“King Without a Crown”: Bodybuilding World Remembers Uncrowned Monster of Mr. Olympia Who Died in 2013 Unexpectedly

Nasser El Sonbaty was a professional bodybuilder. He used to represent FR Yugoslavia when he appeared at global bodybuilding podiums. Nicknamed, The Professor, the athlete was born in Germany to an Egyptian father and a Serbian mother. He died in Egypt on March 20, 2013. Nasser qualified for 10 Mr. Olympia events, with his best rank being runner-up in 1997.

In a recent Instagram video from a fan page, Nasser El Sonbaty is seen pumping iron. As soon as fans saw it, they flooded the comment section with words of appreciation. The video posted by @nasserelsonbaty shows an edited sequence of the IFBB pro’s training sessions and him flexing his ripped body.

Nasser El Sonbaty was a fan favorite

The athlete was one of the dark horses of his era. He entered the world of bodybuilding in 1985 and was placed 6th in his life’s very first competition. In 1994, El Sonbaty entered Mr. Olympia. He would continue to qualify for the next ten years. The closest to victory that he got was in 1997, where he stood second.

In the social media video, the IFBB Pro is seen posing with none other than Jay Cutler. His fans took to the comment section to express their support. “2 legends,” writes one of them. “The real 97 Mr. Olympia,” writes another.

One fan puts him in the same league as the defending champion and says, “Nasser would’ve smashed any competitor on stage today including Big Ramy.”

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The Egyptian was known for his muscle mass. “Out of all the legendary bb from the 90s I was always fascinated by the mass monsters and there were a few like Dorian, Dillet, Ruhl, but Nasser just stood out the guy was a beast!!!!”

“The king without a crown,” writes one fan, “His bicep doesn’t look real,” agrees the next.

Nasser rests in peace 

The bodybuilder passed away in March 2013 due to kidney failure after being infected with malaria at 47 years of age. Much controversy in the industry followed because of his death, spurring rumors about his lifestyle. Being well-versed in languages, he was a fan favorite, standing at 5’11 and 270 pounds. His controversial loss to Dorian Yates for the title of Mr. Olympia remains etched in the history of the sport.

“Gone too soon. Such an amazing bodybuilder and person as well,” states one of his grieving fans. Another expresses his sentiments by saying, “Nasser, my friend… I look at your photo every day above my desk. You are loved everywhere in this world.”

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