Franco Columbu

Franco Columbu
Bodybuilder
Columbu in Sardinia
Personal info
NicknameThe Sardinian Strongman[1]
Born(1941-08-07)August 7, 1941
Ollolai, Sardinia, Kingdom of Italy
DiedAugust 30, 2019(2019-08-30) (aged 78)
San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[2]
WeightContest: 185 lb (84 kg)
Off season: 195 lb (88 kg)[2]
Professional career
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Olympia
  • 1976, 1981
PredecessorArnold Schwarzenegger (1975, 1980)
SuccessorFrank Zane (1977)
Chris Dickerson (1982)
ActiveRetired after 1981 Mr. Olympia

Francesco Maria Columbu[3] (August 7, 1941 – August 30, 2019) was an Italian-American bodybuilder and actor.

Originally a boxer, Columbu won the Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981, and competed in the inaugural edition of the World's Strongest Man in 1977, where he placed fifth.[4] He also had an acting career and authored numerous books on bodybuilding and nutrition. Columbu was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001, International Sports Hall of Fame in 2013[5] and received the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.[6]

  1. ^ O'Reilly, Anthony (August 30, 2018). "Two-time Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu Dead at 78". Muscle & Fitness.
  2. ^ a b "Franco Columbu - Greatest Physiques". greatestphysiques.com. July 27, 2016.
  3. ^ "Addio a Franco Columbu, il Terminator italiano: muore per un malore a San Teodoro". Gallura Oggi. August 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "Deadlifting For Massive Strength?". deadliftworkouts.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  5. ^ Dr. Robert Goldman (March 12, 2013). "2013 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees". www.sportshof.org. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference heavy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).