Fuller Johnny History Card

02/06/2020

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Johnny Fuller

Born in Jamaica, 1942, moved to England in 1978.

He competed all over the world in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and triumphed in both the European and World Bodybuilding Championships.

Fullers professional bodybuilding career started after winning the light heavyweight division at the 1980 IFBB Amateur World Championships.

He trained at the Brunel Gym and Spa Centre twice a week for around year.

In March 1987, Johnny had an argument with the management of the gym and was banned after allegations of “hogging” the equipment.

He competed in four Mr. Olympia events and his best showings were eighth in 1981 and 1983.

Was very popular in America, for short spell he trained with Arnold and Franco in California.

Known for muscle density and condition, but apart from bodybuilding also was a boxer for 6 year held black belt in karate.

Also run a marathon.

At his peak done 16 Pro shows in 81 & 82 apart from Olympia always placing Top 5.

Sadly passed away in 2006 in Bourenmouth, at age of 63 after a long-fought battle with leukaemia.

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The great Johnny Fuller (RIP). Johnny was my first ‘mentor’ when I started out and taught me so, so much…competing in four Mr Olympia contests, in 16 Pro shows between ’81 and ’83 he never placed out of the top 5! When he took me under his wing it was after he’d torn his pec and sadly he hadn’t got it surgically repaired and it affected his placings thereafter. He was a volume trainer!!! To put it mildly, we did so many set’s, I wouldn’t even be able to put a number on it; it was brutal…I vividly remember the day we got thrown out of one gym because we would spend so long on each piece of kit!! At the time, I couldn’t believe they’d throw Johnny Fuller out lol! But, looking back, I could see their point!! From my start with Johnny’s mega volume to my treasured period with Dorian and his one set approach!!! What a change…is there a connection? Actually yes! Johnny met Dorian in ’85 and he said to me later, ‘That young kid knows his stuff..more than he should, I think he’s one of those guy’s who says they’re a novice but has been out in Venice Beach for years’!!! He seriously thought Doz was ‘pretending’ to be a novice…now that’s praise when it comes from someone like Johnny, who was an expert in nutrition. He was hardcore with nutrition too! We’d go round to his flat after training and he’d blend up a shake for us…blended raw liver!!! Now that’s hardcore…and some guys complain about the flavour of a protein shake!!! Miss you Johnny (we worked together on the doors for years too, a gentle giant). #bodybuilding #muscle #oldschool #mentor #beastmode #memories #beef #liver #shake #hardcore #bodybuilder #pro #learn #RIP #nutrition #volume #training #gym #kickedout #mrolympia #champion #Caribbean #beast #shredded #shredz #doorman #friend #goodtimes #goldenera #johnnyfuller

A post shared by Paul Baxendale (@paulbaxendale) on May 14, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

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This time of year always reminds me of the great, late Johnny Fuller. When I was just starting to really get serious about bodybuilding, it was Johnny who was my first mentor. A wonderful man, incredible bodybuilder who competed at the highest Pro level, the Mr Olympia, he was so generous in his help, advice and teaching me the ‘real deal’ about training and diet (this was a man who got shredded and bone dry, absolutely freaky, sick shredded!). I say this time of year as it always reminds me of working with Johnny on the door back in the late 80’s, early 90’s especially over the Christmas period…he’d stand there at the door, leaning against the wall with his polo shirt stretched to the max around his massive chest, back and arms. He wasn’t one of these guys who feel the need to pull the sleeves up to show his guns…there was simply no ignoring their size as he stood chilled out chatting to me about bodybuilding and his career. He told me how he tore his pec, the industry and how people had treated him and just passed great night after great night learning from this legend. We shared many a night just talking away…luckily it was a nice club and we very rarely had to do anything but talk to the customers!! Great memories of a great man…he had the biggest calves I would ever see, until I saw Dorian’s!!! And did I mention he got crazy ripped too, ahead of his time…he took dieting very seriously, he wasn’t afraid to hurt. Old school…RIP Johnny. #bodybuilding #bodybuilder #beast #oldschool #classicbodybuilding #shredded #ripped #diet #nutrition #striations #mentor #friend #door #Olympian #memories #reps #sets

A post shared by Paul Baxendale (@paulbaxendale) on Dec 26, 2017 at 11:53am PST