It is not uncommon for athletes to return to the sport after a long break. Learn the success and fall stories of famous bodybuilders in the world of iron sports. Many people love the return stories of famous athletes. In cinematography, there are quite a few films on this subject. At the same time, it should be noted that so far there has not been a single one in which the main character would be a bodybuilder. Perhaps we will see something like this again. Today we want to share with you 10 shocking stories in bodybuilding related specifically to the return of popular athletes.
Story # 1: Francis Benfatto
2006 turned out to be rich in the return of eminent athletes. First of all, two of them should be highlighted. Gary Strid returned to the big sport after a 10-year hiatus and at the age of forty-six was able to take seventh place in a prestigious tournament.
An even more outstanding comeback was the participation in Francis Benfatto's bodybuilding. At that time, the native of Morocco was 48 years old, and he did not participate in competitions for thirteen years. As a result, Francis managed to take sixth place in the pro tournament.
It is important to note that the athlete did not have impressive external data. At Olimpia, his best result was 6th place, and this happened in 1990. Then Francis's results were constantly declining, and in 1993 he decided to leave the big sport. But he continued to train and his return can be considered quite successful.
Story # 2: Franco Colombo
For a long time Franco was Arnie's friend in the audience, and all the time he was in his shadow. He managed to get out of it only after Schwarzenegger left the sport, and this happened in 1975. Already at the next Olympia, Colombo was able to become the champion.
Franco was able to accommodate enormous power in a very modest physical data, because his height is only 165 centimeters. Before joining bodybuilding, Colombo was engaged in powerlifting and in 1977 he even took part in a tournament to identify the strongest person. Moreover, he not only participated in it, but won in one of ten nominations.
He did not succeed in all the following Olympias, as the athlete's form was far from ideal. Then Columbo seriously injured his knee joint, and he had to retire from the sport. However, he returned at the age of 41. True, the return cannot be called triumphant, but Francis's courage is admirable.
Story # 3: Lou Ferrigno
Lou's highest achievement is third place at Olympia in the heavyweight division. Many predicted a glorious future in bodybuilding for him, but due to his high employment in cinema and television, Lou left the sport. Surely someone remembers the painting "Hercules" with his participation and can form an opinion about its form.
After 17 years, Ferrigno returns and takes part in the 1992 Olympia. He could not take a high place only because of the poor quality of musculature detail, but he had no equal in power.
Story # 4: Zach Kahn
The return of Zach is primarily notable for the fact that he did so after a severe leg injury. It happened in training while doing hack squats with a weight of more than 300 kilograms. After similar injuries, no one returned to bodybuilding except Zach.
The athlete's knee joints remained motionless for several months. During the surgery, an infection got into the body, and Kahn had to go under the knife again. As a result, two difficult years of his life, the athlete tried to regain the previous mobility of his legs and everyone had already written him off, but not Zach.
In 2013, he returns to the podium, and all spiteful critics are forced to shut up. For three years he managed to return his legs to their previous shape and at the Europe Super Show tournament he took 7th place.
Story 5: Victor Martinez
Even a seemingly insignificant injury can drastically change the life of any athlete. This one was experienced by Victor Martinez. In 2008, Victor was the second in the list of the best bodybuilders in the world and could well achieve great results. But due to a ruptured knee ligament, he was forced to leave the sport.
In 2009, Victor returned, and he was able to take third place at the Arnold Classic, and then close the top six at Olympia. Note that in the future, his career did not receive the proper continuation. The second major injury is largely to blame, as well as some problems with the law.
Story 6: Frank McGrath
After becoming the winner of the Canadian Championship, Frank was able to take part in only two tournaments over the next eight years. This is due to a car accident in which McGrath was seriously injured.
On the advice of doctors, he should not have started training again for six months, and he should not even think about returning to big sport. However, Frank began to train very quickly after parting with hospital pastels. A year and a half after the accident, he competes at the Tampa Pro and takes second place.
Story 7: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnie's story is known to almost all bodybuilding lovers, but we simply could not help but remember this man. After his sixth consecutive championship at Olympia, Arnie decides to leave the sport. Then he was only 28 years old.
For many, Arnie's return was quite unexpected. It happened in 1980. Over the past five years since leaving, Arnie has lost seven kilograms of body weight. This was especially noticeable in the muscles of the legs. However, he was able to become the first.
Story # 8: Branch Warren
It so happened that August for Branch can be safely called a "black month". Since the beginning in 2008, he falls off the stairs and injures his triceps. But he is recovering quickly enough and next year he takes 3rd place at Arnold Classic, and then second at Olympia.
In 2011, Warren wins the Arnold Classic and at the same time may well count on a high place at the nearest Olympia. But ahead of him awaits the month of August and the second fall.
This time the knee joint, or rather its ligament, suffered. However, Warren returns again and it took him only six months. However, he again wins at the Arnold Classic. Branch is by far the only bodybuilder to return to the sport after two injuries.
For the noisy return of Alexander Fedorov to bodybuilding, see this video:
