The Danny Padilla Story: Part II

Missed part 1? Read the Danny Padilla Story part 1 here.

This is the second part of our exploration of one of the golden era bodybuilders whose tenacity in the sport demonstrates a truly noteworthy underdog story. His small height made his performance in the world of competitive bodybuilding unquestionably remarkable. It’s also what gave him his nickname, “The Giant Killer.”

Missed the first part of Danny Padilla’s story? Check it out here, then come back to read part two.

Danny Padilla was determined to make 1977 his year. 

After winning the IFBB Mr. USA in 1975, great things were expected from Danny. However, he failed to win the Mr. Universe two years in a row. 

In 1975, Padilla was the victim of bodybuilding politics as he was suddenly ousted from the American Team.  Mike Katz took his place competing in the heavyweight category so he could be featured in the movie “Pumping Iron.” 

The following year, Danny had underestimated the competition and showed up big but smooth. Unfortunately, he ran into the diamond-hard physique of Mohamed Makkawy of Egypt. While Danny placed second, Makkawy destroyed him in the contest and won the class easily.

Enough was enough! Danny would make the best of his genetic potential and win everything in 1977. 

The American Bodybuilding Championships

He arrived in southern California in the spring to train for the AFAB American Bodybuilding Championships that summer. Although pale and underweight from spending the winter in his hometown of Rochester, New York, Danny quickly got into shape. 

Bodybuilding experts had been predicting his transformation since he stepped into the spotlight two years earlier. He wouldn’t let them down; working tirelessly to sculpt his physique into the muscular marvel they had been waiting for.

Danny competed in the IFBB American Bodybuilding Championships in Los Angeles in June. Promoted by Franco Columbu, the contest featured some great amateur talent from around the country. 

Padilla had no tan and actually committed the cardinal sin of chewing gum when he walked onstage to perform his posing routine. Regardless, the judges could not deny Danny’s impressive size and proportions. He easily won the short class with no problem.

For the overall posedown, Danny was up against Roger Callard from the medium height class and massive Pete Grymkowski, the tall class winner. 

Roger was in the best shape of his life, perfectly tanned and cut to perfection. Grymkowski was massive and imposing with his yard-wide shoulders and incredible mass. Still, neither of them could match up with Padilla. 

Danny was proportionately perfect. His muscle size, shape, and structure were ideal for the sport of bodybuilding. Despite the lack of tan and his short stature of 5’2”, Padilla was a giant. 

He won the overall title of IFBB Mr. America and was on his way to the Mr. Universe again. 

Danny Takes Mr. USA and Mr. Universe

About a month later, Danny stepped onstage at the AFAB Mr. USA contest to officially win his place on the American Team. Those who made the team would be going to the Mr. Universe that fall. 

Some excellent lightweight competitors showed up to try to win their place on the Team. However, none of them could stand next to Padilla when it came to muscle mass and shape. 

Danny easily earned his place on the American Team along with Mike Mentzer and Kal Szkalak. The two would compete against each other in the heavyweight class. 

At the 1977 IFBB, Mr. Universe in Nimes, France, Danny, and Mohamed Makkawy met again onstage for an epic showdown. Although Makkawy was in great condition again, this time he could not defeat Padilla. 

Danny was bigger, thicker, and proportionately superior to Makkawy and was awarded the victory. 

Danny was now Mr. Universe!

Danny Padilla Goes Pro

In 1978, Danny entered his first professional bodybuilding contest. It was called the Professional World Cup, and it took place in July 1978 in California. Promoted by Gold’s Gym, the contest featured some of the best pro bodybuilders on the planet. 

Danny took a strong second place to the winner, Robby Robinson. This meant defeating such established bodybuilders as: 

• Roy Callender
• Boyer Coe
• Pete Grymkowski
• Bill Grant

Later that year, Danny entered his first Mr. Olympia contest in Columbus, Ohio. Competing in the Under 200 Pound Class, Danny faced some tough competition. He was up against the returning champ Frank Zane as well as Ed Corney, Boyer Coe, and Tony Emmott. 

Although Danny wasn’t quite in peak condition, he still managed to place third in the class behind Zane and Coe and took sixth place overall. 

It was a good showing for his first Mr. Olympia. The great potential of Danny Padilla in the professional ranks was confirmed. 

Disappointment at Night of the Champions

The next year was interesting for Danny as it was full of highs and lows onstage. He competed in the popular Night of the Champions contest in New York, looking amazing. 

Padilla was thick and ripped and in the best shape of his life. The judges were so impressed with Danny that they gave him a perfect score of 300 points. 

This put him two points ahead of Robby Robinson, who was in second place after the prejudging. 

At the evening show, Danny won the boisterous New York fans over with his posing routine to the song “Short People” by Randy Newman. Poking fun at himself made the lovable Padilla even more appealing to his fans. Naturally, the crowd went crazy during his posing routine. 

During the final posedown, the judges wanted to see Danny and Robby posedown against each other because it was so close. 

Robby was sliced to ribbons and in fantastic shape while Danny was big, thick, and perfectly proportioned. The crowd was split between these two champions. 

Incredibly, Robby was announced the winner of the 1979 Night of the Champions after the completion of the posedown. 

How could Danny lose when he had already scored a perfect 300 at the prejudging? The New York fans loudly booed the decision!

Grand Prix and Mr. Olympia Prove Too Great a Match for Padilla

Danny competed in a few more Grand Prix events that year. He could only place fifth a few times and was not in the running for first. 

When the Mr. Olympia took place in the fall in Columbus, Ohio, Danny looked leaner and smaller than he had the year before. His placement dropped down to fifth in the Under 200 Pound Class. 

He fell in line behind the winner Frank Zane as well as Boyer Coe, Robby Robinson, and Chris Dickerson. He did not make the posedown that year. 

In 1980, Danny competed in the Miami Grand Prix, taking third place behind the winner Chris Dickerson and the excellent Casey Viator. Not wishing to repeat his mistake from the year before, Danny took off the rest of the year to peak for the Mr. Olympia. 

The Most Controversial Bodybuilding Comp Ever Seen?

The 1980 Mr. Olympia is one of the most controversial competitions in the history of that contest. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger came out of retirement after five years away from the sport. He surprised everyone by winning the contest at less than his best. 

The Mr. Olympia that year was incredibly stacked with the best bodybuilders in the world, including: 

• Frank Zane
• Chris Dickerson
• Boyer Coe
• Mike Mentzer
• Dennis Tinerino

Danny looked fantastic that year, displaying more size and thickness in his physique than ever before. Surely, this would be his year to beat some of the biggest names in bodybuilding?

Unfortunately, Padilla was tragically overlooked as the judges focused on the pre-contest favorites. The surprise return of Schwarzenegger to the stage also distracted them. Danny took a disappointing tenth place. 

Danny Gets Focused for 1981: Will it Make the Difference?

In 1981, Danny was motivated more than ever before. This year, he followed the bodybuilding experts’ advice: Get RIPPED and he could win the biggest title in bodybuilding.

Foregoing all competitions all year long, Danny trained with focus and dedication only for the Mr. Olympia. 

The rumors were that Franco Columbu would compete after a five-year layoff to try to win the Mr. Olympia title again.

After last year’s controversial decision in which Arnold won despite not being at his best, Frank Zane, Boyer Coe, and Mike Mentzer all agreed to boycott the contest and not compete. This left the door wide open for someone like Danny to come in and pull off an upset. 

When the competitors walked out onstage for the 1981 Mr. Olympia contest, the audience was shocked when they saw Danny Padilla. Looking incredibly ripped, Danny’s face was so sucked in, many in the audience didn’t even recognize him at first. 

Never had Danny looked so shredded and cut! Combined with his amazing proportions and symmetry, he looked like perfection. 

The contest was extremely competitive with bodybuilders like Tom Platz and Roy Callender also achieving their lifetime best condition for this Mr. Olympia contest. Chris Dickerson was also competing again, looking slightly off the excellent shape he displayed one year earlier in Sydney, Australia.

The Results

As for Franco, his upper body was amazing with his characteristic thickness and hardness. His legs were a different story; woefully out of proportion to that superb upper-body definition. 

Franco had severely hurt his left knee during an accident at the World’s Strongest Man contest. That injury had left him with a leg that just did not match the rest of his physique. Most people in the audience had Franco in fifth place.

In one of the most controversial Mr. Olympia contests ever, Franco Columbu did go on to win the 1981 Olympia. 

Danny, to the shock of the fans, was unfairly placed fifth. As soon as they announced Padilla in fifth place, the crowd erupted into boos and jeers for the judges. 

The booing continued unabated all the way until Franco was announced in first place. Rick Wayne, the excellent writer for Muscle and Fitness magazine, declared it “the world’s loudest booing contest.”

Life After 1981

Danny went on to have an accomplished career with the IFBB, finally retiring from competition in 2000. The fans loved Danny’s physique with the perfect combination of mass, symmetry, and proportion. 

Although Danny never won the coveted Mr. Olympia title, he will forever be remembered for that amazing condition he achieved in 1981. Even more for the fun and enjoyment, he brought to the fans of bodybuilding throughout his impressive career. 

Are you someone who has followed or looked up to Danny’s career? There are many who can identify with the frustrations of limitations or politics. Please share your thoughts below!