МИСТЕР ОЛИМПИЯ 1979

Mr. Olympia 1979 was a professional bodybuilding competition held on October 6, 1979, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio. The event was co-promoted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, marking the fourth consecutive year the Olympia was held at this venue. The total prize money was $50,000. This was the last year the contest was split into two weight divisions — under 200 pounds and over 200 pounds — with a final posedown between the division winners to determine the overall champion.

In the under-200-pound division, featuring 10 competitors, reigning two-time champion Frank Zane won first place, ahead of Boyer Coe and Danny Padilla. In the over-200-pound division (5 competitors), rookie Mike Mentzer dominated for the win, followed by Dennis Tinerino and Roger Walker. Favorite Roy Callender, competing with an injury, placed fourth; Bob Birdsong was fifth.

In the final comparison between the division winners, Frank Zane claimed the overall Mr. Olympia 1979 title — his third consecutive — and received the top prize of $25,000. Mike Mentzer placed second overall. Following this contest, the IFBB discontinued the weight-class system for future Mr. Olympia competitions.