Small people can be big, and the 'dwarfs' of the fitness world are just as great
12 short bodybuilders who prove that height doesn't matter
There's a common misconception about modest men and weightlifting - that the two don't mix. The opposite is true, and it's even possible that shorter men have an advantage when it comes to jacking iron.
In fact, for years, men of medium height have been among the best bodybuilders in the industry; and there are still new athletes coming up all the time.
1. James lewis
Height approx. 166 cm
James lewis has been training professionally as a weightlifter since the age of 15. He was also a semi-professional rugby player in his native wales, where his ability to avoid shovelling earned him the nickname 'the flex'.
Lewis was a six-time winner of the "Mr. Olympia 212", which according to some makes him the most modest bodybuilder in the world.
2. Lee priest priest
Height approx. 162 cm
Lee priest, from australia, was younger than james lewis and won his first competition at the age of 13! Priest has done a lot of other cool things during his successful fitness career.
He is a racing enthusiast, winning the 2005 rookie of the year award and the sceda racing championship in lancaster, california. Priest also designed the bodywork for the movie hulk and appeared on a local australian tv show.
If that wasn't enough, he is also a contributor and columnist for musclesport magazine. I'd like to know when he has time to work out ......
3. Muhammad. Benaziza
Height about 160 cm
Back in the last century, benaziza was born in algeria in 1959. Unfortunately, his career was short-lived and he ended up being given a fatal injection (what kind of injection, to be investigated) by a friend who promised to speed up his preparation for the upcoming tournament.
At his peak, he finished fifth in the 1992 mr olympia competition.
4. Danny padilla
Standing at about 154 cm
Padilla was nothing short of a rock star. He began his training at the age of seven and was born in rochester in 1951.
After an initial rough patch, danny became one of only two mr universe and mr usas in the history of the international bodybuilding federation in the same year.
5. Franco colombo
Height about 165 cm
Like lee priest, franco colombo was more than just a bodybuilder. In addition to his early boxing career, colombo has appeared in more than 20 different films and tv series, including the terminator.
He is also a qualified chiropractor and was appointed by his friend arnold schwarzenegger to the california board of chiropractic examiners.
6. Shawn ray
Height approx. 165 cm
Ray competed for 30 years in his fitness career and placed in the top five in every mr. Olympia competition from 1990 - 2001.
Sean is also active in the media field, co-hosting fitness competitions on espn with various media companies as an analyst and commentator.
7. Alexei. Lesukhov
Height approx. 170 cm
Alexey is still continuing our impressive winning streak as a bodybuilder, but he also excels in many other activities.
Born in russia in 1988, lesukov graduated from a conservatory and plays the piano. He is also an avid dancer and recently breakdanced with a european champion. Who knew? ! He may develop in more areas
8. Flavio bancanini bancanini
About 150 cm in height
The first person in our list to be only 150 cm tall, bancannini is a successful italian weightlifter and actor.
From 1983 to 2008 he topped the competition, regularly placing in the top five.
9. Tsubaki. Tan
Height approx. 147 cm
As well as being the smallest weightlifter in the uk, he calls himself a lightweight promoter.
He grew up with a rare disease that stunted his growth but did not limit it in any way. In his words, tam focuses on what he can control and doesn't worry about anything else.
10. Aditya. Dev.
Height approx. 84 cm
Dev is (unofficially) considered to be the smallest bodybuilder in the world.
He often showed off his dancing skills on tv, but unfortunately he died in 2012 from a ruptured brain aneurysm.
11. Tom. Pratts
Height approx. 1.73 cm
Tom is the only american on this list and he was a prolific bodybuilding competitor.
He won first place in the ifbb mr universe competition in 1980 and holds a master's degree in fitness science and business administration.
12. Jose raymond
Height approx. 1.63 cm
According to the bpi team, josé "Remains the only bodybuilder in history to have won both the national and us titles in three different weight classes (light, sub-light and medium)".
Although raymond never won the mr. Olympia title, he is still considered one of the best athletes in the world.
An average-sized man will not stop you from being a great athlete, or in our case sort of a great bodybuilder.
The men mentioned in this article all compete at the highest level and have a wide range of interests, from film to dance and journalism.
So if you are thinking of starting to work out - know that the only thing holding you back is that you have nothing to do with anything else like your height.