The feud between two of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his arch nemesis, Mike Mentzer has always been a massive part of the bodybuilding history. Although both bodybuilders helped in furthering the sport, Arnie obviously remained under the spotlight and gained more popularity than Mentzer.
However, back in 1980, Schwarzenegger came out of retirement after five years. Although the bodybuilder was initially asked to join the judging panel, the Austrian Oak decided last moment that he would also come up on stage and participate. It was around these incidents when Mentzer and Schwarzenegger had a terrific feud.
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Mike Mentzer’s intentions to get violent with Arnold Schwarzenegger
In one of his interviews in 1993, Mentzer had confessed how Schwarzenegger had once come up with the idea of creating two weight classes in the Mr. Olympia. While the Olympia used to be conducted in the 200 lbs and over 200 lbs classes, many had signed a petition against the sustem. But when there was another discussion with Schwarzenegger regarding the matter, things started heating up as The Austrian Oak raised his voice and attacked Boyer Coe.
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Enraged by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s behavior, Mentzer proceeded towards Arnie in a bid to engage him but then stopped. However, Metzer could see the fear in Schwarzenegger’s eyes. “And as I… when he went to sit down, I continued at him. I was wagging my finger at him, telling him that his behavior was reprehensible; that was not Boyer Coe who needed to grow up but him. And he couldn’t look me in the eye. He went from being a frantic, hysterical adolescent, to shrinking away like an injured child,” Mentzer stated.
Later that year, on the stage of Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger took the trophy home with Mike Mentzer finishing a dismal fifth. As a post from the @mentzerhd account showcased Arnie and Mentzer going head to head on stage, many took to the comments to talk about how they believed that the result was unjust.
The fitness community shows their support for Mentzer
One of the fans explained the difference between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger, “I respect Arnold for all he did for bodybuilding but Mike was the winner this year and he had a quite different thinkwise and philosophy about living and also bodybuilding. Thats what made Mike so special, a real philosophic and objectiv man who inspires many this days in my opinion.”
It was also portrayed how Mentzer was not given the rightful exposure because of Schwarzenegger, “Mentzer got robbed and Arnold never should have placed as high.” One other fan suggested, “Mentzer really should have won that Olympia.” Another fitness enthusiast mocked Arnold and opined that he shouldn’t have been on the stage at all, “Ahnult shouldn’t even be on the same stage as Mike, let alone placing in the competition. – The level of definition from Mike is far superior to that cheat.”
Yet another pointed out the flaws of Schwarzenegger, “Boo Arnold, no legs or arms just chest.”
As the 1980 Mr. Olympia result becomes a topic of discussion again, who would you support and why? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Abhishek Manikandan