Everything you need to know about the Natural Olympia and biggest event in natural bodybuilding.<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n
The topic of steroids<\/span><\/a><\/span> in bodybuilding remain hotly debated, sparking ongoing discussions about whether certain bodybuilders use enhancers or rely solely on their natural ability to build muscle mass<\/a><\/span> and craft their physique. <\/span>Performance-enhancing<\/span><\/span><\/a> substances have made their way into the careers of both novice and seasoned bodybuilders, and it\u2019s prominent in the IFBB Pro League. Take a look at the Mr. Olympia<\/a><\/strong><\/span> competitors, no matter what Olympia division<\/a>, there are more than likely steroids involved in the building of those physiques. <\/span>(1)<\/span><\/a>. This is why events like the <\/span>Natural Olympia<\/span> have gained prominence. In this post<\/strong> we\u2019ll provide a comprehensive exploration of the Natural Olympia\u2019s history.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Disclaimer<\/strong>: Generation Iron does not condone, nor have any opinions for or against the usage of steroids or performance enhancing drugs.<\/em><\/p>\n The Natural Olympia<\/span><\/a> is held by the INBA\/PNBA, and this bodybuilding<\/span><\/a><\/strong> contest takes the testing of contestants seriously.<\/strong> Generation Iron has extensively covered the Natural Olympia and has worked closely with the owner, Denny Kakos on Generation Iron Natty 4 Life<\/em><\/span><\/a>, a documentary featuring Mike O\u2019Hearn<\/span><\/a> on Natural Bodybuilding.\u00a0 The promoters strongly prohibits the use of steroids and other drugs that enhance performance. Organizers have also confirmed that the overall mission of the INBA\/PNBA is to turn bodybuilding into a widely accepted Olympic sport.<\/span><\/p>\n While this competition is now global and has been held for over 40 years, it still has some way to go before it becomes mainstream \u2014 although it has been steadily growing. There are also similarities and differences between it and the actual IFBB <\/span>Mr. Olympia<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n Here is a look at the Natural Olympia history, its characteristics, and some of its contestants over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n The Natural Olympia\u2019s history has roots dating back to 1977<\/strong>. This was the year when Denny Kakos opened a spa, and to attract membership, he started holding bodybuilding competitions in his <\/span>gym<\/span>. 1977 was also when the bodybuilding movie <\/span>Pumping Iron<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span> with <\/span>Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/span><\/span><\/a> kicked up more interest in the sport as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n The Natural Olympia started as a series of competitions in the gym<\/a> of Denny Kakos. This eventually led to the California Natural Bodybuilding Championship. It was a huge success that Kakos got an \u201cInnovation in Natural Bodybuilding\u201d plaque from the NPC.<\/span><\/p>\n In that first competition, about 135 <\/span>natural athletes<\/span><\/span><\/a> showed up. This showed the popularity of bodybuilding in general at the time. It also stamped Denny Kakos as a great bodybuilding competition promoter.<\/span><\/p>\n The Natural Olympia wasn\u2019t a thing until there was a professional league for natural bodybuilding.<\/strong> Kakos wanted more after successfully pushing and hosting the California Natural Bodybuilding Championship. So he pushed for an NPC Natural National Qualifier, and sadly this time, the NPC paid him no attention.<\/span><\/p>\n This led to searching for an association promoting quality natural competitions and awards. That association became the Amateur Bodybuilding Association (ABA), with Denny Kakos, Pete Samra, and Wally Boyko as founding members. The goal of this association was to serve natural athletes.<\/span><\/p>\n The ABA also focuses on avoiding discrimination against people. As a result, they came up with the very first bodybuilding classes for the physically challenged. This organization also keeps membership and contest registration fees affordable for athletes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Then in 1990, Denny Kakos founded the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA). This was to promote professional-level competitions for natural bodybuilders. The establishment of the PNBA meant that natural bodybuilders could turn <\/span>Pro<\/span> and <\/span>compete for prizes<\/span><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After resounding success and growth, Denny Kakos expanded the PNBA by founding the International Natural Bodybuilding Association. The goal of this organization was to allow countries from all over the world to compete alongside unifying and standardizing the conditions of the sport. New Zealand is the first official country to join, and the PNBA and INBA promote shows in over 50 countries to this day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first Natural Olympia was held in Corinth, Greece 1998, with <\/span>John Hansen<\/span><\/a><\/span> becoming the first-ever Natural Olympia champ. This was a nod to the overall goal of making the competition an Olympic sport. (Remember that the Olympics have a history that dates back to ancient Greece.)<\/span><\/p>\n The Natural Olympia offers categories like the Men\u2019s Open, Bikini<\/a><\/span>, and <\/span>Classic Physique<\/span><\/span><\/a>, just like IFBB\u2019s Mr Olympia. However, there are many big differences between both. For starters, the Natural Olympia isn\u2019t as popular as the IFBB Mr. Olympia<\/strong>, and consequently, the prize money is smaller. For example, the 2022 Mr. Olympia champ Hadi Choopan<\/span><\/a> brought in a whopping $400,000 in prize money, and the same with 2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford<\/a><\/span>, while the Natural Olympia winners don\u2019t usually exceed $10,000<\/strong>. Of course, Natural Olympia bans all forms of doping as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we\u2019ve already mentioned, the main difference in divisions is that the Natural Olympia introduced division for physically challenged people<\/strong>. This division is split into seating and standing categories. The Natural Olympia also has other miscellaneous categories like the Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s <\/span>Ink\/Tattoo<\/span><\/span><\/a> and the Evening Gown division.<\/span><\/p>\n Another major difference between Natural Olympia and Mr. Olympia is the stringent testing protocol.<\/strong> All athletes undergo a <\/span>drug test<\/span><\/a><\/span> that aligns with <\/span>World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) <\/span><\/a><\/span>standards. WADA prohibits using anabolic agents, hormone modulators<\/a><\/span>, and more <\/span>(2)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n While Mr. Olympia doesn\u2019t necessarily condone the use of steroids, there are no strict protocols against it \u2014 it didn\u2019t adopt the World Anti-Doping Code until 2003. Even with this, testing and protocols are shrouded in secrecy. Many popular bodybuilders like <\/span>Dorian Yates<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Ronnie Coleman<\/span><\/span><\/a> admit to using performance-enhancing substances at some point in their careers, and it\u2019s pretty rampant in the sport nowadays, with substances like insulin<\/a> and human growth hormone<\/a><\/span> making their way into the scene<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Generally, testing for Mr. Olympia seems random and is not conducted during the contest. In direct contrast, Natural Olympia not only conducts tests randomly, but they also do blood or urine tests on site. Those who fail this test get suspensions or a lifetime ban and end up on the <\/span>Hall of Shame<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Natural Olympia\u2019s history of the pro division has competitors from over 60 countries.<\/strong> The primary winner of this show is the Men\u2019s Bodybuilding Open division. Below are the categories for male and female athletes.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of all the past Natural Olympia (Men\u2019s Open) winners.<\/span> Overall, the Natural Olympia is a way for bodybuilders to do what they love, without the pressure of using performance enhancing drugs to do so. It is no secret that PEDs are prominent in leagues like the IFBB and NPC, but that lifestyle is not for everyone. So, the natural route is the way they go.<\/p>\n What do you think of the Natural Olympia?<\/p>\n Follow us on <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/a> to keep up with the latest news on bodybuilding!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What is the Natural Olympia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
History of the Natural Olympia<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"INBA](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mens-Bodybuilding-Natural-Olympia-.jpg\"\/)
![\"INBA](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Mens-Bodybuilding-Natural-Olympia-.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHumble Beginnings<\/b><\/h4>\n
Creation of a Professional League<\/b><\/h4>\n
The First Natural Olympia Show<\/b><\/h4>\n
Difference Between Natural Olympia and Mr. Olympia<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2022-Mr.-Olympia-Results-Hadi-Choopan.jpg\"\/)
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2022-Mr.-Olympia-Results-Hadi-Choopan.jpg\")
Natural Bodybuilding Divisions<\/b><\/h4>\n
Anti-Doping Measures<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Natural](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/steroids.jpg\"\/)
![\"Natural](\"https:\/\/generationiron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/steroids.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNatural Olympia Professional Divisions<\/b><\/h3>\n
Natural Olympia Male Categories<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
Natural Olympia Female Categories<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Past Men\u2019s Open Winners\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Natural Olympia Wrap Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
References<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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