When people claim that Nasser was gh15 it seems based more on a gut feeling. I've never read a cogent argument backed by some evidence to support this claim. People also think Dennis James is gh15 because he lived in Germany and loves sushi. So no one can know for sure who gh15 is but does have a lot of inside knowledge of professional bbing.
Anyway, I wrote my reasons, my opinion, some years ago when asked why I don't think it was Nasser. Again, just my opinion, but it comes from some real-world evidence and experience with gh15.
I suggest Calvinh pass on this one.
I've only managed to skim through this thread but I wanted to address an issue that I am asked about so often and comes up frequently and want to put to rest: Was Nasser gh15?
Most people who believe that gh15 was Nasser do so mostly out of a gut feeling. As for me, and this is just my opinion, it's not based on a gut feeling but from my experience with gh15.
I read gh15's very first post on GetBig the day he made it. He came to that board initially to comment on the Craig Titus/Kelly Ryan murder case. Both whom he always referred to as "the murderer and his ugly wife." He did this not only to be funny. There was a specific reason, a religious-based one, that will become apparent later.
And as a mod on his board, I've known and communicated with gh15 for a very, very long time since day one of his appearances and have read every single one of his tens and thousands of posts.
I don't believe he was Nasser and here's why.
First off, I wish it was Nasser if only to shut up the people that think gh15 was an idiot. gh15 is a very smart and well-informed individual. And if anybody knew Nasser it would not be a stretch to say that he was the most intelligent bodybuilder that ever lived. The guy was a genius.
On GetBig there was a group of rabid Nasser fans that called themselves "Team Nasser" led by Sherief Shalaby and Big Bobs (who use to post here as well). Both Sherief and Bobs were actually friends in real life with Nasser and got together socially. Sherief was with him at a gym in Egypt the day before Nasser died.
Now, gh15 absolutely hated and despise this one guy on the GetBig board named Alex, also known as "FatAlex" by his detractors and "The King" by his fans. I never had a problem with Alex and he just seemed like a guy who just liked to have fun but many took it the wrong way. I considered Alex an exceptionally intelligent guy.
Then pictures and posts started surfacing which showed Alex, Bobs and Nasser hanging out. Having lunch, going to Nasser's house, goofing around. I'm not sure what part of Cali that Bobs lived but Alex was more Northern Ca and, or course, Nasser was in San Diego.
Now gh15 made no secret of being a big fan of "the beautiful man with glasses" as he always referred to Nasser so it infuriated him to see "FatAlex" chumming around with Nasser. He contacted me (this is when he was still on GetBig), as he knew I was a big fan of Team Nasser and always defended them since they were bashed continuously on the GetBig board. He wanted to know how the hell Alex got into Nasser's inner circle. I contacted Bobs and Sherief and Bob told me that, purely by coincidence, Alex was dating his (Bob's) sister. Bob and Alex didn't know each other personally and Bob didn't know that the Alex dating his sister was also the same Alex from GetBig. Alex would eventually marry Bob's sister so they became brother-in-laws. Small world.
So it seems unlikely that Nasser would contact me to inquire why Alex was hanging around with him.
But, you say, Nasser sold the gh15 to someone else who went and started the gh15 board. Well, anything is possible I guess. But when rumors started circulating about Nasser's death again gh15 contacted to me to get in touch with Sherief, as gh15 knew Sherief lived in Egypt and would meet with Nasser at some point. He wanted me to confirm that Nasser's death wasn't a rumor before he made an announcement and commentary on his passing on his board.
Again it would seem unlikely that someone who had business dealings with Nasser wouldn't have his own contacts to confirm Nasser's passing.
Another fact, one that is most overlooked by seemingly everybody and one of the most important aspects that bonded me to gh15 was that gh15 was an unapologetic Zionist. There is no one in bodybuilding that is more outspoken in support of Israel existing as an independent State and the support of the Jewish people as gh15. No one was more knowledgeable about Jewish history, Jewish leaders past and present, and the traditions and practices of Judaism. Was gh15 a Jew or a practicing Jew? I don't know for sure. But neither am I and I share his passion for the Jewish people. In Christianity Jews are special people. They are the Chosen Ones though many misunderstand what that means.
Remember Ron Goldman, the father of the son the O.J murdered? Remember he never referred to O.J. as "O.J."? He always referred to him as "the murderer". That is a Jewish practice, though somewhat recent. If you notice when reading something written by an observant Jew (The Jewish World Review) that they never write the name "God" it's always "G_d". For a Jew, when referring to God they use the name in a different context. In Ex. 3:13-22: When Moses asks God what His "name" is. Moses is not asking "what should I call you;" rather, he is asking "who are you; what are you like; what have you done?"
So it's kind of a play on that that many Jews use in certain special circumstance. O.J. is simply "the murderer". Craig and Kelly are simply "the murdered and his ugly wife." Nasser, is "the beautiful man with glasses."
Why does it matter that gh15 is either a Jew and/or an unabashed supporter of Jews?
Because Nasser was a Muslim. Now it can be argued that he wasn't a true Muslim as he didn't follow their practices to the letter, if at all, during most of his adult life. But both his parents were Muslims, he was raised a Muslim, and the Muslims claimed him as their own. It has been confirmed that later in life Nasser attended Jumuah and professed shahadah. As happens to so many of us when we get older our perspective on life changes and perhaps Nasser was getting back to his old religious upbringing. God takes on a greater significance as you get older and the prospect of death takes a more urgent tone.
And though there was some real questions regarding the cause of death, no autopsy was done as it is a Muslim tradition that the deceased be buried ASAP (in Nasser's case, the very next day), and Nasser was buried with a Muslim ceremony.
I don't think I need to explain the incongruity of a Muslim preaching Zionism and celebrating Jewish holidays and traditions since day one. Since his very first arrival on GetBig.
Again, this is just my opinion but it is based on real evidence and my long experience with gh15. Take it for what it's worth. Again, just my opinion.