By Shawn Ray
The Lion of Lebanon, Samir Bannout shares his personal thoughts about the upcoming 2020 Mr. Olympia Contest as well as the state of affairs regarding Judging.
At just 19 years of age, Samir moved to Michigan from Lebanon in order to pursue his dream of becoming the worlds best built man. In 1975 Samir would move again this time to Venice Beach, California in order to train along side and with legends like; Arnold, Zane, Mentzer, Robinson, Padilla, Dickerson, Platz, Beckles and Columbu to name a few.
The boys would basically Eat, Sleep and Train as if bodybuilding were some type of religion of sorts and Samir would relish in the friendships that were forged through the blood, sweat and tears shed in the bellies of world famous gyms like Worlds and Golds!
Before long, Samir would capture the ultimate title of Mr. Olympia in 1983 and become immortalized in the annuls of professional bodybuilding as only the 6th man in history to lay claim to the Sandow Trophy by beating formidable challengers in the form of Mohammed Makkawy and a very young rookie named, Lee Haney.
Samir would go on to compete many years later chasing the Sandow for a second time before calling it quits in 2011.
History:
- 1974 Mr. Universe, Medium Class 7th (Youngest contestant)
- 1976 Mr. Universe, Middleweight 12th
- 1977 Mr. International, Middleweight 2nd
- 1978 Mr. International, Middleweight 2nd
- 1979 Best in the World, Amateur 1st
- 1979 Canada Pro Cup, N/A
- 1979 World Amateur Championships, Light Heavyweight 1st
- 1980 Grand Prix California 4th
- 1980 Grand Prix Pennsylvania 7th
- 1980 Night of Champions 10th
- 1980 Mr. Olympia 15th
- 1980 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational N/A
- 1981 Grand Prix California 7th
- 1981 Grand Prix New England 6th
- 1981 Night of Champions 10th
- 1981 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1982 Grand Prix Sweden 2nd
- 1982 Mr. Olympia 4th
- 1983 Mr. Olympia 1st
- 1984 Canada Pro Cup 5th
- 1984 Mr. Olympia 6th
- 1984 World Grand Prix 5th
- 1985 WABBA World Championship 1st
- 1986 WABBA World Championship 1st
- 1988 Grand Prix England 10th
- 1988 Grand Prix Italy 9th
- 1988 Mr. Olympia 8th
- 1989 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic 4th
- 1989 Grand Prix Finland 6th
- 1989 Grand Prix France 8th
- 1989 Grand Prix Germany 5th
- 1989 Grand Prix Holland 5th
- 1989 Grand Prix Spain 5th
- 1989 Grand Prix Spain (2nd) 5th
- 1989 Grand Prix Sweden 3rd
- 1989 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic 4th
- 1990 Grand Prix England 6th
- 1990 Grand Prix Finland 5th
- 1990 Grand Prix Italy 6th
- 1990 Houston Pro Invitational 2rd[clarification needed]
- 1990 Mr. Olympia 8th
- 1990 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 1st (Winner)
- 1990 NABBA World Championships Professional 2nd
- 1991 Mr. Olympia 16th
- 1992 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic N/A
- 1992 Grand Prix Germany 11th
- 1992 Mr. Olympia 16th
- 1993 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic 13th
- 1993 Ironman Pro Invitational 13th
- 1993 San Jose Pro Invitational 10th
- 1994 Grand Prix England 14th
- 1994 Grand Prix Germany 13th
- 1994 Grand Prix Italy 12th
- 1994 Grand Prix Spain 12th
- 1994 Mr. Olympia 19th
- 1996 Masters Mr. Olympia 6th
- 2011 IFBB Pro World Masters Bodybuilding 11th
In Samirs own words, some 46 years after making his Pro Debut in the Mr. Universe, Samir expresses his Opinions the same way he managed his career by doing it his way.
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Editor in Chief.
12x Olympia Top 5 Finalist, Pro Bodybuilding Hall of Fame Inductee, International Master of Ceremonies, NPC Contest Promoter, Motivational Speaker, Social Media Influencer, Fitness Journalist
