The Best
I always felt Sergio never got the accolades he truly deserved. I thought he was better than Arnold, but in the interests of selling more products and magazines, Weider "protected" Arnold. People nowadays have no idea what a stranglehold Weider had on bodybuilders, and Arnold's picture on a magazine cover, would certainly outsell a magazine with Sergio on the cover. I know that sounds racist, but sadly, that's the way it was back then.
Yes Sergio did "put his body through the ringer," but not in terms of drug use. Legend has it, that one of his intial jobs upon arriving in Chicago, was working in a meat packing plant, a very physically demanding job, that he often worked a double shift at. Despite the physical demands of that job, Sergio would then go to the gym, and overtrain to an extent, that would cripple most people. Back in his time drugs were nowhere near as sophisticated, nor readily available as they are today. Just think what he would have been, given the current knowledge and availability.
Furthermore, knowledge of nutrition back then, was nothing short of primitive, by today's standards.
As a teenager, I competed in some minor contest in Conn. where Sergio guest posed. A photographer / friend acquired the privelege of us meeting him backstage......despite having met many of the "greats" of that era, I was awestruck, and speechless.....
Upon regaining my senses, I pummeled him with questions, he had probably already answered thousands of times.....yet he remained patient, and cordial.
Thanks Sergio.....for the memories and inspiration.....