He competed for so many years. At his absolute peak I would put him up against anyone from any era. He wrote in an interview that at his best shape he was 253. That size with his tiny waist made him the Myth. He also always had a real job when he was competing. He worked long hours doing manual labor winning his Olympia titles then he became a cop. Don't forget as a teenager and early twenties he was a world class Olympic lifter. He was a real athlete. Damn guy was even shot at two different times in his life. Once through the arm in Cuba and once by his wife at point blank range in the stomach. You could make a movie about him with all the stuff he has been through.
May his family find peace. May Sergio find his reward.
Your post sums up many of my same feelings about this legend.
The first bodybuilders I ever saw was Sergio vs Arnold in the 1970 Mr World on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
Arnold got a close win that day, but I was more impressed with Sergio.
Nobody, and I ,ean NPBODY could do the overhead victory pose like Sergio.
Sergio last won the O in 1969, but nobody could beat him in that pose in any era.
Sergio had that rare "awe factor" when he posed. Your jaw dropped and you said wtf!
I saw him live only once, when I went to see a WBBG contest in New York many years ago.
He wasn't the most ripped guy, but his incredible V taper, thick arms and sweeping thighs, were incredible.
I knew then , what I know now. Drugs alone will never make a Sergio, you have to be born with the talent.
Rest in Peace mighty Myth.