Since 1965, the \u201cOlympia\u201d name has stood for excellence in bodybuilding, setting the stage for legendary runs like Arnold Schwarzenegger\u2019s seven-consecutive titles and the expansion of bodybuilding\u2019s global reach. But who was the first person to claim the Mr. Olympia title? And when was the Sandow Trophy Introduced? Who has won the most finals? And which bodybuilder has made the most bank at bodybuilding\u2019s most prestigious show? M&F<\/em> looks at these facts, and more, so that you can flex your knowledge before the 2026 final.<\/p>\n Strictly speaking, the title of \u201cMr. Olympia\u201d and \u201cMs. Olympia\u201d only refers to the man or woman who wins their respective Open division final, and the first bodybuilder to make that distinction was Idaho\u2019s \u201cThe Golden Boy\u201d Larry Scott, who won the first ever Mr. Olympia final, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York City, in 1965. Interestingly, Scott was presented with a crown<\/a> rather than a trophy during the inaugural event, as well as $1,000 in prize money.<\/p>\n Scott followed up with a second Mr. Olympia title in 1966<\/a>, earning another $1,000 prize, but this time he was also presented with a commemorative silver plate rather than a crown.\u00a0 The famous Sandow Trophy would not make its debut until 1977.<\/p>\n The Sandow Trophy is named after Eugen Sandow, a German strongman who is also known as \u201cThe Father of Modern Bodybuilding,\u201d because he organized the world\u2019s first bodybuilding competition at The Royal Albert Hall in London, in 1901. Sandow\u2019s physique had first been crafted as a figurine by artist Frederick W. Pomeroy<\/a>,\u00a0and was later reimagined and presented in gold, silver, and bronze variations for the three finalists for that first show in London.<\/p>\n While the Sandow Trophy made further, sporadic, appearances at high level bodybuilding shows such as the 1950 Mr. Universe competition, it would go on to become a consistent mark of Olympia immortality, starting with the 1977 titlist, Frank Zane, and continuing as a popular aspect of every Olympia final.<\/p>\n \u201cWe award the iconic Sandow Trophy to the #1<\/a> bodybuilder in the world,\u201d says Olympia President Dan Solomon.<\/a> \u201cThe winner of this trophy is known for the rest of his life as Mr. Olympia.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking of the Sandow, two men hold the record for lifting it the most times:<\/p>\n Lee Haney<\/strong> \u2014 Spartanburg, South Carolina\u2019s Lee Haney entered his first Teen Mr. America in 1979 and went on to win Mr. Olympia eight-consecutive times from 1984 to 1991. He was finally beaten by Dorian Yates in 1992.<\/p>\n Ronnie Coleman<\/strong> \u2014 This famous former cop became known as \u201cThe King\u201d by also winning eight-consecutive Mr. Olympia titles<\/a>, from 1998 to 2005, taking over from Dorian Yates\u2019 six-year reign and finally losing to Jay Cutler in 2006.<\/p>\n Iris Kyle is the lady that leads the pack, winning 10 titles from her 13 Olympia appearances in the Heavyweight and Open groupings between 2001 and 2014.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhat I was able to accomplish on that Olympia stage came from within, with humility, respect, and unshakable belief\u201d wrote Kyle in a historic social media post.<\/a> \u201cTo the community that shaped me: I see you. I respect you. But when I walked that stage\u2026I walked it as me, with the outside left on the outside\u2014exactly where it belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n Dexter Jackson, who was the 2008 Mr. Olympia, competed in a record 21 finals from 1999 to 2020.<\/a> The closest bodybuilders to \u201cThe Blade\u2019s\u201d accomplishment are the aforementioned Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman, who each made 14 appearances at the \u2018O\u2019<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s perseverance certainly paid off. He entered the event eight times<\/a> before winning and made 16 top six finishes by the time he called it a day.<\/p>\n The 2025 Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford, took home the biggest payday in Olympia history by taking advantage of the record $600,000 prize, but he is not the biggest earner of all time. Even when you consider the $400,000 he won in 2023, or the $50k won in the 212-Division back in 2021, there\u2019s another bodybuilder that has almost doubled Lunsford\u2019s Olympia earnings to date.<\/p>\n Phil Heath is estimated to have earned $2,2025 as a combined total, winning the Olympia event seven-times from 2011 to 2017, and picking up some major prize purses along the way, most notably $400k three-times from 2015 to 2017. It\u2019s no wonder they call him \u201cThe Gift.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, records were meant to be broken, and athletes from multiple divisions will do battle at the 2026 Olympia final in Las Vegas between September 24 and 27.<\/p>\n For more information on bodybuilding\u2019s most prestigious show, and the entire fitness and performance weekend, click here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWho was the first Mr. Olympia?<\/h2>\n
What are the Origins of the Sandow Trophy?<\/h2>\n
![\"Ronnie](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ronnie-Coleman-and-Lee-Haney-historic-Olympia-winners.jpg?quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Who has Won the Most Mr. Olympia Titles?<\/h2>\n
Who has Won the Most Times in Any Division?<\/h2>\n
Who has Competed in the Most Olympia Finals?<\/h2>\n
![\"Derek](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Derek-Lunsford-holding-up-the-Sandow-Trophy-after-winning-the-2025-Olympia-bodybuidling-competition.jpg?quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Who has Won the Most Money from the Olympia?<\/h2>\n