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Mohamed Makkawy

Known for his outstanding physique and confidence, Egyptian-born Mohamed El Makkawy (AKA. Mohamed Makkawy) is among the greatest bodybuilders of all time.

Standing at 5’3″, the IFBB legend is perhaps the most underrated athlete in the industry. But he’s held in the same regard as Franco Columbu and Frank Zane – especially by Lee Haney, who Mohamed defeated 5 times out of 8.

Throughout a hugely successful career, Mohamed won numerous competitions and received the highest sporting accolade in Egypt. He’s cemented his place as an icon in the industry and the hero of his home country.

This is his story:

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Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

• 1999 IFBB Night Of The Champions – 19th
• 1997 IFBB Night Of The Champions – 16th
• 1997 IFBB Canada Pro – 19th
• 1997 IFBB Toronto Pro – 19th
• 1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 4th
• 1984 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd
• 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Las Vegas – 8th
• 1983 IFBB Grand Prix England – 1st
• 1983 IFBB Grand Prix World – 1st
• 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Sweden – 1st
• 1983 IFBB Grand Prix Switzerland – 1st
• 1983 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd
• 1983 IFBB World Pro – 1st
• 1982 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 7th
• 1982 IFBB Night Of The Champions – 4th
• 1982 IFBB World Pro – 4th
• 1982 IFBB Grand Prix Belgium – 1st
• 1982 IFBB Grand Prix Sweden – 1st
• 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Canada – 10th
• 1981 IFBB Grand Prix England – 8th
• 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Belgium – 10th
• 1981 IFBB Grand Prix Wales – 8th
• 1980 IFBB Night Of The Champions – 8th
• 1980 IFBB Canada Pro – 9th
• 1980 IFBB World Pro – 5th
• 1979 IFBB Canada Diamond Pro Cup – 8th
• 1979 IFBB Grand Prix Pennsylvania – NP
• 1979 IFBB Grand Prix Vancouver – NP
• 1978 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 6th
• 1978 IFBB Pro World – 7th
• 1978 IFBB USA Vs. The World – 4th
• 1977 IFBB Mr. International – 1st
• 1977 IFBB Mr. Universe, Lightweight – 2nd
• 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe, Short Class – 1st
• 1975 IFBB Mr. International – 1st
• 1974 IFBB Mediterranean Championship – 2nd
• 1972 IFBB Mediterranean Championship – 3rd
• 1969 Junior Powerlifting Championship, Egypt – 1st

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Biography

Early Years

Born in the land of Pharoahs, Egypt, Mohamed began weightlifting in 1976 at 14-years-old, becoming fascinated by the world of fitness. Originally, his aim was to increase his strength in the gym, but it wasn’t long until he’d made serious progress in the gym.

Mohamed started to wonder where his passion would take him. With a naturally competitive nature, the Egyptian decided to work towards winning a powerlifting contest.

Powerlifting Champion

By the age of 16, in 1969, Mohamed’s intense training had paid off – he was ready to compete. He walked away from his first contest as the new Junior Middleweight Powerlifting Champion of Egpyt after achieving a 135kg Clean and 110kg Snatch.

However, he didn’t find the strength sport very fulfilling.

After being inspired by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mohamed set his sights on sculpting his dream physique. It was at this point that he began his journey into bodybuilding.

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Bodybuilding

The future IFBB Pro stepped up his game over the next 3 years to realize his ambitions, and he’d soon built a formidable body. In 1972, Mohamed entered his first bodybuilding show – the IFBB Mediterranean Championship.

Although he didn’t win, he’d placed 3rd and gained valuable experience in the sport. At this point, he was more determined than ever to take his first trophy home.

Pro Card

Between 1972-1976, Mohamed made significant improvements to his physique. He placed higher in every competition that he appeared in, building a reputation for his perfect symmetry.

During this period, he placed 3rd in the 1974 Mediterranean Championship and won the 1975 Mr. International and 1976 Mr. Universe competitions. A year later, Mohamed achieved what he’d been working towards since the start of his journey.

In 1977, he realized his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder after earning his Pro Card at the Mr. Universe show. But this was just the beginning.

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Lee Haney congratulating Mohamed after the Egyptian won the 1983 English Grand Prix trophy.

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Becoming an Icon

Riding high from his success in 1977, Mohamed moved to America to chase more success. Over the next 5 years, Mohamed competed in a further 13 shows, gaining more experience and becoming renown for his incredible body.

He managed to place in every contest, but his most successful years as a competitor was between 1982-1983 –  he took home 6 trophies, beating the likes of Lee Haney in the process.

After his string of victories, by the age of 30 in 1983, Mohamed had become one of the greatest bodybuilders in the world.

Personal Training

Although he’d enjoyed great success at the top of his game, the sport changed during the last 16 years of Mohamed’s career – the judges began placing his amazing symmetry behind the new breed of bodybuilders who trained for size.

Refusing to compromise aesthetics for bulk, Mohamed stepped on the stage for the final time at the 1999 IFBB Night Of The Champions. At the age of 46, after building a legacy through a career spanning 27 years, the Egyptian decided to pursue a new path.

He began helping others to achieve their own dreams, using his vast experience to train a new generation of bodybuilders.

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Training

Mohamed followed an intense training plan to sculpt his dream physique. His reps ranged from 8-25, mostly lifting to 5 sets. He’d train 6 days per week, focusing on one muscle group each session.

Workout Routine

Chest:

• Flat bench press (to neck): 5 x 8
• 20° Bench press (to neck): 5 x 8
• Incline bench press 40°: 5 x 8
• Bent arm pullover: 5 x 8
• Wide grip “Gironda” dips: 5 x 8
• Straight arm pullover: 5 x 10
• Back
• High bench rowing: 5 x 8
• Pullups to waist: 5 x 8
• Wide grip chins behind neck: 5 x 8
• Wide grip pulldowns to chest: 5 x 8

Legs:

• Hack squat: 5 x 8
• Seated pulley leg squeeze: 5 x 10
• Thigh curl: 5 x 10
• Thigh extension: 5 x 8
• Roman chair: 5 x 10
• Flat thigh extensions: 5 x 8
• Seated calf raise: 5 x 15
• Standing calf raise: 5 x 15

Abdominals:

• Lying leg raise: 5 x 15 to 25
• Hanging leg raise: 5 x 15 to 25
• Hanging knee–in: 5 x 15 to 25
• Bent knee situps: 5 x 15 to 25
• Twisting situps: 5 x 15 to 25
• Cross ankle crunches: 5 x 15 to 25

 

Shoulders:

• Wide grip rows: 5 x 8
• 45° lateral raise: 5 x 8
• Kneeling cable raise: 5 x 8
• Bent over cable raise: 5 x 8
• Lateral raise: 5 x 8
• Cable lateral raise: 5 x 8

Biceps

• Incline dumbbell curl: 5 x 8
• EZ Bar curls: 5 x 8
• Cable short range seated curls: 5 x 10

Triceps

• Parallel bar dips: 5 x 8
• Bent over triceps kickbacks: 5 x 8
• Triceps rope pulls: 5 x 8

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Nutrition

Mohamed is infamous for following extreme diets before stepping on stage at competitions. He consumed only chicken, fish or other meats with no carbs when preparing for a show.

As the show approached, Mohamed cut back on food altogether, starting to incorporate amino acids and liver tablets into his diet. However, the last week before a show would be his most ruthless – he wouldn’t eat any food and live on amino acids and liver tablets to get into peak condition.

Diet Plan and Supplements

Mohamed’s diet plan would look something like this:

• Meal 1 – Chicken
• Meal 2 – Amino Acids and Liver Tablets
• Meal 3 – Fish
• Meal 4 – Amino Acids and Liver Tablets
• Meal 5 – Any Meat

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Idols and Influences

Mohamed is the inspiration to many stars in the modern era. However, he names both his trainers, Vince Gironda and Bob Kennedy, as the people who pushed him towards success.

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What we can learn from Mohamed Mokkawy

Mohamed has taught us to always follow our dreams. He began as a junior in Egypt and retired as a bodybuilding legend.

One thing we can take away from Mohamed, is that sometimes you have to make sacrifices to be the best – he’d live off no food for the last week before the competition to get into the best shape he could.

It’s this level of determination and commitment that made him into a bodybuilding legend.