Mike Mentzer. He came in 5th in the 1980 Olympia but his fans think he should have won.
He lost the Universe twice. One to Robby Robinson and one to Kalman. Both times I believe they clearly beat him and again his fans and Mentzer thinks he should have won. He entered the Olympia against Zane and he looked so smooth in comparison yet his fans think he should have won.
I will say this in the history of modern bodybuilding he was one of the most influential bodybuilders ever. Just a couple of things he brought back from the past or deviates from what was accepted.
1. Training the whole body three times a week.
2. He brought back rotation for recuperation from Frank Calta where body the body was trained three times a week but body parts got hit once or twice a week. So Monday was Thighs, Chest, and triceps. Wednesday was lats, delts and bicep. Friday you go back to Monday's routine. Next week it's reversed so Wednesday's routine is Monday and Friday.
3. He said you can train a body part once a week. Radical stuff back then.
4. Said it's calories in and calories out that matter.
5. Actually said he used steroids.
6. During his prime he used aerobics heavily but then when he retired he was against it.
7. Said a bodybuilder should pursue strength gains.
8. Actually said bodybuilders lie about their arm size and told everyone what his arm size was when he weighed 225lbs. A true 20 inch arm is rare unless you weigh the same as a baby hippo.
9. Said Nautilus were the greatest machines ever made.
I will think of more later.