Franco Columbu: Mr. Olympia Champion in 1976 and 1981
Franco Columbu: 2-time Mr. Olympia champion (1976, 1981). Learn about two-time champion, Olympia victories, physique, career milestones and legacy.
Franco Columbu won the Mr. Olympia in 1976 and returned five years later to win again in 1981. The Italian competitor stood out in a period when the Olympia included both lighter and heavier weight classes.
Quick facts
- Athlete: Franco Columbu
- Country: Italy
- Division: Men's Open Bodybuilding
- Mr. Olympia wins: 2
- Winning years: 1976, 1981
- Known for: Two-time champion
How Franco Columbu won the Mr. Olympia
Columbu had been a leading contender behind Arnold Schwarzenegger, including a runner-up finish in 1975. With Schwarzenegger absent in 1976, Columbu won the under-200-pound division and the overall championship. A serious injury at the 1977 World's Strongest Man event interrupted his career, but he later returned to competitive bodybuilding.
Physique, posing and influence
Columbu's career is frequently associated with great strength relative to bodyweight, compact muscularity and a long partnership in training with Arnold. His accomplishments show that competitive impact was not determined by being the heaviest athlete onstage.
A defining Olympia moment
His second win in 1981 came after years away from the top of the sport. That comeback became part of the Olympia's history of champions returning to reclaim a Sandow.
Mr. Olympia winning years
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Men's Open — 1st place |
| 1981 | Men's Open — 1st place |
Explore more Olympia winners
Competition record sources
See all Men's Open champions | All athlete profiles
Photo: John Balik / GMV Productions. Archive source. Used with permission.