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One might think that the bodybuilding industry is only dominated by tall athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger. But that's not the case as some have clinched the Mr. Olympia title despite being shorter than most other bodybuilders.
On that note, let's check the three shortest bodybuilders to win the Mr. Olympia.
#1 Franco Columbu
Franco Columbu, standing at a height of just 5'5", showcased his dominance on the Olympia stage during Arnold Schwarzenegger's hiatus. Columbu was an Italian-American bodybuilder hailing from Ollolai, Italy, and one of the closest friends of Schwarzenegger.
Columbu began competing in 1970 and won his first Olympia title in 1976, a year after Schwarzenegger took retirement and once again won in 1981.
Franco Columbu even showcased his strength at the World's Strongest Man in 1977 and secured a place in the top-five rankings. Despite being shorter than most bodybuilders, he had some pretty impressive lifts. The two-time Mr. Olympia bench pressed 525 pounds, similar to Schwarzenegger.
Columbu also squatted an astonishing weight of 655 pounds and deadlifted 750 pounds, giving taller bodybuilders a good run for their money. He even trained Sylvester Stallone for his famous and well-known movie series, Rocky.
#2 Shaun Clarida
Shaun Clarida is the shortest bodybuilder on this list with just a height of 5'2''. But he didn't let his height overshadow his dreams of becoming a bodybuilder as he clinched the 212 Olympia title twice and was in the top three rankings twice.
Clarida made his pro debut in 2010 and hasn't looked back since. He won his first Olympia title in 2020 and once again showcased his dominance in 2022, lifting the title once more.
#3 Flex Lewis
Flex Lewis is a Welsh bodybuilder with a height of 5 feet, 5.5 inches. Despite his short height, he dominated the Men's 212 division seven times in a row, making a record like Arnold Schwarzenegger's seven Olympia wins.
Lewis has been successful in his journey since his debut in competitive bodybuilding. He won his first Olympia title in 2012, and since then, he has achieved incredible success.
Who is your favorite short-body builder? Let us know in the comments.
