Cuban-American bodybuilder Sergio Oliva was remarkably the only man to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger at Mr. Olympia. Popularly known as “The Myth”, Oliva had won three Mr. Olympia titles. But leaving an untarnished legacy behind, he, unfortunately, passed away in 2012 due to apparent kidney failure.
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Notably, in one of his past interviews, Oliva once talked about a unique way to earn money as an amateur bodybuilder.
How did Oliva and Arnold Schwarzenegger earn money as young bodybuilders?
Bodybuilding is a sport that requires immense hard work and stamina. But apart from rigorous workouts, one also needs the right nutrition and other supplements to improve and complement their physique.
During an old interview with journalist David Robson, Oliva exposed a secret of how to make money as an amateur bodybuilder. When Robson asked him how he used to make money from bodybuilding during his initial days, Oliva stated it was due to the photo studios.
He explained, “The photo studio shots they were entitled to pay you and you could continue to be an amateur.” Oliva’s answer was an important takeaway for many other young bodybuilders who rely on the sport to make money.
Like Oliva, his competitor Arnold Schwarzenegger also used this method to make money in his initial days. Not to forget, the two were known to have one of the greatest rivalries in bodybuilding history. During the 1969 Mr. Olympia finals, “The Myth” beat “The Austrian Oak” to win the title.
How Oliva got the name “The Myth”
A true beast of the 20th century, Oliva was one of the bodybuilders who made Mr. Olympia a prestigious contest. He gained the name “The Myth” due to his insanely well-built figure, which many believed to be mythical.
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After Oliva’s death, his most fierce competitor, Schwarzenegger, also admitted that “The Myth’s” physique and strength intimidated him. At present, Sergio Oliva Jr is taking his father’s bodybuilder legacy ahead and fans have great expectations of him.
Written by
Edited by
Melroy Fernandes