MR Olympia and the Sandow

[Merc.]

I have been getting alot of questions about The Sandow so I wanted to write this for board members that wanted to read a little bit about " The Sandow "


If you're into bodybuilding you have probably heard of "The Sandow" it's the most prestigious trophy awarded in bodybuilding.

Eugen Sandow who is often referred to as " The First Modern BodyBuilder " , Sandow was born on April 2, 1867 as Frederick Wilhelm Muller in Prussia .






He began his career as a strongman in a side show act.. Soon after Sandow felt it just wasn't enough to just show his strgenth , but rather he wanted to show his muscular body.. He decided to make this a big part of his show . There was a show produced for theaters across the USA and Sandow was the main attraction . He also did an appearance at the Worlds Fair where he posed with his body painted white standing inside a black velvet lined booth giving the appearance that he was a marble statue.. He did alot of amazing things in his acts which include doing a somersault with two 56 LB dumbbells. In another act he walked across the stage carrying a 350 LB pony .. Sandow also did what he called " The Bent Press" in-which he would raise a 269 lb barbell over his head ( with one arm)..


In Feb 1891 Sandow and Fredrick W. Pomeroy met to discuss creating the statue.. Pomeroy was a sculptor who was in the process of becoming well know.. Pomeroy born oct 9, 1856 .. The son of a craftsman was know for his artwork . The high quality work he produced was admired by many...
Eugen Sandow was also a trainer for King George V .. This relationship with the king ( turned into a friendship) thus allowing Sandow to become one of the first people to speak out on health , sanitary inspections, plus many other important topics.. He was and still is a respected figure.. Have you ever heard of Sandow Texas ? In 1922 the name was changed from Millerton to Sandow in honor of the strongman..

On sept 14, 1901 Sandow held a contest named " The Great Competition" ... This was the first major competition .. The prizes for his competition was a statue of himself .. For last place it was made of bronze , 2nd place was made in silver , and first place was gold...




The Trophy was not seen again until 1950 when it reappeared ( for a brief time) .. Than in 1977 at the MR Olympia contest the trophy was used and to this day it still remains the most coveted symbol in BB'ing .. Arnold Schwarzenegger , Joe Weider and Jim Lorimer all came up the idea to award the Sandow to the winner of the MR O contest .. This all happened only after Joe Weiders wife had stumbled upon the statue at a antique store .. She bought it , and took it home to show Joe .. That statue that Betty Weider bought was used as a mold to cast all the MR O sandows..

The first Mr O Sandow was won by Frank Zane in 1977 ( he also won in 78 and 79 ).. Zane was featured in Weiders " Muscle Builder and power " magazine in july 1978 ..


Others to win Sandow's are...

Arnold Schwarzenegger 1980
Franco Coulmbo 1981
Chris Dickerson 1982
Samir Bannout 1983
Lee Haney 84, 85, 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91
Dorian Yates 92, 93, 94 , 95 , 96, 97 ,
Ronnie Coleman 98, 99 , 2000 , 01 , 02 , 03, 04 , 05
Jay Cutler 06 , 07..


Eugen Sandow passed away in London in 1925 from a burst blood vessel in his brain .. His grave was left unmarked for 75 years ( at his family request).. In 2002 a headstone was added to his grave....

[Spook]

Awesome story. Thank you for that. I wonder if he had any relation to the Wilhelms of Prussia and Germany (i.e. Kaiser Wilhelm).

[Merc.]

Originally Posted by Spook

Awesome story. Thank you for that. I wonder if he had any relation to the Wilhelms of Prussia and Germany (i.e. Kaiser Wilhelm).

Thanks Spook..

Not sure if there is any connection ..



Merc.

[Rondo]

Nice read,thats abit of bodybuildig history i never new about.

[access]

Another great read Merc!

[Merc.]

Thanks guys !!!!

Merc.

[hazcat]

Merc is the man! Very well done...again. You help round this site out and take if from a good site to a great site. It goes to show it takes more than a few people to make a winning site. It's the combination of everyone from A to Z in spite of eddgard.....lol just kidding....even eddgard makes this site what it is.

[Merc.]

Originally Posted by hazcat

Merc is the man! Very well done...again. You help round this site out and take if from a good site to a great site. It goes to show it takes more than a few people to make a winning site. It's the combination of everyone from A to Z in spite of eddgard.....lol just kidding....even eddgard makes this site what it is.

Much appreciated Hazcat... Well said ..It takes diversity to make a GREAT site ...

This is a GREAT board ... Lots of great peeps here .. I have been reading alot of the older post ( lots of knowlage here)..

Glad I can join in on the great topics you guys have going on ..


Merc.

[jeffefrijoles]

Merc, nice work! I've read much from you on the other board I belong to as well.... good to see you here!!

[johnanthonyhome]

Awesome! Bet the gals liked it and said they did'nt back then too! LOL