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Home  /  OSL Blog  /  Mr. Olympia 1967: The Rise of a New Star

Mr. Olympia 1967: The Rise of a New Star


Key Takeaways

  1. Mr. Olympia event had gained enough notoriety to be counted alongside the Mr. America and Mr. World competitions.
  2. Audiences were really starting to respond to what we have come to call the Golden Era physique.
  3. Harold Poole faces off against the great Sergio Oliva now that Larry Scott is not competing.

The 1967 Mr. Olympia again took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.

Although this was the third Mr. Olympia contest, it was actually the fifth year in a row that promoter Bud Parker had held an annual IFBB bodybuilding championship there.

Academy of Music

Missed our Mr. Olympia 1965 and 1966 posts? Make sure to check out those recaps here!

The first two years saw the IFBB Mr. Universe contest held in New York. Now, the Mr. Olympia event had been added to the dance card along with the Mr. America and Mr. World competitions.

The atmosphere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music during these past four years has been absolutely electric. Packing the house with nearly 2500 anxious bodybuilding fans had created a perfect venue for bodybuilding.

The annual IFBB events were chock full of entertainment including:

  • Hand balancing acts
  • A Miss Americana competition featuring voluptuous women
  • Arm wrestling contests
  • Strong man exhibitions

This, all in addition to the main bodybuilding contests. The knowledgeable bodybuilding fans knew exactly what to look for in a bodybuilder’s physique.

They rewarded those first-rate competitors with manic applause and screams of encouragement.

Larry Scott
Two-Time Mr. Olympia Winner, Larry Scott

When Larry Scott won the first Mr. Olympia contest in 1965, the noise level at the Brooklyn Academy of Music threatened to blow the roof off the building.

Those in attendance would tell stories decades later about the unprecedented enthusiasm and applause that took place on that magical night.

Whatever promoter Bud Parker had conjured up for these initial IFBB events was genuinely raw enthusiasm and passion for bodybuilding at its zenith.

The IFBB Mr. Universe 1967 Results

In 1967, the IFBB was holding the Mr. America, Mr. World, and the Mr. Olympia at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September. The IFBB Mr. Universe had taken place earlier in the year in Montreal, Canada.

Vic Downs
Vic Downs Posing on Beach

Sergio Oliva, looking remarkably improved over a year ago, had cruised to victory in that prestigious international event, besting the likes of top bodybuilders such as Rick Wayne, Vic Downs, and Frank Zane.

The 1967 Trifecta: Mr. America – World – Olympia

The 1967 America-World-Olympia extravaganza began with some opening words from promoter Bud Parker and IFBB President Ben Weider.

This was followed by a performance by top competitor Rick Wayne who sang for the audience. Gym owner and contest promoter Ed Jubinville then performed his famous muscle control act. 

The Miss Americana Contest

The IFBB Miss Americana got the competition started. The winner of this event was Christine Harris from St. Petersburg, Florida.

Christine and Frank Zane

Christine was the girlfriend and future wife and life partner of Frank Zane. Frank was very happy to see his girl take first place in this event.

In second place was Johnnie Lee of California and taking third place was Janis Eshleman of Maryland.

The Mr. America Contest

The crowd really got excited when the Mr. America competitors stepped onstage. Over 40 bodybuilders were entered into the event and there were some really quality athletes onstage.

The Short Class Results

In the short class, Rock Stonewall from Chicago took first place. Rock had a spectacular upper body with wide, flaring lats and a small waist.

Rock Stonewall
Rock Stonewall

Second place went to the veteran bodybuilder Joe Nista, Jr. from California with the muscular Eddie Giuliani from New York taking third place.

The Medium Class Results

Frank Zane, a future Mr. America, Mr. Universe, and Mr. Olympia winner, took first place in the medium height class. Frank was still living in Tampa, Florida in 1967 and his legendary physique was beginning to take shape.

Frank Zane on the Beach
Frank Zane

Although not as ripped and muscular as he would become over the next decade, Zane still presented a physique that was symmetrical and perfectly proportioned.

Second place went to Zabo Koszewski from California. Zabo, competing at 45 years young, showed off his famous rock hard abs and deeply bronzed California tan to the delight of the New York fans.

Third place went to Allen Kean from Massachusetts.

The Tall Class Results

In the tall class, Don Howorth looked spectacular. Now Don, who trains at Vince’s Gym in Hollywood, California, was super wide with fantastic deltoids tapering down to a tight waist.

Don Howorth Posing
Don Howorth

Don was second to overall winner Chet Yorton the year before but he had improved tremendously in the last twelve months and he was the obvious winner this year.

Ken McCord from California took second place followed by the handsome Don Peters in third.

Don Peters Posing on Beach
Don Peters

An up and coming bodybuilder named Mike Katz also competed in the tall class that evening.

Mike was from New Haven, Connecticut and he was a former pro football player who was trying to make his mark in bodybuilding competitions.

The awards of the Mr. America contest that night went to:

  • Rock Stonewall: Best Back and Most Muscular trophies
  • Zabo Koszewski: Best Abdominals (of course)
  • Mike Katz: Best Chest
  • Frank Zane: Best Legs
  • Don Howorth: Best Arms and the overall title of 1967 IFBB Mr. America

The Entertainment Continues Between IFBB Events     

Before the Mr. World competition took place, the audience was treated to some more entertainment.

Jack Delinger, 1949 AAU Mr. America and 1956 Mr. Universe, guest posed.

Jack Delinger Posing
Jack Delinger

According to the contest reports, Delinger, who once beat the great Bill Pearl for the Mr. Universe title, was a little past his prime and didn’t present the same contest-winning physique that he had in his heyday.

The hand-balancing act of David and Goliath, who had appeared on the Johnny Carson Show in the past, thrilled the sold-out audience with their thrilling performance.

Chuck Sipes, the rugged IFBB bodybuilder who had won the Mr. America in 1959 and Mr. Universe in 1960, came out on stage next to perform his strong man act.

Chuck Sipes in Magazine

Chuck was massively built with thick, rock hard muscle and he was as strong as he looked.

According to the report in IronMan Magazine, Chuck had bench pressed 510 pounds for 5 easy reps the day before the contest at Mid City Gym in New York.

Now, here he was on stage to demonstrate to the audience that a bodybuilder was as strong as he looked!

He began by pulling apart a heavy tire chain with pure brute force. It took Chuck several minutes to break that chain and the audience cheered loudly as they witnessed his great effort.

Metal Chain

He threw the pieces of the chain out into the audience after he accomplished this feat of strength.

Chuck also bent two big railroad spikes together and bent a steel bar while holding it with his teeth before exiting the stage to rapturous applause.

He was also competing in the Mr. Olympia contest later that night so he had to prepare backstage before the big event.

The Mr. World Contest

The Mr. World contest was up next. This international competition featured a field of competitors from around the world.

Rick Wayne, originally from St. Lucia but now living in England, was the overall winner. Rick has a spectacular upper body, particularly his arms which were among the best in the world at that time.

Rick Wayne
Rick Wayne

Vic Downs from Canada gave Rick the most competition for the title. Vic didn’t even start weight training until he was 30 years old.

At the Mr. World contest, Vic was vastly improved from a year ago. At 38 years old, he won the tall class along with awards for Best Chest and Best Legs.

Rick Wayne won the Best Arms award along with Best Back and Best Poser. Rick finished the night off by winning the overall Mr. World title.

The Main Event: Mr. Olympia

Now it was time for the grand finale of the night, the Mr. Olympia contest!

The third edition of the Mr. Olympia was guaranteed to be awarded to a new champion. Larry Scott, Mr. Olympia from 1965 and 1966, had retired onstage after winning his second consecutive title.

Larry Scott Posing With Black Background
Larry Scott, 1965 & 1966 Mr. Olympia Winner

Many people in the audience were looking forward to seeing Larry pose again onstage that night and they were really disappointed to learn that he was not there.

Both Don Howorth and Rick Wayne decided against competing in the Mr. Olympia that night.

First Up: Dave Draper

The first competitor on stage was former Mr. America and Mr. Universe winner, Dave Draper.

Dave was one of the most popular bodybuilders in the world in 1967 and the crowd reacted with thunderous applause when he stepped onstage.

Dave Draper Posing Arm
Dave Draper

Unfortunately, Dave was not in the same tremendous shape that he had exhibited last year. His numerous television and movie appearances kept Dave from being in top condition.

Dave has that “California Bodybuilder” look that has made him so popular with the fans.

Second: Chuck Sipes

Chuck Sipes was up next. After thrilling the crowd earlier with his incredible strongman exhibition, the fans gave Chuck a tremendous ovation.

Chuck Sipes
Chuck Sipes

Sipes had improved so much in the last year, he did not look like the same bodybuilder. With massive 20-inch arms and forearms knotted with rock hard muscle, he was the epitome of the hardcore bodybuilder.

However, his legs were not in the same league as his upper body. Still, he earned the respect of the fans for the improvement he showed since the last Mr. Olympia contest.

The Myth Enters the Stage

What happened next shocked the audience. When Sergio Oliva stepped onstage, the fans caught their collective breath.

Sergio looked like a brand new bodybuilder, a physique that was so freaky and so far ahead of its time, it had never been witnessed before until now.

Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva

In the last year, Sergio had added at least ten solid pounds of muscle mass. Even more surprisingly, this new version of Sergio was refined and hard.

He showed off his tiny waist that was delineated with hard abdominals and intercostals. The contrast between Sergio’s small waist and the huge muscle bellies created a spectacular physique that no one could have ever imagined.

The audience was in shock at first but they responded with huge applause as Sergio exited the stage.

Last Up: Harold Poole

The last competitor in the Mr. Olympia contest was Harold Poole. Harold was second to Larry Scott in the first two Olympia contests so many thought this would be his night.

Harold Poole
Harold Poole

However, Harold did not show the same degree of improvement that both Sipes and Oliva did. Poole still had great muscle mass and his patented Most Muscular Crab pose brought down the house.

However, after the amazing display of muscle exhibited by Sergio only minutes earlier, Poole did not get the reception that he expected.

The Judges Make Their Decision

The judges for Mr. Olympia deliberated for several long minutes as the anxious audience waited to hear the name of the new Mr. Olympia champion.

According to Muscle Builder Magazine, the judges had both Poole and Oliva tied for first place. They eventually had to leave the judges table and go backstage to confer in quiet in order to come up with the final decision.

After much-prolonged arguing, it was finally decided that Mr. Olympia for 1967 should be Sergio Oliva!

Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva

A smiling Sergio took to the stage to accept the silver cup that was presented to him by both Ben and Joe Weider.

When Sergio, the 1967 Mr. Olympia, was handed the $1000 first-place prize money by Joe, his grin got even bigger and he loudly shouted: “Sock it to me Baby!”, a reference to the 1966 track Devil with a Blue Dress On by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels

A new King had now arrived. Sergio Oliva was a bigger and better bodybuilder than had ever been seen before. A new era had begun!

Can’t get enough of our nostalgic look back at the first few years of the Mr. Olympia contest? Make sure you stay tuned for Mr. Olympia 1968! And comment below what you thought of the 1967 Mr. Olympia, its contestants, and outcome! We’d love to hear from you.

Disclaimer: None of the individuals and/or companies mentioned necessarily endorse Old School Labs products or the contents of this article. Any programs provided for illustration purposes only. Always consult with your personal trainer, nutritionist and physician before changing or starting any new exercise, nutrition, or supplementation program.
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