Looking Back: 1977 World’s Strongest Man with Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu.
Way back in 1977, bodybuilders were not only training to be on stage, but they used their strength for other sports events such as the World’s Strongest Man.
Looking back at this event, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu, who were still in their prime, competed with some of the strongest men in the world.
Over the years, we all have heard about Franco Columbu suffering a horrific knee injury, well it was at this event when it happened. He dislocated his knee during the Fridge race.
The horrific injury kept Franco out of action for over three years, keeping him away from the professional bodybuilding stage during his prime.
At that time, Franco was still enjoying his success from the 1977 docu-drama, “Pumping Iron”. Franco was one of the main protagonists in the film, going head to head against Arnold Schwarzenegger for the 1975 Mr. Olympia title.
In the film, Franco shows his strength by lifting a car from the back, and moving it out of a tight parking space, and another incredible show of strength is when he blows up a hot water bottle.
Franco managed to recover in time for the controversial 1981 Mr. Olympia. His injury would eventually haunt him throughout his life, with bodybuilding pundits criticizing him after he controversially won the 1981 Mr. Olympia. Franco’s legs were never his best body part, and at the 1981 Mr. Olympia, his injury hindered his leg development.
At that time, Lou Ferrigno was still in fantastic condition. After walking away from the sport of professional bodybuilding after his third-place finish at the 1975 Mr. Olympia, which featured in the 1977 docu-drama, “Pumping Iron”, Ferrigno embarked on an acting career.
In 1977, Ferrigno started his adventure on the popular TV series, “The Incredible Hulk.”
With such incredible size and development, Lou Ferrigno was the perfect fit to play the big green comic hero.
The 1977 World’s Strongest Man was the perfect opportunity for Ferrigno to show the world that bodybuilders can perform strength sports.
Lou Ferrigno managed to finish in fourth place while Franco had to settle for fifth after his injury.
