Flex_USA_JulyAugust_2017_2

52 & 51
1968 1 SO & 1971 1 AS
Good news: Sergio (’68) and
Arnold (’71) in their primes. Bad
news: no one else. Each legend
won unopposed.
Dickerson (second) and a greatly
improved Tom Platz (third).
Interesting, like a train wreck.
47
1989 LH SB
Haney’s sixth in a row (yawn) and
another year in which the runnerup
couldn’t hang with his width
(yawn). This time, in Italy, it was
Lee vs. Lee: Haney vs. Labrada.
46
1967 7 SO
Sergio’s initial O victory lacked the
drama of his seizing the crown
from Scott. Also, Oliva wasn’t yet
mythical. Harold Poole beat him
on the first ballot.
42
2004 RC JC DJ
Ronnie at his biggest—nearly
three bills—overshadowed
Cutler, just as Cutler
overshadowed everyone else.
Show was marred by a unique
format, the challenge round,
which allowed competitors to
pick poses for duels but mostly
fostered confusion.
41
1982 CD FZ SB
A previous Mr. O, Zane was
second, and a future Mr. O,
Bannout, was fourth, but
undersized Dickerson’s London
victory underwhelmed.
50
1976 7 FC FZ
With Arnold retired, Franco finally
rose to the top. He beat Zane, but
the lineup was mass deficient.
Rich Gaspari
and Lee Haney
dueled three
straight years
in the ’80s.
49
1966 4 LS SO
Second rendition suffered
sophomore slump. Repeat of Scott
vs. Harold Poole duel with same
result. Scott announced his
retirement onstage.
48
1981 FC CD SB
Franco returned at 40. Observers
claimed anyone else in the top five
should’ve beat him, including Chris
45 & 44 & 43
1986 LH & 1987 LH
& 1988 LH SB
Three years in a row, in three
diverse locales, Haney bested
Rich Gaspari. Significantly
shorter and lighter, Gaspari
never endangered Haney’s
reign. The closest thing to drama:
Who would finish third?
40
(OPPOSITE PAGE,
TOP LEFT)
1983 SB LH FZ
Bannout nailed it in Munich
to secure his first (and next-tolast)
pro victory. But he was
another sub-200-pound champ,
and there was a collective
longing for more mass.
COURTESY OF WEIDER HEALTH & FITNESS
120 FLEX | JULY/AUG ’17