Franco Colombo - the famous bodybuilder

Among bodybuilders, a prominent place is taken by Franco Colombo. This Italian with his low-key parameters: height 166 cm, own weight 84 kg - reached the peak in bodybuilding, having twice won the title "Mr. Olympia". By this he proved that many obstacles can be overcome by persistence, work and dedication.

Early career

A future bodybuilder was born in the ill-fated area of Ollolaina island of Sardinia (Italy) on August 7, 1941. The boy grew up in a family of harsh Catholics. He was brought up in austerity, modesty, from an early age he was taught to discipline. His father forced him to help with housework, taught farmer's wisdom and prepared a shepherd for work.

Despite the displeasure of his parents, the young man took a great interest in boxing. The low growth of Franco caused the skeptics a smile, but the guy had a strong blow, and unexpectedly for all, he won a victory in the amateur tournaments, finishing almost all fights with a spectacular knockout. He was invited to professional boxing, and in the amateur category he became the champion of Italy.

Passion for bodybuilding

Franco Colombo (or Columbus) has always been famous for a powerful blow. Once his opponent almost died after the battle. This shocked the young man and made him quit boxing. In search of a better life, he goes to West Germany to work. Here in 1965, a fateful event brings him to the already well-known bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, who leads Franco to bodybuilding.

Fascinated by training, he achieves serious results in record time: at a weight of 84 kg, lying, stinging the bar 205 kg, squatting with a barbell weighing 300 kg and doing an exercise "deadlift" with a weight of 315 kg!

In 1968 he won the title of European and Italian Champions in the Powerlifting Championship (powerlifting). But the real glory was waiting for him in the United States, where Franco Colombo and Arnold Schwarzenegger, friends throughout his life, arrived in 1969.

Twice Mr. Olympia

In the United States, the bodybuilder continued his training at the athletic gym of Golda Jim (California), who impressed him with his equipment. Arnold and Franco were engaged together, arranging competitions each time, which, according to both, made the training more effective. After classes in the gym Colombo went to work on a construction site, and in the evening he studied medicine.

In 1969, 1970 and 1971 he won first place in the competitions "Mr. Universe". In 1975 he took the second place after Schwarzenegger in the competitions "Mr. Olympia", and in 1976 his cherished dream comes true: he receives the title "Mr. Olympia". In the same year he participated in the tournament "The strongest man", where he seriously injured his leg. As compensation, he was paid $ 1 million, but the doctors said that he would not return to the sport any more.

Franco Colombo did not lose his head: he graduated from a medical college, received a doctor's degree and had a successful practice. At the same time, he developed his own recovery program and, with the help of titanic efforts, he did an incredible thing: he not only returned to the sport, but in 1981 he again won in the "Mr. Olympia" competitions. This was the triumphant conclusion of his career as a bodybuilder.

The Franco Colombo Program

The famous bodybuilder impresses with athletic power, excellent physique and harmonious forms. With a medical education, he developed his own training program, the main principles of which were:

• Every exercise is done in full force;
• Always warm up the muscles before training;
• It is worth listening to your own body;
• Training should occur at the same time;
• It is important to eat well and have a rest;
• Sugar should be replaced with natural carbohydrates;
• After a series of repetitions it is necessary to go out and breathe deeply.

Unsports achievements

Franco Colombo, whose training was wasted most of the time, managed:

• To star in several films, including in the lead role in the band "The Island of Beretta" (1994);
• To play the role of producer and director in the documentary "Sardinia - a great sea island";
• Write a couple of books, the most popular of which "Victory Bodybuilding" was translated into several languages and withstood many publications.

Some facts of biography

• Once during a walk to Franco Colombo, his wife Deborah and two friends were attacked by hooligans. The former boxer literally shattered the jaw of one of the attackers with a powerful blow, the other attackers immediately fled.
• The bodybuilder was famous for his amazing lightweight pumps. He could inflate the heating pad so that it burst like a balloon.
• The hero of the article took anabolic steroids for the growth of muscle mass. Of course, he received the desired body, but, unfortunately, the reception of the AU led him to impotence and the inability to have children.
• The volume of his biceps is 47 cm.