Sergio Oliva - The Day the Myth was Miffed

I first saw Sergio Olivia at the 1971 NABBA Pro Universe in London. The event headlined a clash between NABBA legend Bill Pearl and Sergio a former IFBB Mr. Olympia (1967-’69). After competing in AAU and IFBB contests throughout his previous career this was The Myth’s first foray into NABBA territory, and there was conspiratorial talk before the contest that NABBA would not allow Pearl a three time Universe winner (1953, 1961, 1967) to be beaten by an outsider.

When Sergio walked out I was absolutely shocked by the magnificence of his physique that sported show stopping full muscle bellies enhanced by his small joints that I just bolted back in my seat. Nevertheless Bill Pearl relegated Sergio to second place and I was to learn that the Cuban’s offstage manner did not match the grandeur of his onstage presence.

Coming out of the Victoria Palace Theater I and a couple of friends, John and Les, saw Sergio stepping into a London cab. With the door still open, Les stuck he head into the cab and asked, “Sergio, how you feeling?” In that high-pitched voice of his the runner up of a few minutes ago snarled and spat out, “I got beaten by a fat pig.” Les, never one to let the angry retort of a 230-pound muscular giant, faze him, continued with his questioning and asked, “What’s the matter Sergio, can’t you take a beating?” Sergio looked somewhat warily at Les and then mumbled, “It’s all damn politics.” At that a couple of Sergio’s entourage jumped in the cab and it sped off. Unfortunately I would see that sour side of Sergio surface several times in the decades to come. He had a fantastic physique unfortunately it wasn’t always matched by his demeanor.

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