Who is Mr Olympia bodybuilder Samir Bannout?
A LEBANESE bodybuilder with the "perfect physique" may well come to mind when thinking of Mr Olympia.
With unbelievable proportions achieved through tremendous self-discipline, Samir Bannout is one of the most impressive athletes in the bodybuilding contest.
Who is bodybuilder Samir Bannout?
Samir Bannout, known as "the Lion of Lebanon", was born on November 7, 1955, and is a recognisable face in the bodybuilding world.
He has appeared on the covers of prominent fitness magazines, including Strength and Health, Muscle Digest, and IronMan, and works as a coach, an actor, and a social media influencer.
The star boasts more than 158,000 followers on Instagram, where he mostly posts throwback pictures of his incredible physique.
In 2002, he was inducted to the IFBB Hall of Fame, joining the elite Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva, and Larry Scott.
He now lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Randa and three children Lea, Jesse, and Sergio.
Bannout has two daughters from his previous marriage to Lourdes - the sister of fellow IFBB professional Lee Labrada.
When did Samir Bannout start bodybuilding?
He first training began when he was 16 years old, in a gym on the roof of his house.
When he was 18, he earned his first trophy as the youngest participant in the 1974 Teenage Mr Universe competition.
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Bannout won the Lebanese Junior Championship just six months into bodybuilding and began competing at the amateur level after he immigrated to the US from his native Lebanon.
Bannout quickly became known for his near-perfect proportions, climbing the ranks of the sport and winning his light-heavyweight class at the 1979 IFBB World Amateur Championships.
The icon placed fourth at the 1982 Mr Olympia competition while living in Santa Monica, California.
He previously admitted to using anabolic steroids to achieve his impressive figure, saying: "I have to be quite truthful with you, I have used anabolics.
"I'm not going to have to deny it, because all the other Mr Olympia contenders, I feel that they are using it, and I only use it to reverse catabolic effect."
Throughout his career, he was considered by some a controversial athlete and was described as being overly emotional, volatile, macho and proud - as well as charming, funny, and direct.
What year did Samir Bannout win Mr Olympia?
The "Lion" won the Mr Olympia title in 1983 in Munich, Germany after placing fourth in the competition the previous year.
He weighed 89kg at the time, making him the first Mr Olympia under 91kg.
The win bookended the contest's "aesthetics" era which started in 1977 when American Frank Zane won, weighing just 86kg.
Many praised his never-before-seen "complete package" of proportion, muscularity, and lower back density - immortalised as the "Lebanese Cedar".
He was only the seventh man to win the prestigious award.
Bannout's love story with Mr Olympia came to an end following the 1984 show, where he placed sixth, when he was suspended by the IFBB for three years as punishment for participating in a rival contest.
He never achieved a top-six placing at a Mr Olympia competition again, but has claimed he was "robbed" and insinuated there were political undertones to the selection of winners.
Bannout left professional bodybuilding in 1996 after 17 years and more than 50 competitions.
A fan asked Bannout in October 2023 if he would be attending the upcoming Mr Olympia convention, to which the bodybuilder replied: "more likely yes buddy... best regards n hope to see you soon."
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Commenting on an Instagram throwback picture of Bannout's physique, another fan wrote: "Samir is so underrated. I can't find a flaw. Deserves way more respect."
Another said he was "forever our Legend".