Mr Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men’s bodybuilding contest. It is the biggest and most prestigious bodybuilding competition in the world, and many iconic bodybuilders have won it over the years.
Joe Weider created the contest that is held annually by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).
He created the contest to enable Mr. Universe winners to continue competing and to earn money and every year bodybuilders travel from all over the world to compete at the event.
There is also a Ms. Olympia, where a female bodybuilder is crowned, As well as Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia for fitness and figure competitors. All four contests occur during the same weekend.
In this article I am gonna talk you through the history of Mr Olympia and its winners throughout the years and the dominance of certain competitors of their era.
1960’s – The Pioneering Years
The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, where Larry Scott was crowned champion. He repeated his victory in 1966 before retiring from competition.
Harold Poole competed at his first Mr Olympia in 1965 at the age of 21, and remains the youngest ever competitor to participate in the Olympia to this day. He was also the only man to compete in all three of the initial Mr. Olympia contests, and came runner-up in all 3.
Mr Olympia heralded a new era in bodybuilding competition in 1967, when Sergio Oliva won the next 3 Mr Olympia competitions.
Oliva’s level of muscle mass and definition was unlike anything seen in prior competitions, he was the first and only competitor to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Mr. Olympia competition.
1970’s – Dominance of Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognized Mr. Olympia winners. He ran the early-mid 70’s with dominant performances and won 5 straight Mr Olympia’s.
Upon his 1975 victory Arnold retired, until which he came out of retirement for the 1980 Olympia contest. His entry into this competition was kept secret, and at the last minute, he announced that he would compete and won.
Frank Zane won the 1977, 1978, and 1979 competitions. While not as physically big as previous competitors such as Schwarzenegger or Oliva, Zane developed one of the greatest physiques in body building history.
1980’s – Lee Haney’s Eight-Year Streak
Franco Columbu, the 1976 champion, secured his second Mr. Olympia victory in 1981. Franco, a close friend and training partner of seven-time Mr. Olympia winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 1982, Chris Dickerson won the title and is in a handful of people to only win once. He was the first openly gay Mr. Olympia winner, and along with bodybuilding, he also was a successful model.
Samir bannock became the first bodybuilder from Middle East to win Mr. Olympia in 1983. He is another competitor to only win once, but went on to have a great career over decades.
Lee Haney went on to win eight consecutive titles from 1984-1991, a feat shared only with fellow Olympia, Ronnie Coleman. Haney retired at the age of 31. He has since turned to personal training and working with athletes like boxer Evander Holyfield.
1990’s – Dorian Yates and the Evolution of Judging
During the 90s judging in professional bodybuilding competitions started placing greater emphasis on muscle mass. It had now become the most important factor to winning, even greater than that of symmetry, aesthetics and proportion.
After finishing as runner up to Haney in 1991, Dorian Yates dominated most of the 90s winning 6 consecutive titles. Yates began power lifting while serving time in a youth detention centre in England before moving to bodybuilding and winning the title from 1992-1997.
In 1994 Joe Weider added a separate Master Olympia competition for professional bodybuilders to continue to compete at the highest levels as they get towards the end of their careers.
2000’s – Ronnie Coleman’s Unprecedented Reign
After Dorian Yates dominance throughout the 90s, Flex Wheeler looked like the man to take over, but Ronnie Coleman surprised everyone with a new improved physique in 1998, winning 8 consecutive titles.
Coleman was unranked in his first Mr Olympia before winning it from 1998 to 2005, equalling Lee Haney’s most titles of 8. He nearly topped Haneys record with title 9 in 2006 but placed second to Jay Cutler.
It was Cutler’s first title after coming runner-up to Coleman in five consecutive years. Cutler successfully defended his title again in 2007. Coleman came in fourth place and subsequently announced his retirement from competition.
In 2008, Dexter Jackson defeated Cutler, until he returned in 2009 to reclaim his title becoming the first Mr Olympia in history to reclaim the title after having it lost, by returning to stage and defeating the reigning champion.
2010s – Phil Heath’s Era of ‘The Gift’
In 2010 Cutler retained his title becoming just the fifth competitor in Olympia history to win the title more than 3 times, with his 4th Mr Olympia title.
Phil Heath, known as ‘the gift’ defeated Cutler for the title in 2011 and then went on to win 6 consecutive titles winning the title from 2011-2017.
Despite tearing 9 tendons in his right hand and told he would never again lift, Rhoden became the oldest competitor to win Mr. Olympia at 43 years old.
Brandon Curry dominated the show at the 2019 Arnold’s Classic making him favorite for 2019 Mr Olympia in which he did not disappoint and took home the title.
2020’s – Recent Champions and the Global Influence
Sitting at over 300 pounds, Mamdouh Elssbiay exploded onto the bodybuilding scene making his Mr. Olympia debut in 2013 where he placed eighth.
He slowly progressed over the years and after teaming up with bodybuilding legend Dennis James, he finally won Mr Olympia in 2020 and retained his title in 2021.
In 2022 Hadi Choopan from Iran secured his first Mr. Olympia title after debuting 2019 placing third. He secured himself a spot amongst the 17 men that have won the Mr Olympia title over the 58 years that it has been held.
Complete List of Mr Olympia Winners 1965-2022
- 2022 – Hadi Choopan
- 2021 – Big Ramy
- 2020 – Big Ramy
- 2019 – Brandon Curry
- 2018 – Shawn Rhoden
- 2017 – Phil Heath
- 2016 – Phil Heath
- 2015 – Phil Heath
- 2014 – Phil Heath
- 2013 – Phil Heath
- 2012 – Phil Heath
- 2011 – Phil Heath
- 2010 – Jay Cutler
- 2009 – Jay Cutler
- 2008 – Dexter Jackson
- 2007 – Jay Cutler
- 2006 – Jay Cutler
- 2005 – Ronnie Coleman
- 2004 – Ronnie Coleman
- 2003 – Ronnie Coleman
- 2002 – Ronnie Coleman
- 2001 – Ronnie Coleman
- 2000 – Ronnie Coleman
- 1999 – Ronnie Coleman
- 1998 – Ronnie Coleman
- 1997 – Dorian Yates
- 1996 – Dorian Yate
- 1995 – Dorian Yates
- 1994 – Dorian Yates
- 1993 – Dorian Yates
- 1992 – Dorian Yates
- 1991 – Lee Haney
- 1990 – Lee Haney
- 1989 – Lee Haney
- 1988 – Lee Haney
- 1987 – Lee Haney
- 1986 – Lee Haney
- 1985 – Lee Haney
- 1984 – Lee Haney
- 1983 – Samir Bannout
- 1982 – Chris Dickerson
- 1981 – Franco Columbu
- 1980 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1979 – Frank Zane
- 1978 – Frank Zane
- 1977 – Frank Zane
- 1976 – Franco Columbu
- 1975 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1974 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1973 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1972 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1971 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1970 – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- 1969 – Sergio Oliva
- 1968 – Sergio Oliva
- 1967 – Sergio Oliva
- 1966 – Larry Scott
- 1965 – Larry Scott
Conclusion – Closing Thoughts and Comments
As we have looked through the history of the Mr. Olympia competition, it is clear that this event is more than just a bodybuilding contest. It is a testament to the relentless dedication and passion of individuals who push the boundaries of physical excellence.
From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to the global spectacle it has become today, Mr. Olympia has witnessed the rise of iconic figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva, Lee Haney, and Ronnie Coleman, each leaving an mark on the sport of bodybuilding.
As we look to the future, the Mr. Olympia competition continues to evolve, welcoming new champions like Hadi Choopan and Big Ramy. These athletes carry on the legacy of those who came before them, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the pursuit of the coveted title.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the history of Mr Olympia. If you have any questions about Mr Olympia or bodybuilding in general, leave a comment below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.