Bodybuilding veteran Samir Bannout continues to watch the sport grow since stepping away from the stage decades ago. In a recent YouTube video shared on January 12, 2025, he stressed that Tom Platz didn’t abuse steroids. In addition, he offered Olympia-winning advice to Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford.
Tom Platz is easily one of the most recognizable faces to emerge from the Men’s Open division. Known as ‘The Quadfather,’ he presented unprecedented leg definition to cement his standing atop the sport. Since his time on stage, physiques, training, and performance-enhancing drug use have undergone immense changes.
Size alongside muscle definition continues to reign supreme in the Open division. At the 2024 Mr. Olympia, Samson Dauda claimed gold after finally blending these two attributes beautifully. In the process, he defeated two former Olympias Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford. No stranger to controversial topics in bodybuilding, Samir Bannout discussed Platz’s use of steroids before diving into the careers of Dauda and Lunsford.
Samir Bannout Gives Advice to Samson Dauda and Derek Lunsford, Talks Tom Platz’s Steroid Cycle: ‘Tom Didn’t Abuse’
During the recent YouTube video, Samir Bannout stressed that Tom Platz did not abuse steroids, adding that he ‘trained hard’ and understood the demands of the sport.
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“I know what Tom was using. I can tell you: Tom didn’t abuse. He did not. That’s why you see the quality on the muscle of Tom was healthy-looking quality.
He trained hard so he understood what he was doing. He was training hard. He was very dedicated and his mind was 100 percent tunnel vision, same with me,” shares Samir Bannout.
While he stands by the fact that Platz did not abuse PEDs, Bannout understands why some outsiders believe he did, mainly due to his massive legs.
“Nobody gave me the shot, I did it under a doctor’s supervision too. I’ve always had testing where I know everything seemed to be good. Honestly, I never abused. I tell people what I used. Look, you have doubts in what Tom Platz was using. I don’t blame you. Why? Because Tom, he was a hard worker and mind you, I know Tom Platz from Michigan. He moved to California one month before me.”
“Tom wasn’t an abuser. The only thing with Tom we were talking about it earlier. Tom developed beyond massive legs. I think if his legs were slightly smaller he probably would have done better.”
As for Samson Dauda, Bannout advised him to take his foot off the gas pedal, which he believes would allow him to win multiple Mr. Olympia titles.
“I’d tell a guy like Samson, please don’t force it too much. Allow your body to heal and come back and you can win the Olympia many times. My advice to a guy like Samson, additional five percent of shredding, he’s going to be very very hard to beat.”
“He just doesn’t need any more size. Just hardness,” he adds.
He also offered similar advice to Derek Lunsford, revealing that the former two-division Mr. Olympia doesn’t need any more size.
“The same thing I would say to Derek. Derek Lunsford. I mean, Derek, your lats are wide enough, your back is big enough, your body is more than big enough, Derek. Just get shredded buddy, get more shredded, hard muscle. I don’t care if you lose 10 pounds, do it over a long period of time.”
In addition, he offered Hunter Labrada guidance. Simply put, he believes Labrada should take more advice from his father, Lee Labrada.
“Lee is a very intelligent man. He’s very articulate. I think Hunter should always listen to his dad. If Hunter listened to his dad 100 percent, he would do a lot better. Because, Lee did the old school the right way. Sometimes, most kids they don’t listen to their father. I think this is a common thing.”
Having reached the top of the sport in 1983 as a Mr. Olympia winner, Samir Bannout possesses unique insight when it comes to discussing the history of the sport and its future. Do you believe Tom Platz abused steroids to achieve his physique? Let us know in the comments!
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