Mr. Olympia bodybuilder nicknamed “The Professor” was unrecognizable as he required a heart transplant before his death

A FAMOUS bodybuilder named “The Professor” went unrecognized after a health problem required him to have a heart transplant before his tragic death.

Mr. Olympia Nasser El Sonbaty was a professional bodybuilder who represented the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in international competitions around the world.

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Born in Germany to an Egyptian father and a Serbian mother, Nasser became an IFBB pro and competed in 53 competitions – always in the top five.

His first competition was a junior state championship in Germany, where he finished 6th in 1985.

He then qualified for ten Mr. Olympia events, with his best finish being runner-up in 1997.

The controversial match against Dorian Yates left his fans disappointed, arguing he deserved the win.

He said in an interview at the time, “I had the better physique and God-given genetic makeup with even nicer looking veins than 1997 Mr. Olympia winner Dorian Yates.

“I didn’t tear a single muscle like he had so many, many tears. My body was better proportioned and more…much more symmetrical.

“I was robbed for at least $5 million — a low number to estimate when I count all the missed referrals and Olympic title-related opportunities.

“I’ve been betrayed so badly. My confidence will never be the same again. The lost trust can no longer be repaired.”

Although he always ranks high, he never won first place – which is why he is often referred to as the “uncrowned Mr. Olympia”.

As a teenager, Nasser was an avid soccer player until one day he decided to hit the gym with his friends to “do some leg presses and leg extensions.”

After meeting a Hungarian weightlifter in the gym, he was immediately addicted to bodybuilding.

He consistently undertook extensive training and two years later he was ready.

He competed in a national junior competition and although he placed 6th, the judges said he had the best abs of any junior competitor.

The comment gave him the motivation he needed to keep going, as he said at the time: “Success is always a great motivator.”

He started his professional career after making his debut at the 1990 IFBB Grand Prix in Helsinki, Finland.

Known for his large mass and weight of almost 300 pounds, Nasser was featured in several magazines at the time.

He graduated from the University of Augsburg in history, political science and sociology.

His degree, along with the ability to speak several languages ​​fluently, and his distinctive glasses earned him the nickname “The Professor”.

According to Muscle and Fitness, he was impressively able to weigh over 300 pounds in the offseason and still show off his full abs.

The bodybuilder tragically died at the age of 47 from kidney failure and heart complications.

Due to the illness, he needed a heart transplant, but he was not eligible as his heart was too weak.

Training partner Guillermo Tom told Musclemag International at the time that Nasser was rushed to the San Diego hospital with breathing problems a few months before his death.

He was diagnosed with heart failure and kidney damage and was on dialysis but was not a candidate for a heart transplant.

He returned to Cairo to visit his parents and sister and died in his sleep in March 2013.

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