Mr. Olympia 1975: The Competition Goes International

Need to catch up on the first 10 years of the Mr. Olympia contest? Check out each year from its inception in 1965, then come back to read about the year “Pumping Iron” was filmed.

Ten years ago, the Mr. Olympia began at the small Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City.  One of the first surprises in store in 1975 was a change in venue, with the contest being held in Pretoria, South Africa. 

This was an exciting change, proving the international reach that the IFBB had achieved in the last decade. Both the IFBB Mr. Universe and the prestigious Mr. Olympia contests were held the same night. 

However, that’s not the final surprise in store for competitors and fans. The 1975 Mr. Olympia would prove to be a historical event for another reason. 

The Filming of “Pumping Iron” 

Director George Butler was using the 1975 Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions as the focal point of his new documentary about bodybuilding. George called his new film “Pumping Iron.”

He decided on the same title as the best selling book published only one year earlier with his partner, Charles Gaines. 

Little did anyone know that the movie “Pumping Iron” would go on to be a classic film that defined the sport of bodybuilding for decades to come. 

More Competitors Compete than Ever Before

The 1975 Mr. Olympia was also historic as the biggest competition in the ten years since it began. 

Maybe due to the rumor that the reigning champ, Arnold Schwarzenegger, would not compete due to his emerging film career. More competitors showed up to try their hand at winning the biggest title in bodybuilding than ever before. 

The Division Split Continues

Continuing the new rule from the year before, the 1975 Mr. Olympia would be held in two weight divisions: 

• Under 200 Pound Class
• Over 200 Pound Class

In the Under 200 Pound division, a total of six competitors entered the class. 

In the Over 200 Pound Class, three competitors signed up to compete. 

This was a big increase over the last two years: 

• Three competitors (both classes combined) entered in 1973 
• Four bodybuilders (both classes combined) entered in 1974 

The Mr. Universe Starts First

The competition began with the 1975 Mr. Universe contest. 

There was a bit of controversy concerning the selection of the American Team chosen to compete in the Mr. Universe that year. Each country was required to send competitors for each weight class for the Mr. Universe contest. 

They were allowed just one competitor per class:

• Lightweight
• Middleweight
• Heavyweight

The American Team, for some reason, had a total of four competitors entered. 

The Competitors of the American Team – Which Will Go?

Danny Padilla, who had won the overall title at the IFBB Mr. USA contest, was eligible to compete in the Mr. Universe. He would be vying for the Lightweight class. 

Robby Robinson, was the winner of both the 1975 IFBB Mr. America and Mr. World. He entered the Mr. Universe in the middleweight division. 

The controversy centered around the American bodybuilder picked to enter the Heavyweight Class. 

Ken Waller was picked to enter the Mr. Universe in the Heavyweight Class in 1975. He had placed second in the Mr. Universe the last two years as well as winning the IFBB Mr. World in 1973. 

Surprisingly, Mike Katz was also selected as a competitor for the Mr. Universe that year. Mike had not won any qualifying competitions in 1975 to earn his entry in the contest that year. 

In fact, the last competition that Katz had won was the IFBB Mr. World contest in 1972. He had taken third place at the Mr. Universe in 1973 and second at the Mr. International in 1974. 

The rumor was that Mike Katz was selected to compete in the Mr. Universe to create a storyline for the film “Pumping Iron.” 

Butler had interviewed Mike Katz for the movie and he was setting up a rivalry between Katz and Ken Waller. He would portray Mike as the sentimental underdog with the big heart, thwarted by the evil Waller due to backstage tricks. 

America Loses the Lightweight Class

Since Mike Katz was now entered into the contest, the American Team had to get rid of one of their competitors. 

Unfortunately, Danny Padilla was told he could not compete right before he was ready to step on stage. Padilla had a fantastic physique and he would have easily won the Lightweight division. 

Instead, he was forced to watch from the sidelines instead as England’s Wilfred Sylvester took the win. 

Can America Come Out on Top in the Middleweight Class?

In the Middleweight Class, the incredible physique of Robby Robinson easily won the division over the excellent Albert Beckles from England. 

Beckles was a surprise entry as he had already won the overall of the IFBB Mr. Universe back in 1971. He also happened to be entered in the Mr. Olympia contest that weekend. It was interesting that he also decided to enter the amateur Mr. Universe as well. 

Will Butler’s Plan Work to Ensure a Win in the Heavyweight Class?

The Heavyweight Class of the 1975 Mr. Universe was tightly contested. 

The excellent physique of Ken Waller, as expected, took first place. 

Roger Walker, the thickly muscled bodybuilder from Australia, was a disappointed second with Paul Grant from Wales in third place. 

Mike Katz, to the disappointment of many, only took fourth place. The cameras of “Pumping Iron” captured all the action both backstage and onstage. 

Will America Reign Supreme for the Overall Winner?

In the overall, Ken Waller was the winner of the 1975 IFBB Mr. Universe. 

Many people thought Robby had the superior physique, but he was a newcomer to the IFBB international scene. 

Waller, however, had taken second at the Mr. Universe for two years in a row. These wins made him the favorite with the judges going into the contest. 

The Main Event is Up Next

The much anticipated Mr. Olympia event was ready to begin. The judges and the fans got their money’s worth based on the world class physiques onstage that night. 

The Under 200 Division Results

In the Under 200 Pound division, Franco Columbu competed in the best shape of his life. 

Franco was incredibly thick and massive with rock hard muscularity. He had placed second in the previous two Mr. Olympia competitions and learned from those experiences. 

He was now a veteran competitor and he was going for the overall win this year.

In second place was the late, great Ed Corney. This was Corney’s first Mr. Olympia contest and he was in fantastic shape. 

Ed had trained for the Olympia over the summer with Arnold Schwarzenegger. That partnership had paid off well for him, with Ed competing in the best shape of his life. 

His masterful posing was a highlight of the competition, captured for eternity as part of the “Pumping Iron” film. 

Albert Beckles was in great shape but he only took third place in the Mr. Olympia. 

Frank Zane, one of the greatest physiques of the 1970’s, was way off his normal condition. He only placed fourth in the Under 200 Pound class, competing both smoother and smaller than normal. 

The Over 200 Division Results

In the Over 200 Pound Class, Arnold Schwarzenegger was back to win his sixth consecutive Mr. Olympia contest. Arnold was uncontested as the king of bodybuilding. 

His dominance in the sport no doubt contributed to the low turnout of the Mr. Olympia competitors over the last five years. 

Arnold was coming off of his first major movie, “Stay Hungry”, which he filmed in the spring of 1975. He had to bring his weight down to 210 pounds for the filming of that movie. To bring up his bodyweight to bodybuilding standards, he trained very hard over the summer before the Mr. Olympia contest in November. 

Arnold competed at 225 pounds in the 1975 Mr. Olympia, about 12 pounds lighter than what he weighed in 1974. Arnold was still the obvious winner with his amazing physique, great muscle mass and separation and masterful posing ability. 

In second place was the aesthetic and ripped physique of Serge Nubret from France. Serge was incredibly hard and lean and his deep abs seemed to have a life of their own when he stood onstage. 

Serge upset big Lou Ferrigno for second place. Lou was competing in his second Mr. Olympia contest but he made a mistake by competing too big. He just was not ripped enough to challenge Serge or Arnold for the title. 

Arnold’s Final Posedown

In the Overall Posedown, Franco and Arnold posed down for the last time together at the 1975 Mr. Olympia. 

The two best bodybuilders in the world were also best friends. It’s no surprise they joked with each other as they posed down for the biggest title in bodybuilding. 

Arnold, as expected, won his sixth consecutive Mr. Olympia contest, hugging his friend Franco when he was announced the winner. 

Arnold then announced his retirement from competing in bodybuilding. He was now going to concentrate his efforts on his film career and promoting the Mr. Olympia contest in Columbus, Ohio.

Do you have any memories or stories to tell about this event? Let us know in the comments!