Franco Columbu
Mr. Olympia 1976, 1981

Born in Sardinia, Franco Columbu first engaged in the sport of boxing.  He met Arnold Schwarzenegger in Munich in 1965 and was henceforth forever stamped as Schwarzenegger’s sidekick.  In 1969, he followed the Oak to California and they became bodybuilding’s main duo, but all friendship ceased whenever they were vying for the same title, although Columbu never beat Schwarzenegger. Columbu won the 1970 IFBB Mr. Europe and IFBB Mr. Universe titles, the 1971 IFBB Mr. World, and later took the lightweight class at the 1974 and 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia before winning the overall in 1976. In 1977, Columbu broke his left leg while grappling with a refrigerator during the World’s Strongest Man contest.  However, this Sardinian refused to be canned – with phenomenal fortitude, he began a rehab program using his skills as a chiropractor and, after Schwarzenegger’s 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia comeback victory in Sydney, Columbu made his own comeback by taking the 1981 IFBB Mr. Olympia title. It would be his final competition.  Columbu zoomed fast-forward along the pioneer’s path that Jack Delinger braved for shorter men in the 1940s.  Known for his incredible deadlift ability and for the horizontal crease in his pecs, Columbu transferred the knockout punch he perfected in his boxing days in Italy to the dais of muscle and became a bodybuilder who, by anybody’s standards, looked strong. Columbu has appeared in movies, written some training books, has his own web site, and is CEO of Eclipse Entertainment Group Inc.
 

Titles Won in Bodybuilding: Mr. Olympia Mr. Universe Mr. World Mr. International Mr. Europe Mr. Italy Titles Won in Powerlifting: World Champion Champion of Europe Champion of Germany Champion of Italy World Records in Powerlifting: Bench Press 520 lbs Squat 655 lbs Deadlift 750 lbs Records in Weightlifting: Olympic Press 325 lbs Snatch 270 lbs Clean and Jerk 400 lbs

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