Bannout is considered by most as the last of the champions from the golden era of bodybuilding, where the emphasis was on shape and balance rather than mass.[3] Known for his balanced and aesthetic physique, definition, leg development, and back, he is most famous for his well-developed lower back and introducing his signature "Lebanon cedar". He is considered to have had one of the best backs of his era.[4][5][6][7]
Since retirement, Bannout has taken up the role of a commentator surrounding the sport.[8] In 2002, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.[9]
Biography
Known as "the Lion of Lebanon", Samir Bannout won the Mr. Olympia title in 1983. Bannout has appeared on the covers of many fitness and bodybuilding publications, including Strength and Health, MuscleMag International, Muscle Digest, Flex, Muscle Training Illustrated, Muscle and Fitness, Muscle Up, IronMan and Muscular Development magazines.
Samir Bannout left his native Lebanon and immigrated to America, where he first moved to Detroit, Michigan.
He began competing at the amateur level, where he rose up the ranks and eventually achieved IFBB pro status by winning his light-heavyweight class at the 1979 IFBB World Amateur Championships. By this time, Samir had already relocated to Santa Monica, California. Bannout took fourth place at the 1982 Mr. Olympia contest and returned the following year to take home the title in 1983, winning the contest to become Mr. Olympia 1983. The contest was held in Munich, Germany that year, and the trophy awarded to him is called a "Sandow" for Eugen Sandow. Bannout weighed 196 pounds (89 kg) for his win at the contest, making him the last Mr. Olympia to weigh under 200 pounds (91 kg). His victory ended what is referred to as the "aesthetics" era for the Mr. Olympia contest, which had originally started with American Frank Zane winning the title in 1977 and reverted to emphasizing increased mass and size starting with American Lee Haney winning in 1984 for the first time and following up his inaugural victory with seven additional consecutive wins for a record grand total of eight titles.
Bannout is regarded by many as having the greatest back in bodybuilding history. The extreme muscular definition that he achieved in his lower back region portrayed the shape of a "Lebanese Cedar" or "Christmas Tree" when posing on stage.
After placing sixth at the 1984 Olympia, the IFBB suspended him for three years as punishment for his participation at the World Championship competition of a rival federation, the WABBA.
Samir Bannout did not get a top-six placing another time at a Mr. Olympia contest, despite competing at the event many more times. In 1990, he won his second IFBB pro show, the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational. His professional career lasted 17 years.
Bannout has been open about his past use of anabolic steroids: "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."[10] Bannout openly criticizes the IFBB during the years he competed, in that he felt that he had been "robbed" of winning in other events and that there were significant political undertones to selection of winners at the Mr. Olympia.
Today, Bannout lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Randa, and his three children, Lea, Jesse, Sergio. He was inducted to the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2002. He was previously married to the sister of fellow IFBB professional Lee Labrada, Lourdes; they had two daughters.
Bodybuilding History
1974 Mr. Universe, Medium Class 7th (Youngest contestant)
1976 Mr. Universe, Middleweight 12th
1977 Mr. International, Middleweight 2nd
1978 Mr. International, Middleweight 2nd
1979 Best in the World, Amateur 1st
1979 Canada Pro Cup, N/A
1979 World Amateur Championships, Light Heavyweight 1st
