About Jim Badra : Jim Badra was born April, 1961 and is a Greek and Jordanian American former professional bodybuilder, businessman, investor, and spokesperson for health and nutrition. Badra competed in bodybuilding and became a Mr. World Champion in 1988. He also featured on the cover of Muscular Development magazine.
Jimmy began weight training at the age of 19. He won the Mr Western USA title at age 24 and went on to win the Mr. World and became Bodybuilder of the Year in 1988. Badra remains active in the bodybuilding world and gives seminars on nutrition and health around the world.
Being a foreigner in middle America, Jim Badra was inspired to become a body builder due to bullying and the cultural separation of being a foreigner in a white American school. It was observed that Top Bodybuilder gained the respect and admiration of Americans. As a foreigner trying to fit in, Badra saw his opportunity of being a great American through bodybuilding. This venture became a family affair according to the Article “Body Builder’s quest for fame and glory is a family affair”.
At age 19, Jim started lifting heavy weights. He devoted himself to becoming a World Champion Bodybuilder, after gaining recognitions from some prestigious amateur bodybuilding contest. In 1984, He won the heavyweight division at the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding in Anaheim. His amateur bodybuilding titles include 1985 Gold’s Classic in Reno, Nev. the 1985 Super Boal of Bodybuilding in San Jose, and Mr. Western USA in Alameda.
After competing in the Mr America contest, Badra turned professional and set his eyes on winning the biggest of all bodybuilding contests Mr. Olympia. Jim lived and trained in Northern California. Laura Dayton, journalist for Muscular Development, states “I’ve known him since his Mr. World win. He is a Hard trainer, a superior physique athlete and more importantly, a hell of a nice guy with a genuinely positive attitude about the sport, it’s future and his role in that future.” she goes on to say “Jim is soft-spoken in an interview, but he has mastered bringing excitement and his unique charisma to the stage.”
Competitive history
1984 Superbowl of Bodybuilding IV – Heavyweight Winner
1985 Superbowl of Bodybuilding – Heavyweight Winner
1985 Gold’s Classic – Heavyweight Winner
1985 Mr. Western U.S.A – Heavyweight Winner (with Most Muscular, Most Symmetrical)
1986 California Gold Cup – Heavyweight Winner (with Most Muscular)
1988 Mr America Championship – Heavyweight Third Place
1988 Mr Universe Championship – Heavyweight Third Place
1988 Mr World Invitational – Heavyweight Winner
1988 Bodybuilder of the Year – Overall
1989 Mr Universe Championship – Heavyweight Third Place
1989 Mr America Championship – Heavyweight Second Place