Arnold Schwarzenegger should support all bodybuilding federations
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most popular bodybuilder in the history of the sport. Many have come close, such as Chris Bumstead, Jay Cutler, and Ronnie Coleman, but none of these bodybuilders have become a household name as Schwarzenegger.
Arnold has not only dominated the sport of bodybuilding, but he also went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and also the Governor of California, amongst other great achievements.
At the beginning of Arnold’s bodybuilding career, three federations dominated the sport of bodybuilding, which were the AAU, NABBA, and the IFBB.
Schwarzenegger was successful in all of the mentioned federations, winning their most prestigious titles, such as the AAU’s Mr. World, NABBA’s Mr. Universe, and finally the IFBB’s Mr. Europe, and Mr. Olympia.
Winning the top titles from all three federations, gave Arnold the right to call himself the best bodybuilder in the world, and a true world champion.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was restricted but supported other federations
After building a very successful bodybuilding career, between various federations, Arnold Schwarzenegger was forced to be loyal to the IFBB in 1971, when he was restricted from competing at the 1971 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe event, by Ben and Joe Weider, the founders of the IFBB.
Arnold eventually had to give in to the Weider brothers, and not attend the 1971 Pro Mr. Universe event, but he still had his way by sending a letter to NABBA’s Oscar Heidenstam, and informing him that he would encourage the top athletes such as Bill Pearl, Frank Zane, Sergio Oliva, and Reg Park to compete at his event.
In his letter, Arnold also told Oscar that he is more open-minded than the Weider brothers.
Read More: Arnold Schwarzenegger risked suspension from the IFBB in 1971
Due to the strict rules of Joe and Ben Weider, the bodybuilding world possibly missed the opportunity to witness one of the greatest events in the history of the sport, the 1971 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe, with Arnold Schwarzenegger included in the lineup.
The last time that Arnold competed in all three federations would be in 1970, which eventually forced the Weider brothers to tie Arnold down with a lucrative contract and restrict him from competing or working with rival federations.
Fast forward to 2025, Arnold is independent and has no ties with any federation, other than using Jim Manion’s NPC Pro League for his event, the Arnold Classic, and IFBB President Rafael Santonja’s IFBB amateur and pro athletes for the Arnold Classic Europe.
Meanwhile, NABBA has continued to organize events, without allegedly any support from their former champion.
While Arnold allegedly claims he still loves the sport of bodybuilding and wants to continue to give back, the former NABBA Mr. Universe Champion should support the federation that he truly loved during his prime.
With the 2025 NABBA Amateur and Pro World Championships taking place in Sydney Australia, this June, it would be expected that Arnold would at least encourage athletes to compete at this event.
The same goes for Dr. Rafael Santonja’s IFBB amateur and pro events, which include the IFBB Diamond Cup, IFBB Mr. Universe, IFBB World Championships, and many more, which are organized all over the world.
Before each international event from any federation, Arnold Schwarzenegger, should in one way or another help out in promoting these historic events, the same events that made him what he is today.
It remains to be seen if Arnold himself will endorse the international bodybuilding events that are scheduled for 2025, or if he will only be loyal to Jim Manion’s NPC and Pro League.
Below is a quote, taken from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding, in which Schwarzenegger himself, expressed his feelings about the iron fist, Joe and Ben Weider had on their athletes:
“But I would like to see bodybuilding introduced to many more people than just those who are considering competition. Bodybuilding training is one of the best methods of achieving physical fitness, and the more people who understand this and benefit from it the better. Organizations like the IFBB often forget there is a world out there beyond organized bodybuilding, and put restrictions on bodybuilders as to where, when, and for whom they can give bodybuilding seminars. My view is that bodybuilding should be energetically encouraged on any occasion and for any audience. Enhancing all aspects of life through better physical fitness is a need that takes priority over any jurisdictional considerations.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Read More: Arnold Schwarzenegger reunited with his 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe Trophy
Arnold Schwarzenegger Photo Gallery 1 – GMV Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger Photo Gallery 2 – GMV Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger Photo Gallery 3 – GMV Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger Photo Gallery 4 – GMV Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Contest History
1966
Mr Europe (1), Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1967
Mr Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1968
Universe – IFBB, 2nd
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1969
Mr Europe – IFBB, Overall Winner
Mr Europe – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Mr International – IFBB, Overall Winner
Mr International – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
Universe – IFBB, Overall Winner
Universe – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1970
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
Mr World – AAU, Professional Overall Winner
Mr World – AAU, Pro Tall, 1st
1971
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1972
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1973
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1974
Olympia – IFBB, Overall Winner
Olympia – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
1975
Olympia – IFBB, Overall Winner
Olympia – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
1980
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
