It is improper to rate the best Olympians simply on how they look in pics from various eras one on one.
One must take into consideration the time period that the champ competed in.
The following key factors are:
1. How dominate or superior was their physique vs their peers of the day.
In this category a guy like Haney might rate the highest OVERALL in his long reign, but a guy like Dickerson or Sammir would rate pretty low as they did NOT domiante against their peers despite winning an Olympia.Segio may have been the most dominate of any champ in his heyday from 67-69.It wasn't even close until 1970 when Arnold came along.
2. Did they set a new standard of some kind with their physique.
Here a guy like Zane, who set a standard for more asthetetic look as the ideal would be nearly equal to Yates in his 2nd and 3rd Olympia wins, where he wowed the judges with a unseen level of size with extreme hardness.Ronnie in 2004 clearly set a new mass standard.
3. Their overall record in contests. Haney would have to rate high here as he won 8 straight and never was defeated on stage during his Olympia reign. Ronnie has quite a string going but was beaten by Gunter in the GNC . Arnold and yates would also rate high here, where Sammir and Franco Calumbo would rate very low.
4. What kind of impact did they leave on the sport?
While many forget him, Larry Scoot made quite a splash when he won the 1st 2 Olympias and is remebered for being the 1st man to win all of the top bodybuilding titles. Overall, without question ARNOLD is light years ahead of anyone in this category for obvious reasons.
5. Signature pose- Who could ever forget the incredible single bi shot of Larry Scott! Arnold's front dbl bi ( or side chest). Haney and Yates doing a back shot. Zane and his incredible signle bi arm overhead shot or front vacuum, etc. For my money the GREATEST individual in the history of bodybuilding is Sergio doing his 2 arms overhead VICTORY pose.
6. Fan base- some Olympians did not have a huge fan base like Sammir or Dickerson. Others
With all that in mind here is my pick for the best of the best Mr Olympia champs.
Overall (but DQ'd)- ARNOLD, hard to imagine bodybuilding without thinking of the oak.However, he is so famous and acomplished OUTSIDE of bodybuilding it is impossible to be objective about him as a bodybuilding champ.Thus , I consider ARNOLD much more than a Mr Olympia, he is the icon of the sport.
1. Lee Haney - very dominate for many years on the Olympia stage.
2. Dorian Yates - the man was the image of what bodybuilders should strive for in the 90's.
He did not have an outgoing personality, but, when he guest posed the crowd just went nuts more than anybody else I ever saw.
3. Ronnie - give the big guy his due.
4. Sergio - best pose ever on an Olympian stage, what else can you say....but "the myth"
5. Zane - made an impact that changed the sport in his day.One of the few bodybuilders to beat ARNOLD on stage
6. Larry Scott, the 1st Mr O and legend.
7. Franco - dominated the short/under 200 lb class until Arnold left and he won in 1976.
8. Dickerson - one win but a long sucessful career
9.Sammir Banout-picked the right year,came in ripped, pulled out the win barely.
Uncrowned Mr O's- Here are guys that could have or almost been Mr Olympia.
Dave Draper in 1966 had he gotten in the Olympia.
Tom Platz in 1981 , should have been placed over Columbo who had no legs that year.
Mentzer or Roy Calender in the 1980 Olympia where Arnold came back and stole the limelight.
Jay Cutler in 2000, Ronnie had a belly was smooth while Jay was razor sharp that year.
Shawn Ray or Kvin Levrone, the year Yates entered with a torn bicep.
Labrada in 1991 (or 90?),when they actually drug tested the OLympia and everyone was off.
