Andreas Munzer
Encyclopedia
Andreas Münzer was an Austria
n professional bodybuilder
renowned for his extremely low bodyfat levels and early death. Münzer appeared in Flex
twice and Muscle Magazine International once.
. Münzer attempted to imitate Schwarzenegger, eventually meeting his hero at the Arnold Classic
competition in 1996.
While competing, he used a variety of ergogenic aids including large amounts of potassium-sparing diuretic
s, possibly leading to his death in 1996.
The autopsy gave the cause of death as dystrophic multiple-organ-failure. Some of the specific autopsy findings:
Münzer's electrolytes were also completely out of balance, and his potassium levels were extremely high. Traces of about twenty different drugs were found, along with acute toxicity (perhaps caused by a stimulant).
Schwarzenegger sent a wreath to Munzer's funeral in Styria, with the message 'A last greeting to a friend.'
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n professional bodybuilder
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
renowned for his extremely low bodyfat levels and early death. Münzer appeared in Flex
FLEX (magazine)
Flex is an American bodybuilding magazine, published by American Media, Inc.-History:Founded in 1983 by Joe Weider, local versions are now published throughout the world, in countries such as the UK and Australia.The premier issue was dated April 1983, and featured Chris Dickerson on the cover...
twice and Muscle Magazine International once.
Background
Münzer was an admirer of fellow Austrian bodybuilder Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
. Münzer attempted to imitate Schwarzenegger, eventually meeting his hero at the Arnold Classic
Arnold Classic
The Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
competition in 1996.
While competing, he used a variety of ergogenic aids including large amounts of potassium-sparing diuretic
Diuretic
A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way.- Medical uses :...
s, possibly leading to his death in 1996.
Death
After months of stomach pain, Münzer was admitted to hospital on the morning of March 12. By 7pm, doctors had decided to operate to stop bleeding from his stomach, but shortly afterwards his liver and then kidneys failed. His condition by this point was too severe for a blood transfusion—he died on the morning of March 14, aged 31.The autopsy gave the cause of death as dystrophic multiple-organ-failure. Some of the specific autopsy findings:
- An extremely muscular physique, with an almost complete absence of subcutaneous fat
- Affecting the liver were numerous table-tennis-ball-sized tumors, typical for doping; half the liver consisted simply of a crumbly mass, similar to polystyrene (Styrofoam)
- Diminutive testes
- Cardiac hypertrophyMuscle hypertrophyMuscle hypertrophy is an increase in the size of muscle cells. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.-Hypertrophy stimuli:A range of stimuli can increase the volume of muscle cells...
(Münzer's heart weighed 636g; a normal man's heart usually weighs 300–350gHeartThe heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
)
Münzer's electrolytes were also completely out of balance, and his potassium levels were extremely high. Traces of about twenty different drugs were found, along with acute toxicity (perhaps caused by a stimulant).
Schwarzenegger sent a wreath to Munzer's funeral in Styria, with the message 'A last greeting to a friend.'
Competitive stats
- Weight: 238 lbs (108 kg)
- Arms: 21 inch (53 cm)
- Chest: 58 inch (147 cm)
Competition history
- 1986 European Amateur Championships MiddleWeight, 6th
- 1987 World Amateur Championships Light-HeavyWeight, 3rd
- 1988 World Amateur Championships Light-HeavyWeight, 3rd
- 1989 Mr. OlympiaMr. OlympiaMr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international bodybuilding competition that is held annually by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness . Joe Weider created the contest to enable the...
13th - 1989 World Games HeavyWeight, 1st
- 1990 Arnold ClassicArnold ClassicThe Arnold Classic, renamed Arnold Fitness Weekend, is an annual bodybuilding competition, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. It takes place in late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, United States.-History:...
3rd - 1990 Grand Prix Germany 3rd
- 1990 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1991 Arnold Classic 9th
- 1991 Ironman Pro InvitationalIronman Pro InvitationalThe Ironman Pro Invitational is a IFBB bodybuilding contest held every year. It began in 1990 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
3rd - 1991 Mr. Olympia Did not place
- 1991 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 4th
- 1993 Arnold Classic 7th
- 1993 Grand Prix Germany (2) 2nd
- 1993 Grand Prix Germany 4th
- 1993 Night of ChampionsNight of ChampionsNight of Champions is a bodybuilding contest held every year in New York City, USA. It began in 1978 and is considered one of the top professional bodybuilding events, with the top five finalists qualifying for the Mr. Olympia contest....
2nd - 1993 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1994 Arnold Classic 5th
- 1994 Grand Prix France 8th
- 1994 Grand Prix Germany (2) 5th
- 1994 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1995 Arnold Classic 4th
- 1996 Arnold Classic 6th
- 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational 7th
See also
- List of male professional bodybuilders
- List of female professional bodybuilders
External links
- Münzer's competition history
- Video of Münzer posing at the 1993 Mr Olympia competition; includes a brief interview
- Andreas Münzer Gallery
- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmcid=46806670&GRid=64746222&
- http://www.hugenasser.com/interview/robson-interviews/part-six/