Bodybuilder of legend, Franco Columbu has left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding world. Winner of 2 times of Mr. OlympiaThe man who was nicknamed The Sardinian Strongman was a true force of nature. Alternately athlete, actor, sports coach and chiropractor, the Italian also established a solid friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Discover his story.
2 wins at Mr. Olympia
Franco Columbu was born on August 7, 1941 in Ollolai, a village in the heart of Sardinia. He practices the boxing in his youth and even became the country's amateur champion.
In his early twenties, he left his native Italy for Munich to work as a bricklayer.
It was in Germany that Franco Columbu discovered weightlifting. He then abandoned the boxing gloves, a sport he considered too dangerous for his health, in favor of the strength training.
The Franco Columbu's prize list is well filled. He finished 4th in the Mr. Europe IFBB in 1966, before turning professional 2 years later.
He won the title of Mr. Europe IFBB in 1970. In 1971, he became Mr. World IFBB.
Franco Columbu also shines in Mr. Olympiathe largest competition in bodybuilding. He won the competition twice, once in 1976 and again in 1981.
A force of nature
In parallel to the bodybuilding contests, Franco Columbu practiced the strength sports. He participated in many Strongman competitions.
Franco Columbu was endowed with an extraordinary strength. Measuring 165 centimeters for 90 kilos (out of competition) and an arm circumference of 50 centimeters, the Sardinian athlete lifted much heavier loads than the bodybuilders more imposing than him.
His personal records are impressive enough for the vast majority of bodybuilding enthusiasts:
- 238 kilos in the bench press
- 297 kilos in the squat
- 340 kilos in the deadlift
His participation in the 1977 World's Strongest Men contest (the very first edition) in California is a striking example of his strength and courage. Much lighter than all the other participants, and despite a knee injury contracted during an event, he finished in a respectable 5th place.
During his career as a bodybuilder, Franco Columbu studied to become a chiropractor at Cleveland Chiropractic College, an activity he then practiced for many years.
The Italian bodybuilder died on his native island in 2019, at the age of 78, after a tragic accident at sea following a malaise.
The announcement of his death caused a great wave of emotions in the world of bodybuilding. Arnold Schwarzenegger, his long time friend, paid him a vibrant tribute.
His friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger met in Germany in 1965, during a competition. They quickly became friends, both being passionate about the physical culture.
When he moved to the United States, away from his country and family, Arnold Schwarzenegger asked his mentor Joe Weider to bring the Italian athlete.
Between trainings and competitions, they discovered this new life together and never left each other. In 1986, Franco Columbu was the best man at Arnold's wedding to Maria Shriver, before becoming the godfather of Christina, one of their 4 children.
Arnold also allowed Franco Columbu to discover the world of cinema across the Atlantic. He started out in films with Schwarzenegger in the lead role, including Conan the Barbarian (1982), The Terminator (1984) by James Cameron (he plays the Terminator of the future) or Beretta's Island (1994), a film for which he wrote the script.
Franco Columbu also participated in the documentary Pumping Ironreleased in 1977 and focusing on the Mr. Olympia contest.
The actor then turned in a dozen feature films more confidential.
With a good reputation in the worlds of physical strength and cinema, Franco Columbu was solicited in the early 1980s by Sylvester Stallone. The latter was looking for a trainer to prepare the shooting of several of his films, Rambo and Rocky including.
For the American actor, the goal was simple: develop muscle mass to shine in strong and charismatic character roles. The two-time winner of Mr. Olympia has therefore concocted a training program worthy of a top athletewith two daily training sessions, 6 days a week.
The least we can say is that Stallone's efforts with his physical trainer have paid off. In Rocky 4 (1986), Rocky's physique when he faces the boxer Ivan Drago is incredibly dry and muscular.
Conclusion
Less known than Schwarzenegger by the general public, Franco Columbu has nevertheless left an indelible mark in the world of bodybuilding. Endowed with a physics close to perfection and superhuman strength, this outstanding competitor has led a rich and successful career.
