Mr. Olympia is the most widely recognized and reputable bodybuilding contest. There have been attempts to come up with other bodybuilding contests, however, Mr. Olympia has stood the test of time since 1965. Founded by Moguls Joe and Ben Weider, this contest takes place each year, and countless bodybuilders take part in the hope of taking the title home. Interestingly, to date, only 17 bodybuilders have been able to claim the victory.
Out of these, two of the most prominent names are Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman. These two have won the title a staggering eight times which is the most Mr. Olympia titles won by any of the participants in history. Notably, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Phil Heath stand at the second position in the list of most titles with seven times. It is undeniable that once a bodybuilder reaches the stage of the contest and ultimately wins, fame follows them.
The first contest took place on September 18, 1965, in New York City at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Larry Scott was the first ever bodybuilder to take the title home, and then he won it again the next year. After claiming victory two times, he retired and left the stage for fellow bodybuilders to shine.
Furthermore, the contest is held by the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, and over the years, different divisions have been introduced. This has undoubtedly helped to expand the horizon and give opportunities to countless bodybuilders. Each year, the stage is set on fire by fierce bodybuilders who are determined to leave their mark on the sport.
Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman both have won the Mr. Olympia title eight times
Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman have undoubtedly changed the landscape of bodybuilding, and have influenced generations to come. Both of them are among the greatest bodybuilders that history has ever witnessed, and that too rightfully. Despite retiring years ago, the two of them have become the faces of Mr. Olympia.
Furthermore, Haney claimed the title from 1984 up until 1991. He retired soon after this and left fans shocked with his decision as he could have easily won more titles. In his appearance on ‘The Lee Labrada Show‘, Haney spoke about his retirement and stated, “When we’re on top, there’s nowhere else to go but down”. He was merely 31 years old and could have continued, but he chose to retire and doesn’t regret it.
On the other hand, Coleman won the prestigious title from 1998 to 2005 and broke his streak after losing the title to Jay Cutler in 2006. Despite this, Coleman declared that Chris Bumstead has the best physique ever. He still remains in touch with bodybuilding and often entertains fans with his amusing videos that he updates on social media accounts. As Mr. Olympia 2023 is scheduled for November 2, fans await to see this year’s winner.