Francesco Columbu was an Italian actor, author, chiropractor, and former Amateur Boxer, Professional Bodybuilder and World's Strongest Man competitor. Franco was a longtime friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he met in 1965.

What was Arnold Schwarzenegger's best friend?

Franco Columbu because he was a doctor and chiropractic,” says Schwarzenegger in the clip. The Predator star passionately admitted that “he was my best friend and he was my training partner.” Arnie fondly remembers that Columbu is the only bodybuilder who trained the most with him.

What happened to Arnold's friend Franco?

Arnold Schwarzenegger stands next to Franco Columbu, hanging upside down, in this image from 1977. Columbu died at an Italian hospital after “not feeling well” while swimming near his native town of Ollolai, on the Italian island of Sardinia, according to the Italian news service ANSA and the newspaper La Repubblica.

What did Franco Columbus pass away from?

Columbu became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1983. On August 30, 2019, after feeling unwell while swimming off the coast of San Teodoro, Sardinia, Columbu died during transportation by helicopter to a hospital in Olbia, twenty-three days after his 78th birthday.

Who was stronger, Arnold or Franco?

Schwarzenegger himself has publicly acknowledged Columbu's superior strength, a testament to the respect and admiration between the two. This article delves into the strength of Franco Columbu, exploring how he outshone even the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 51 Year Bromance: Arnold and Franco

Was Lou Ferrigno stronger than Arnold?

Arnold Schwarzenegger feels persistence might have been the key to Lou Ferrigno. Despite being taller and grander than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno couldn't get past him. However, both these athletes had similar strengths, their enormous chests and arms. Arnold somehow defeated his rival whenever they competed.

How much could Arnold bench press?

"My best bench press was 525, my best deadlift was 710, and my best squat was 610," he said.

Who trained Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Universe, and a well-known actor. Apart from his many bodybuilding titles and successful movies, he is best known for being the idol and inspiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reg Park influenced Schwarzenegger from everything including moving to America to his bodybuilding career, and to entering the world of movies.

How much could Franco Columbus bench?

Stepping on stage as a middleweight in 1968, Merritt says Columbu's best verified lifts from the time were: Squat: 507 pounds. Bench Press: 408 pounds. Deadlift: 595 pounds.

How tall was Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime?

“People Shrink With Age”: Despite Being 6'2, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Height Next to 7X Mr. Olympia Becomes the Talk of the Bodybuilding World - EssentiallySports.

Why does Arnold's son have a different last name?

Joseph Baena doesn't want to be seen as just another nepo baby. That's why the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger has avoided using his father's iconic last name, instead favoring mom Mildred Baena's surname, as he forges his own path in Hollywood.

Did Arnold have a son with his maid?

She previously worked as the deputy editor of Life & Style, In Touch, and Closer Weekly. The world was introduced to Arnold Schwarzenegger's youngest child, Joseph Baena, in 2011 following reports that the actor fathered a son with his family's housekeeper, Mildred Baena, in 1996.

Were Franco and Arnold friends?

Despite Different Backgrounds, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu Had an Unlikely Cardio Friendship. The iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger and Italian bodybuilding prodigy, Franco Columbu shared a great bond of friendship.

Are Maria Shriver and Arnold friends?

"[Maria] and I are really good friends and very close, and we are very proud of the way we raised our kids." The former California governor added: "If there's Oscars for how to handle divorce, Maria and I should get it for having the least amount of impact on the kids.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger in a relationship with anyone?

She has been working at PEOPLE since 2021. She was formerly at POPSUGAR, Bustle, Tiger Beat and Her Campus. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his girlfriend, Heather Milligan, are going strong after more than a decade together.

Are JFK and Arnold Schwarzenegger related?

Schwarzenegger and the Kennedys

Shriver, 67, is the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of John F. Kennedy's sisters. That makes Maria a niece of the former president and his siblings, including former U.S. Senators Robert and Ted Kennedy.

Who has the highest bench press ever?

The current world record (equipped, with shirt) is held by American Jimmy Kolb established on July 29th, 2023, at the 2023 IPA Tristar Bash meet, when he successfully locked out 635 kg (1,401 lb), beating the previous record by 23 kg (51 lb).

How much would Michael Jordan bench?

Another source I found says he worked up to benching 300 pounds.

How much would Lou Ferrigno bench?

Although some of Ferrigno's responses in interviews vary between the years, he has consistently maintained that his top bench press record was somewhere between 560 pounds and 600 pounds. For the squat, Ferrigno claimed a 640-pound max and somewhere in the region of 900 pounds for the deadlift.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger a Republican?

An increasingly politically active Republican during the 1990s, Schwarzenegger ran for the California governorship and won when Gray Davis was recalled in 2003. Schwarzenegger was sworn in as the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003, following careers in body building, business and entertainment.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger vegan?

Arnold Schwarzenegger eats an 80% vegan diet, which he said has helped lower his cholesterol. His go-to protein sources are eggs, salmon, chicken, veggie burgers, and protein shakes. Schwarzenegger eats steak, hamburgers, and Austrian wiener schnitzel when he wants a treat.

What was Sylvester Stallone's max bench?

Stallone claims to have been able to bench press 385-400 lbs (174.6-181.4 kg) and squat 500 lbs (226.8 kg) in his prime. While in a bench pressing contest with former Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu, he severely tore his pectoral muscle and needed over 160 stitches on it.

How much can Brad Pitt bench press?

Bench press – 165, 195, 225 (25, 15, 8 reps) Nautilus press – 80, 100, 130. Incline press – 80, 100, 130.

How much can Mark Wahlberg bench press?

“She's in a league of her own”: 5 ft 8 in Behemoth Mark Wahlberg, Who Bench-presses 335 lbs for Fun, Won't Dare to Compete With X-Men Star Halle Berry. Mark Wahlberg has appeared in many movies as an action star for which he had to apply a strict workout plan and a diet philosophy.