Thursday 28 June 2012

Franco Columbu Bodybuilder Pictures And Bio

Franco Columbu (born August 7, 1941) in Ollolai, Sardinia (Italy). Starting out his athletic career as a boxer, Columbu progressed into the sport of Olympic Weightlifting, powerlifting and later bodybuilding, winning the title of Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981. At 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) in height (some magazines reported as short as 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m)),Columbu is shorter than most of his bodybuilding competitors, but that did not prevent him from achieving widespread success.
Columbu is a long time friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he met in Munich in 1965 and against whom he competed in several international-level bodybuilding competitions. For the Mr. Olympia competitions however, he competed in the under 200 lb (90.7 kg) category, whereas Schwarzenegger was in the over 200 lb category. The final champion was determined by a pose down between the two class winners. The IFBB has since abandoned weight classes. Arnold and Franco were inseparable during the early to mid-1970s and were training partners. Columbu served as the best man at the wedding of Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver in 1986. Columbu and Schwarzenegger had been encouraged to come to America by bodybuilding guru Joe Weider in 1969; Weider sponsored them with an $80/week stipend and the two European bodybuilders began a bricklaying and patio business called European Brick Works in 1969, according to a report in The New York Times.
From the time he arrived in America in 1969, Franco Columbu was considered one of the world's strongest men. He held a number of powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting world records. He also performed a strongman act in which he routinely blew up a hot water bottle by inflating it orally, lifted vehicles on stage (while someone else was changing a tire) and deadlifted over 700 lbs for repetitions. He designed a comprehensive workout for men in 1988 to flatten the stomach, narrow the waist, and eliminate love handles.

CONTEST HISTORY:

  •     1966: Mr. Europe, 4th
  •     1968: NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular)
  •     1969: IFBB Mr. Europe (Medium)
  •     1969: NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular)
  •     1969: NABBA Mr. Universe (Short)
  •     1969: IFBB Mr. Universe (Short)
  •     1970: IFBB Mr. Europe (Short & Overall)
  •     1970: AAU Mr. World (Pro Short)
  •     1970: IFBB Mr. World (Short)
  •     1970: IFBB Mr. Universe (Short & Overall)
  •     1971: IFBB Mr. Universe (Short & Overall)    
  •     1971: IFBB Mr. World (Short & Overall)
        1974: Mr. Olympia (Lightweight)  
  •     1975: Mr. Olympia (Lightweight)    
  •     1976: Mr. Olympia (Lightweight & Overall)
  •     1981: Mr. Olympia

Powerlifting titles:

  •     Champion of Italy
  •     Champion of Germany
  •     Champion of Europe

Strongman:

    1977: World strongest man, 5th

Powerlifting Best Lifts:
  •     Bench press 525 Lbs / 238.35 kg
  •     Squat (exercise) 665 Lbs / 301.91 kg
  •     Deadlift 750 Lbs / 340.5 kg

Boxing:

    Amateur Boxing Champion of Italy












Saturday 23 June 2012

Arnold Schwarzenegger Pictures And Bio

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Thal, Austria on (July 30, 1947) , a small village bordering the Styrian capital Graz, and was christened Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger. His parents were the local police chief, Gustav Schwarzenegger (1907–72), and Aurelia (née Jadrny; 1922–1998). His father served in World War II, after he voluntarily applied to join the Nazi Party in 1938. He served with the German Army as a Hauptfeldwebel of the Feldgendarmerie and was discharged in 1943 after contracting malaria. They were married on October 20, 1945 – Gustav was 38, and Aurelia was a 23-year-old widow with a son, Meinhard. According to Schwarzenegger, both of his parents were very strict: "Back then in Austria it was a very different world, if we did something bad or we disobeyed our parents, the rod was not spared." He grew up in a Roman Catholic family who attended Mass every Sunday.
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger  is an Austro-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011. Schwarzenegger began weight training at the age of 15 years old. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. Schwarzenegger has remained a prominent presence in bodybuilding and has written many books and articles on the sport. Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. He was nicknamed the "Austrian Oak" and the "Styrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnie" during his acting career and more recently the "Governator".

CONTEST HISTORY:
  • 1963 Steirer Hof Competition in Graz, Austria (runner up).
  • 1965 Junior Mr. Europe in Germany
  • 1966 Best-Built Athlete of Europe in Germany
  • 1966 International Powerlifting Championship in Germany
  • 1966 Mr. Europe - amateur in Germany.
  • 1966 NABBA Mr. Universe - amateur in London, England
  • 1967 NABBA Mr. Universe - amateur in London, England
  • 1968 German Powerlifting Championship in Germany
  • 1968 IFBB Mr. International in Tijuana, Mexico
  • 1968 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
  • 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe in Miami, Florida (tall class winner)
  • 1969 IFBB Mr. Universe in New York
  • 1969 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York (2nd place to Sergio Olivia)
  • 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
  • 1969 IFBB Mr. Europe - professional in Germany
  • 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe - professional in London, England
  • 1970 AAU Pro Mr. World in Columbus, Ohio
  • 1970 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
  • 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Paris, France
  • 1972 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Essen, Germany
  • 1973 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
  • 1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia in New York
  • 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Pretoria, South Africa
  • 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia in Sydney, Australia










Tuesday 19 June 2012

Sergio Oliva Bodybuilder Pictures And Bio


Sergio Oliva was born in Cuba on July 4, 1941. At the age of twelve he worked with his father in the sugar cane fields of Guanabacoa. When Oliva was 16, his father suggested that he enlist in Fulgencio Batista's army. In the absence of a birth certificate, the recruiting officer took the senior Oliva's word that his son was old enough to enlist in the fight against communism.

After losing the war to Fidel Castro, Oliva stayed local and took to hanging out at the beach. There he met a fellow sun worshipper who invited him to the local weightlifting club. After just six months of training Oliva was doing clean & jerks with over 300 pounds and totaling 1000 pounds in the three Olympic lifts at a bodyweight of 195 lbs, considered a middle-heavyweight.

Because of an injury of the top weightlifter, Alberto R. Games, he was chosen to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America Games hosted in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1962 the National Weightlifting Championship for Cuba was won by Alberto Rey Games Hernandez; Sergio Oliva took second place.

Sergio Oliva is a bodybuilder known as "The Myth". This sobriquet was given to him by bodybuilder/writer Rick Wayne. Wayne had begun calling Oliva "The Myth" "(because everyone who saw him at the 1967 Montreal World's Fair said he was "Just unbelievable")

He served the city of Chicago as a police officer for more than 25 years.
    In 1986, Sergio survived being shot by his then-wife Arleen Garrett. He sustained 5 bullet wounds.
    His son, Sergio Oliva Jr, is following in his father's footsteps into competitive bodybuilding in Chicago, Illinois.
    Oliva co-starred with Mil Máscaras in a Mexican wrestling movie in 1975 called El Poder Negro (Black Power), in which he played a super-strong dockworker who runs afoul of the local crime syndicate and helps Mil Máscaras to bring them to justice. His co-star was Venezuelan actress and singer Lila Morillo.[3]
    In 1977, Oliva starred in a second Mexican action film (this time a wrestling/ western hybrid) called "The Terrible Ones" (aka "Los Terribles").

CONTEST HISTORY:

  •     1963 Mr Chicago
  •     1964 Mr Illinois
  •     1964 Mr America – AAU, 7th
  •     1965 Junior Mr America – AAU, 2nd
  •     1965 Junior Mr America – AAU, Most Muscular
  •     1965 Mr America – AAU, 4th
  •     1965 Mr America – AAU, Most Muscular,
  •     1966 Junior Mr America – AAU, Winner
  •     1966 Junior Mr America – AAU, Most Muscular
  •     1966 Mr America – AAU, 2nd
  •     1966 Mr America – AAU, Most Muscular,
  •     1966 Mr World – IFBB, Overall Winner
  •     1966 Mr World – IFBB, Tall, 1st
  •     1966 Mr Universe – IFBB Winner
  •     1966 Olympia – IFBB, 4th
  •     1967 Olympia – IFBB, Winner
  •     1967 Universe – IFBB, Overall Winner
  •     1968 Olympia – IFBB, Winner
  •     1969 Olympia – IFBB, Winner
  •     1970 Mr World – AAU, Pro Tall, 2nd
  •     1970 Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
  •     1971 Universe – Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
  •     1972 Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
  •     1973 Mr International – IFBB, Professional, 1st
  •     1974 Mr International – WBBG, Professional, 1st
  •     1975 Olympus – WBBG, Winner
  •     1976 Olympus – WBBG, Winner
  •     1977 World Championships – WABBA, Professional, 1st
  •     1978 Olympus – WBBG, Winner
  •     1980 World Championships – WABBA, Professional, 1st
  •     1981 Pro World Cup – WABBA, Winner
  •     1984 Olympia – IFBB, 8th
  •     1984 Pro States Championships – WABBA
  •     1985 Olympia – IFBB, 8th

















Sunday 17 June 2012

Lee Haney Bodybuilder Pictures

Lee Haney (born November 11, 1959 in Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder most famous for being the current joint record holder, along with Ronnie Coleman, for winning the most Mr. Olympia titles (eight times from 1984 to 1991).
A devoted born again Christian, Haney has his own program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network called "TotaLee Fit with Lee Haney," where is usually joined by famous Christian sportsmen and on occasion his wife. On the show he teaches the importance of both physical and spiritual growth and one of his more famous quotes is that we should "train to stimulate not annihilate."

He and his wife reside in Fayette County, GA. Their two children are now in college. President Bill Clinton appointed Lee Haney Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
In October 2005, Ronnie Coleman tied Haney's Mr Olympia record becoming only the second person to win eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles. Lee Haney is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where he earned a degree in Child Psychology and was a member of the football team.


STATS:

    Height: 5' 11" / 180 cm.
    Off Season Weight: 260 lbs / 118 kg.
    Competition Weight: 245 lbs / 111 kg.

CONTEST HISTORY:
  •     1979 Teen Mr. America
  •     1979 Teen Mr. America Tall, 1st
  •     1982 Junior Nationals Heavyweight & Overall, 1st
  •     1982 Nationals Heavyweight & Overall, 1st
  •     1982 World Amateur Championships Heavyweight, 1st
  •     1983 Grand Prix England, 2nd
  •     1983 Grand Prix Las Vegas, 1st
  •     1983 Grand Prix Sweden, 2nd
  •     1983 Grand Prix Switzerland, 3rd
  •     1983 Night of Champions, 1st
  •     1983 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
  •     1983 World Pro Championships, 3rd
  •     1984 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1985 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1986 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1987 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1987 Grand Prix Germany (II), 1st
  •     1988 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1989 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1990 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1991 Mr. Olympia, 1st









Saturday 16 June 2012

Dorian Yates Pictures


Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates (born April 19, 1962 in Hurley, Staffordshire, England), is an English professional bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times beginning in 1992.[1][2] He is fourth on the list of most Olympias won, and out of the seven in which he competed, he won six and placed second in his debut. Yates' supposed lack of elite genetics from birth and reputation for unique approaches and philosophies for training and nutrition have established his legendary status in IFBB history.
His reign ended with his retirement, prompted in large part by an accumulating list of chronic and career-threatening acute injuries; Yates had suffered both a torn biceps and triceps, the latter just three weeks prior to his final contest, his successful defense of the Mr. Olympia title in 1997. His professional record on retirement consisted of 15 wins and two second-place finishes.
Yates purchased a gym in 1987 called Temple Gym on Temple Street, Birmingham, England. In 2006 he franchised Temple Gym hoping to make it a worldwide chain; currently there are four branches, three of these in the UK.
As of 2011, Yates is the CEO of his own global supplement company called DY Nutrition. After a training DVD was released, Yates formulated several pre-workout products. Their initial success spawned the formulation of additional products in the DY Nutrition line.

CONTEST HISTORY:
  •     1985 World Games, 7th (amateur)
  •     1986 British Championships, 1st Heavyweight
  •     1988 British Championships, 1st Heavyweight and overall
  •     1990 Night of Champions, 2nd
  •     1991 Night of Champions, 1st
  •     1991 Mr. Olympia, 2nd
  •     1991 English Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1992 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1992 English Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1993 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1994 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1994 Spanish Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1994 German Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1994 English Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1995 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1996 Mr. Olympia, 1st
  •     1996 Spanish Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1996 German Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1996 English Grand Prix, 1st
  •     1997 Mr. Olympia, 1st