Samir Bannout

Samir Bannout, born on 7 November 1955, is a Lebanese former professional bodybuilder and commentator nicknamed the Lion of Lebanon. He won the 1983 Mr. Olympia, defeating Mohamed Makkawy and Lee Haney, and was the first Middle Eastern bodybuilder to win that title. He earned his professional status by winning his weight class at the 1979 IFBB World Amateur Championships, and his professional career lasted seventeen years. Admired for balance, definition and a well-developed lower back, he is regarded as one of the last champions of the golden era, and he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2002.