It is needless to say most bodybuilders always look up to one goal – securing the title of Mr. Olympia and taking back the Sandow Trophy home. The trophy itself has as exciting a history behind it as its progression over the years. Only two talented bodybuilders in the history of Mr. Olympia have not been able to win this trophy. Yet every other who followed attests to the transition of the mighty magnificent metal over the past few decades. But who is the figure inspiration behind the Sandow Trophy?

The shredded physique of the Trophy is actually one of the founding figures who helped bodybuilding become a sport. He was also one of the earliest bodybuilders in history to make the audience judge the aesthetics of a physique instead of strength only, as had been the tradition.

Who is Eugen Sandow?

Going against the grain to establish a whole different sport is not an easy task. Eugen Sandow, however, showed the world how it is done. Born in 1867, the German bodybuilder showed his interest in his pursuit of bodybuilding as early as when he was only ten years old. Under the guidance of Strongman Ludwig Durlacher, Sandow started training and competing in Strongman Competitions. It wasn’t long before he started his very own and one of the earliest bodybuilding contests in history where the aesthetics of one’s Physique was a top priority.

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In 1901, Sandow came up with his “The Great Competition,” which was judged by himself, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and sculptor Charles Lawes-Wittewronge. Sandow had been a major judge of classical sculptures, which is why his physique’s resemblance with the Greek and the Romans are not accidental, but thoroughly intentional.

The bodybuilder’s extreme classical aesthetic physique and his contribution to the sport make him one of the most fitting figures as the Trophy of Mr. Olympia.

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The Sandow Trophy has continued to be awarded to the Mr. Olympia title holders ever since. However, this has not been the only bodybuilding contest that awarded the winners with Sandow Trophies.

The History of Sandow Trophies

The history of the Sandow Trophy goes more than a century back. After Frederick Pomeroy sculpted Eugen Sandow in the form of a statue, Sandow himself presented three of these. Made of gold, silver, and bronze, they were presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranked bodybuilding winners of 1901’s “The Great Competition”. Although the trophy was popular at first and even had replicas sold for high amounts, soon the craze for the award died down.

It wasn’t until Steve Reeves won the Bronze statue from 1901 at 1950’s Mr. Olympia. After the bodybuilder left a lasting impression of the trophy through a photo shoot, the bodybuilding community showed its interest in Sandow. With Mr. Olympia slowly getting popular in the community, Frank Zane in 1977 won the Sandow, inspiring a revival of the Trophy.

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The journey of the Sandow has gone through several changes in Mr. Olympia’s contests. Starting from 1977 with Frank Zane’s version till Derek Lunsford’s latest win, only one bodybuilder has three different versions in his bag.

Sandow Trophy’s journey in Mr. Olympia

Ever since Frank Zane’s 1977 Sandow, Mr. Olympias have been winning the trophy till this year’s winner Derek Lunsford. However, only in 1982, Chris Dickerson was initially awarded a different trophy before he got his hands on the Sandow a while later. In this long course of 46 years, Phil Heath managed to acquire one rare, 50th Mr. Olympia’s Gold Sandow Trophy. Which is one of his two other variants. Derek Lunsford pointed out in the latest interview with Hany Rambod how heavy the present trophy is.

Hany Rambod, the winner of 24 Mr. Olympia trophies can certainly be regarded as one of the connoisseurs of the Sandows. After Lunsford confessed the present version of Sandow weighs as much as 60 lbs, Rambod revealed something interesting. He stated, “The old one that Ronnie has is a lot lighter.” Lunsford agreed saying that Coleman’s Sandow must weigh at least 1/3rd of the present version. Although the very first Sandows presented were much taller and bigger than Coleman’s as well.

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Eugen Sandow’s legacy has made its own history. Over the years, bodybuilders have dreamed of nothing but winning the Trophy. It is also one of the milestones of bodybuilding contests as the earliest awarded trophies. Moreover, the resemblance of Sandow’s structure with the classical statues has motivated bodybuilders to show anything is possible to achieve if one sets their mind to it. Over a century later, Sandow Trophies still inspire and move the bodybuilding world.