ARNOLDS PSYCHOTRICK BEI MR. OLYMPIA 1980

Just in time for the bodybuilding icon's 70th birthday, we are publishing a report on the victory of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1980 Mr. Olympia election. In Sydney, Arnold showed how to use a lot of ambition and charismacan win the competition despite not being in top form. We can all learn from Arnold. Not only in sport but also in private life.

Arnold Schwarzeneggers Win at Mr. Olympia 1980, in the dazzling Sydney Opera House, continues to cause controversy today.

How did he do it?

ARNOLD WANTED A SENSATIONAL COMEBACK ...
but even the day before the competition hardly anyone knew about it.

On the afternoon of October 3, 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger was sitting in his suite at the Sydney Hilton Hotel, fascinated by the drama that was unfolding on the television screen: The live broadcast showed Larry Holmes consuming one in the fight for the World Boxing Championship Muhammad Ali beat up the years come.

Ali took blows before his trainer Angelo Dundee took him out of the fight at the end of round 11. Ali was a pitiful sight (even Holmes didn't seem to want to strike at the end of the fight). The great champion had stepped into the ring too many times. Ali's defeat in the desert heat had to give Schwarzenegger pause too.

He wanted a sensational comeback, but even the day before the competition hardly anyone knew about it. After Ali was destroyed, Arnold still had time to get out. He was still able to prevent a similar low point at the end of his wonderful career. But with his own confidence, he decided the show had to go on. And there really should be a show for the next 36 hours. It was perhaps the greatest Schwarzenegger show ever ...

ARNOLD, FRANK AND SYDNEY

Eight weeks before the competition, after three years of typical Hollywood negotiations about the production of the film „Conan der Barbar“ with Arnold in the lead role, the go-ahead was finally given to filming. It was scheduled to start in late October, and the role saw Arnold undergo an intense crash workout in the „World’s Gym“ in Venice undergo in order to make a real Olympic body out of its reduced dimensions.

As the muscles remembered their shape and Arnold did everything to grow, rumors began to spread that these sudden gym activities were associated with the Mr. Olympia had to do. Arnold always denied that. He claimed that his training was strictly for the film. Of course he would fly to Mr. Olympia, but only as a commentator for the broadcaster CBS, which had already reported on the last competitions ...

FRANK ZANE

In early August 1980 Frank Zane just finished a workout and thought: "Damn! Another eight weeks. " The then 38-year-old had won the Mr. Olympia three times and created the classic “Zane look” that was just as popular with the general public as it was with the bodybuilding freaks. Even today, Zane's body is considered a prime example of aesthetic and healthy bodybuilding.

That August afternoon he layed down by his pool in Palm Springs to get a tan.

Frank Zane reported:

“I sat in that plastic chair by the poolside, the chair slipped on the artificial turf. I fell on the edge of the pool, it hit me right between the legs, right on my filled bladder. Blood streamed from my penis. I was immediately driven to the hospital and spent four days with a catheter ... it was horrible! "

For a short time it was even life threatening.

A few days after he was released, the bleeding started again and he needed further treatment. By the time Zane was finally stable after two weeks, he'd lost 15 pounds of muscle. In Venice they knew that a fourth title was not possible, and it probably wouldn't be able to compete in Sydney at all. In his perplexity, Zane did what most champions back then did - he asked Arnold.

Zane explains: “Since retiring, everyone went to Arnold before the competition. Everyone wanted his advice. They showed in their posing program and he pointed out every wrong detail. I called him and he said, "There is a rumor that you have taken so many steroids that you are now bleeding from your penis." I asked his advice. He said: "Go to Australia and defend your title!" "

Arnold's advice confirmed what the three-time Mr. Olympia had thought. He already had the tickets and six weeks to get in shape. So why not At the same time, Zane asked Arnold if he wanted to take part in the Mr. Olympia. As always, Arnold referred to "Conan" and the job at CBS. And Zane had no reason to doubt his friend's honesty.

We don't know what went through Arnold's head. Perhaps he was of the opinion that a Frank Zane in bad shape would help his own comeback in Sydney.

Sure, he (Arnold) would be the center of attention on stage, but a direct comparison with defending champion Zane, who had determined the post-Schwarzenegger era, would be just as important. This is how it works in bodybuilding: The defending champion is the goal. The judges compare all others with him. Anyone who saw Zane six weeks before the competition was surprised by his form. But at around 82 kilos, a good five kilos less than in 1979, he was not at his absolute best. Zane's accident was Arnold's first point!

THE PARTICIPANTS ARRIVED

The 15 official participants in the 1980 Mr. Olympia arrived in Sydney a few days before October 4th. They did not yet know that a 16th participant would join shortly before the start. Boyer Coe, who was to finish fourth, did not hear about Arnold's participation until the morning of the competition. Bill Pearl, who by the way resigned from his function as main referee, called Coe at the hotel in the morning and said:

The field of participants of the Mr. Olympia 1980:

Danny Padilla, Boyer Coe, Roy Duval, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roger Walker, Roy Callender, Mike Mentzer, Tony Emmott, Ken Waller, Samir Bannout, Frank Zane, Chris Dickerson, Dennis Tinerino, Tom place, Casey Viator and Ed Corney, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"I just wanted to tell you that Arnold is also participating." Pearl also said that Arnold wanted a competition with two classes: under and over £ 200. The winners should then compete against each other. That was how the Mr. Olympia was held from 1974 to 1979. After 1979, however, they returned to an open class because the second in the easy class could be better than the winner of the difficult class or vice versa.

MIKE MENTZER GOES ON ARNOLD

Not until Arnold at the athletes' meeting shortly before the primary on Saturday

Turned up with his gym bag that afternoon, the others realized what he was up to. Arnold immediately demanded the old two-class system again. But he was the only one who spoke out in favor of it. To clear things up, Coe said, “15 of us want it this way, only Arnold wants it differently. Let's listen to his reasons! "But Arnold snapped at him:" Boyer, just act like a man! "

Bevor Before Coe could answer, grabbed Mike Mentzer one. Mike remembered what followed: “I asked Arnold what he had against an open class. That seemed to annoy him, and he barked at me: "Mike Mentzer, we all know Zane hit you last year for having a big belly! I was sitting a few meters away from Arnold holding court there. His comment, of course, annoyed me, and I jumped at him. When I stood in front of him, however, I decided not to hit him.“

At that moment someone intervened and kept the brawlers quiet. Coe thinks it was Bill Pearl, others call it Joe or Ben Weider. In any case, Arnold withdrew his demands for the two classes and something like peace returned.

Why was Arnold so vehemently against the open class? Some believe that he saw the greatest threat in the lighter opponents like Dickerson and Zane. He thought it would be more beneficial to end up against just one of them and then use his mass and size to his advantage. That may be, but a logical assumption is that he simply wanted to appear at the meeting and influence as much as possible. If the others had voted for two classes, he would have been for one. Perhaps the argument was just meant to dissuade his opponents from the intense concentration that is so important for bodybuilders in the hours leading up to a competition. In any case, his opponents left the meeting cursing and were not fully focused on their preparation. Mission accomplished?

MR OLYMPIA 1980 HOUR ZERO

When the athletes changed backstage, Boyer Coe first saw Schwarzenegger in the 1980s execution. "He looked quite light, especially on the legs. He lacked the mass we expected.“On the other hand, 34-year-old Coe at 94 kilos was in the opinion of many observers in the shape of his life.

When Frank Zane saw the “reduced” Schwarzenegger, he believed that the former champ would at best finish sixth. “At first it looked spongy, as if it had too much water. He sweated so much in the primary that he looked better at the show in the evening. But he wasn't the Arnold of the earlier days. If you take five years off and then train eight weeks, what's the point? "

Estimates of his weight vary between 98 and 102 kilos. 1974, according to many experts his best year, was 109 kilos. In 1975 he was rather light by his standards - about 105 kilos. Because he had to lose weight for the film “Stay Hungry” and then rebuild his body within three months for Mr. Olympia. In 1975 he only started because the competition belonged in the script of "Pumping Iron".

ARNOLDS STRATEGIE

Arnold's demeanor during competition was most unusual. Call it arrogance or unsportsmanlike, but it was a strategy. In certain compulsory poses - for example the side triceps pose - he instead showed one of his typical poses such as the double biceps from the front, the side chest, a biceps or the back from the back. Despite his lighter body, he still looked impressive. As always, he used his strengths and ignored his weaknesses.

He once explained his competition strategy to me: “I always let my instincts guide me. And he ordered me to win, eliminate everyone else, destroy my opponents and go my way without hesitation. "

You often hear that the most important muscles for a competition are the chest and biceps. And Arnold had the best chest and the best biceps.

ARNOLDS MASTERPLAN

Coincidence? No way! Arnold had the right instinct. His bodybuilding master plan was very simple: show your best muscles, use your strengths, ignore your weaknesses, let them feel your charisma. Never change your recipe for victory. Change it, improve it, but don't give it up! Make it clear from the start that everyone else is only fighting for second place.

Inspired by the opulent ambience of the Sydney Opera House, he followed his tried and tested strategy and flaunted his exciting biceps and pecs. How else could you explain that Arnold, who was no longer unique, won what is probably the most controversial victory in the history of bodybuilding at the 1980 Mr. Olympia?

ARNOLDS TITLE A SCAM?

There was no cheating in the game! What the critics didn't like was Arnold's typical aura - "I'm the winner, what's second?", Which the judges couldn't resist.

George Butler put it this way: "If you want to beat Muhammad Ali on points, you need ten points. And if you want to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in the great Sydney Opera, you clearly have to be better. A little better is not enough. "

ARNOLD ALWAYS HAD A BIG EGO - AND CHARISMA.

ONLY THE WINNER COUNTS !!!

On October 4, 1980, Arnold won the title of Mr. Olympia for the seventh time, and for the first time there was something like resentment among the crowd. Arnold didn't care. For him all that counted was victory, the end of the story. Whether bodybuilding competitions, box office successes or elections for governor - only the winner counts for history!

FRANK ZANE - 3TH PLACE

Zane finished third and was pretty depressed. “Allegedly I should have left the stage and smashed the trophy. But I only put it backstage - I didn't want it. But she fell over and lost the top. I drove to the hotel, drank a bottle of wine and fell asleep. "

To be honest, Arnold was cocky. But he had the right to act like that.

Commenting on his 1980 shape, Zane says, “First and foremost, I was compared to how I looked last year. I was striped in Sydney. Maybe even a little more muscular, but less massive than in 1979. I felt in good shape in 1980, but not as well as in 1979 when I was exceptional. And everyone knew what I had been through. My face still looked like a death mask. All the stress ... my God, I almost died and eight weeks later I was in competition! Only an idiot could do that. It would have been wiser not to compete in 1980 and try a comeback in 1981. "

WHY DID ARNOLD DONE IT?

Indeed, one has to wonder why Arnold took part in the 1980 Mr. Olympia. Obviously he was not at his best and risked defeat and scratches on his reputation. Frank Zane thinks he knows part of the answer: “I think he wanted to get back on me for a remark I made at the 1979 Mr. Olympia. Arnold helped me many times, both before 1980 and after. In 1979 he was particularly helpful to me. As a CBS commentator, he built me up with his comments. When I came off the stage with my Sandow statue, of course, I felt good, maybe I was a little cocky. During the interview Arnold asked me: "Frank, how do you feel after winning the third Mr. Olympia?" And I replied, "Arnold, that feels even better than my victory over you in the Mr. Universe in 1968!" I knew he hated that. It really annoyed him and was one of the reasons why he took part in the 1980 Mr. Olympia. "

Zane is probably not entirely wrong. In an interview with Dan Solomon and Bob Cicherillo for the internet radio “Pro Bodybuilding Weekly” the governor said the following in February 2006: “Why did I come back? I had several reasons. Most of all, I had to train for the Conan movie. Also, I thought it would be a good idea to take part in the Mr. Olympia because at the time some of the guys had said in interviews that the athletes were much better than they were when a Schwarzenegger competed and that they would all beat me today . That motivated me! "

Arnold, at least it seems, was referring to the aforementioned statement by Frank Zane as well as Mike Mentzer's criticism of his volume training.

Then he continued, “Was it the right decision? From today's perspective, I am unable to answer that. But maybe it was the wrong motivation. After all, I was a recognized bodybuilding champion who had moved into the entertainment industry. And I made a lot of money doing the movies, so why should I take the title away from the guys?

I've always had a big ego and that did its part. So I took part and just won - very close! It was a hair-raising experiment. Bill Pearl came up to me after the area code and said I was three. So I asked: "How many points am I behind?‘ He said: Two points. "Then I said to myself that I could make up for that while posing in the evening. So I did everything in my power. I post and post and tried to look as good and casual as possible to catch up on those two points and still win! "

Bob Cicherillo hakte nach: „Was ging Ihnen durch den Kopf, als Pearl sagte, dass Sie lediglich Dritter seien. Sie waren ja noch nie Dritter. Sie waren entweder Erster oder Zweiter. Und der letzte zweite Platz war ja auch schon elf Jahre her.“

advertising

ARNOLDS PSYCHOTRICK

Arnold replied: "I immediately accused myself of being an absolute idiot:" Arnold, you loser, you idiot! You will lose that thing. You didn't pack it. ‘It was the purest self-punishment, I'm always very good at it. But then I was immediately back on track and said to myself: Now I really have to give everything to win here. I still have a chance at the evening show! ”And I was really lucky that I succeeded and that I lost enough fluids. I still stored plenty of water in the afternoon, but after all that posing I was really streaked in the evening. So I was in better shape in the evening show than in the preliminary fight and won! "

The judges for the 1980 Mr. Olympia in Sydney included:

Albert Busek (Germany)
Reg Park (South Africa)
Mits Kawashima (USA)
Brendan Ryan (Australien)
Mike Walczak (USA)
Julian Blommaert (Belgium)
Dan Howard (USA)

It really cannot be said that this line-up was to the disadvantage of Arnold. The first three in particular were very fond of the Austrian.

The distribution of points in the first three rounds was a bit more complicated back then - the referees could judge athletes as being equal. In the fourth round, the posedown, where there had to be a winner, Busek, Park, Kawashima, Ryan and Walczak decided on Arnold, Blommaert and Howard on the other hand, Dickerson.

The composition of the jury was later heavily criticized, but it would hardly have been found someone with as much integrity as Busek, Kawashima and Park. Although Arnold was not at his best, he seemed too good for his opponents in a number of poses (which he showed over and over again, of course) in the subjective rating of bodybuilding (which never crosses the finish line).

IT WAS A CONSPIRACY !!!

So if someone claims that the result was agreed beforehand, the majority of the judges should have played. Besides, over the past three decades, no one would have held up tight and put evidence of an arrangement on the table. One just has to acknowledge that Schwarzenegger's charisma and aura, along with his posing and showmanship, made an irresistible package that was hard to miss in the ups and downs of a bodybuilding competition.

"Frank, the competition is about strategy, not friendship."

On the return flight to the US, Frank Zane still wondered why Arnold - whom he considered a friend - hadn't told him about his comeback when he had explicitly asked him about it eight weeks earlier. He got the answer two months later when he met Arnold for breakfast at "The Rose Cafe" in Venice.

Zane recalls the meeting as follows: “We finally got to the point of why he hadn't told me about his comeback intentions. The presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan had just taken place and Arnold said, “If Carter had told Reagan about his plans to win before the election, Reagan would have been an idiot if he hadn't used this information to his advantage. "

Zane is silent for a moment, then continues: "Arnold then brought up a classic by saying," Frank, competition is about strategy, not friendship. "He hit the nail on the head! I understood him. He was right - these are two different worlds. "

How does Frank Zane see the competition of 1980 today - 30 years away? “First of all, I would like to say to everyone that Arnold has helped me a lot. He's my friend, that makes up for everything else. I've learned that it's not wise to go up against Arnold. You don't win against him - you just don't win! "