The AAU Mr. Universe was a bodybuilding contest organised by the American Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Of all the "Mr. Universe" contests, it was the only one officially sanctioned by the International Weightlifting Federation (and sometimes referred to as the FIHC Mr. Universe). Anyone who competed in the NABBA Mr. Universe or IFBB Mr. Universe was not allowed in the AAU Mr. Universe as the AAU considered them professional events because they were not sanctioned by the FIHC.