The Giant Killers

[@botanicalabe]

Danny Padilla is easily one of the top 5 most aesthetics bodybuilders of all time.

[@chadkoon]

I'm really surprised Shawn Ray and Lee Priest didn't make this list.

[@petercartagena3307]

Chad Koon I think those guys aren't on here because they got killed by the giants like Ronnie, and Dorian. Even tho personally I liked the little guys better because they didn't have a bubble guts like Ronnie and Dorian.

[@arshbhullar3093]

Chad Koon because Shawn ray hasn’t done shit except talk trash about 6x mr Olympia Dorian yates

[@chadkoon]

Peter Cartagena I can agree to a point, but read what you wrote, they got killed by 2 All Time greats, which meant they had to kill a lot of giants to get to that point.

[@chadkoon]

Electronic Arts Customer Relations Manager Well, IFBB Hall of Famer Shawn Ray has plenty wins and showings that would say different.

[@goranilievski3841]

Momo Benaziza have to be on this List... He wons against the Shadow

[@awakeningtovacuity8372]

I met Franco Columbu a couple of years after he won his second Olympia. Not even 5'5". He's 5'2" or 5'3". No matter, though, he still looked very impressive.

[@strictlybusiness1679]

zENmONKEY60 you're right, he does look pretty close to Danny's height in some of these pics. Hard to believe these guy's were 160-185 contest weight. They look huge, solid muscle I guess.

[@TheSpritz0]

100% he's 5"3' Ric Drasin mentioned it when he was talking about working out with him occasionally back in the 1970's...

[@AndreInvests]

Franco Columbo was definitely a giant killer and was stronger than most bodybuilders who were bigger than him! Also had a boxing background too! Great athlete!

[@viralgainz4272]

I would probably add Lee Priest but he wasn’t really small just short. He was actually pretty heavy and big for his height

[@dereknapier1907]

ViralGainz Lee was like 5'2" he is tiny.

[@mariguanestico]

Read again bro

[@askmewhosjoe6682]

mariusz sabadasz being short doesn’t mean being small, jay cutler is 5’8 and a hell of a lot bigger than me and you combined

[@dretheman123]

mariusz sabadasz Dude means small in stature/build. Lee was small in height but he was heavy set.

[@patootie3529]

Lee Priest is 165 cm/5'4.5"

[@InfiniteAthletics]

It's a bummer that we don't see this anymore. Quite the shame!

[@moonshine8250]

Infinite Athletics was thinking the same thing

[@Al.j.Vasquez]

Infinite Athletics the "Giant Killers" of today compete in the 212 division, but they all are shot legged, with large bricky torsos and midsections, large ish legs, wide backs. In all honesty, i don't like the body of any of the 212 division, i prefere the heavyweight or classic physique divisions, all because of the proportions. Classic physique guys aren't that short, they're just less muscular and way more esthetic, if you managed to put the top 3 of 212 and classic division together in 1 single competition, judging it would be hard and biased.

[@BlogVomMax]

What about bonac? Hes short

[@deerseason9938]

Danny Padilla was one of the greatest small guys of all time

[@exercisetherapy]

Yes- wasn't he called Padilla the giant killa?

[@blair1781]

Arguably best Dorian out of his prime that’s how good he is.

[@yhideit4427]

DeerSeason99. Yup ....and he should have won the. 1981. Olympia. ...NOT. Franco !

[@BKSN1P3R]

It is not an american last name of american origin, It is definitely not pronounced "pah-dill-ah" it is "pah-dee_yah" again not hating but brutal pronunciation of it.

[@roy1693]

Dany pedrosa

[@strictlybusiness1679]

Lee Labrada has the ideal physique for a guy under 5'9. His son, Hunter is starting to look just as good. Give it a few years, you will probably see him on the Olympia stage as well. Btw Danny and Platz were robbed of that title.

[@dereknapier1907]

Strictly Business platz has a weak upper body especially compared to his legs.

[@lakeeriesailor2852]

lee labrada was robbed of the 1990 mr Olympia title as well. this showed that the mass monster era was already underway by then.

[@strictlybusiness1679]

Derek Napier His leg development was so crazy, maybe the best, it overshadowed his upper body. He or Padilla should have won 81. Franco just had that back and popularity to give him an edge over the others, just my opinion.

[@e3np]

Once upon a time in Bodybuilding, conditioning and proportion ruled. And a smaller guy would always beat a mass monster if the smaller guy had better shape and condition. This is something we don't see happen as much today.

[@davidwicklin9943]

Nick, You forgot to nestle in Frank Zane. He was lighter than Gaspari, weighing about what Franco weighed but with an ectomorphic body structure and an "achievable" body-type in the minds of many people neither desiring the mass-monster look not nor wanting to use tons of drugs or overeat. Plus having THREE MR. OLYMPIAS to his name alone, I think, at least elevates him into this list. He beat a lot of the same bigger guys Columbu defeated. No, 5'8" or 5'9" is not the shortest but you added Gaspari onto the list who at the time was never viewed as "small" but just lighter with that new level of rippedness without lost density at 5'8". I still can't see leaving Zane off the top 5 though based on what he accomplished with his frame.

[@nishanthsurendran7721]

Lee Priest? I know the video is on Golden Era guys. Still you don't have enough giant killers later on for another list. So I guess Priest deserved at least an honourable mention.

[@johndouglas7787]

At :30 on the right is Jim Haislop. Worthy of a forgotten bodybuilder video. Great video again as always.

[@GluttonyIsMySin]

I'd add David Henry... Definitely a genetic freak.

[@PBRF77]

I know Columbo and Zane didnt like each other but i always thought Zanes 'i cant believe Columbo got Olympia' was really unsportsmanlike

[@kenchanwaki]

Hey nick can you make a video about the "mass with class" labrada, and his unique reverse pirámide training style. Keep the good work up, greetings from Japan

[@joselumartin1279]

Where is Mohamed makawi?¿ shawn ray¿?..

[@DissFunkShunIll]

Rey Mysterio?

[@joselumartin1279]

Ho-Lee Chit no.

[@Mr_R.a.w.a.t]

Dead maybe?

[@xivwords5448]

Joselu Martin Shawn loses 50pts for personality

[@nycwizrd8348]

Would hate to be alive in the golden era in california. Who can u flex on?! Even the shorter guys were stacked anyways . Skipping gym and heading to the donut factory like danny padilla does. Confuse the muscle Whatever it takes

[@rustyblade9366]

5'6'' guy checking in here, I really like these short bodybuilders because I more easily relate to them, lol.. I see these guys can make it, I know I can :) motivating!

[@bjpalm1994]

Great vid as always Nick! There is definitely more aesthetic appeal in the smaller guys than the mass monsters. I'm always amazed by how many names are huge in the world of body building but never won Olympias like Labrada, that guys a freakin legend.

[@lobserve1]

Padilla was so well proportion you can't even tell he is short from his pics.

[@charlestrotter5040]

I knew lee Labrada HAD to be on the list. He was fantastic. Great flow and great posing especially in the era in which he competed. Danny Padilla was great as well and like you said it’s tough to choose between Tom platz and Danny padilla at the Olympia but I think I would have to agree with you in saying that Danny wins takes it with Tom platz close behind. Awesome video as always nick! Learned something new!

[@captsaison9343]

Agree with you . Danny Padilla was magnificent! Can you imagine if he had been six-feet tall with the same proportions? He might well have been Mr. Olympia.

[@tommyjones1891]

Proof that size isn’t everything!

[@givemevagina]

All of these were great. I guess Lee Labrada is my favourite from the "smaller" bodybuilders. His physique was very complete.

[@jamezrobertz8638]

Franco's density is unmatched. BTW I think this is your best video in a very long time.

[@lexbeltran1354]

Franco Columbu had an incredible back and he was strong as hell

[@onwilson2]

Check out the vacuum on the front double bicep for all of these guys! The vaccum should be mandatory on that pose.

[@BulkBrogan.]

"Short guy's aren't winning" phil heath is like 5'7"😂😂😂😂😂

[@gjtt]

Good vids, one of the best and only dude to beat Dorian in a big pro show (Night of the Champions) was Momo Benaziza.

[@rickyspanish5316]

To be fair phil heath is short AF

[@Mingo31194]

hes still taller than Kai Greene

[@rickyspanish5316]

thats still like 3.5 inches below average (in my country)

[@Silentevil7]

Ricky Spanish is that country netherlands? 5"8 is the worldwide average.

[@joedayton7239]

What about home boy Flavio Baccianini? He was out there killing it.

[@WhateverForever]

how can someone give this video a dislike, its just unbiased information and history .. great vid nick

[@chinmay6249]

Franco is THE GIANT KILLER! His proportions and symmetry is phenomenal.

[@jesuslover6667]

I really love that double bicep and vacuum it looks so powerful..

[@GTLees]

Good stuff Nick! I know that Lee Priest is a personal favorite of yours and he is not as tall as a lot of guys. His omission must be because his build was far from small. I would also consider Francis Benfatto for this list. One of my all time favorite bodybuilders is Frank Zane who, as we all know, did extremely well despite his smaller stature. Would he qualify for the list?

[@anteirlic706]

Great video :)...but I would like to mention other 'Giant killers' : Frank Zane (below 200 pounds competition weight), Shawn Ray, Lee Preist, Paul Demayo 'Quadzilla'

[@gragrn]

I'd add Muhammad Makawi and Lee Priest!

[@alterdestiny1]

francoo. he was a fuggin beast.

[@thouveninvijayan3073]

really awesome small line up. Really great line and proportions for all of them

[@KOBD613BODYBUILDING]

Classic physique is actually bringing this back

[@TheCrittercam001]

Danny and Franco were beasts.

[@kimnielsen4343]

Could you do a video on bikini contests? How they judge the girls, and if you can win with a black eye 😂

[@klprds]

years ago got my ISSA cert. thru Tom Platz - also around 5'8'- 5'9'. Great stories about that time period, nice guy.

[@rjrios17]

Danny Padilla is the original giant killer who came on the scene right around the end of the golden years, you see him in Pumping Iron with Arnie and Franco. Fir me the greatest giant killer in bodybuilding is Lee Priest, hands down. I have said it over and over, Lee Priest was the most under-rated and unappreciated IFBB pro bodybuilder of his era. Lee looked like a god-damn comic book character when he was in condition. Thise videos of him working out and then posing at Gold's in Venice Beach are unbelievable. When he poses he looks like a real life He-Man doll come to life. The man was 5'4" and in the off season he was usually around 250-270lbs, and for contests I've read anywhere from 205-225lbs. The "Australian Blonde Myth" (Tom Platz being the American Blonde Myth) had close to 22 inch arms off-season and in condition they were still a huge 21" at 5'4", now c'mon. In my opinion Lee Priest had the best arms in bodybuilding, no doubt for his era. Only Roelly Winklaar's and Big Ronnie Coleman's arms can rival those of Priest's as the best there is or was. Lee Priest could stand on stage with any of the mass monsters of his era and not look completely dwarfed and outclassed by the rest of the line-up. Priest did not have the "classic physique" look such as a Lee Labrada or Danny Padilla. He was a mini-monster, using an oximoron. The man was a minature mass monster and freak with size, proportion, full, round muscles and always conditioned and rock hard at contest time. A very under-rated and under-appreciated bodybuilder, who was a true mass monster in his own right and absolutely a "Giant Killer" within the bodybuilding world.

[@riksalollipop]

Mika nyyssölä should be included.

[@dantean]

Gaspari has always impressed me as a guy who--as opposed, say, to Dennis James--always looked WAY better once he took the stage than he did in gym videos. When you see him prepping for shows in the many vidz that are out there, he looks okay, but on show night he always looked a VERY deserving competitor to training partner Lee Haney. Maybe I wouldn't give him any wins over Haney (though possibly), but he always, always, always had it dialed in better than anyone except the 8-time Mr. O himself. Much respect to him for that.

[@JoelLundqvist98]

I would also include Shawn Ray. He consistantly beat much larger bodybuilders like Nasser, Dillet and Ronnie dispite giving up so many pounds. He also sported the best symmetry during the 90s along with flex.

[@danconner8299]

Danny Padilla must have pissed somebody off. He could take todays 212 and under class with his 1970s physique. Not sure why he never got the placings he deserved. He is an uncrowned Mr O..

[@augustvonmacksen2526]

Thank you for not blasting that RedCon1 trap music in every video.

[@briangressel8342]

Franco Columbo broke his leg during the world's strongest man contest you spoke of while carrying a refrigerator on his back. So his 5th place finish was incredible considering he was in last place (don't remember if he had more events after breaking his leg) on the fridge carry.

[@mikeshimter7303]

Love the videos Nick, always very informative. Kinda surprised you didn't mention Frank Zane as I thought he was the poster boy for giant killers and the most accomplished boasting a 3 time Mr. Olympia record.

[@ultratrump8189]

Only one Giant Killer Danny Padilla 🏋️💪😎

[@lukestamp544]

Your my man nick , only dude i watch now on bodybuilding. Respect from england!

[@sigunat]

I know he is 1'75m but... due to his meticulous focus on symmetry and proportion , and beating Mass monsters and bigger guys in his era, Frank Zane deserves an honorable mention.

[@BabakPA]

I would have also included Mohammad Makawy

[@justinperez1629]

Lee Priest, he was on stage with some of the biggest mass monsters of all time and held his own.

[@tonyolivo2997]

I would add one of my favorites Mohammed Makkaway 5 ft 3 about 165 lbs. and his posing was incredible. 1999 IFBB Night Of The Champions - 19th 1997 IFBB Night Of The Champions - 16th 1997 IFBB Canada Pro - 19th 1997 IFBB Toronto Pro - 19th 1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia - 4th 1984 IFBB Mr. Olympia - 2nd 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Las Vegas - 8th 1983 IFBB Grand Prix England - 1st 1983 IFBB Grand Prix World - 1st 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Sweden - 1st 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Switzerland - 1st 1983 IFBB Mr. Olympia - 2nd 1983 IFBB World Pro - 1st 1982 IFBB Mr. Olympia - 7th 1982 IFBB Night Of The Champions - 4th 1982 IFBB World Pro - 4th 1982 IFBB Grand Prix Belgium - 1st 1982 IFBB Grand Prix Sweden - 1st 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Canada - 10th 1981 IFBB Grand Prix England - 8th 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Belgium - 10th 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Wales - 8th 1980 IFBB Night Of The Champions - 8th 1980 IFBB Canada Pro - 9th 1980 IFBB World Pro - 5th 1979 IFBB Canada Diamond Pro Cup - 8th 1979 IFBB Grand Prix Pennsylvania - NP 1979 IFBB Grand Prix Vancouver - NP 1978 IFBB Mr. Olympia - 6th 1978 IFBB Pro World - 7th 1978 IFBB USA Vs. The World - 4th 1977 IFBB Mr. International - 1st 1977 IFBB Mr. Universe, Lightweight - 2nd 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe, Short Class - 1st 1975 IFBB Mr. International - 1st 1974 IFBB Mediterranean Championship - 2nd 1972 IFBB Mediterranean Championship - 3rd 1969 Junior Powerlifting Championship, Egypt - 1st

[@aran125]

Both Padilla, and Labrada’s conditioning were awesome. Gaspari did like you said bring that to another level tho with the vascularity. All great posers too. Like Shawn Ray would say, they were physique artists. Shawn Ray and Lee Priest totally should have been in this video.

[@MrBighairyass]

I met Lee Labrada twice...he was way past his competition days and he still looked great. His proportions are so good that a normal person could never compare to him. His waist is tiny and his shoulders are really broad. He must have had a 25" waist.

[@stephenr80]

I am 1,69cm and seeing the condition and chest of Columbu but knowing he was lifting more than Arnold(!)is going to bring me to the gym again. How strong is that man!

[@szilardgulyas9907]

You forget Makkawy. 1982,1983?

[@darndoor3065]

4:30 Chris Dickerson was underrated. Maybe he was the least impressive Mr. O but I have him winning that shot, and the back shot at 5:30 too.

[@terryterry8376]

"Total-lee awesome" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@illusionistMunawarMuzaffar]

lee priest, muhammad benaziza add them too

[@justinriley8651]

You saved the best for last .always liked Lee lebrada.

[@bpfourlife8239]

Lee Labrada is one of my all time favorites.

[@aviratica6370]

I ran into Rich Gaspari a couple of years ago. He looked amazing.

[@SSully2222]

Been enjoying your videos for a few weeks now. Thought I would let you know and say thanks.

[@pedrocols]

I did a commercial with Lee Labrada back in 1993 and he is freaking huge! He was in the off season,

[@bigoz1734]

That informative classic NSP daily content upload. Nice

[@userdoesnotexist600]

What about Rich Piana? He was a giant and killed him self

[@thanhduy6968]

User Does Not Exist He died when doing what he loved dude. I myself respect that

[@EPmessi9800]

User Does Not Exist I almost choked on my sprite 😂😂

[@javierdelacruz3758]

oooo is it too soon? naahhhhh

[@theyoutubeofmyname]

Sheesh

[@mybigarmada]

Rich Gaspari was only 209 lbs at the 1989 Mr O and Lee Labrada only 176 lbs, which makes their accomplishments even more impressive in my opinion.

[@MuscleMindConnect]

Good list. Honorable mentions would have to be Lee Priest and Shawn Ray!

[@m83liber_26]

Another bodybuilding history lesson!

[@justincase4359]

Nick I can't believe you missed the opportunity to put Lee Priest in this video since he's your favourite bodybuilder of all time I thought he would definitely make this list

[@Alifreesoul]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@flexrose2552]

Momo Ben Aziza, Mohamed Makkavy, Lee, Priest, Shawn Ray, Francois Benfatto, Dexter Jackson, William Bonac,...

[@joejoefitness4202]

Lee priest should of definitely Had to be on this list!

[@danielleiva9456]

Your channel rules nick! Great content...greetings from Uruguay

[@JamzFeed]

Know day’s it’s indeed pretty rare to see a giant killers but if we could make a case in my opinion on a modern bodybuilder with smaller stature that do really well agains mass monster, it would defenitly be William Bonac.

[@cashcowslave8001]

Great points in this video we rarely see this today

[@ryanlee1252]

Shawn Ray definitely deserves to be on top of the list considering 90's was the age of giants. Even though no one likes that guy but can't deny the physique he brought on stage n the countless times he had won competitions slaying all giants..

[@grahammarkhorn]

Labrada and Padilla absolute Bosses....nice one Nick.....cough.....Mike Christian vid...cough

[@lukadezanneau6976]

I would definitely add Shawn ray, even though he was heavier than those guys, he competed in an era where the bodybuilders where much bigger.

[@madbear3512]

Franko looks fucking insane. One of the strongest bodybuilders ever. I wonder if he could still lift the weight he could.

[@MikeJStaples]

It's definitely sad that we don't see these classical physiques. That's what I'm trying to achieve no matter what and I don't plan on competing in a LONG time if at all. It's a sad, sad career.

[@arroganceinvictus]

Phenomenal. Watch out for the 'natty' Uzoma Obilor. Looks so much like a less developed Danny Padilla at this point.

[@MrFalco010]

no lee priest rip, good video nick as always keep up the great work!

[@Ticonderous1]

Padilla and Priest are my favourites of the Giant Killers .... Franco was always overrated in my opinion ..That pic of Padilla at 3:21 ... Insane

[@danielleiva9456]

Franco's upper chest my god! What a monster.. R.I.P

[@alnosaints]

No priest

[@ncairguner]

How about Mohammad Ben aziz ?

[@angelocatapang6054]

props to the 'davids' giant killer b.b.s.in contrast to the mass monster 'goliaths' b.b.s.

[@ΓιαννηςΖωγραφινης]

They both looked insane

[@the430movie]

Not that it matters, but it's pronounced Danny (Puh-dee-yuh) Padilla... The LL sound is more Juh emphasis! But great vid as usual!

[@stratmanuk]

Makkawy was amazing btw!

[@turbogear7776]

There's a relatively recent interview with Danny Padilla, I watched it a year or two ago.

[@helterskelter-xu2xd]

6:35 "striated glutes"... where`s Palumbo with his Steve Blechman puppet when you need him?

[@dqreps]

*Lee Priest!!!* Do another vid of the more current era ie 90's on. That would be cool. Great vids bro!

[@aran125]

Shawn Ray didn’t turn pro till 87 but was also another giant killer as you know. Runner up 94, and 96 Mr O. 2 time Arnold classic champion 90, and 91 if you don’t count him having to forfeit his price money, trophy; and title in 1990 due to failing the drug test.