Many power 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 lots 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 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 in the course of the center of Oliva’s run that Haugen acquired to see greatness in particular person.
“I got here to America as a overseas trade highschool scholar to upstate New York and had simply received the Junior Mr. Norway contest,” he mentioned. “I used to be competing within the Mr. World contest, which was held concurrently the Olympia, and I stood on the identical stage as Sergio.”
Haugen remembers seeing Oliva that weekend in his peak kind 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 big, and it was superb to see.”
Oliva received his second Olympia title unopposed that 12 months. Chuck Sipes would in the end win the Mr. World title that 12 months. Haugen continued bodybuilding however didn’t pursue Olympia aspirations himself. He in the end grew to become a legendary determine of power and a really distinguished contributor to health in quite a lot of methods, together with by 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 as we speak. 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 Heart will function the place the place a number of sports activities maintain elite competitions and all elements of health will likely be celebrated. Passionate athletes and followers from world wide 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 lots of the Olympias through the years. The expansion of the occasion is superb. I even acquired to spend a while with Joe and Betty (Weider) when the Olympia was in Sweden. I’m trying ahead to being there.”
A type of Expo occasions would be the 2024 Olympia World Mas Wrestling Championships. For these which can be new to the game, two contestants sit on the ground with their legs straight and ft in opposition to 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 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 will likely be in for an excellent expertise.
“We’re going to have an excellent group of worldwide athletes, and we can have a superb core of American athletes as properly.”
Athletes that wish to join and compete can accomplish that by 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 also help develop the game by introducing it to new athletes.
“It’s a quite simple sport. In case you are robust and agile, you’ll be able to be taught it rapidly,” he acknowledged. “We’re going to have workshops so folks can attempt it. In case you are a superb 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 going down on the 2024 Olympia World Health Expo, go browsing to www.mrolympia.com to order your Expo passes.
