Many power sports activities followers know the title Odd Haugen due to his legacy that features strongman, grip competitions, and even for serving to with the expansion of MAS Wrestling in North America. What a whole lot of his followers don’t know is that he was additionally energetic in bodybuilding.
Haugen’s connections to the game return to the early days of the Mr. Olympia competitors itself. The Olympia was launched to the world in 1965 when Larry Scott gained the primary title. The subsequent champion to comply with in Scott’s footsteps was the late Sergio Oliva, who held the title from 1967 till 1969. It will be in the course of the center of Oliva’s run that Haugen acquired to see greatness in individual.
“I got here to America as a overseas trade highschool scholar to upstate New York and had simply gained the Junior Mr. Norway contest,” he mentioned. “I used to be competing within the Mr. World contest, which was held similtaneously the Olympia, and I stood on the identical stage as Sergio.”
Haugen remembers seeing Oliva that weekend in his peak type and recalled how impressed he was with seeing the bodybuilding legend throughout his time as probably the most dominant bodybuilder on the planet.
“His arms had been so massive even when he didn’t flex them. He was enormous, and it was wonderful to see.”
Oliva gained his second Olympia title unopposed that yr. Chuck Sipes would in the end win the Mr. World title that yr. Haugen continued bodybuilding however didn’t pursue Olympia aspirations himself. He in the end turned a legendary determine of power and a really outstanding contributor to health in quite a lot of methods, together with by means of powerlifting, strongman, and grip competitions. He by no means misplaced his connection to bodybuilding through the years since.
“I ended up competing within the 1972 Junior Mr. America competitors and ended up assembly lots of people that I stayed linked to lengthy after that.”
As he was creating his personal legacy, the Olympia was rising and creating its personal legacy that stands by itself at the moment. Quick ahead to 2024 and the landmark sixtieth version of the Olympia is quick approaching. On the weekend of Oct. 11-13, the Las Vegas Conference Middle will function the place the place a number of sports activities maintain elite competitions and all elements of health might be celebrated. Passionate athletes and followers from around the globe will collect to compete and participate in occasions that may change their lives. Haugen is a type of passionate athletes and followers, and he’s enthusiastic about being in Las Vegas for the massive weekend.
Haugen shared, “I’ve went to a whole lot of the Olympias through the years. The expansion of the occasion is wonderful. I even acquired to spend a while with Joe and Betty (Weider) when the Olympia was in Sweden. I’m wanting ahead to being there.”
A kind of Expo occasions would be the 2024 Olympia World Mas Wrestling Championships. For these which are new to the game, two contestants sit on the ground with their legs straight and toes towards a board whereas holding on to a stick. The athletes then pull on the follow the aim of pulling stick and maybe their opponent in direction of their facet.
Haugen has been concerned with Mas Wrestling for a number of years now, having helped introduce the game to the American fanbase. He feels the followers that come to observe might be in for an awesome expertise.
“We’re going to have an excellent group of worldwide athletes, and we could have an excellent core of American athletes as properly.”
Athletes that wish to enroll and compete can accomplish that by means of the Mas Wrestling USA web site if they’re members of the Newbie Athletic Union (AAU). Other than the competitions themselves, Haugen hopes that he can assist develop the game by introducing it to new athletes.
“It’s a quite simple sport. If you’re sturdy and agile, you may be taught it rapidly,” he said. “We’re going to have workshops so folks can strive it. If you’re an excellent power athlete, you are able to do very properly.” You’ll be able to be taught extra about Mas Wrestling USA by logging on to www.maswrestlingusa.com To see the 2024 MAS Wrestling championships in addition to the remainder of the thrilling occasions happening on the 2024 Olympia World Health Expo, go surfing to www.mrolympia.com to order your Expo passes.
