• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Latest

THE 6 GREATEST OLYMPIA CHAMPIONS OF ALL TIME

by GI Team Updated by Dylan Wolf on Dec 23, 2022

Generation Iron Greatest Olympia Champions
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Who are the best of the best?

The coveted Sandow trophy is only held by a select few. It is the top prize for any bodybuilder to achieve. After years of hard training and posing, after taking down the rest of the world’s opposition, only one man can take home the Mr. Olympia prize each year.

As of 2022, there have been 16 total Olympia champions over its 50 year history. That is a small amount of men compared to the amount of competitions, which is part of the reason why it is such a prestigious title. However, which one is the undisputed greatest of all time? Forget personal opinion or one athletes importance at a certain time, let’s grade by the hard earned Trophy.

History of the Olympia

Let’s take a brief look at how the Mr. Olympia contest came to be.

The Weider brothers had created the Mr. Olympia contest to enable the Mr. Universe winners an opportunity for more competition. They also had the chance to win prize money. The first competition occurred on September 18, 1965, in New York City at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It was at this competition that Larry Scott claimed the first-ever Mr. Olympia title, setting the stage for fellow Olympia champions that conquered the pinnacle of bodybuilding.

Mr. Olympia has since expanded into multiple divisions for different body types. These divisions include the Men’s Open, Men’s 212, Classic Physique, and Men’s Physique, amongst the categories for women. and an entire weekend expo. The Olympia now brings together many different hard-working, dedicated, and shredded athletes who stalk the biggest stage in the world for that top prize each year.

The Olympia is also now an entire weekend of events, including a fan expo, and more promo than ever, Mr. Olympia has taken on a whole new meaning. And while the event is open to men and women, with five events on each side respectively, the main event still stands at Mr. Olympia and the Open division.

Let’s dive in to the greatest Olympia champions of all time.

.

#6. Sergio Oliva

Sandow Trophies: 3

serigo-myth

First up on our list is one of our favorite old-school bodybuilders, Sergio Oliva. Many people consider Sergio one of the best bodybuilders of all time because of his fantastic genetics. Throw in that he took three Sandow trophies home and you have one of the best Olympia champions of all time.

While his size might not stack up to the modern standards of bodybuilding, Sergio carried the physique of a Greek god – consequently earning him his moniker “The Myth).

#5. Jay Cutler

Sandow Trophies: 4

jay-cutler-compilation

Jay Cutler is one of the truest examples of the modern age of bodybuilding. His ultra-wide pro has been a stand out since 2001 and has only just recently started fading from the Olympia circuit. Perhaps in another time, Jay Cutler could have been higher on this list with even more Sandow’s. He consistently came in second to Ronnie Coleman four years in a row – constantly grasping for that moment of glory that he finally achieved in 2006.

If Coleman wasn’t around perhaps Cutler would be able to claim that prime 8x Olympia title. But alas, the reality stands at four and gets him fifth place on our list.

#4. Dorian Yates

Sandow Trophies: 6

Dorian-Yates-main-1560x690_c

Dorian Yates became the first non-US resident to take the Mr. Olympia prize, then he did it again, and again, and again. Yates was one of the earlier bodybuilders who blew the minds of audiences and judges alike with a shocking unseen level of muscular development for the time. What Lee Haney started – Yates took to the next level and became a game changer for the entire bodybuilding community. He was the original mass monster.

#3. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sandow Trophies: 7

arnolds back

You may be asking yourself how can this be possible? Arnold Schwarzenegger surely deserves #1, if not at least #2 on this list! Well maybe we just like to be a little contrarian but the truth is that even if Arnold is one of the most iconic bodybuilders of all time – he falls just one Sandow short of matching the top Olympian champions.

Of course we’ll always remember Arnold as the face of bodybuilding and action movies, keeping him #1 in many hearts even if he’s only #3 on this list.

#2. Lee Haney

Sandow Trophies: 8

lee haney

What makes Lee Haney one of the most memorable Olympia champions is his perfect combination of shape and (at the time) unseen size. Haney was one of the firsts to usher in a new level of muscularity and the sport hasn’t gone back since. In what can be considered one of the most competitive eras of bodybuilding – Lee Haney always came out on top. Giving him a “Total-Lee Awesome” bodybuilding career. (We can’t help but overuse Haney’s nickname for the sake of puns – if you haven’t noticed).

#1. Ronnie Coleman

Sandow Trophies: 8

ronnie

There’s a reason why Ronnie Coleman is nicknamed “The King.” Simply put – Coleman is one of the biggest Olympia champions to date – both in size and reputation. He currently holds the most Olympia wins only to be tied with Lee Haney. Currently it will take at least another six years to see if anyone will be able to take the “Most Olympia Wins” title away from Coleman – and that’s only if Phil Heath keeps taking first from this point on (Which is entirely possible by the way).

Between his massive size, sculpted physique, and top Olympia wins – Coleman earns the first place on our list.

Olympia Winners Wrap Up

So there you have it, the top six greatest Olympia champions of all time, measured by number of times each of them has won. However, with each year we can see a new champ. Big Ramy has two titles now, can he take another one in the coming years? Do you think the number of Sandow trophies match the importance of the man? Who is your favorite competitor?

Let us know who you think deserves the #1 spot in the comments section below. You can also comment on our official Facebook and Twitter pages.

About GI Team

The GI Team is here to provide top news and original content for the new generation. The generation of bodybuilders who are pushing the sport to bigger and better places. Join The Movement. Become a part of Generation Iron!

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility