Michael Kefalianos, first name also spelt Michalis and Mihalis, is a Greek bodybuilder with Greek and Australian dual citizenship who is an International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) professional bodybuilder. He is widely considered to be the best Greek bodybuilder. In 2009 at the IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix he placed fourth and became the first Greek bodybuilder to ever qualify for the Mr. Olympia competition, which is held in Las Vegas once a year in September. He has since competed in more than 35 professional bodybuilding shows, with his career highlight the 2012 Mr. Europe win in Madrid, Spain.

Life, training, and amateur career

He was born on the island of Kos in 1971. After compulsory Greek Army service he started bodybuilding at 20 years of age. He lived in Adelaide, Australia for four years with his Greek Australian wife Helen, daughter of immigrants from Kos, and they have four children. He returned to Kos with his family. Between 1998 and 2007 Michael was a regular winner of the Mr. Aegean and Mr. Hellas competitions. He now owns Olympian Gym Kos on Kos Island Greece where he still lives and has retired from competitive bodybuilding.

IFBB Pro bodybuilder

On 22 November 2008 he came first in the International North German Championship in Hamburg and earned his IFBB pro card by defeating other bodybuilders who had already earned their IFBB pro cards.

Participation at Mr. Olympia

He qualified for Mr. Olympia on his IFBB pro debut at the 2009 IFBB Australia Grand Prix. He participated and ranked joint 16th in the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest in September 2009 for Australia. He participated in 2010 Mr. Olympia contest but was not placed. He qualified for 2011 Mr. Olympia at the 2011 IFBB Australia Grand Prix. The 2012 season started with Michael's invitation to his first Arnold Classic in Ohio, where he placed 9th. In March 2012 he placed 2nd to Branch Warren at the Australian Grand Prix and qualified for his 3rd Mr. Olympia. The highlight of his career came on 28 April 2012, in Madrid, Spain where Michael won his first professional bodybuilding competition, the 2012 Mr. Europe Pro.

Competitive history

Amateur career

Pro career

Sponsorship history