Samir Bannout

Samir Bannout
Bodybuilder
Samir Bannout (left) with Paolo Tassetto
Personal info
NicknameThe Lion of Lebanon
Born (1955-11-07) November 7, 1955 (age 69)
Beirut, Lebanon
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Weightcontest: 205 lb (93 kg)
off-season: 215 lb (98 kg)[1]
Professional career
Pro-debut
  • Mr. Universe
  • 1974
Best win
PredecessorChris Dickerson
SuccessorLee Haney
Active1974–1996
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Samir Bannout (Arabic: سمير بنّوت) (born November 7, 1955) is a Lebanese former professional bodybuilder and commentator. Nicknamed 'The Lion of Lebanon', he won the 1983 Mr. Olympia, defeating Mohamed Makkawy and Lee Haney.[2] He is the first Middle Eastern bodybuilder to win a Mr. Olympia title.

Bannout is considered by most as the last of the champions from the golden era of bodybuilding, where the emphasis was on shape and balance rather than mass.[3] Known for his balanced and aesthetic physique, definition, leg development, and back, he is most famous for his well-developed lower back and introducing his signature "Lebanon cedar". He is considered to have had one of the best backs of his era.[4][5][6][7]

Since retirement, Bannout has taken up the role of a commentator surrounding the sport.[8] In 2002, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.[9]

  1. ^ a b "Samir Bannout". 7 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Every Winner of the Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding Competition | BarBend". 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ http://nutribody.com/old-school-bodybuilder-samir-bannout-workout/ [bare URL]
  4. ^ "An Interview with the Lion of Lebanon, 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout". 2 July 2007.
  5. ^ "An Interview with the Lion of Lebanon, 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout (Part 2)". 31 March 2008.
  6. ^ http://nutribody.com/old-school-bodybuilder-samir-bannout-workout/ [bare URL]
  7. ^ "9 Bodybuilders Under 200 Pounds Who Were Absolute Giant Killers | BarBend". 15 March 2023.
  8. ^ https://www.sportskeeda.com/bodybuilding/news-he-orchestrated-something-really-messy-former-mr-olympia-samir-bannout-opens-falling-out-ifbb [bare URL]
  9. ^ http://nutribody.com/old-school-bodybuilder-samir-bannout-workout/ [bare URL]