Franco Colombo: the sharp turns of fate of the strongman from Sardinia

On August 30, Mr. Olympia Franco Colombo died in Sardinia. The death of the once famous bodybuilder was announced by his longtime friend and faithful comrade Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today Columbo is known as an undeservedly forgotten legend of bodybuilding and, perhaps, not the most successful actor and producer. But largely thanks to him, the world recognized Iron Arnie, with whom Columbo conquered America and went towards his dream. Read about how difficult and interesting this path was in the Lenta.ru article.

The impoverished childhood of Franco champion Franco Colombo

Franco Columbu appeared to the world on August 7, 1941 in a godforsaken village on the island of Sardinia in a small family of a poor peasant. From childhood, his life was filled with work on the land, and very early the guy experienced first-hand what poverty means. An active and nosy boy has established himself as an excellent shepherd. He ran like crazy along the ravines and slopes after a flock of sheep. A kind of obstacle course allowed me to train my legs and increase my endurance. At school, Franco was significantly superior to his peers in agility and strength.

However, as he grew up, the guy began to understand: in the Italian wilderness he would not see a beautiful life. In the village there is little choice: he will either run after the herd until he is old, or he will become involved in racketeering, extorting taxes from debtors. His innate conscience did not allow the guy to choose to join a gang, but Colombo didn’t want to herd sheep either. Thoughts about how to live further tormented the boy for days. By God's providence, he became interested in boxing, and after short training he began to win amateur competitions. He was noticed and invited to study at a professional club. Franco realized that such a chance comes only once in a lifetime, and he gave up titanic forces to become the champion of Italy in boxing.

Personal life and death

Columbu has lived in Los Angeles since the 1970s. He was a licensed chiropractor, receiving his degree from Cleveland College of Chiropractic in 1977.[5] Columbu returned to his hometown of Ollolai in Sardinia every year at the end of August to attend local festivities.[19]

On August 30, 2022, after suffering a heart attack while swimming off the coast of San Teodoro, Sardinia, Columbu drowned and later died while being transported by helicopter to a hospital in Olbia,[20] twenty-three days after his 78 -anniversary.[21][22] He is survived by his wife Deborah, their daughter Maria,[23] and three sisters: Anna, Gonaria and Celestina.[6] On September 3, a funeral was held in Ollolai's homeland.[19] The memorial was held in Los Angeles on October 6, 2019.

German emigration

After the championship in Italy, a miracle did not happen. Nothing has changed in Colombo's fate. To be able to earn money, he decided to move to Germany. In a foreign country, he went to work on a car assembly line and at the same time rocked in the gym. The coach, watching Franco practice his kick, suggested that he strengthen his arms using a barbell. Columbo enjoyed working out his biceps so much that during a boxing match he almost killed his opponent with a punch. The boxer felt power and strength in himself, which is very difficult to curb in a state of excitement. At this moment, the athlete realized that it was time to hang up his boxing gloves and grab the barbell.

Dramatic change in the life of a bodybuilder

Quick achievements only assured the aspiring bodybuilder that his life choice was correct. However, fortune once again rendered Columbo a favor: he met Arnold Schwarzenegger, who later played a key role in his fate. The strongmen founded a so-called friendly “trade union” and began conducting training together. Even competitions did not interfere with friendship, as friends competed in different weight categories.

Interesting! Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Colombo have been friends for 53 years.

Columbu's achievements:

• Bench press - 235 kg;
• deadlift - 338 kg;
• military press - 230 kg;
• squats - 300 kg.

The Sardinian athlete reached champion parameters in a matter of years.

Anthropometry:

• height - only 1 m 66 cm;
• weight - about 84-87 kg;
• chest circumference - 1 m 34 cm;
• calf volume - 44 cm;
• the circumference of the “cans” is 47 cm.

The strongman won the expected victory at the German national competition and began training for the European tournament. But a real avalanche of fame awaited the champion in America, where he went on Arnie’s advice.

Filmography

The dizzying career of Franco Colombo in the USA

Upon arrival in California, Colombo was amazed at the equipment of his new hall. An inexperienced athlete has not seen such devices even on the pages of magazines. Here, while training with Arnie, they began to peacefully compete, and each tried to outdo the other. Such trainings have become incredible motivation and stimulation for friends. The bodybuilder’s aspirations were not in vain:

• In 1968 and 1972, Franco won the Mr. Universe title.
• In the same 1972 he became 2nd at the prestigious Mister World competition..

The thrifty athlete did not understand the style of behavior of his colleagues in the gym. The guys could not save the fees they earned; they spent it on walks and cafes. Franco, in turn, thought ahead about his life and health, and calculated the budget in such a way that his muscles received harmonious nutrition every day.

Interesting! Franco's ability to lay bricks helped him survive in America. He founded a work team of bodybuilders and went to work with them on construction sites. Onlookers simply rolled their necks, looking at Hercules in overalls.

Let's focus on nutrition

What does Franco eat to stay in great shape? The scheme is quite simple: eat 6 times a day, of which 4 times are the main meal and 2 times are snacks. The greatest attention should be paid to lunch - it should contain the maximum calories. The last meal should take place no later than 22.00.

Colombo advice for beginners: drink a glass of wine or beer 2 times a day. It's surprising that pizza wasn't added to this tandem.

Franco's diet is based on chicken eggs. It is this product that is easily digestible and contains microelements, proteins and vitamins that affect the successful building of muscle mass. By the way, in the photo of the athlete his muscle structure is clearly visible.

The athlete is not keen on fast-acting carbohydrates, but before training he focuses on foods containing protein.

Life-changing trauma

At the World's Strongest Man tournament, the athlete suffered a serious knee injury. Franco was carrying a refrigerator in one of the competitions and dropped it unsuccessfully. He became 5th, and left big bodybuilding for 5 years, taking $1 million in compensation.

Video: Franco Colombo brutally breaks his leg at the World's Strongest Man competition

Doctors predicted paralysis for the bodybuilder, but in 1981 he again topped the Olympia podium. In addition, during the recovery period he managed to:

• study chiropractic and earn a medical college diploma;
• create an individual set of exercises;
• resume knee function;
• open a personal medical office.

The victory at Olympia marked a point in the bodybuilder’s career; he announced his retirement from bodybuilding.

Athlete performances

Having good anthropometric data, our Frankie in 1968 became the winner of the Italian and European Powerlifting Championships.

After heavy workloads in the USA, the athlete conquered the Mr. Universe competition in 1975 and at the same time took 2nd place in the well-known Mr. Olympia.

Colombo was not used to losing, and a year of hard training yielded results - the absolute champion of 1976 at Mr. Olympia. The day after receiving the title, Franco takes part in another competition, where he seriously injures his knee. The injury puts performances under ban; doctors said that he needs to quit bodybuilding.

Of course, our hero did not accept the doctors’ conclusion and continued special training. For 3 years, Colombo did not give up, and his efforts were rewarded. In 1981, the absolute winner of Mr. Olympia, but this was the end of his star journey in sports - this was the decision of the athlete himself.

Training by Franco Colombo

Franco’s special training program allowed the Sicilian athlete to become famous for the harmonious parameters and shape of his quadriceps. Pumped muscles, like giant drops, pressed onto the knees, adding relief and volume to the legs. Before the 1981 Olympia, he worked out like crazy doing strength exercises. Targeted by the bodybuilder: biceps, abs, thighs and calves, training the pectoral muscles. The back faded into the background.

Exercise program for pumping legs

We bring to your attention a program for pumping up the legs, which is designed for professional strongmen, and includes both targeted isolated and basic exercises. The main feature is deep squats, with feet apart by 15 cm. He performed leg exercises in 7 reps. with decreasing weights: 15 times, 10 times, and then minus 2 kg in each set. After that:

• leg press - 4 reps x 50, 25, 20, 10 times.
• leg bending in the simulator - 6 x 20;
• lunges with weights - 3 x 12-15;
• deadlift - 6 x 3.

Training Tips

Franco's training program consists of several basic exercises, but with a unique technique. One of the most favorite methods for pumping up thigh muscles for an athlete was squats. What makes them unique? – The fact is that the stance consisted of the position of the legs shoulder-width apart, and the feet were located at a 15-centimeter distance from one another.

The squat itself should be as deep as possible and performed with a straight back.

The back is the pride of a bodybuilder, because he was able to develop these muscles well, in which pulling exercises helped him. The athlete's program is mostly hard training, so beginners should not start with this kind of training.

Franco himself gives the following advice to everyone who wants to achieve great results in sports:

• follow the regime - both in training and in meals;
• exercise only after warming up;
• in complex exercises, all muscles work - pectoral, back, etc., learn to concentrate on the target muscle;
• listen to yourself to choose the right path;
• do not exaggerate with weight;
• Beginners should increase the load gradually.

Franco's life outside of bodybuilding

• Not everyone knows that Columbu's portfolio includes filming. Schwartz also brought his friend into this area. Many people know the cult films: “Conan the Barbarian”, “Terminator”, “Beretta Island”, “The Ancient Warrior”, in which the bodybuilder got notable heroes. It was his role in the Terminator that made Franco the athlete famous as a good actor.

• The man came up with the script and directed the film about the island of Sardinia.
• In 2014, the film “Another Round” was released, where Columbo played a boxing mentor.
• The man was married twice. Now he is in a successful marriage with his beloved Deborah Drake. The bodybuilder has a daughter, Maria.
• Franco Colombo now looks more than decent. He is active and fresh. Participates in meetings, gives interviews, appears on TV shows.
• At 73, he is an active user of social networks.

Professional merits

Franco achieved incredible heights in powerlifting. The muscleman won his first bench press competition. He lifted 150 kg, which was surprising considering his recent injury. He participated and won fights in Italy and Europe. His best achievements in powerlifting were: bench press - 238 kg, deadlift - 340 kg, squat - 297 kg. Colombo also became a participant and winner of the Mister Europe competition. The man won the title of the strongest man in the world.

The next area of ​​his achievements was bodybuilding. In the USA, Colombo decided to perform on the podium, where he won the title “Mr. Universe” and became a two-time holder of the title “Mr. Olympia”, after which he left this industry.

Immediately after moving to America, the bodybuilder enters medical college, which he successfully completes and works for some time in his specialty in his personal account. He is developing a special set of exercises to restore his damaged knee.

This iconic person also played the role of a writer. He became the author of several books on bodybuilding, the most famous being “Victory Bodybuilding.” The Italian's talent is not limited only to sporting achievements; Franco is also known as an actor and director.

His acting debut was playing in the film “Pumping Iron”, followed by roles in the films “The Running Man”, “Terminator”, “Beretta Island”, “Conan the Barbarian”, etc. A little later, Columbo makes the film “Sardinia. The most wonderful island in the sea”, where he pays tribute to his birthplace.

At the moment, the man has his own small restaurant in his native Italy, to which he devotes his time.

Interesting facts about Colombo

• When the strongman and his wife were attacked by hooligans with chains, their leader decided that he would quickly deal with the homely Franco. But he only managed to swing the chain when he received a powerful blow to the jaw. The jaw seemed to crumble before the eyes of the bandits, frozen in fear.
• The athlete has long been considered the best at inflating hot water bottles.
• The book “Victory Bodybuilding” has been reprinted several times.
• Recently, Franco and Arnie celebrated the anniversary of their friendship, and in honor of this they went for a bike ride.

Photos of Franco Colombo in his youth still amaze with the power of his muscles and immense relief. The Sicilian athlete is still respected in the world of bodybuilding, and continues to motivate beginners with his personal example. What do you think about this champion? Write to readers in the comments.

Bibliography

• Columbu, Franco; Fels, George (1977). Victory in bodybuilding
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809281091.
• Columbu, Franco; Fels, George (1978). Approaching strong
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809275656.
• Columbu, Franco; Columbu, Anita; Knudson, R. Roseann (1978). Stellar Bodies: The Book of Strength Training for Women
  . Dutton. ISBN 978-0525475279.
• Columbu, Franco; Tyler, Richard (1979). Victories in weightlifting and powerlifting
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809274284.
• Columbu, Franco; Tyler, Richard (1979). Strength Training and Bodybuilding: A Complete Guide for Young Athletes
  . Books of wanderers. ISBN 978-0671330064.
• Columbu, Franco (1982). The Complete Book of Bodybuilding by Franco Columbus
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809259830.
• Columbu, Franco; Fragomeni, Lydia (1983). The Businessman's Daily Guide to Formation
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809255795.
• Columbu, Franco; Fragomeni, Lydia (1985). Bodybuilder's Nutrition Book
  . Modern books. ISBN 978-0809254576.