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Sammy Ioannidis
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Sam Ioannidis is a former IFBB professional, and former Australian champion and NABBA Universe class winner. After a long hiatus, Sam made a comeback in 2008. Scroll down for Sammy's contest history, media scans, photos, posing video and our interview with Sammy in June 2009
Contest History
Sam's contest history includes:
Amateur
- 1986 Mr Universe - NABBA, Short, 1st
- 1987 Mr Universe - NABBA, Short, 2nd
- 1988 Mr Universe - NABBA, Short, 2nd
- 1988 World Championships - NABBA, Short, 3rd
- 1991 Australian Championships - IFBB, Junior, 1st
Professional
- 1991 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational - IFBB, 7th
- 1991 IFBB IFBBNight of Champions - IFBB, DNP
- 1992 Chicago Pro Invitational - IFBB, 19th
- 1992 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational - IFBB, 12th
- 1992 Night of Champions - IFBB, Did not place
- 1994 Chicago Pro Invitational - IFBB, 14th
- 1994 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational - IFBB, 16th
Interview: June 2009
We had the pleasure of e-chatting with Sammy in June 2009.
You competed as an IFBB pro in the 1990's, you must have a great story or two, any you care to share?
I got my pro card in 1989 and stopped competing in 1994. The first IFBB pro show I did was the 1991 Niagara Falls, Albert Beckels won that show and I came 7th.I competed in the Niagara Falls 3 times, the Chicago 3 times and New York Night of Champions 2 times.
You made a comeback in 2008 after being offstage for a number of years. What inspired this, and also did you contemplate coming back in the IFBB pro leagues vs NABBA?
I retired unwillingly after having motor bike accident. I also have had 2 shoulder operations and 2 back operations, one of which involved a back fusion on the L4 L5. My last back operation was in August 2007. I feel good now, I don't know if I could do the intense training needed to compete as a pro again,my mine says yes my body says no. I've always been motivated to compete, last year I was presenting trophies at the NABBA show and was asked to make a comeback, I agreed but I only had 6 weeks to get in shape for the NABBA Universe. I was glad I took the challenge on, it got me back on stage. I'm looking forward to this years show. I've had all year to prep.
What style of training do you do?
My training right now.
What do you recall as the best moment in your career thus far?
The best moment of my career is winning Reg Parks IFBB Junior Mr Universe in South Africa and living with the Park family. The Parks accepted me as one of their own kids, to them I was their Australian son.
2009 IFBB Olympia - who do you predict the top 5 will be?
The top 5 for Olympia, I don't really know who's competing... but I would say Dexter Jackson, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Dennis Wolf and Melvin Anthony.
As someone who has competed in both NABBA and the IFBB what differences are there between the feds in your experience?
The IFBB is great for pro bodybuilders but you must live in the USA. NABBA I believe is the best amatuer federation as it doesn't matter where you live.
If you could only do 5 exercises for the rest of your life, what would they be?
If I could only do 5 exercises they would be squats, clean and press, chin ups, bench press and (dead lifts or barbell curls).
Who is your favourite all time bodybuilder?
My favourite all time bodybuilder is Flex Wheeler, he had the most amazing symmetry and full muscle bellies, also Arnold Schwarzenegger in the late 60s and 70s.
Female bodybuilding is lowering in popularity. What do you predict for the future in the genre?
I believe female bodybuilding will always be there, there are still thousands of girls out there that love the sport and want to look freaky. What's the difference; men are getting freakier every year, why not women...it's their choice.
Beginners, what advice do you have for beginners entering the bodybuilding world?
For all you beginners out there who want to take part in bodybuilding comps; make sure you train in a proper gym that knows about bodybuilding, has plenty of free weights and a good atmosphere. Train as hard as your body allows you to train and be consistent, try to avoid injuries if you think you can't lift it, don't try it, everyone has different strengths. You don't have to be as strong as your training partner to grow. Train Eat Sleep Grow.
You competed as an IFBB pro in the 1990's, you must have a great story or two, any you care to share?
I got my pro card in 1989 and stopped competing in 1994. The first IFBB pro show I did was the 1991 Niagara Falls, Albert Beckels won that show and I came 7th.I competed in the Niagara Falls 3 times, the Chicago 3 times and New York Night of Champions 2 times.
You made a comeback in 2008 after being offstage for a number of years. What inspired this, and also did you contemplate coming back in the IFBB pro leagues vs NABBA?
I retired unwillingly after having motor bike accident. I also have had 2 shoulder operations and 2 back operations, one of which involved a back fusion on the L4 L5. My last back operation was in August 2007. I feel good now, I don't know if I could do the intense training needed to compete as a pro again,my mine says yes my body says no. I've always been motivated to compete, last year I was presenting trophies at the NABBA show and was asked to make a comeback, I agreed but I only had 6 weeks to get in shape for the NABBA Universe. I was glad I took the challenge on, it got me back on stage. I'm looking forward to this years show. I've had all year to prep.
What style of training do you do?
My training right now.
- Day 1: Shoulders Bicep Triceps
- Day 2: Back Chest
- Day 3: Hammies Calfs Quads.
What do you recall as the best moment in your career thus far?
The best moment of my career is winning Reg Parks IFBB Junior Mr Universe in South Africa and living with the Park family. The Parks accepted me as one of their own kids, to them I was their Australian son.
2009 IFBB Olympia - who do you predict the top 5 will be?
The top 5 for Olympia, I don't really know who's competing... but I would say Dexter Jackson, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Dennis Wolf and Melvin Anthony.
As someone who has competed in both NABBA and the IFBB what differences are there between the feds in your experience?
The IFBB is great for pro bodybuilders but you must live in the USA. NABBA I believe is the best amatuer federation as it doesn't matter where you live.
If you could only do 5 exercises for the rest of your life, what would they be?
If I could only do 5 exercises they would be squats, clean and press, chin ups, bench press and (dead lifts or barbell curls).
Who is your favourite all time bodybuilder?
My favourite all time bodybuilder is Flex Wheeler, he had the most amazing symmetry and full muscle bellies, also Arnold Schwarzenegger in the late 60s and 70s.
Female bodybuilding is lowering in popularity. What do you predict for the future in the genre?
I believe female bodybuilding will always be there, there are still thousands of girls out there that love the sport and want to look freaky. What's the difference; men are getting freakier every year, why not women...it's their choice.
Beginners, what advice do you have for beginners entering the bodybuilding world?
For all you beginners out there who want to take part in bodybuilding comps; make sure you train in a proper gym that knows about bodybuilding, has plenty of free weights and a good atmosphere. Train as hard as your body allows you to train and be consistent, try to avoid injuries if you think you can't lift it, don't try it, everyone has different strengths. You don't have to be as strong as your training partner to grow. Train Eat Sleep Grow.
You can see our photo gallery of Sammy here
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