Many energy sports activities followers know the identify 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 loads of his followers don’t know is that he was additionally lively 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 received the primary title. The following champion to comply with in Scott’s footsteps was the late Sergio Oliva, who held the title from 1967 till 1969. It will be through the center of Oliva’s run that Haugen obtained to see greatness in individual.
“I came to America as a foreign exchange high school student to upstate New York and had just won the Junior Mr. Norway contest,” he stated. “I was competing in the Mr. World contest, which was held at the same time as the Olympia, and I stood on the same 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 essentially the most dominant bodybuilder on the planet.
“His arms were so big even when he didn’t flex them. He was huge, and it was amazing to see.”
Oliva received 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 energy 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 over time since.
“I ended up competing in the 1972 Junior Mr. America competition and ended up meeting a lot of people that I stayed connected to long after that.”
As he was creating his personal legacy, the Olympia was rising and creating its personal legacy that stands by itself at this time. 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 can 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 large weekend.
Haugen shared, “I have went to a lot of the Olympias over the years. The growth of the event is amazing. I even got to spend some time with Joe and Betty (Weider) when the Olympia was in Sweden. I am looking forward to being there.”
A type 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 persist with the aim of pulling stick and maybe their opponent in the 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 can be in for an important expertise.
“We are going to have a very good group of international athletes, and we will have a good core of American athletes as well.”
Athletes that wish to join and compete can accomplish that by means of the Mas Wrestling USA web site if they’re members of the Novice Athletic Union (AAU). Except for the competitions themselves, Haugen hopes that he may help develop the game by introducing it to new athletes.
“It is a very simple sport. If you are strong and agile, you can learn it quickly,” he said. “We are going to have workshops so people can try it. If you are a good strength athlete, you can do very well.” You may study 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 browsing to www.mrolympia.com to order your Expo passes.