After winning the 1981 Mr. Olympia competition, Columbu made a comeback and gave up competing. His strength records included a clean and jerk of 400 pounds (181 kg), a bench press of 525 pounds (238 kg), a squat of 655 pounds (297 kg), and a deadlift of 750 pounds (340 kg). Columbu victory in 1981, Mr. Olympia, was a great accomplishment. When he retired, he held records for the clean and jerk, bench press, squat, and deadlift.