Sergio Oliva was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba,[2] during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista. As a teenager, Sergio was able to perform clean & jerks above 400 pounds.[3] He was selected to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America and Caribbean Games.[4] While representing Cuba in Jamaica, he successfully claimed political asylum in the United States. Soon after, 65 other Cuban nationals, including Castro's entire weightlifting team and their security guards, followed Oliva by seeking asylum in the US. In the United States, Oliva lived in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman.[5]
Career
Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three years from 1967 to 1969 in a row. He competed at a contest weight of 225–245 lbs. His second title in 1968 was uncontested.[citation needed] In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia competition due to the fact that he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe, allowing Schwarzenegger to claim the title.[citation needed] In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger.
In 1985, Oliva returned for a final attempt at the Mr. Olympia title. He finished this year in 8th place - repeating his position from the previous year.
In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife Arleen Garrett. He sustained 5 bullet wounds to his abdomen from a .38 Special.[6]
His son, Sergio Oliva Jr., is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder who won the 2015 NPC Nationals bodybuilding competition, and who has since competed on Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, and New York Pro stages.[7][8]
Death
Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure.[9] He was 71 years old.
