Francis Benfatto to return to pro competition... [Forum Archive]

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Francis Benfatto to return to pro competition...

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Posted by: Prince

The first IFBB show of 2006 will be the Ironman Pro in Pasadena, California on February 18th. It is always a very exciting show, as you never know who will be competing in it - which rookies, which season pros, etc. Well, this year, we have a special surprise who is going to compete. Here is the press release.

After an absence of some 12 years, legendary bodybuilder Francis Benfatto will return to international competition at next February's Iron Man Pro contest in California.

Having retired in 1993, this bodybuilding icon who inspired bodybuilding fans worldwide during the 1980's with his powerful artistic routines is still regarded by many as one of the best posers to have ever taken the stage. His departure from competition was greeted with dismay by fans around the globe, many of whom felt that despite his numerous titles and wins, at 35 years old he hadn't yet achieved his potential and was retiring too early.

Benfatto says his retirement was due to a number of reasons, primarily fatigue. "I was exhausted with competitions and also becoming quite disillusioned with the way bodybuilding was going. There appeared to be less emphasis on symmetry and proportion and more attention paid to size and weight. That was not the type of competition I lived and trained for and that led to such disappointment that I knew the time had come to take a break."

The break saw him leaving his native France and moving to Canada before finally settling in Cape Town, South Africa. Although not competing, Benfatto was still actively training and the decision to return to the competitive stage was sparked by his collaboration with a South African sports supplement manufacturer, Muscle Science, during the development of the Francis Benfatto Signature Series of nutritional supplements.
"Although I had retired from competition, I was still training every day in the gym and was constantly being questioned by the other guys on diet and training techniques," said Benfatto. "Having garnered so much knowledge about the dietary requirements of bodybuilding, it seemed logical that I develop a range of supplements that incorporated everything I believed a top bodybuilder needs in his diet. Working on the range with some of South Africa's top bodybuilders got me thinking about competition and at the back of my mind I started wondering how I would fare competitively again. I started training intensely and when I saw how well my body responded after just two months, I started thinking seriously about making a comeback."

With an invitation to compete in the 2006 IFBB Iron Man Pro, Benfatto, whose last competition was the '92 Mr Olympia, decided the time was right to return to the stage. "Although I'm nearly 48 now, I think people are going to see me in better shape than I was in the early '90's! If my training continues the way its been going, I believe I am going to appear at the Iron Man exhibiting the best symmetry, proportion and well conditioned musculature of my career. I think my timing is good because judges are again starting to take note of the purer, more classic and aesthetically pleasing physiques. I will prove that age is not a factor if you train and live correctly. I have probably about 15 - 20lbs more muscle than I did ten years ago so what people will see in February is not an older Francis Benfatto, but a completely new version of myself. I hope that through this, I can inspire other 40 and 50 year olds to get back into the gym." With none of his previous competitors still active, Benfatto is looking forward to the challenge of competing against a new line-up. His training programme is well on track and has been designed to allow him to spend the last month before the Iron Man training in California. "Finishing my preparation in America is going to be a great motivation for me as it will give me the added variation of equipment that I will need then," he said.

Those familiar with Benfatto's training programmes will be interested to learn that he hasn't altered his well known formula that is renowned for excluding cardio training. "I have never believed that cardio training will enhance definition in a particular muscle group. A simple adaptation of weight training will maximise the muscle growth and increase definition and size. There's no need to make training for competition any more complicated than necessary. I don't time my workouts or aim to spend a certain number of hours a day training. I simply plan my workout according to what needs to be done that day and I always pay attention to how I'm feeling. If I'm tired on a particular day, I rest and I don't worry about it. So I train in cycles and rest when I need. Naturally that will alter as I progress over the next two months but for now it's pretty straightforward."

The IFBB Iron Man Pro is the biggest and longest running IFBB Pro Bodybuilding event on the West Coast of the USA. It is the only Pro show in Los Angeles, the mecca of bodybuilding, with the top three finalists qualifying to compete in the 2006 Mr Olympia. Previous winners of the prestigious Iron Man contest include the likes of Chris Cormier, Jay Cutler and Dexter Jackson. Gustavo Badell is the current title holder.
http://getbig.com/news/2005-04/120505benfatto.htm

Posted by: TJ Cline

He was one of the best, I hope he is given the placings he deserves...this time

Posted by: Prince

he had a great physique, very good shape and symmetry, but I am not sure how we will compete against the current mass monsters.

Posted by: Mudge

I used to be amazed at how striated he was, it will be interesting to see him back. He wasn't as small as Bob Paris, but he wasn't a giant.

P.S. I hope he brought some legs this time!

48 years old, wow.

Posted by: THEUNIT(XXL)

Damn, the Ironman was already going to be great with all of the big names coming this year, and now this. I just think that people like Priest and d. Jackson and a couple more pros will dominate the top10 easily, I'm not sure what will happen.

Posted by: Nick+

Someone on a web page which I read many months ago, said that the only problem with Benfatto was his enormous head.....

Well I looked at some photos, and it would appear that he does indeed have quite a big head...... It in no way detracts from the fact that he's aesthetically one of the best Bodybuilders ever.

Wow! And he returns at the age of 48, I've got hope yet

Posted by: Prince

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick+

Wow! And he returns at the age of 48, I've got hope yet.

I don't see how he will be competitive at this age.

Posted by: Nick+

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

I don't see how he will be competitive at this age.

I'm amazed in the first place that he is this old.(48) I thought he was younger.Maybe he has a chance..........

Posted by: TJ Cline

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

I don't see how he will be competitive at this age.

I would guess he will hit the Masters O....all are 40+ in that show.

Posted by: Prince

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

I would guess he will hit the Masters O....all are 40+ in that show.

does that still exist?

Posted by: TJ Cline

I can't find any info on it so it might not

Posted by: THEUNIT(XXL)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

does that still exist?

They check how many good competitors sign up and then they dicide if they are going to host it or not that year, in 2003 I think was the last time, 2004 master O was ready but got cancelled at the last minute and 2005 was also just not going to happen.

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Francis Benfatto to return to pro competition...

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