World's strongest boy dubbed 'Little Hercules' lives a very different life 22 years on

The former 'World's Strongest Boy' who was once dubbed the 'Little Hercules' lives a very different life 22 years on from his bodybuilding successes.

Richard Sandrak now looks completely unrecognisable from his younger self, as he gave up the weights all together.

22 years ago, Richard was an eight-year-old with an impressive physique, eight-pack abs and an impressive definition to his arms and legs.

In his youth, he was able to lift three times his bodyweight while using his flexibility to become a master of karate.

And at just 11-years-old, Richard was named 'World's Strongest Boy', but it wasn't all that it was meant to be.

As a result of his training, it was reported that the young weight lifter possessed just one percent of body fat - which is dangerously low.

According to Men's Journal, such low body fat can result in serious health issues such as being prone to serious heart problems, getting sick a lot, and muscles become weaker to the point where you struggle to operate.

Austrian bodybuilder Andreas Munzer, who died over 25 years ago, remains the cautionary tale for any bodybuilders losing body fat.

Inside Edition/ YouTube

He died when he was just 31 years old, with an autopsy revealing he had 0 percent body fat when he passed away.

After a documentary about young Richard was released, his parents received a lot of criticism, with many saying his gruesome training was cruel and unethical for his parents to put him through.

At the time, some medical professionals said that a child of Richard's age wouldn't be capable of producing enough testosterone to get the shape he was in.

They suggested he was using steroids - something which is highly advised against for children - though Richard's mother has continuously denied these claims.

Now a fully grown man, Richard admitted he's no longer interested in bodybuilding.

In an interview with Inside Edition in 2015, Richard said: "I don't lift weights anymore.

"People tried to make seem to be some of freak of nature - there are many kids that have a similar physique.

Inside Edition/ YouTube

"I’m very proud of my past.

"It’s not something I don’t want people to know, it’s just that I’m not going to be stuck living in it."

Richard's career has mixed up a bit since the 'World's Strongest Boy' days, as of 2015, he was working as a stuntman at Universal Studios Hollywood Waterworld show.

The former bodybuilder did admit he still does the occasional cardio exercises to stay in shape.

Topics: Health

Callum Jones

@CallumJ2709