Mohammed Benaziza (; 1959 – 4 October 1992) was a professional bodybuilder.

Biography

Benaziza was a soccer player in his childhood in

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

, and started to work out while continuing to play soccer. He finally chose bodybuilding and started competing as an amateur in France. He won his first competition in Spain (under 75 kg-category) and after that he continued to win small prizes until his first participation in the Night of Champions in 1990, which he won.

Dorian Yates Dorian Andrew Mientjez Yates (born 19 April 1962) is an English retired professional bodybuilder. He won the Mr. Olympia title six consecutive times from 1992 to 1997. He earned the nickname "The Shadow" for his tendency to unexpectedly appear ...

took second place. On that occasion, Benaziza was nicknamed the "Killer of Giants" by Joe Weider. He participated in the prestigious

Mr. Olympia Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest in the open division at Joe Weider's Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend—an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually and is sanct ...

contest three times. His last competition was the 1992

, where he placed 5th. He did not take time off and participated in a back-to-back competition in the Netherlands, a few weeks later. He was found dead in his hotel room at 6pm on 4 October 1992, shortly after that competition. It was reported that he had earlier complained of sickness and shortness of breath, but refused repeatedly to go to a hospital. It is believed that the cause of his death was that he took an injection provided by an unidentified man to accelerate the process of his preparation shortly before the competition. His death led to the end of the career of his personal friend Steve Brisbois. Benaziza was 33 years old and was the star-spin of the new generation of BodyBuilders. Dorian Yates, 6 times winner of the Mr. Olympia contest, and remembered in part for the exceptional development and thickness of his back muscles, cited Mohammed Benaziza as his main inspiration to work on that area:

Competition history

1987
World Amateur Championships - IFBB, LightWeight, 1st 1988
Grand Prix France - IFBB, 8th

- IFBB, 11th 1989
Grand Prix Finland - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix France - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Holland - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Spain - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Sweden - IFBB, 5th

- IFBB, 5th 1990
Grand Prix England - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Finland - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix France - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Holland - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Italy - IFBB, Winner
Night of Champions - IFBB, Winner 1991

Arnold Classic The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Professional League, IFBB Pro Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, is an annual multi-sport event consisting of professional bodybuilding (''Arn ...

- IFBB, 11th
Ironman Pro Invitational - IFBB, 9th 1992

- IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix England - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Holland - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Italy - IFBB, Winner
Pittsburgh Pro Invitational - IFBB, 7th

- IFBB, 5th

External links

Mohammed Benaziza
www.musclememory.com
Mohammed Benaziza Photos

Giant Killers: The Best Short Bodybuilders Ever

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benaziza, Mohammed 1959 births 1992 deaths Algerian bodybuilders Professional bodybuilders