Melvin Anthony

Originally from Sacramento, California, Melvin Anthony is a former IFBB Professional bodybuilder. Melvin had a tough childhood, growing up in the lower-middle class neighborhoods of Sacramento and Riverside. He first discovered bodybuilding when he was a teenager, and started competing after he hurt his knee in a college football match. Since then, Melvin has sculpted an impressive physique and became recognized as one of the best posers of the modern bodybuilding era, winning many prestigious titles along the way. Melvin Anthony was born in 1973, in Sacramento, California. During his childhood and early teenage years, Melvin had a lot of problems growing up. He was living in a neighborhood with criminals and drug addicts, and said how it was hard to survive at times. According to Melvin, many of his neighbors would end up being in jail, and later come back from prison in an impressive shape after working out in jail, which fascinated him, and he wanted to look the same. Melvin thought that in order for him to become as muscular as his neighbors, he would need to become a felon and end up in prison, just like them. By the time Melvin turned 18, he managed to build an impressive physique, and because of it, he earn a football scholarship at the San Bernardino Valley College. He had a lot of experience with weights, but had no knowledge when it came to football. However, it still interested him and he decided to give it a try. During one of his last football matches for college, Melvin injured his knee, which gave him one more reason to stop playing the sport. After he recovered, Melvin continued with his normal weightlifting regimen and quickly regained his lost muscle mass. By the time he finished college, Melvin started looking into competing as he already had an impressive physique, worthy of the stage. He soon participated in his first local show, and continued to train and compete in other amateur shows afterwards, It was at this point he realized bodybuilding was his passion, and he wanted to make it his full-time job. According to Melvin, it was at that point that he started working harder than ever, wanting to get hold of a major title and eventually, get his Pro card. His first major result came in 1993, where he took home 3rd place at the Musclemania Show. After winning the Musclemania, Melvin continued competing in regional and local shows, taking a break from the big stage for 5 years. During that time, he was preparing to bring his best version and in the hope of winning his Pro card. He came back to the stage in 1998, taking part in the 1998 NPC USA Championships, Super-Heavyweight category, where he came in 2nd place, failing to win the show and earn the Pro card. However, one year later Melvin competed at the same show, this time taking home 1st place in both his category and overall, and finally getting his Pro card. Some of his most significant achievements during that period were in 2008 Atlantic City Pro, where he placed 2nd at the 2008 Australian Pro Grand Prix, and lastly, before his retirement, coming in 6th place at the 2008 Mr. Olympia. With his unique talent, Melvin left the sport as one of the most iconic bodybuilders of the modern era.