Sergio Oliva (; July 4, 1941 – November 12, 2012), often known by his epithet 'The Myth' for his physique and performance, was a Cuban American bodybuilder and three-time Mr. Olympia winner.
Early life Sergio Oliva was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba, during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista. As a teenager, Sergio was able to perform clean & jerks above 400 pounds.(2012, Nov). "Sergio Oliva "The Myth" – R.I.P." Iron Man Magazine. He was selected to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America and Caribbean Games. While representing Cuba in Jamaica, he successfully claimed political asylum in the United States. Soon after, 65 other Cuban nationals, which included Castro's entire weightlifting team and their security guards, followed Oliva by seeking asylum in the US. In the United States Oliva lived in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman.
Career Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three years from 1967 to 1969 in a row. He competed at a contest weight of 225–245 lbs. His second title in 1968 was uncontested. In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia competition due to the fact that he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe, allowing Schwarzenegger to claim the title. In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger."Memories Of The Myth: Greats Pay Tribute To Sergio Oliva." Bodybuilding.com.
In 1985, Oliva returned for a final attempt at the Mr. Olympia title. He finished this year in 8th place - repeating his position from the previous year.
Personal life Oliva was a police officer in Chicago from 1976 to 2003. In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife Arleen Garrett. He sustained five bullet wounds to his abdomen from a .38 Special handgun. His son, Sergio Oliva Jr., is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder who won the 2015 NPC Nationals bodybuilding competition, and who has since competed on Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and New York Pro stages.
Death Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure.
Bodybuilding titles +YearLevelTitle/OrganizationOverall PositionNotes1963CityMr. Chicago1st1964StateMr. Illinois1st1964NationalMr. America / AAU7th1965NationalJunior Mr. America / AAU2nd“Most Muscular” Trophy1965NationalMr. America / AAU4th“Most Muscular” Trophy1966NationalJunior Mr. America / AAU1st“Most Muscular” Trophy1966NationalMr. America / AAU2nd“Most Muscular” Trophy1966InternationalMr. World / IFBB1st1st in the “Tall” Category1966InternationalMr. Universe / IFBB1st1966InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB4th1967InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB1st1967InternationalMr. Universe / IFBB1st1968InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB1stSecond Consecutive Win; Uncontested & Unchallenged1969InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB1stThird Consecutive Win1970InternationalMr. World / AAU (Pro) -2nd in the “Tall” Category1970InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB2nd1971 InternationalMr. Universe / NABBA (Pro) -2nd in the “Tall” category1972InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB2nd1972InternationalMr. Galaxy / WBBG1st1973InternationalMr. International, Mr. Azteca / IFBB (Pro)1st1973InternationalMr. Galaxy / WBBG1st1974InternationalMr. International / WBBG (Pro)1st1975InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st1976InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st1977InternationalPro World Championships / WABBA1st1978InternationalMr. Olympus / WBBG1st1980InternationalPro World Championships / WABBA1st1980InternationalProfessional World cup / WABBA1st1981InternationalProfessional World cup / WABBA1st1984InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBB8th1984Inter-StateProfessional Mid-States Championships / WABBA1st1985InternationalMr. Olympia / IFBBSergio Oliva the Myth, Building the Ultimate Physique by Sergio Oliva and Frank Marchante 2007 page 320 (by Gras Publishing company)8th
See also List of male professional bodybuilders
References
External links SERGIO OLIVA: The Myth! Official Website Sergio Oliva Profile Sergio Oliva Gallery El cubano que derrotó a Schwarzenegger SergioOlivaJr.com Son's Official Website exclusive interview of Sergio Oliva for Lexnews magazine in 2007 Sergio Oliva Article at MuscleMecca 2013 Sergio Oliva: The Full, Amazing Story of The Myth
| colspan = 3 align = center | Mr. Olympia
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:Larry Scott | width = 40% align = center | First (1967) | width = 30% align = center | Succeeded by:himself
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:himself | width = 40% align = center | Second (1968) | width = 30% align = center | Succeeded by:himself
| width = 30% align = center | Preceded by:himself | width = 40% align = center | Third (1969) | width = 30% align = center | Succeeded by:Arnold Schwarzenegger