Franco Columbu
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Franco Columbu (Ollolai, Sardinia, Italy, August 7, 1941) is an actor and bodybuilder.
Starting out his athletic career as a boxer he progressed into the sport of powerlifting and later bodybuilding, scooping the title of Mr. Olympia in both 1976 and 1981. At one time he was considered world's strongest man and held a number of powerlifting and weightlifting world records.
Franco Columbu is also famous for being long time friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he met in Munich in 1965 and competed against in several international-level bodybuilding competitions. For the Mr. Olympia competitions however, he competed in the under 200 lb (90.7 kg) category, whereas Schwarzenegger was in the over 200 lb (90.7 kg) category.
In addition to being a renowned champion of such competitions as the Olympia, Columbu also has made intermittent minor forays into acting. Appearing alongside Arnold in Pumping Iron, he has also appeared in cameo roles in Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, The Running Man and starred in his own films, notably, Berretta's Island.
He holds doctorates in chiropractic and nutrition.
Achievements
Titles Won in Bodybuilding:
- Mr. Italy
- Mr. Europe
- Mr. International
- Mr. World
- Mr. Universe
- Mr. Olympia
Titles Won in Powerlifting:
- Champion of Italy
- Champion of Germany
- Champion of Europe
- World champion
World records in powerlifting:
- Bench press 520 lb (236 kg)
- Squat 655 lb (297 kg)
- Deadlift 750 lb (340 kg)
Records in weightlifting:
- Olympic press 325 lb (147 kg)
- Snatch 270 lb (122 kg)
- Clean and jerk 400 lb (181 kg)
- Amateur Boxing Champion