When was the Master’s Pro introduced in Mr. Olympia?

Mr. Olympia was all about youngsters showcasing their immense muscles, good genes, or hard work. But Joe Weider, the co-founder of the IFBB (International Fitness & Bodybuilding Federation), thought the sport needed some change and introduced the Master's Pro division in 1994. The division allowed the bodybuilders in their 40s or 50s to compete at the highest level possible.

The show has been held annually since 1994, except in 1998, before it was discontinued in 2012. But the show made a comeback after 11 years in 2023. The IFBB has now confirmed the dates and the venue for the 2024 edition.

The 2024 IFBB Pro League Masters World Championship is scheduled for September 1, 2024, and will be held at 300 W Station Square Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The event will include all the divisions of the IFBB, with different classes depending on the age group. Men's bodybuilding will have five classes starting at 40 and going up to 80. The Men's Physique, Men's Classic Physique, and Men's 212 bodybuilding classes will have three classes from 40 to 60.

For women, the Women's Bodybuilding Division will have four classes from 40 to 70. The Women's Fitness and Women's Wellness divisions will have one class of 40+. On the other hand, the Women's Figure, Women's Bikini, and Women's Physique divisions will have three classes each, from 40 to 60.

Master Pro's Olympia winners by the years (via Everipedia)

1994: Robby Robinson
1994 (50+): Chris Dickerson
1994 (60+): Ed Corney
1995: Sonny Schmidt
1995 (60+): Ed Corney
1996: Vince Taylor
1996 (60+): Jim Morris
1997: Vince Taylor
1997 (50+): Robby Robinson
1997 (60+): Cironte Honore
1998: No Competition Held
1999: Vince Taylor
2000: Vince Taylor
2000 (50+): Robby Robinson
2000 (60+): Katsumi Ishimura
2001: Vince Taylor
2002: Don Youngblood
2003: Claude Groulx
2004-2011: No Competition Held
2012: Dexter Jackson
2023: Kamal Elgargni (Men's Open)

Dexter Jackson and Chris Dickerson are the only bodybuilders who won both Olympia and Master Olympia's titles. Jackson won the 2008 Olympia title and was the last winner of the Master's Pro division in 2012. Dickerson, meanwhile, won the 1982 Mr. Olympia and the Master's Pro Olympia in 1994 while playing in the 50+ class.

Vince Taylor holds the record for most Master Pro Olympia wins, claiming five titles in a row in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001. Taylor used to compete in the regular Men's Open division, but he decided to switch divisions and moved to the Master's Pro division. The decision served him well and marked him as one of the successful Master's Pro bodybuilders.