Not every win is a deserved one.
The Mr. Olympia competition is no stranger to its share of controversies over the years. Even in 2014 we still are witnessing some of the closest, and most controversial, decision the sport has ever seen. Some decisions are up for debate while others were so egregiously fixed that even a blind man could see the bias. Here are some of the most controversial Olympia wins in the history of the competition.
.
2014: Phil Heath vs Kai Greene
The battle between Phil and Kai was tense, entertaining, and perhaps was one of the most controversial. Many onlookers had Kai finally taking the crown from his perpetual foe. Fate would have it that the judges would favor the reigning champ. It appears that the bitter rivalry will continue on with Kai still chasing his dream of not only defeating Phil, but claiming the title of Mr. Olympia in the process. As decisions go, it was a greatly contested victory for Phil, the outcry of politics already creeping it’s ugly head over the competition. But this wasn’t the first time the the Olympia event had been steeped in controversy. In fact, it was merely continuing the long legacy of disputed decisions in the competition’s history. There’s no denying that both men were in top form and equally deserving of merit. That said, would anyone have been surprised to see Kai claim victory? For my money that answer’s no.
2007: Victor Martinez vs Jay Cutler
A controversial competition in modern memory came in 2007 when Victor Martinez met Jay Cutler in the finals that year. Both men were in tremendous shape and both seemed to be on the top of their game, but Victor began to pull away from Jay and many people recognized that the reigning champs crown was in danger. Martinez himself has spoken out about the competition, stating that many onlookers, including eight time Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman, had thought Victor would be the clear winner that year. During the finals Victor would go on to state that the judges didn’t even seem to look at him – instead just marking down scores before getting a full viewing of both competitors. Victor as well as many of his fans and supporters are unequivocal in their stance on the matter. Victor Martinez was the uncrowned champ in 2007. Unfortunately for Mr. Martinez the judges didn’t see it his way.
You can also get Victor’s inside thoughts about that controversial loss in our exclusive interview right here.
1981: The Return of Franco Columbu
After his good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to competition the year prior, not without his own hurdles to overcome, Franco Columbu decided to return to competition after a severe knee injury had sidelined him for five years. With the 1980 competition steeped in it’s own dreaded myopia of controversy, many of the top bodybuilders of the era had chosen to boycott the competition, stating that the politics involved in the 1980 event marred the Olympia competition and everything it stood for. Having been out of competition for years and against the expressed objections of his physician, Franco trained diligently for the event and entered the competition, co-promoted that year by Schwarznegger. Call it politics, call it favoritism, but Franco came out on top in 1981, many observers once again expressing their disapproval. Due to his injury, Franco didn’t possess the leg definition that one would expect of an Olympia champion, the lack thereof proving to harm his overall symmetry. As great an athlete as he was, it can’t be denied that Franco Columbu was perhaps gifted a victory in 1981.
1972: Arnold Schwarzenegger vs Sergio Oliva
The rivalry between Schwarzenegger and Oliva was well documented. Oliva had defeated Schwarzenegger in the 1969 Olympia competition while The Austrian Oak came back the next year to taste sweet victory in the 1970. Out of the running in 1971 due to a suspension, Oliva was poised to come back in 1972 to challenge Schwarzenegger’s title. To this day many believed that Oliva came in superior shape to his Austrian foe and should have claimed victory. Oliva was monstrously large while maintaining the ripped physique he was lacking in his 1970 face off with the Austrian. However it proved that the judges favored Schwarzenegger and victory slipped through Oliva’s grasp. The competition was undoubtedly close much like this years event and would go down as one of the most hotly contested Olympias in history. But it wasn’t the most controversial competition the Austrian would be involved in.
1980: Arnold’s Comeback
After claiming the 1975 title, Arnold called it quits and pursued other ventures outside of bodybuilding. That was until the 1980 competition where Arnold secretly decided to join the event. Many observers saw that Arnold was building muscle mass, suggesting to many that he’d be returning to competition after a five year absence. Schwarzenegger explained simply that he was preparing for the movie Conan The Barbarian and was simply getting in shape for the film. But once it was clear that the Austrian Oak was fully intending a return, the competition at the time didn’t view him as much of a threat. Though still in great physical condition, Arnold wasn’t in the same form as he had been before his retirement. He lacked the the definition, size and ripped physique that made him a champion and everyone on hand knew it. Despite that, Arnold was victorious to the chagrin of many attendees and competitors alike. Many believed that the other men in the top five, Chris Dickerson, Mike Metzner, Boyer Coe, and Frank Zane, were all more deserving of the tittle that year. Many sited politics as the reason for the Austrian’s victory and some competitors would go on to boycott the 1981 event. There’s no arguing that this was perhaps the most controversial win in the competition’s history.
.
What competition do you believe is the most controversial? Where does this years competition stack up? Leave a comment below and visit us on Facebook and Twitter to let us know your thoughts.