Mohammed Benaziza was an Algerian-born professional bodybuilder. He competed in the 1980s and 1990s era of bodybuilding. Despite being relatively smaller with 5’2” frame, Benaziza dominated the competitive stage as long as he competed and earned the moniker ‘Killer of Giants’ for defeating some great and seemingly invincible bodybuilders that were much bigger in size. This article explores his complete profile, biography and statistics.
Born – January 1, 1959
Place of Birth – Oran, Algeria
Died – October 4, 1992 (33 years)
Place of Death – Den Haag, Holland
Height – 5’2” (158 cm)
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Weight – 187 lbs (85 kg)
Mohammed Benaziza Biography
Early Life
Mohammed Benaziza was born in Algeria on January 1, 1959. While growing up in France, Banaziza was inclined towards soccer and trained in the gym to get fit for the sport. However, he developed a passion for bodybuilding and pursued a career in the sport in the year that followed.
Bodybuilding Career
Benaziza’s bodybuilding career started when he was 27. At the 1987 IFBB World Amateur Championships, the Algerian bodybuilder emerged victoriously in the lightweight division and set the bar high for the subsequent career.
He made his Olympia debut in 1988, finishing 11th at the show. Benaziza was one of the most active competitors of his time and followed a busy schedule over the next three years. He participated in several Grand Prix shows in 1989 and achieved a fifth-place finish at the 1989 Mr. Olympia, defeating the likes of Samir Bannout, Ron Love and Bertil Fox among others.
1990 proved to be the most fruitful year of Benaziza’s bodybuilding career as he won five Grand Prix shows that year and also won at the 1990 Night of Champions, defeating future six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates at the show. Because of this, Joe Weider gave him the nickname ‘Killer of Giants’.
In the following year, Benaziza replicated most of his success and also achieved a runner-up finish at the 1992 Arnold Classic. He capped the year by finishing fifth at the 1992 Mr. Olympia. In October of that year, Benaziza won the Dutch Grand Prix but unfortunately, it proved to be his last competitive appearance and the final day of his life.
Death and Legacy
Hours after winning the 1992 Grand Prix Netherlands, Mohammed Benaziza tragically passed away due to a heart attack. It was speculated that the heart attack was caused due to dehydration from diuretics use.
Fellow professional bodybuilder Porter Cottrell, who was a firefighter and paramedic, later shared the account of Benaziza’s final hours. According to Cottrell, Benaziza left the stage several times during the prejudging stage and started vomiting profusely
“He was projectile vomiting the stuff; it was shooting to three feet in front of him. It was like a scene from The Exorcist. I jumped back and said to Ron Love, shit man, he’s sick.”
Benaziza’s troubles continued throughout the night as Cottrell and others tried to revive him after he went into full cardiac arrest. Benziza was taken to hospital early morning where the doctors declared him dead.
It was later alleged that Benaziza pushed his body’s limits in terms of training, diet as well as performance enhancing substances.
“Momo was trying to fulfil a dream but he took it too far,” Cottrell said.
It is reported that he had earlier complained of shortness of breath and sickness. Even being a bodybuilder, he didn’t care much about his health at that time and refused to go to the hospital many times. The cause of his death is believed to be the medicine he took from an unknown person shortly before the competition to accelerate his preparation process. Mohammed Benaziza was only 33 years old at the time of his death and a start of new generation of bodybuilders. His death led to the end of one his friends Steve Brisbois.
Benaziza was only 33 years old at the time of his passing on October 4, 1992. Although he left the world too early, he created a legacy that still lives on. Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates is considered among the first few mass monsters who also achieved incredible competitive success. Yates was particularly noted for the development of his thick and wide back. Speaking about Mohammed Benaziza, Yates said:
“It might sound strange now, but when I first competed, my first [international] contest [the Night of Champions 1990], I lost to a guy called Mohammed Benaziza, and his back was just freaky thick, it was like 3D coming out, that just stuck in my mind. […] I put a picture of him on my fridge at home, I put a picture in the gym… And, funny enough, later on in my career I became known [as] the guy with the best back.”
Competition History
- 1987 IFBB World Amateur Championships, Lightweight – 1st place
- 1988 IFBB Grand Prix France – 8th place
- 1988 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 11th place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix Finland – 3rd place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix France – 4th place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix Germany – 3rd place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix Holland – 2nd place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix Spain – 4th place
- 1989 IFBB Grand Prix Sweden – 5th place
- 1989 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix England – 1st place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix Finland – 1st place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix France – 1st place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix Germany – 1st place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix Holland – 2nd place
- 1990 IFBB Grand Prix Italy – 1st place
- 1990 IFBB Night of Champions – 1st place
- 1991 IFBB Arnold Classic – 11th place
- 1991 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational – 9th place
- 1992 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd place
- 1992 IFBB Grand Prix England – 4th place
- 1992 IFBB Grand Prix Germany – 2nd place
- 1992 IFBB Grand Prix Holland – 1st place
- 1992 IFBB Grand Prix Italy – 1st place
- 1992 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – 7th place
- 1992 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th place
- 1992 IFBB Grand Prix Netherlands – 1st place
To Conclude…
Mohammed Benaziza was a talented bodybuilder who had the potential to dominate the stage for a long time. However, his passion and relentless efforts eventually took a toll. While it is important to give the best effort in order to achieve something, it is worth noting that preserving health is also of utmost importance to achieve performance longevity and a healthy life.
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