Pumpy, if you were a hypothetical judge at a contest where Arnold stepped onstage in his 1974 form, and Oliva in his 1972 one, how would you rule? I am curious about your opinion. We seldom agree about modern bodybuilders, but we both think highly of the Ironagers.
SUCKMYMUSCLE
I've already said that it was too close to call; if they competed in this condition 6 times each would win 3 in fair contests, which these weren't. Weider had clear magazine and ad sales agendas attached to having a more charismatic BB on the covers and in articles. A shame though that Sergio wasn't at least shown for a minute during the movie Pumping Iron, but unfortunately the movie unlike the book version was very Weider-oriented and showing Oliva might've ruined the story line given that it would have had to be explained why he wasn't also competing in the Olympia which was also about politics that wouldn't have been any more appealing to show on screen than steroids that were also left out.
I like Arnold's '73 condition better-slightly smaller than '74 but leaner, and probably highly motivated by the threat of Oliva's presence and on-stage challenge to Weider/Schwarzenegger/Columbu sitting in the audience at the Mr. International shortly before the Olympia in '73. Based on that and lessons learned in '72 such as ensuring optimal condition AND a tan that was previously lacking, it's a photo finish.
Here are the best shots ever of each IMO, from after the show in '72 when Sergio peaked a day later and wasn't overly covered in oil, and Arnold in '73. I saw all of these shots at the time they first came out in Muscle.
Oliva was rarely close to this condition in his career, and any training shots taken by Weider's better photographers in the late 60s aren't around. Which means that most pics circulated aren't good representations. Schwarzenegger sustained a higher level of conditioning for longer while also benefitting from a legacy of good photographs from Weider's photographers documenting his workouts for years in the early-mid 70s.
Whatever choice i make would just be personal preference. Notice the striking different in Schwarzenegger's tan from '72 to '73. Sergio with a higher degree of detail than normally seen.
