The Sardinian Strongman

SPIKE1257 · 05-05-2005, 08:51 AM

FRANCO COLUMBU

Born in Sardinia, Columbu first engaged in the sport of boxing. He met Arnold Schwarzenegger in Munich in 1965 and was henceforth forever stamped as Schwarzenegger’s sidekick. In 1969, he followed the Oak to California and they became bodybuilding’s main duo, but all friendship ceased whenever they were vying for the same title, although Columbu never beat Schwarzenegger.

Columbu won the 1970 IFBB Mr. Europe and IFBB Mr. Universe titles, the 1971 IFBB Mr. World, and later took the lightweight class at the 1974 and 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia before winning the overall in 1976. In 1977, Columbu broke his left leg while grappling with a refrigerator during the World’s Strongest Man contest. However, this Sardinian refused to be canned – with phenomenal fortitude, he began a rehab program using his skills as a chiropractor and, after Schwarzenegger’s 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia comeback victory in Sydney, Columbu made his own comeback by taking the 1981 IFBB Mr. Olympia title.

It would be his final competition. Columbu zoomed fast-forward along the pioneer’s path that Jack Delinger braved for shorter men in the 1940s. Known for his incredible deadlift ability and for the horizontal crease in his pecs, Columbu transferred the knockout punch he perfected in his boxing days in Italy to the dais of muscle and became a bodybuilder who, by anybody’s standards, looked strong. Columbu has appeared in movies, written some training books, has his own website, and is CEO of Eclipse Entertainment Group Inc.

ABOUT FRANCO

Nickname: The Sardinian Strongman
Born: August 7, 1941
Birthplace: Ollolay, ITALY
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 185 lbs

TITLES WON
1968 NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular)
1969 IFBB Mr. Europe (Medium)
1969 IFBB Mr. Universe (Short)
1969 NABBA Mr. Universe (Short)
1969 NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular)
1970 IFBB Mr. Europe
1970 AAU Mr. World (Pro Short)
1970 IFBB Mr. Universe
1971 IFBB Mr. World
1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Short)
1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Short)
1976 IFBB Mr. Olympia
1981 IFBB Mr. Olympia

CancerNV · 05-05-2005, 08:58 AM

Ronald McDonald!

SPIKE1257 · 05-05-2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CancerNV

Ronald McDonald!

It takes time, I have to research. He's not just another clown, you know...

devildog88 · 05-05-2005, 09:31 AM

What do these guys look like now? I have seen the pics of Arny, but what about Platz and Colomubu?

SPIKE1257 · 05-05-2005, 08:21 PM

anyone know what Franco is deading here ? Looks like over 600 lbs...

maniclion · 05-05-2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devildog88

What do these guys look like now? I have seen the pics of Arny, but what about Platz and Colomubu?

That would be a cool article to do for a magazine, a then and now type thing.

clemson357 · 05-05-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIKE1257

anyone know what Franco is deading here ? Looks like over 600 lbs...

why aren't those little plates falling off the end? seems like they would.

min0 lee · 05-05-2005, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CancerNV

Ronald McDonald!

What's with Ronald?

Eggs · 05-05-2005, 10:38 PM

I lived in Sardinia for two years

Definitely a pretty cool place, though kind of considered the "West Virginia" of Italy. I like mirto though, what can I say

musclepump · 05-05-2005, 11:16 PM

West Virginia of Italy? What's that mean?

05-05-2005, 08:51 AM	#1
SPIKE1257 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,532	The Sardinian Strongman FRANCO COLUMBU Born in Sardinia, Columbu first engaged in the sport of boxing. He met Arnold Schwarzenegger in Munich in 1965 and was henceforth forever stamped as Schwarzenegger’s sidekick. In 1969, he followed the Oak to California and they became bodybuilding’s main duo, but all friendship ceased whenever they were vying for the same title, although Columbu never beat Schwarzenegger. Columbu won the 1970 IFBB Mr. Europe and IFBB Mr. Universe titles, the 1971 IFBB Mr. World, and later took the lightweight class at the 1974 and 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia before winning the overall in 1976. In 1977, Columbu broke his left leg while grappling with a refrigerator during the World’s Strongest Man contest. However, this Sardinian refused to be canned – with phenomenal fortitude, he began a rehab program using his skills as a chiropractor and, after Schwarzenegger’s 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia comeback victory in Sydney, Columbu made his own comeback by taking the 1981 IFBB Mr. Olympia title. It would be his final competition. Columbu zoomed fast-forward along the pioneer’s path that Jack Delinger braved for shorter men in the 1940s. Known for his incredible deadlift ability and for the horizontal crease in his pecs, Columbu transferred the knockout punch he perfected in his boxing days in Italy to the dais of muscle and became a bodybuilder who, by anybody’s standards, looked strong. Columbu has appeared in movies, written some training books, has his own website, and is CEO of Eclipse Entertainment Group Inc. ABOUT FRANCO Nickname: The Sardinian Strongman Born: August 7, 1941 Birthplace: Ollolay, ITALY Height: 5' 5" Weight: 185 lbs TITLES WON 1968 NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular) 1969 IFBB Mr. Europe (Medium) 1969 IFBB Mr. Universe (Short) 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe (Short) 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe (Most Muscular) 1970 IFBB Mr. Europe 1970 AAU Mr. World (Pro Short) 1970 IFBB Mr. Universe 1971 IFBB Mr. World 1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Short) 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia (Short) 1976 IFBB Mr. Olympia 1981 IFBB Mr. Olympia

05-05-2005, 08:58 AM	#2
CancerNV Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 454	Ronald McDonald!
CancerNV Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 454	http://www.moviemarket.co.uk/thumbna...mbs/223620.jpg

05-05-2005, 09:31 AM	#4
devildog88 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 795 Photos: 1	What do these guys look like now? I have seen the pics of Arny, but what about Platz and Colomubu?
	"Everyone wants to win but not everyone is willing to prepare to win" Bobby Knight

05-05-2005, 11:16 PM	#10
musclepump Celebrity PersonalTrainer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,666 Photos: 128	West Virginia of Italy? What's that mean?
	Let's all join together and SPEAK ENGLISH IN AMERICA.

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05-05-2005, 08:21 PM	#5
SPIKE1257 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,532	anyone know what Franco is deading here ? Looks like over 600 lbs...

05-05-2005, 10:38 PM	#9
Eggs Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 7,008	I lived in Sardinia for two years Definitely a pretty cool place, though kind of considered the "West Virginia" of Italy. I like mirto though, what can I say

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