Here I am doing a one arm flex weighing in at approx. 65kg. I have been in training for 4 years and have done a few local competitions favouring the classical athletic poses. 

It took me 4 more years to reach national level. I am a hard gainer and especially back then took my time.  

A few months after this double biceps pose was taken I won the under 67kg category at Mr France.

I won because of my conditioning and my symetrical body. I learned this lesson early on; if you are ready like no one you can beat anyone. I realized that quality is better than quantity. Thus, it's better to be well defined than huge.

I then stated to apply this winning strategy and worked my way up the world level.  

My Hands onmy left waist and a look of determination put me through the world selection for Mr Universe. I won the overall competition and then took 5th at Mr World 2 weeks later at Gatesburg in Sweden

There were 46 countries entered into the middlewight devision in which I was competing. Lee Labrada took the title and Twin Proffesional! 

This was the best shape of my amatuer career. Here I got 2nd place behind El-Shahat Mabrouk who took the world title. I really wanted to win, but I did get my pro card and could start my professional career. 

I soon forgot this dissapointment when I signed with Joe Weider from the Weider company. I signed a contract with them and competed all over Europe and America.

5 Years later after many successes I retired from the sport after Mr Olympia 1992.  

Even though I was retired I was still under contract with the Weider company. I did a lot of pictures and articles depicted here as the David Statue. 

Joe Weider use to carry this picture around for quite some time, regularly showing it to some extatic fans. 

48 Years old making my comeback at the Australian Grand Prix. I decided this was to be my comeback oppertunity and I placed 6th.

Me and my good friend Gary Phillips took a lot of outside pictures 2 days after the Grand Prix.  Read more about my comeback here