Tag: Samir Bannout
Samir Bannout Predicts Derek Lunsford Wins 2023 Mr. Olympia, Says He Shouldn’t Worry About Size
The 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is inching closer, prompting Samir Bannout to examine the event in detail. In a recent Old School Labs Podcast, Bannout discussed the Mr. Olympia-winning potential of Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, and Hunter Labrada. In addition, Bannout blamed ‘the size game’ for killing off athletes unnecessarily.
Last year, the Men’s Open division transformed following Hadi Choopan’s victory at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Fans could hear a pin drop in the arena as event announcer Bob Cicherillo delivered the results. En route to claiming gold, Choopan was tested by his teammate, 212-turned-Open star Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker.
Having secured runner-up in his Open debut, Lunsford left Sin City confident about the future. He briefly teased the idea of competing at the 2023 Arnold Classic, but decided to take advantage of a longer off-season instead. Known for his openness with fans, Lunsford said he’s already gained considerable muscle in preparation for his November showdown with Choopan.
Aside from Lunsford, Samson Dauda is optimistic about the upcoming Olympia competition. He narrowly defeated Walker at the Arnold Classic in March and raked in a record $300,000. With hype, a balanced physique, and Milos Sarcev as his trainer, fans expect Dauda to make a push for first in his next appearance. Bannout was the latest to discuss the lineup and laid out why he thinks a new champion will emerge in less than three months.
Samir Bannout Says ‘Playing the Size Game Is Killing Guys,’ Reveals Top 2023 Mr. Olympia Threats
According to Bannout, competitors are beginning to understand the risks of pursuing freakier physiques. He believes the rise in bodybuilding deaths is partially why Open competitions have lacked competitors, like this weekend’s 2023 Tampa Pro, which will feature 9 athletes from the respective division.
“I think most of the guys feel like, ‘Oh, you know, I’m going to get huge.’ But the thing is, they know right away it’s kind of risky to follow this route,” says Samir Bannout. “There’s a downside [to getting freaky big]. I think most people are pulling away and because there’s a lot of – well a lot of guys are dying. A lot of guys are dying. They’re not stupid. I mean, we don’t need to name the guys, we know. A lot of those guys are dying.”
“Coaches… they’re not mellowing out. They’re keeping the pressure of playing the size game and this is what’s really killing these guys,” shared Bannout. “That’s another thing causing the numbers to drop in the Open and people are going to Classic [Physique].”
“Nowadays with the coaches, what they advertise what they’re taking, oh my God, this is suicidal. That’s why I felt bad and get heartbroken to see guys like Shawn Rhoden no longer with us. Dallas McGarver no longer here. Gustavo, Nasser, those guys are supposed to be alive now!”
Samson Dauda
Next, Bannout examined the chances of Samson Dauda heading into this year’s Olympia. He believes if Dauda wants “etched paper-thin skin” he’ll have to drop at least 40 pounds.
“[He’s carrying] more than water, more than water. I believe he needs to drop at least 35-40 pounds. Look, I love his body. Incredible. Very impressive but the quality remains to be seen. If he wants to get that etched paper thin skin, he’s got to drop at least 40 pounds. So, yeah, he looks good. But I think there’s a difference between thin skin and hippo-like skin. I know the cause of the hippo kind of sickness of the skin. So, this is a problem.”
Hunter Labrada
Given Hunter Labrada competes at the Tampa Pro this weekend, Bannout gave his thoughts on the potential physique he’s expected to display.
“He looks way better than he did the last time we were talking about him,” Bannout shared. “Yeah, I mean if he was a little bit more tanned it would look a lot more impressive. I’m telling you, he has what it takes.”
“With a good enhancement to his tan and a little better on positioning, which his dad can fix that quickly, I wonder what he weighs right there because whatever he did, he changed something.”
“He looks a lot tighter than he did last time. There’s still more room for improvement until he steps on stage but definitely, what I don’t like right now is his color. I want to see him more, I want that healthy glow to his skin.”
Derek Lunsford
Looking ahead, Bannout predicted Derek Lunsford to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition but cautioned him not to focus on adding size.
“Look, all he [Derek Lunsford] needed is to look how he looked last year, a little sharper in the back department, and he’s right there,” Bannout said. “He’s so massive.”
“I think Derek is going to do it [win 2023 Mr. Olympia]. I just don’t think he needs to be more irrational about putting on more size. As is, go 24-carat and win the fucking title. The only guy who I think could possibly do it, who… Regan.”
Bannout isn’t the only former Mr. Olympia winner backing Derek Lunsford to upset Hadi Choopan in Nov. A few months ago, bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman said Lunsford would be named the next champion. ‘The King’ also admitted that Lunsford was his favorite bodybuilder of this era.
With Lunsford adding weight in the off-season, fans expect another jaw-dropping package when he hits the stage. As for Samir Bannout, he predicted Lunsford to win but stressed to all competitors that focusing on the size can result in lifelong consequences.
RELATED: Derek Lunsford Talks Battle w/ Hadi Choopan for 2023 Olympia Win, Says Nick , Samson to Fight for 3rd/4th
Watch the full video from the Old School Labs Rumble Channel Below:
Published: 3 August, 2023 | 2:46 PM EDT
Samir Bannout Urges Big Ramy to Get Healthy & Backs Derek Lunsford as Most Dangerous at 2023 Mr. Olympia
Egyptian bodybuilder Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay left the door open for a new champion to emerge and paid the price for it at the 2022 Mr. Olympia last December. While many seem to count him out, others believe he could get back in the winning column. In a recent episode of The Muscle Maturity podcast, former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout called on Big Ramy to get his health in order and encouraged him to take a similar approach as Derek Lunsford.
The 2022 season turned out to be one of the most exciting and competitive of any in recent years. Former two-time Mr. Olympia Big Ramy went into the Olympia contest as the betting favorite to retain the title based on his overwhelming muscle mass and size. He was tasked with the challenge to ward off proven veterans like Hadi Choopan and a crop of new talent in rising sensations Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked.
Along with the mass monsters of the Men’s Open class, former 212 Olympia king Derek Lunsford entered as the wildcard after receiving a special invite to test out his abilities in the Open Olympia. In the end, Ramy missed the mark and suffered a crushing defeat. He got dethroned by Choopan and dropped down to fifth place with Lunsford taking silver.
Following the result, fans were quick to bash Ramy and called on him to step away from professional competition. He was hoping to redeem himself at the 2023 Arnold Classic but could not assert his place in the mix of title contention. IFBB athletes’ representative Bob Cicherillo theorized Ramy would not be able to win another Sandow trophy unless he completely transformed his physique.
Big Ramy at 2022 Olympia
Ramy hit back at the critics for asking him to hang up his posing trunks. He expressed his passion for the sport and indicated no plans to move on anytime soon regardless of the outcomes. Ahead of his guest-posing appearance at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Ramy hinted at the possibility of taking a brief hiatus for the rest of the year.
Big Ramy opened up about his drive to regain his status as the best bodybuilder in the world last month. He believes training with anger helped him amp up the intensity and would ultimately benefit him on stage.
When it was time for his guest-posing appearance, Ramy presented an improved package but got outshined by the likes of Lunsford, Walker, and 2023 AC champion Samson Dauda. Cicherillo admitted Ramy looked better although he was not convinced the improvements were enough.
IFBB head judge Steve Weinberger recommended Ramy take to the sidelines to work on his shoulders, arms, and back muscle development along with his overall proportions.
Samir Bannout urges Big Ramy to get healthy
In a recent Rumble video, Bannout called on Big Ramy to prioritize his health and take some time off to heal the issues. He also suggested Ramy quit using hardcore supplements.
“I think one good year of maintenance training and really work in every way to improve his health in general,” said Bannout. “I talked to Ramy and he said according to doctors that would be in his best interest. It’s really hard for me to say 100 percent but more likely he should take care of his health and take a break from hardcore supplements, you know what I mean? Let his mind and body more healing time.”
Although Bannout wants Ramy to slow down, he doesn’t recommend taking a whole year off.
“If he takes off completely and becomes a couch potato, he’s done.”
Bannout believes following a similar path devised by coach Hany Rambod for Derek Lunsford could benefit Ramy.
“Maybe Ramy should follow similar principle like what Hany’s doing to Derek, maybe he can promote his mass again and get healthier, cleanse his liver and cleanse everything in his body and relax his mind.”
Lunsford has gained a lot of momentum since his last outing at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman sees him as the man to dethrone Choopan and called him his favorite bodybuilder of this generation earlier this month.
Bannout shares his most dangerous competitors for 2023 Mr. Olympia
Samir Bannout backed Derek Lunsford as the biggest threat to Choopan’s title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia along with Samson Dauda.
“Hadi will be ready for sure but again it’s not going to be easier, it’s going to get harder because everybody wants him right now. The most dangerous guy would be Derek and then Samson and then who else is dangerous? Nick, Andrew is dangerous, Krizo. Can Krizo do it?”
Earlier this month, Big Ramy confirmed he would not sit out a year and plans to step on the stage for the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia. His focus is set on bringing a better package and not on the placement he gets.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 16 June, 2023 | 9:11 AM EDT
Samir Bannout Tells Nick Walker to Hire Frank Zane as Posing Coach for 2023 Mr. Olympia Win: ‘Fix Front Lat Spread’
Nick Walker has become one of the most exciting names in the Men’s Open division. In a recent Muscle Maturity Podcast, Samir Bannout explained why posing is the key to Walker winning his first Sandow in November.
Fans expect another exciting contest appearance from Walker later this year judging from his last two shows. He proved himself against a fierce lineup of talent in Las Vegas at the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest. Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, the two-time defending champion, failed to bring his best and was thrown off the podium. Instead, 212-turned-Open competitor Derek Lunsford finished runner-up and Walker placed third in addition to snagging the Olympia Peple’s Champ Award.
As the highest-ranking Olympian heading into the 2023 Arnold Classic, Walker was considered the on-paper favorite in Columbus, Ohio. Despite the momentum, Samson Dauda defeated Walker. Fans and bodybuilding veterans found the results surprising, such as Samir Bannout, who questioned Dauda winning with perfect scores.
Athletes rep Bob Cicherillo named Dauda and Lunsford as Hadi Choopan’s biggest threats, but Bannout believes Walker could also make a push for the title in a few months. Bannout specified that Walker would need to make some drastic changes to his posing routines to contend for gold, however.
Samir Bannout Says Fixing Front Lat Spread and Posing Key to Nick Walker Winning 2023 Mr. Olympia
According to Bannout, if Nick Walker wants to win an Olympia title, he needs to master the front lat spread pose.
“Yeah, he needs help. Nick Walker can do it all, believe me, believe me, I know exactly what he needs. Nick Walker could be much better yet if he posed properly but Phil Heath that that ability to do an incredible lat spread, Phil Heath has it.”
“I don’t think he [Nick Walker] is hitting it the right way. When I do my lat spread I release the pressure from my chest I don’t pull, I like – I don’t flex everything, sometimes you have to sometimes unflex the area to let it look better.”
“Yeah Nick needs to work mostly on – he needs to make it flow. Nick, he bends his legs a little bit and he makes himself look shorter because his lower body, the more you bent the knee slightly and hunch a little bit, it’s going to take away – it’s going to make your upper body and your torso look a lot bigger and a lot longer.”
As far as body mechanics are concerned, Bannout suggested that Walker learn how to flex his legs when they are pushed together. In addition. he said curving the toes and twisting the torso could result in better muscle separation in side poses.
“Much more than that, he needs to know how to flex his legs when they are together. This is going to be difficult for him. You have to understand that when your legs are close together like this and you don’t understand how to flex them, you’re going to lose the separation if you don’t find the way to pose them when they’re straight. This is another thing. So, he might need to put his toes like that and flex from his hips and bring in the separation in his side and let it happen and oblique and waist, wow… he’s going to look way better if he can do it. It’s doable.”
Similar to the late Mohamed Makkawy, Bannout urged Walker to get a ‘psycho’ coach who can elevate his posing to the next level. He believes he or bodybuilding legend Frank Zane would be suitable posing coaches for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest.
“You have to have the eyes. If he was with Vince Gironda two days, he’ll fix that problem for him. But we can’t bring Vince Gironda from his grave. Those guys are psychos. They will go crazy on you, ‘What are you doing!?’ I mean, that’s how Mohamed Makkawy got better you know. You noticed Makkaway with his hands, every little thing flowed. Now, these guys do the shit, the – so many jungles out there [on stage]. It is [painful to watch].”
Boasting over 40 years of training experience, Samir underlined the importance of teaming up with someone with a proven track record.
“I don’t want to be biased but if Nick Walker wants to be Mr. Olympia; I’m going to tell you what’s his medicine, if he listens to this, he’ll go, I don’t care how much Frank Zane is going to charge him, but Frank may not charge him. But you need to take someone who is fully aware of the flows and how to flex certain things and make it flow. It would be worthwhile for Nick Walker to do.
Or Maybe he’s not going to go to Lee Labrada because Labrada is helping Hunter, he’d show him how to do it the wrong way maybe or he could come to me, I’ll make sure that I feed it to him by the spoon within 48 hours,” Bannout explained.
“Remember, he hasn’t been around for too long. So, he’s improving every year. He’s getting better and better. So, when you know, when you talk to someone that’s been there done that, I only have over 35 years of training, maybe 40 [over Nick Walker] and posing experience and all this. So, it would pay off for him to do that.
Given the artistic nature of posing, Samir Bannout says Walker will only improve if he sees a specialist who understands how the body flows.
“You cannot dwell on ‘My nutritional coach is going to help me do it.’ No. That’s wrong. You have to go to specialists to treat certain areas. If you have health issues you go to a specialist. If you have a hormonal problem you go to endocrinology, not the dentist. This is what Nick needs to do. He needs to go to a specialist in this area [posing and presentation].”
Reflecting on his last two competitions, Walker is carrying resentment as he felt he should have won the 2023 Arnold Classic. He’s made it clear that he plans to use the off-season to bring a package that matches the fullness of his Olympia look while retaining the conditioning that saw him reach second last month.
You can watch the full video below, courtesy of the Old School Labs YouTube channel:
RELATED: Samir Bannout Recalls 1990 Olympia Drug Testing: ‘I Failed the Test’
Given the experience and posing expertise of Frank Zane, Bannout believes the collaboration could be the difference-maker for Walker heading into 2023 Olympia, where he will look to knock off the newly minted winner Hadi Choopan.
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 9:01 AM EDT
Samir Bannout Says ‘Capable’ Sergio Oliva Jr. Can Win 2023 Olympia With New Mentality
Samir Bannout, a decorated bodybuilder from the 1980s, routinely examines the sport’s hottest topics. In a recent Old School Labs podcast, Bannout discussed Sergio Oliva Jr.’s potential and whether or not 2023 Mr. Olympia will be an easy contest to win. On the heels of the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition, Hadi Choopan captured the title…
Samir Bannout Recalls 1990 Olympia Drug Testing: ‘I Failed the Test’
The landscape of bodybuilding has transformed significantly over the last few decades with some major changes in competition. In a recent episode of The Muscle Maturity podcast, former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout and John Hansen recalled the 1990 Olympia drug testing and the effects it had on the participants.
Steroids have been a part of bodybuilding since the early days. From legendary competitor Arnold Schwarzenegger to modern mass monster Jay Cutler, synthetic substances have contributed to the success of many bodybuilders. Although it is widely accepted in the community, there have been calls to push back against its rampant use.
Seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold opened up on the relatively low consumption of steroids during his days of competing on stage. He argued that contemporary athletes use drugs in massive quantities, which in turn, puts their health at risk. It could also lead to an unrealistic perception of a healthy physique, potentially influencing fitness enthusiasts to use steroids as well. Schwarzenegger highlighted the problem of some competitors taking higher amounts of gear to get an advantage over others who may not consume as high of a dose.
Four-time Mr. Olympia Cutler gave his take on the heated topic last May. He admitted he may have abused drugs such as testosterone in prep for shows. He believes steroids are an unavoidable part of the game and dismissed the validity of incorporating drug tests since competitors tend to find a way around it. He recommends cycling on and off substances based on the goal. He prefers taking certain things to bulk up or to lean out.
There have been concerns surrounding the side effects of using steroids. Being one of the few competitors to stay healthy post-retirement, Cutler revealed he didn’t suffer from roid rage and continues to maintain a high level of fitness without many consequences.
Legendary competitor Robby Robinson reflected on his experience with steroids during his nearly three-decade-long career last November. He confessed to not knowing about anabolic steroids before he made it to the Pro League. He was under the assumption other athletes were simply blessed with great genetics and couldn’t fathom the idea of synthetic compounds being involved.
Fitness influencer Liver King drew a lot of criticism after getting exposed for using steroids. While he’s not a pro bodybuilder, the change in his physique after quitting steroids for a week was evident in a physique update earlier this year.
Men’s Open sensation William Bonac suffered damage to his kidneys while getting ready for contests. Since he was using steroid cycles in prep, he couldn’t consume the medicine he needed to reduce the inflammation in his kidneys. Following the 2022 Mr. Olympia, he stopped taking oral steroids while in prep for the 2023 Arnold Classic.
Samir Bannout Recalls 1990 Olympia Drug Testing
In a recent YouTube video, Samir Bannout and John Hansen shared their thoughts on the drug testing policy for the 1990 Mr. Olympia event, where eight-time winner Lee Haney emerged as the champion.
Bannout explained how the delay in test results could lead to a change in title and prize money. He referenced the overturning of Mike Ashley’s win at the 1990 Arnold Classic.
“I was one of the guys that failed the test,” said Bannout. “At the time, a doctor told me to take a short acting testosterone which is actually called masterone. He said it was androgen and this is what I got caught for. Mike actually won the prize, he ended up getting the 50 grand from Shawn Ray. That’s the first year they tested. The results came out a week later.”
Hansen chimed in with his take on why the Weiders felt it necessary to drug test athletes. He also reasoned why the testing was discontinued the next year.
“The Weiders were always worried about the public image of bodybuilding,” said Hansen. “They said the steroid scandal, the general public’s thoughts about steroids is getting worse and worse every year so we need to do something. Ben Weider’s goal was always to get bodybuilding in the Olympics. He knew that it would never get in the Olympics if it had the steroid stigma attached to it.”
“First of all, I think because the tests weren’t really accurate,” he added. “Some guys passed who looked like they were on. Mostly I think it was because the guys who were in the show didn’t look as good at all, not nearly as good. I think they were afraid of losing their audience.”
Kai Greene advised upcoming competitors to focus on building their natural talents and reaching their natural peak before going for steroids. He revealed he competed as a natty for over 15 years and considers TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) a steroid as well.
Retired bodybuilder Zack Khan highlighted the focus on becoming a mass monster last week. He believes social media plays a big role in persuading athletes to use crazy doses of steroids, something he noticed doing the era of eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.
The prevalence of steroids has proven to be a hot topic in the sport and it appears the debate regarding its use and side effects continues to rage on as Samir Bannout and John Hansen offered their experiences.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 13 April, 2023 | 12:28 AM EDT
Samir Bannout Breaks Down Top Five In Olympia Compared To Big Ramy: ‘Nobody Is Going To Look Big Enough’
Samir Bannout recently discussed how the 2022 Olympia contest could play out.
Samir Bannout carved out an impressive career on the bodybuilding stage. Now, he keeps up to date with the latest happenings in the sport and still has an eye for talent. Recently, he discussed how the 2022 Olympia competition might look.
Bannout had a chance to compete on stage against some other legendary talents, such as Dorian Yates and Lee Haney. In 1983, Bannout was crowned Olympia champion. This was the lone victory of his career and has him in the history books. Bannout retired from competition in 1996 and has remained active in fitness ever since.
Recently, Samir Bannout joined The Muscle Maturity podcast to discuss the upcoming Olympia. He believes that Big Ramy will win his third consecutive title because of his pure size.
“He’s definitely going to be he biggest on stage. To me, it’s not always the biggest who wins but he looked pretty symmetrical on top. His chest looks good. He looks good from the side. I’d love to see his legs and the whole body.”
When discussing the topic, Bannout broke down the other competitors’ chances.
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Brandon Curry and Hadi Choopan
Brandon Curry finished as the runner-up to Big Ramy in each of the last two years. He won the 2022 Arnold Classic and is looking to remain near the top of the score card.
“I still think Brandon will be his toughest competition if Brandon comes in ripped. I don’t think he’s coming in ripped. Of course, Ramy is going to be bigger,” Bannout said.
“The only medicine for Brandon is to be more shredded. Ultra shredded. Whatever he did in Kuwait, he looked good. Don’t get me wring but I see more room for improvements.”
Hadi Choopan finished third during the 2021 Olympia when many thought he should have been crowned the champion. Choopan was extremely conditioned and this caused a stir from some of the old-school competitors.
Samir Bannout believes that Choopan will be ripped once again but might not have the size that Big Ramy does.
“I think Hadi probably will be super etched, ripped, and probably bigger than usual. Standing next to Ramy, nobody is going to look big enough…The most impressive pop-up muscle I saw, Hadi had it. Hadi’s always pop up and look silky. I thought Hadi deserved better honestly.”
I would still think Brandon and Hadi, these are the top three for sure,” Bannout said.
Hunter Labrada
Hunter Labrada burst onto the scene as one of the young stars in bodybuilding. He earned fourth at last year’s competition and is looking to make some improvements this time around.
“Hunter has a smaller waist, shoulder to waist ratio and his legs are really good…I thought Nick looked Harder than Hunter last year but the judges picked Hunter because he probably flowed and showed his body differently.”
Samir Bannout discussed some of the changes that Labrada will need to make in order to improve his standing on the biggest stage in the sport.
“I think Hunter needs to be a little bit more dryer. If he comes in etched like Hadi, if Hunter comes in etched like Hadi, he would probably make the top three but he needs to add more clarity to his muscle.”
Samir Bannoutbeieves that Big Ramy has an edge this year once again but admits that it will be an entertaining show. The top tier of the Men’s Open division is strong and will make for some battles up top.
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Samir Bannout Lays Blame Of George Peterson’s Death Was On Modern Coaching Tactics
This year has been a hard one for the bodybuilding community with many athlete and iconic experts passing away. While there is no official connection between these deaths – and some even being conclusively due to separate causes – some have raised alarms about an increasing health issue in pro bodybuilding.
Mr. Olympia owner Jake Wood had previously gone online to state he wanted to see changes made to systems in pro bodybuilding to make the sport healthier. This came after the death of a competitive bodybuilder hours before competing in a show.
That being said, at this point we have no official cause of death for George Peterson. While many have speculated, the reason for his passing can be due to a wide variety of possibilities. Many of which could have nothing to do with bodybuilding and the lifestyle behind it.
Regardless, Samir Bannout took to Instagram to make an emotional statement – connecting Peterson’s death with the methods that athletes and coaches take in modern bodybuilding.
Here’s a transcript of what Samir Bannout posted on his official Instagram:
“Truly sad to see George Peterson leave us so soon… @ only 37 years ..may he R.I.P.I blame his passing on the new coaching system… we really need to stop those unqualified coaches… that’s completely unacceptable. George was one wonderful human being n losing him just like that, upsets me 100x more!!“
The Bodybuilding Community Responds
Samir Bannout’s comments led to immediate backlash by bodybuilding fans in the comments. Many believed that he was jumping to quick to conclusions at a time when little to no information is available regarding the cause of death. It’s clear that this is an emotional time for everyone – and with it only being days after George Peterson’s death – many in the comments lashed out angrily at Bannout.
Bannout then took to the comments to make an official response – in hopes of clearing up some of the anger and confusion about his original statement:
“My dear friends. My message here is not to be directed to any one person,” he wrote. “It is not about the coach itself, it is about the level of extreme METHODS being used these days and taken as normal both from the sport, it’s coaches and of course the athletes who after all are the ones taking the decision to execute these methods.”
Bannout then further apologized for his initial comments and the way on which he decided to respond:
“I truly care about all of you who are involved in this beautiful game of bodybuilding. & I sincerely believe that we can having amazing results without harming ourselves and enjoying the victory living happily ever after. I apologize to you all and Justin if I have reacted & spoken too early.”
“I am passionate & simply care so much after being around so long. My message was not to be taken derogatory to towards anyone in particular, but rather the state of the system itself today. George was and is a wonderful person. It breaks my heart. So I have to speak from my ♥️ and with decades of experience. God bless all.”
Samir Bannout has been a vocal voice in bodybuilding for quite some time. In a recent series of GI Exclusive interviews we conducted – Bannout was open to speaking out against many of the issues he believed were in the sport. He has always tried to make it clear that he is passionate about the sport – which is why he speaks out in hopes of making it even better and safer.
Despite this – the timing of his comments with so little information about George Peterson’s death certainly sparked a very heated and controversial argument in his post. Only after full and complete details are made available – can we start drawing conclusions as to whether or not his passing was due to a bodybuilding lifestyle.
Remembering George Peterson
George Peterson was a beloved pro bodybuilder in the Men’s 212 division. He was only 37 years old at the time of his passing. To many, he was just at the start of his prime in his bodybuilding career. But most importantly, he was just starting the prime of his life – one that is often noted by those who knew him as filled with positivity and kindness.
A native of New York, also known as “Da Bull,” George Peterson was a bodybuilder with an incredible physique and an equally incredible journey throughout his bodybuilding career. Peterson started bodybuilding over 10 years ago, took a 5 year break, and then returned in the newly minted Classic Physique division. Peterson competed in the 2017 Tampa Pro where he placed third in Classic Physiyque. He later entered the 2018 Olympia where he placed third. He ultimately when on to win the 2019 Arnold Classic Physique contest. Peterson eventually changed things up and bumped up to the Men’s 212 division. His Men’s 212 debut was in 2020 where he went on to win the 2020 Tampa Pro and place third at the 2020 Olympia.
It can’t be stated enough how tragic this loss is to the bodybuilding world, friends, and loved ones of George Peterson. Generation Iron once again offers our deepest condolences during this time.
Samir Bannout Full Interview | Golden Era Stories, Thoughts On Big Ramy & More
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Samir Bannout.
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilder who came into his prime during the tail end of the Golden Era of bodybuilding. He’s also a bodybuilder who lived the American dream similar to athletes like Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came to the US with a passion for bodybuilding and became a superstar and Olympia champion.
Bannout is also a Mr. Olympia champion – falling into a small club of athletes who only won the title once. Despite retiring many years ago, he has remained vigilant in his passion for the sport – providing an entire training program to help improve and educate new generations of athletes.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Samir Bannout. Now we’re releasing the full uncut interview. This includes topics such as his thoughts on the rise of middle eastern bodybuilders, his first hand account of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s controversial 1980 Olympia win, and more!
Listen To Our Samir Bannout Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Samir Bannout interview here:
Samir Bannout’s First Hand Account Of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Controversial Olympia 1980 Win
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilding legend in his own right. He is a Mr. Olympia champion and considered by many to have one of the greatest physiques of all time. He was also present at the 1980 Mr. Olympia competition. We sat down with Samir via video chat for our latest GI Exclusive interview. During that conversation, we asked him to reflect on his first hand account of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return and the drama that ensued at Mr. Olympia 1980.
Arnold Schwarzenegger ultimately was crowned the winner of the Mr. Olympia 1980. This decision was so poorly received that Frank Zane threw his trophy to the ground and multiple athletes stormed off stage. It was clear that many disagreed with the judges decision.
So what about Samir Bannout? Did he disagree with the call? He makes it clear in our conversation that he felt Arnold Schwarzenegger did not deserve to win the Mr. Olympia 1980. In fact, while he does not have confirmation, he has heard many rumors from trusted friends in the industry. Rumors that imply that Arnold Schwarzenegger received help from the judges due to his rising star in Hollywood.
There are those who thought perhaps Arnold was scored more favorably because of how much power he held as a celebrity. Or alternatively, he was so beloved that the judges scored more on Arnold the icon rather than his conditioning.
“Yeah of course so many people got pissed off and I also believe they have the right to get mad,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. He continues:
“I THINK THE ASSUMPTION WAS THEN… DO I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED OR WHY DID ARNOLD WIN? SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, ARNOLD HAD A LOT OF FANS. AND HE’S ARNOLD. EVERYONE LOOKED UP TO ARNOLD. AND SO, I HEARD THAT SOME OF THE JUDGES LOVED ARNOLD. LOVED HIM AS ARNOLD. THEY DIDN’T CARE ABOUT HIS CONDITIONING THAT DAY. THEY VOTED FOR HIM AS ARNOLD AND THAT’S NOT RIGHT. ME PERSONALLY IF MY BROTHER WAS ON STAGE, DOESN’T DESERVE TO WIN, I WOULDN’T LET HIM WIN.”
Samir Bannout makes a point to state he has no proof of this. It’s a rumor he has heard from enough people to trust in the topic. That’s a testament to just how controversial Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1980 victory was. While all of these claims may simply be one day proven false – it’s the optics that led to such fervor.
Samir Bannout Answers: Is There A Middle East Movement Dominating Bodybuilding?
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Samir Bannout Answers: Is There A Middle East Movement Dominating Bodybuilding?
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Samir Bannout analyzes the rise of Middle Eastern bodybuilders and the future of bodybuilding champions.
Samir Bannout has the distinction of being the first Middle Eastern bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia. A lot has changed since then. The rise of the camel crew and an exceptional focus put on bodybuilders who train in Dubai has increased the dominance of Middle Eastern pro bodybuilders. Most recently, Big Ramy, hailing from Egypt, won the Mr. Olympia title. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout analyzes whether or not this is a Middle East movement that will dominate bodybuilding for years to come.
Samir Bannout is proud to be the first Middle Eastern bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia. He also has stayed extremely passionate and focused on the sport of bodybuilding ever since his retirement. Event today, he dedicates himself to further helping improve and educate new generations of bodybuilders to support the sport. So what does he think of the rise of Dubai as a mecca for bodybuilding? And of Big Ramy’s win at the Mr. Olympia 2020? Does he see this as a true movement of Middle Eastern bodybuilding?
Samir Bannout admits that there has been a cultural shift in competitive bodybuilding. Dubai has become a hot spot for bodybuilders. While not all of them are actually from the Middle East, Dubai has become a new mecca that promises unreal transformations for competitors who train there. Brandon Curry is the most notable man to train in Dubai, transform his physique, and become a Mr. Olympia champion.
But of course, this new sort of mecca is also benefiting competitors from the Middle East. Big Ramy is now our current Mr. Olympia champion and we’ve seen the likes of Hadi Choopan and Kamal Elgargni show extreme dominance in the sport.
Samir Bannout is unsure if this is a true long term movement though. He points out that bodybuilding has always been a very diverse and international sport. He’s personally seen many rising bodybuilders across a variety of countries that have him excited for the future of the sport.
On top of that, the past year of pro bodybuilding was marred by COVID-19.Big Ramy certainly deserved the Mr. Olympia and showed his best physique. But there will always be a “what if” about 2019 and 2020. We have no idea how the virus affected the top pros personal lives and training. Samir Bannout believes that perhaps 2021 will be bigger indicator. Will Big Ramy and Hadi Choopan continue to thrive at this year’s Mr. Olympia?
During this interview clip, Samir Bannout also talks about his own success as being the first Middle Eastern Mr. Olympia – and reflects on whether not he retired too soon. As he had mentioned previously, he felt slighted by the sport after his 6th place finish in 1984. This got into his head and took the fun out of the sport. He often wonders if he could have stuck with it and eventually moved past the negativity.
You can watch Samir Bannout talk about the rise of Middle Eastern bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Samir Bannout: “No Bodybuilder Should Accept The Problem We Are Having Today”
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Samir Bannout: “Mass has to come with class”
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilder who was inspired to compete by the Golden Era of the sport. He was also lucky enough to make his way into the pro leagues right at the tail end of the Golden Era. The sport has changed a lot since then. While Bannout sees a lot of good discoveries happening over the decades, he also thinks the sport has accepted certain bad discoveries as well. He wants to try and help course correct the sport and inspire a new generation by looking at the past. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout explains why the increased mass of the past few decades need to now be matched with “class” as well.
Samir Bannout doesn’t think that increased mass monster size in bodybuilding is inherently a bad thing. In fact, he understands that as technology and science changes – so too does bodybuilding. The limits have been pushed to new levels. That’s the nature of any sport – for athletes to push boundaries and set new standards.
But Bannout also believes that in pushing new boundaries of mass, other negative changes have been accepted as well. Namely, Samir Bannout believes that the new increase in mass has led to less attention to conditioning. Not only that – but the focus on mass has led to some seriously unhealthy habits that pro bodybuilders were not taking back in the Golden Era.
We asked Samir Bannout if he thought that the Golden Era of bodybuilding held better physiques than the bodybuilders of today. He didn’t answer the question directly. He does believes that some of the changes in physiques today are supremely impressive. Bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman showcased a new level of perfection – and he is being remembered as a legend for it.
But the cost of how this changed bodybuilding overall has led to some changes that Samir Bannout doesn’t agree with. The size of Ronnie Coleman has remained but hardly anyone matches his kind of conditioning. More importantly, he thinks that the new level of mass that has been desired by bodybuilders has led to extremely risky methods. Athlete want to get big “at any cost.” The health of the sport is at stake.
Samir Bannout makes a quick statement that he thinks all bodybuilding should live by. “Mass has to come with class.” What he means by this is that bodybuilders shouldn’t do merely anything to build more mass.
“You don’t want to be a champion and die at 30 or 40 by crossing the line,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. Here’s referring to the increased risks that bodybuilders are taking to build mass fast and push new limits. This usually involves higher doses of PEDs compared to what athletes were taking back in the Golden Era.
Samir Bannout hopes that we can find a middle ground between the advances bodybuilding has made with physiques while also looking and learning from the past of bodybuilding. It’s often said today that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s physique wouldn’t even land in the top five of today’s athletes. But perhaps this is part of the problem. Perhaps there’s something between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman that can be achieved. A blending of the old way and the new that can lead to a “classier” version of the sport – to use Samir Bannout’s words.
Do you think that the modern era of bodybuilding has pushed he limits too far? Watch Samir Bannout’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above and then decide for yourself!
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