Probably the greatest body builder ahead of Arnold. Sergio deserved to win atleast 5 back to back Mr. O TITLES.
In his book, "Sergio Oliva: The Myth. His Life Story" it quotes: "Writer Irving Muchnick, in his book 1991 SPY magazine article "Pimping Iron" quotes Joe Weider as admitting to associates back in 1970, "I put Sergio in the cover, I sell x magazines. I put Arnold in the cover, I sell 3x magazines". As the Mafioso always say," Business is business". Like most of the fans back then, I swallowed all the hype on Arnold via the Weider magazines. Only later did I realize that Arnold had nothing on Sergio with the exception of Weider's backing.
I had the great oppourtunity to train with Sergio and a couple times with Arnold back in the late 70's. Back when they made a living traveling and doing training seminars at local gym venues. Memorable times.
Who was Stronger ?
@@matthewellis8626 It is my understanding that Sergio was stronger than Arnold in most/ all lifts. Sergio was a competitive weightlifter for his native Cuba prior to defecting to USA and becoming a bodybuilder.
Bruh 9:59 respect
Based Nick
Nick has already said he doesn't care about the money per video anymore. Just putting out lots of quality vids will pay off for him
another difference between Nick and Kenny, kenny will stretch out a video past 10 minutes and repeat himself 100000x to get more revenue while nick could care less however long the video needs to be is what it is on this channel
Cope Grizz quit starting drama Nick said he is cool with KKO
Gage Armijo. Just look at his chest .....Jeez ! you can't even see his neck. His conditioning here in this photo is really good.
At 8:56 take a good look at your screen, at the height of Sergio's head vs. the width of his arms. Literally arms bigger than his head. Astounding.
Great video. Sergio will always be my all-time favorite bodybuilder. The Myth, the Cuban Superman... No one had his physique, then or since. Most BBs look smooth. Sergio looks like they carved him out of stone!
Sergio, In my mind, is the greatest of all .till this day.
wrong arnold is .
Louie D'angelo yikes
Sergio Oliva was the most gifted Bodybulider of all time and also the greatest. He had a 27 inch Waist and a 59 inch Chest with perfect muscle Insertion and bone structure. His Proportion and symmetry was beyond perfection, that's the reason why they call him the Myth. Sergio mesurements was not even Humanly, when you look at Steve Reeves perfect proportion, this was the maximum potential that a human can achieve but Sergio's aesthetic was on an another level, it was Alien like. He is the Archetyp of Bodybuliding and the Perfect Physique.
Wow, I have one bodypart bigger than a Mr. Olympia's.
One of the best ever. His life would have been much different without Arnold Schwarzenegger coming onto the seen.
Scene my dude
How so? Sergio Oliva would later become a Chicago police officer. What was up with that?! Didn't he make any money bodybuilding?
ChicagoCabbie Rick Price Money was really low back then. Only 1000 Dollar. Not worth it.
Yeah but a lot would be different without Arnold. Lou Ferrigno might have won three olympias, Frank Zane might not have quit
Ehh weider kinda fucked him over too
Sergio Oliva was originally a Olympic weightlifter from Cuba. NABBA bodybuilders were better than IFBB.
Sergio was the man, great physique. Robbie Robinson was underrated also. That picture of him with Serge Nubret and Olivia posing with a vacuum at 6:01 is one of the best front doubles I've ever seen
Iconic stuff right?
I agree. Sergio was always my favorite. Too me he looked so much better compared to the bodybuilders in his time.
David Green. It sure is ! Insane !
David Green
Yes I think Robby was as good if not better than arnie.
Ditto David, see my comment above. Thanks and peace.
During all this video I could bot help but looking at Serge Nubret, his body really was something.
Serge Nubret was way way more defined...
man he was something else. the '75 olympia is the only time ive seen him on film, and he was frickin great.
Agree 100% - very over looked and underrated bodybuilder.
My favorite bodybuilder of all time.
You’re doing an amazing job Nick keep up the great content 💪🏽
If it wasn’t for Nick, we all probably wouldn’t be so into bodybuilding as we are.
44, 45, 46 yrs Old and yet he still placed in the top 10 OF THE OLYMPIA! My all time favorite athlete
Nubret and Oliva.........robbed.
Mentzer too. All 3 were. Facts
I agree love Arnold but did not know about these dudes so u know they tried to keep them out the light
Sergio is in a class by himself. Personally, I always felt he had some of the best deltoids in the history of bodybuilding. That is rarely mentioned.
Man people sleep on Robbie Robinson! He's never in the discussion. Did you see how impressive he was on stage and crushing that vacuum? He's still around and still ripped. Thats Bodybuilding! As far as I'm concerned he's the GOAT
barber1
Robby was great had no weak points ( like Danny Padilla)
I appreciate the hard work and effort you put into this. Thank you!!
The 8th placings for Sergio in 1984/5 was a fix against Sergio. When you mentioned about Sergio's being banned for competing in non-IFBB competitions, you should have added that other bodybuilders broke this rule but it wasn't enforced for them. Sergio was a threat to Arnold and thus Weider. Even Arnold knew that one Olympia Sergio should definitely have won. Sergio was punished for being black then for being a threat to the corrupt Weider empire. Others also suffered like Kal Szkalak and Mike Mentzer.
I love serge nubret in the backgriund absolutely murdering with conditioning and aesthetics. Talk about somwone who was overlooked
Weider had arnie in his pocket and it was his golden goose. There's no way a legit judge would put any bodybuilder above Sergio on that stage in 72.fuckin perfection
Hey man, really love your vids. Pls make exclusive video on Franco Columbo. I feel that man deserves a video showcasing his upbringing, life, struggles and his achievements. Looking forward for it..
Another great video Nick. The classic era is still to me the best and most interesting.
Sergio Oliva made Arnold a better bodybuilder because he had to be able to stand with Sergio who was so dramatically built. Arnold got after it after 1972 in a close win and came in awesome in 1973. He was untouchable in 73 and 74.
Legendary arms.
Imagine him on today's gear!
Today's gear is nowhere near as good. Unless you mean GH and insulin, which would have ruined his physique
G Really??? You young guys are idiots. It’s all about the gear. And what be a shriveled up pussy half the year? These guys were great because of their simple basic compound movement work outs and minimal drugs. Today’s bloated, insulin/hgh blurred, oil injected bodies look like shit compared to those guys. They were real, not some swole up fake 4 months out of the year not knowing if you will drop dead tomorrow! I know young guys don’t understand hard work and things like honor and integrity but we did things right back then. I’ve been training 40 years and I’m 59. Care to catch an arm workout with me? Bring your puke bucket. Last guy I worked out with was a 3O year old ex Texas A&M football player who was in good shape by today’s standards. He puked 6 times and quit. Haven’t seen him around in a while. Now I hope you understand the difference!
I love his 1960s body, today bodybuilders are too big
@Randy benton Respect!!
Was lucky enough to have met him about 30 years ago at an appearance in Canada. What I remember most was the size of his hands he had huge mitts!
Thanks, great video. Sergio was always one of my favorites and it's so unfortunate the troubles that he faced.
Great to see so many shots of Serge Nubret, as well. I always felt that he was one of the best ever, too, and has rarely been given the attention that he deserved.
The Myth remains unmatched to this day.
What a great video and story! I am catching up with the Golden Era of Body Building. Sergio is an Icon. Amazing development. Inspiring and motivating!
I appreciate you Nick for your passion for the aesthetic art of body building and it's history. Keep doing what you are doing
a champion from guanabacoa .havana cuba proud
1972 and 1973 after training with Arthur Jones was the most jaw dropping physique I have ever seen!
Thanks for the memories ..I had the honor to train with Papi and his Son in the early 2k's in Chicago on Montrose....!!! He stressed to me and his son to work our forearms and Calves... always...! Bless up Serge jr....!!!
Been waiting for this!
One of the best looking bodybuilders of the golden era
I always thought Of Sergio’s victory pose as a
Praying mantis. His arms were just huge and he had a real tiny waist for a man of his size. British bodybuilding fans loved this guy.
Hey dude like allways very professional of you to bring out this kind of legend 'iam so proud of this man' being cuban my self' and very little cuban professional bodybuilders in the field is a honor to see you talking about him. anyway thanks again for your love for this sport ...jay miami
I feel oliva is abetter bodybuilder than Arnold,due to problems with d Joe he was robbed of titles.ifeel he is the most greatest bodybuilder ever.great.
I agree
Arnold had him beat on biceps but overall I give it to Sergio
I really love your channel. You do great research and give everyone the respect they deserve. Great work
His stats are very impressive 5'10" at 236 on stage is huge, hard to really get a sense of that in pictures, he must have been incredible in person to see at the gym.
Always a fan.
I first met Sergio in 1969 at the Chicago Police and Fire Show at Soldier Field, I was working as a Chicago Police Cadet at age 19. Years later, I was honored to train at his gym in Rogers Park on the North side of Chicago at age 36 while working for the Government. I have a photo of the two of us shaking hands. A treasured photo that’s a piece of history.👍
Nick's Strength & Spot-on, as usual. Probably the greatest Sergio Oliva video tutorial ever made.
RIP, Hedge ➕
Sergio remains as one of the greatest of all time BBs. He truly still is and will always be "The Myth". Amazing proportion and the best V ever.
Biscuit Olivia?
SERGIO!! SERGIO!!! SERGIO!!!!!! If he had today's modern day training, he would've been possibly the greatest O' of all time! With that wasp waist, and a modern day weight of about 240~245lbs.... It was said that during a double bicep pose, the height of his arms exceeded the height of his head! 1971-1972....
Thank you for this video. I met him twice in my life.
Once at a bodybuilding competition he was a guest. Secondly, in the 80s at his gym on the north side of Chicago. Just one of the best aesthetic physiques ever.
Again, thank you...
If I could chose how I am in next life I would want to become a new Sergio Oliva. Every day would be great after looking that in the mirror. What I read, no matter whether anybody had more titles, Sergio has always been looked at like a king everywhere, even by people who wouldn't know who he was and even by people who actually despised bodybuilding...
Sergio is simply one BB that was light years ahead of his time. he was the best Mr O. ever.
He had the best physique in bodybuilding history
3:43 Now, that's an impressive picture.
One of the best that I have seen! May this great man rest in peace!!
Nick a genuine thanks for the consistent grade A content, you're the realest!
Thank god I'm here before Kenny KO stole it!!!
Jn
Tttte
Now, THAT is bodybuilding
thanks for covering a lot of the old school bodybuildings man! keep it up!
Sergio Oliva (R.I.P) was awesome, one of my heros growing up. God bless him
This is a fantastic video on Sergio Olivia. As we get to learn more from your great videos, in particular, this one specifically, we get to see that there was controversy that cost Sergio chances to continue to compete, due to banning. Wonder how things would have been against Arnold in the early 70’s? Arnold was truly a taller guy, and still big, but I think it might have been different. BUT....Arnold DID show up to win in those early 70’s Olympia’s. I think Arnold had the widest waste in bodybuilding. He probably should have met my Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant/Powerlifter that swatted me practically across the room with his big MITT of a hand, for doing dumbbell side raises. My attempt to build my abs. I had no clue that we didn’t need to do ab exercises like that to have a great waist.
Absolutely an unbelievable physique “The Myth” had. Great video too.
With this I’d say. Nick, you made Sergio proud.
Hey nick iam jay from miami florida' iam cuban raised in miami' it means so much to me and all the latinos for you to take the time to give respect to a legend like oliva' iam so glad you are here very professional and a good guy. thanks again love your video's keep up the good work god bless...jay miami
Well done. That was a great tribute to Sergio..
After working with Dr. Authur Jones from '70 to '71 Sergio went from competing around 225-230 to around 250. Weider would not let him compete in the '71 olympia saying he was 'disqualified' because he had competed in a rival league earlier that year. PS. Arnold also competed in a 'rival league' earlier. Sergio went on to guest pose instead at around 255. Mike Mentzer used Dr. Jones high intensity methods to make Dorian Yates the beast he was in 1993 putting on nearly 30 pds and only training around 4 days a week.
Only one thing to correct about your post: Arthur Jones was neither a medical doctor, nor did he have a PhD. In fact he dropped out of high school. There is no reason "Dr." should prefix his name.
Another great video coverage, Nick, Sergio is definitely one of the best and Greatest Bodybuilder and Competator ever...!!!
Amazing how Sergio's tiny waist can support his huge upper body.
Sergio's arms in a double bicep shot from after working in Florida at Dr. Authur Jones training camp were bigger than his head.
Sadly, his son is nowhere near his father.
Hugo Leonardo Amaral I agree he doesn't have that tiny waist at all and small joints that make the muscles pop
Hugo Leonardo Amaral : I hat to agree.
Hugo Leonardo Amaral his son is a prick
Only one Sergio Olivia the original invincible
Joe Weider was one of the worst things for bodybuilding.
Nick, thanks for the videos. Don't forget Freddie Ortiz with his front-upraised arms (and in his case, the 'vacuum' (present day term) at the same time). Great chest on Freddie, and what a lat spread when he laid them out. Oh, and 'passable' arms, too! Regards. He and Sergio, both naturally beautiful, but nature asked a lot of work first, for their best.
Golden era had amazing, beautifully sculpted, aesthetically pleasing physiques! Modern classic physique doesn't even come close!!! Just my opinion
Hey Nick ...I've been a long time sub ...just wanna say keep on keeping on brother.
His arms are sooo long.
@0:50 why the left elbow (near medial head) seems injured? though i think left is more sweep than the right.
Unchained
Wow, For decades I had thought all those other guys just quit or disappeared. Thanks for giving this great information.
A true Legend, great to see his son competing and carrying on the tradition.
0:36
Did something happen to Sergio's left tricep prior to his comeback in 1984? You can clearly see that its distal insertion has retreated waaay back from his elbow.
The muscle as a whole also seems to have shrunk too, judging from the front view at 9:09
Yes. It happened sometime between 73 and 74. It was still fine at the 1973 Mr International contest, which from the few pics I've seen looks like his best ever shape. By 74 it had shortened, obviously a tear.
Another excellent vid...thank you NSP
Some video titles dont appeal to me and don’t make me wanna watch them, but I do it anyway cause I know that at the end, it will be a good time spent with alot of “general knowledge “... You are become a trademark yourself... Keep it up bro...
The Weider brothers had a lot to do with Ah-nold winning in 1970 and beyond.
Your videos are awesome...thanks for posting these...
Nick, you need to publish a coffee table book of all your content of the history of bodybuilding. I would definitely purchase it.
Another fantastic video Nick, really great stuff. Sergio was amazing and absolutely set standards in the industry. I agree that he set the bar extremely high for that Victory Pose and he may never be surpassed on that one. I think that whole "non-sanctioned policy" is complete bullshit. Talk about monopolizing the talent and dictatorship...damn! I also believe that only competing once a year is bullshit and should not be allowed. We all know that the current Mr. O. couldn't stand to be bested on another stage. His ego wouldn't be able to handle it all and "the cooperation" may be involved in that as well. Just another entity that cannot deal with competition. I find all of that so frustrating and it absolutely detracts legitimacy from the sport (or whatever you wanna call it). Hey, on the up side, Sergio Jr. shows some terrific potential and he really could do some damage if he wanted to. Terrific images and commentary Nick...as always. Thanks! ............................PEACE!!
Years ago part of the bodybuilding competitions were standing "relaxed" in forward, side and rear positions, that way is was easier for the judges to see your true proportions. They still have that rule but bodybuilders today are totally flexed and unnatural when they are supposed to be relaxed. I am always blown away at photos of the past legends in a relaxed state like at 3:23... Pearl never played that flexing game...