Quick Bio:
Born: August 7, 1941 in Ollolai, Italy
Height: 5’4” (163cm)
Competition Weight: (194lb) 88kg
Stats:
Arms: 19” (48.3cm)
Chest: 50” (127cm)
Waist: 30” (76.2cm)
Thighs: 26” (66cm)
Calves: 17 and ½” (44.5cm)
Beginning his career as an amateur boxer in Italy, Columbu soon moved on to other sports including Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and later on bodybuilding. Although one of the shortest individuals to ever participate in the Mr Olympia competition, it never deterred him from achieving success, as he went on to win 2 Olympia titles in 1976 and 1981.
In 1977, Columbu competed in the world’s strongest man competition with his good friend Lou Ferrigno. Unfortunately, after having stumbled while participating in one of the activities, Columbu dislocated his leg, yet somehow still managed to place 5th. Although told by doctors that he would never walk again, Columbo went on to proving them wrong as he made a comeback three years later winning the Olympia title in 1981.
After meeting Schwarzenegger in Munich 1965, Columbu became great friends with Arnold as they went on to become training partners and were inseparable during the 1970’s. Columbu even served as the best man at Schwarzenegger’s and Maria Shrivers wedding. Although the closest of friends, these two were each other’s greatest rivals on the international bodybuilding stage.
Having said that, all of Columbu’s great feats probably would have never occurred without Joe Weider. Weider was an entrepreneur and the co-founder of the International Federation of Bodybuilding, and was responsible for sponsoring Columbu while he was living in America. At that time, there were only 2 people in the world who were getting paid to hit the gym, that was Schwarzeneggar and Columbu himself.
After his retirement from athletic sports, Columbu still had many world records in place for powerlifting and Olympic weight lifting; which is quite a staggering accomplishment, considering how short he was.
In addition to his athletic success, Columbu was also a qualified chiropractor and a Hollywood actor. He wasn’t as popular as Schwarzeneggar in acting, however, Columbu still appeared in many films including the iconic documentary Pumping Iron, Conan the Barbarian, the Terminator and the Running Man.
Competition History
’66 IFBB Mr Europe – 4th
’68 NABBA Mr Universe, Most Muscular – 1st
’68 NABBA Mr Universe, Short – 2nd
’68 IFBB Mr Europe, Medium – 1st
’69 IFBB Mr Europe, Medium – 1st
’68 NABBA Mr Universe, Most Muscular – 1st
’69 NABBA Mr Universe, Short – 1st
’69 IFBB Mr World, Short – 2nd
’69 IFBB Universe, Short – 1st
’70 IFBB Mr Europe, Short – 1st and Overall
’70 NABBA Mr Universe, Short – 2nd
’70 AAU Mr World, Short – 1st
’70 IFBB Mr World, Short – 1st
’70 IFBB Universe, Short – 1st and Overall
’71 IFBB Mr World, Short – 1st and Overall
’72 Mr Olympia – 5th
’73 Mr Olympia – 2nd
’74 Mr Olympia, Lightweight – 1st
’75 Mr Olympia, Lightweight – 1st
’76 Mr Olympia, Lightweight – 1st and Overall
’77 World Strongest Man – 5th
’81 Mr Olympia – 1st
Powerlifting Titles
Champion of Italy
Champion of Germany
Champion of Europe
World Champion
Power Lifting World Records
525 lb Bench Press
655 lb Squat
750 lb Deadlift
Weightlifting Records
325 lb Press
270 lb Snatch
400 lb Clean and Jerk
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