Sonny Schmidt

Sonny Schmidt
Professional bodybuilder
Personal info
Born(1953-09-19)September 19, 1953
New Zealand
DiedJanuary 25, 2004(2004-01-25) (aged 50)
Melbourne, Australia
Best statistics
Biceps20-22 in (51-56 cm)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight200–300 lb (91–136 kg)
Professional (Pro) career
Best win
  • IFBB Masters Olympia
  • 1995

Sonny Schmidt (1953–2004) was a Samoan-New Zealand professional bodybuilder.[1] He placed in many events between 1989 and 1999. The career highlight for Schmidt came when he won the 1995 IFBB Masters Olympia, becoming the first Pacific Islander and Samoan bodybuilding champion.

Biography

Born Edmond Alten Schmidt on 9 September 1953[2] or 19 September 1953.[3] Sonny grew up in Western Samoa. He later lived in Melbourne, Australia and travelled frequently to the United States for competitions.

Schmidt placed in many events between 1989 and 1999. The career highlight came when he won the 1995 IFBB Masters Olympia,[4] becoming the first Pacific Islander and Samoan bodybuilding champion. Sonny was 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and weighed 240-260 lb (109-118 kg).[3]

He was arrested in 2000 on allegations that Schmidt assisted Lebanese-Australian drug lord, Tony Mokbel to import cocaine from Latin America into Australia. Sonny pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a period of three years imprisonment.[5] Around this time Schmidt became a born-again Christian.[3] He died on 25 January 2004 from cancer.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Jim Schmaltz (1 April 2004). "Remembering Sonny: Masters Olympia champ Sonny Schmidt dies of cancer at age 50.(Obituary)". highbeam.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Schmidt, Sonny". musclememory.com. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Schmaltz, Jim (April 2004). "Remembering Sonny: Masters Olympia champ Sonny Schmidt dies of cancer at age 50". Flex. Archived from the original on 25 October 2004. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  4. ↑ Marty Gallagher (1 January 1996). "Sonny Schmidt: How he won the Masters Olympia". highbeam.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  5. ↑ R v Mokbel [2006] VSC 119, Supreme Court (Vic, Australia).


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