Sean Connery, the most authentic Bond and the first Bond, left us on October 31, 2020. He was the most iconic 007 of all time, but what you may not know is that he couldn't have been James Bond without bodybuilding. Today let's take a look at former bodybuilding "Mr. Universe" contestant Sean Connery and his love for fitness.

Sean Connery's early life

Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1930 at the age of 90. As a child, he lived a simple life with his parents, who were cleaners and truck drivers. When he was 13, he decided to join the Royal Navy, which would lead to his own abilities and unique character later in life. by the age of 8, he was ready to join the Royal Navy, so he decided to improve his physical fitness through bodybuilding training. With a strong interest in the sport, he finally joined the Royal Navy service three years later and began his professional life. at the age of 21, he joined a gym and began training under the guidance of a British Navy coach. Soon after, he joined the Navy and gained some bodybuilding specialty training, which made him well suited to become a soldier. But unfortunately for Connery, the stress of naval life led to a stomach ulcer and he had to retire from the service. He returned home to Scotland and started doing whatever work he could find. This included polishing coffins, dance lessons and more fitness training.

Sean Connery with "Mr. Universe"

After a few years of working out, he decided to bring himself up to a competitive level. It was then that he set his sights on the "Mr. Universe" competition in London in 1950. Ian Connelly competed in the taller category. He was 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall, weighed 200 pounds (90 kilograms), had a 48-inch (122 centimeters) chest, 25-inch (63.5 centimeters) thighs, and 15.25-inch (38.7 centimeters) arms, numbers that are huge for today's bodybuilding movement. Most reports disputed his performance in the competition, but many said he only finished third. Nonetheless, Sean Connery quickly lost interest in "Mr. Universe," reportedly complaining that the competition for American athletes was too tough for him. Even after all his bodybuilding and training, Connery felt that the Americans had a better chance than he did at challenging for the "Mr. Universe" title.

Sean Connery Becomes James Bond

While Sean Connery was trying to become "Mr. Universe," his talent and physique caught the eye of James Bond's "talent scouts. When he went to London for a competition, he was asked if he would be interested in doing a show that would be his big break into show business. He was given an audition in the South Pacific and succeeded. The frenzy of acting engulfed him at this time. After the audition, he began studying acting and was chosen by Ian Fleming to star in the James Bond series. After that, seven more people played James Bond. But no one will be remembered as much as Sean Connery, who became an eternal classic. You could say he loved working out and bodybuilding, but he didn't become a great bodybuilder, but because of his fitness he started his acting career and became a classic 007.

Goodbye, James Bond

In addition to being the world-famous "Mr. Universe contestant" and James Bond, Connery was knighted by Queen Elizabeth at the age of 70. Twenty years later, it was time to say goodbye to one of the world's most popular Bonds, who died at the age of 90 at his home in the Bahamas, surrounded by his family.

Goodbye, Sean Connery. We will all miss you.