True greats who should get their due respect.
Bodybuilding is a fairly interesting endeavor. You spend all your time training and dieting to cultivate a physique that you find to be the most aesthetically pleasing to your own eye. On the professional stage, things can be even more nuanced and complicated. You have to set the trend as well as have a supremely string routine all coupled with tremendous genetics. It’s why Olympia champions are held in such high regard. To do the things an Olympia champion must do to win the biggest bodybuilding show out there is truly daunting and taxing on the mind and body.
That said, there are Olympia champions that were truly amazing that many fans fail to remember. Here is a list of some of the most notable Olympia champions who deserve more love.
Larry Scott
The first ever Olympia winner, Larry Scott was an absolute beast back in his heyday. As far as his influence goes, Larry Scott paved the way for other bodybuilders as being not only a successful athlete, but an actor and entertainer as well. After winning the first two Olympia titles, Scott became semi-retired and headed on to other ventures.
Chris Dickerson
Back in the day Chris Dickerson was one of those competitors that had all the potential in the world yet faces tough odds against men like Frank Zane and Mike Mentzer. Nevertheless, he would eventually come out on top as the 1982 champion. He was the oldest competitor to receive the distinction at the age of 43.
Samir Bannout
The winner of the 1983 Olympia, Samir Bannout was one of the top bodybuilders of the era. With an incredible V taper and a legendary back, Bannout proved to be one of the true greats. Though he may have not have had a crazy Olympia win streak, his showing at the 1983 event proved that he is worthy of making this list.
Lee Haney
Probably the most underrated Olympia champion, many people tend to forget that Lee Haney was the first man to break Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Olympia win streak with eight straight wins. Ronnie Coleman would also accomplish the feat but the biggest difference between the two is that Lee Haney retired undefeated since taking him his first Sandow. For that reason, you could argue Lee Haney was one of the best to ever compete.
What do you think of these Olympia champions?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
