EDIT: Victor Richards did not pass away according to new information from Generation Iron:
Victor Richards “Mr. Big” reportedly has passed away this week, and the likely cause is a heart attack at only 56-years old.
Victor Richards was one of the best bodybuilders in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Bodybuilder Victor Richards turned pro after getting exposure in a bodybuilding magazine; he won competitions that earned him a pro card. However, even though he got the pro card, he never competed again.
In an interview, Victor explained that his goal wasn’t to be a competitive bodybuilder but rather focus on teaching and inspiring others.
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You can see Victor Richards when he was posing alongside Olympia champion Dorian Yates who was the best bodybuilder in the world at that time
“My calling in this sport was NOT to win titles and compete. I had an experience with bodybuilding, unlike many other people who train. I took it beyond the physical and mental…to a spiritual experience. Just as the synagogue is to the Rabbi, the Vatican to the Pope; the gym was my spiritual ground.”
He also said once:
“My calling in this sport was NOT to win titles and compete—it was to mentor people and give a voice to people that didn’t feel they could speak up.”
Victor Richards Stats
Bodybuilder Victor Richards weighed over 300 lbs in his prime, and his height was 5’9; he was also a powerful bodybuilder.
“I can do 200 pounds on a dumbbell press. I’ve done shoulder presses in the range of 450 pounds; squatted nearly 900 pounds, and I’ve done barbell curls up to 315 pounds. And I never liked using a belt or knee wraps.”
Victor Richards Claimed To Be A Natural Bodybuilder
One of the reasons Victor Richards didn’t want to compete against the top guys in bodybuilding is that he didn’t use steroids like other competitors.
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He was against steroids and thought they were harmful to a natural body; he also thought all other Mr. Olympia competitors were using them.
Victor didn’t want to play on an uneven playing field where other competitors used steroids while he didn’t.
Victor Richards was rarely cut and almost always carried a bit of extra fat on his body; he had been massive since he was a teenager which could mean he was telling the truth about being natural.
He founded the VRRI (Victor Richards Research Institute), which aims to make bodybuilders follow the natural root.
Victor Richards Video
Victor was a massive bodybuilder, and in this video, you can see how big he was.
