Sergio Oliva the Bodybuilder with the Best Genetics in History
- Dylan Halpin
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Article Overview
Introduction
Sergio Oliva, was a Cuban American bodybuilder, known as "The Myth" for his astonishing physique and relentless personality. In this article, I cover how as a Cuban-born he achieved American asylum, won 3 Mr. Olympia titles in a row (including beating Arnold himself), why he was eventually banned from bodybuilding and how he survived being shot by his wife, before passing on the torch (1).
Who Was Sergio Oliva Before Bodybuilding?
Sergio Oliva, known as "The Myth" for having one of the best bodybuilding physiques in history. Sergio had perfect symmetry, 22.5" arms and a minuscule 27" waist! (2) He was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba, but later earned US political asylum for his powerlifting achievements, by competing for Jamaica in the 1962 central Caribbean Games. As a teen he was able to clean & jerk over 400lbs! It was once he earned US citizen ship that he began to pursue a career in bodybuilding (1).
Outside of bodybuilding, Sergio worked as a TV repairman... Know I don't know about you, but I didn't realise TV Repairmen were this jacked! Then again, TVs were much bulkier back in the 60s/70s. Later in life, he became a police officer in Chicago from 1976 - 2003 (1).
His Bodybuilding Career
At 5’10 tall, Sergio competed at an astonishing ultra-lean stage-weight of 225lbs - 245lbs (102kg - 111kg). He made his first bodybuilding debut in 1966 at Mr. World and won the 1967, 1968 and 1969 IFBB Mr. Olympia titles (beating Arnold in 1969), before he was banned in 1971, due to competing in the NABBA Mr. Universe, leading to Arnold Schwarzenegger claiming the victory (1).
In fact, when Sergio eventually passed-away, in 2012, Arnold wrote: “Sergio Oliva was one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time and a true friend. A fierce competitor with a big personality – one of a kind.”(2)
Shot by His Wife
Unbelievably, at age 45, Sergio survived being shot by his wife at the time, Arleen Garrett. She shot him in the abdomen, chest and arms with five rounds from a special handgun. Miraculously he was able to make a full recovery (1). - Maybe having that much muscle acted as armour protecting his vital organs? 🤔
Surprisingly, after making a full recovery, he actually reconciled with her for a time before they eventually separated for good! - Definitely a questionable decision form Sergio... I m all for working through arguments, but being shot is where I draw the line!
Sergio's High-Volume Workout Technique
Sergio Oliva trained a "bro-split", which meant he trained one muscle group per session, e.g. he had an arm day, shoulder day, chest day... He enjoyed doing high-volume sessions, with most workout consisting of at least 40 sets for one muscle group!
I think his physique is one of the most magical of all time, so I decided to try his workout. Watch my video to see what I thought and what I scored his chest workout out of 10.
Passing the Torch
Unfortunately, Sergio passed away due to Kidney failure in November 2012, aged 71, but before passing the torch his son (1).
Following on from his fathers footsteps, Sergio Oliva Jr (yes, the son of Arleen Garret, who shot Sergio Oliva!) was as equally fascinated by the sport of bodybuilding. He is now an IFBB professional, making his first Mr. Olympia appearance in 1984 as an infant. He in now on a journey to try and become as successful as his father (3).
In 2015, NPC Nationals in Miami, Florida, Sergio Oliva Jr won and received the coveted IFBB Pro Card. Since then, he has competed in the 2017 New York Pro, 2018 Mr. Olympia and the 2020 Arnold Classic (3).
Conclusion
Sergio Oliva's legacy extends far beyond his three consecutive Mr. Olympia titles and his legendary rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger. "The Myth" earned his nickname through an extraordinary combination of genetic gifts, relentless work ethic, and an indomitable spirit that saw him survive circumstances that would have ended most people's careers, or lives.
From his daring escape from Cuba to his dominance on the bodybuilding stage, from surviving a near-fatal shooting to his decades of service as a Chicago police officer, Sergio's life story reads like something out of fiction. Yet it was all too real, and his impact on the sport of bodybuilding remains undeniable. His 22.5" arms, 27" waist, and jaw-dropping symmetry set a standard that bodybuilders still chase today.
Perhaps most importantly, Sergio's influence lives on through his son, Sergio Oliva Jr., who carries the family name into modern competitive bodybuilding. While the elder Oliva may have passed away in 2012, his training philosophy, competitive fire, and larger-than-life personality continue to inspire new generations of athletes who dare to chase their own mythical physiques. In a sport built on pushing human potential to its absolute limits, Sergio Oliva proved that sometimes, the myths are real.
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