Arnold Schwarzenegger’s top 3 rivalries

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of the bodybuilding industry and has won the Mr. Olympia title seven times. He achieved unmatched success throughout his career, and with that, he made some of his greatest rivals. T

Schwarzenegger's top rivals are Sergio Oliva, Frank Zane, and Mike Mentzer. Let's find out how these bodybuilders became rivals for life.

#1 Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first rival - Frank Zane

Frank Zane is among the only three bodybuilders who got a chance to defeat undisputed bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. Zane dethroned the Austrian Oak in the 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe championship, igniting one of the greatest rivalries in bodybuilding history - to chase perfection and best each other out on the stage.

But just two years after his first defeat in the United States, Schwarzenegger bounced back quickly and regained the Mr. Olympia throne, defeating Sergio Oliva and Frank Zane. Schwarzenegger took retirement from the Olympia stage in 1975 after his sixth victory in a row, giving Zane a chance to showcase his aesthetic physique.

Frank Zane won the title from 1977 to 1979 but Schwarzenegger came out of his retirement to compete in the 1980 Olympia and won the show. This was a controversial competition and led to the retirement of several bodybuilders, including Frank Zane and Mike Mentzer. It was one of the sparking moments between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger, leading to a never-ending feud.

#2 Schwarzenegger's feud with Mike Mentzer

Mike Mentzer competed in the 1979 Olympia and won the heavyweight division, securing second place behind Frank Zane. But everything changed in the 1980's controversial Olympia after the return of Schwarzenegger. He won the championship in 1980 and shattered Mentzer's dreams. Mentzer finished in fifth place, even three ranks lower than his previous ranking.

The 1980 Olympia was not the only reason behind their rivalry. According to Mike Mentzer's training magazine, the duo had different philosophies. Mentzer advocated high-intensity training while Schwarzenegger followed a traditional approach of focusing on higher volume, making workouts long and short rest periods.

#3 Sergio Oliva - Schwarzenegger greatest rival

Sergio Oliva, aka the Myth, is the only bodybuilder who defeated Arnold Schwarzenegger on the Olympia stage. Schwarzenegger considers Oliva the toughest rival he had back in his prime.

Even in his daily newsletter, Arnold's Pump Club, he mentioned:

"I think the answer has to be Sergio Oliva, who won Mr. Olympia twice in a row before he beat me for his 3-peat in 1969. He was the dragon I had to slay to get to the top."

"His body was incredible. Really, take a second and go google him. Just a monster, and a sweetheart of a guy. It took everything I had to beat him at the Mr. World and then the Mr. Olympia in 1970. I mean everything," he added.

Despite being rivals in their prime, the athletes worked on their differences, ending their feuds and becoming friends years after their retirements.