10 Facts About Samir Bannout

Samir Bannout is a retired former IFBB professional bodybuilder.

Samir 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 emigrated to America where he first moved to Detroit, Michigan.

Samir Bannout 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.

Samir Bannout took 4th 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.

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Samir Bannout's 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 7 additional consecutive wins for a record grand total of 8 titles.

Extreme muscular definition that Samir Bannout achieved in his lower back region helped to shape "Lebanon Cedar" when referring the shape made visible during a back pose on the competition stage.

Samir Bannout did not get a top six placing another time at a Mr Olympia contest despite competing at the event many more times.

Samir 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.

Samir Bannout was previously married to the sister of fellow IFBB professional Lee Labrada, Lourdes; they had two daughters.