Who is the ‘diamond guy’ on The Block? Mystery bidder dripping in jewels is revealed as a gym owner who was almost shot dead – as speculation grows about who will replace Adrian Portelli
As I delve into the captivating tale of this Melbourne-based gym owner, I can’t help but be struck by his resilience and determination. This man, who goes by the name of Solomos, has weathered storms that would have sunk a lesser soul.
The identity of a mystery bidder attempting to snap up Courtney and Grant’s house during Sunday night’s The Block finale has been revealed amid speculation about who will replace Adrian Portelli on the program.
On Sunday evening, billionaire Adrian astonished viewers as he quickly purchased every one of the five properties available in The Block’s finale, with a grand total cost of $15,030,000.
After the milestone feat, he then confirmed he won’t be returning to The Block next year.
It’s been disclosed that Nikolaos Solomos, a Melbourne gym owner who previously came close to being fatally shot, was the individual participating in an auction with Portelli on Sunday evening, as reported by Courtney and Grant.
In the thrill of the moment, I couldn’t help but wonder aloud if the dynamic duo recognized the enigmatic figure adorned in a cascade of silver chains, affectionately known as ‘the diamond guy’, who was making waves at the recent auction.
‘Who is the guy with all the diamonds and all the jewellery? Diamond guy,’ he asked.
Courtney and Grant admitted they didn’t recognize him, but still extended a warm invitation for him to purchase the house. However, it was Portelli who ended up buying the property for $3.3 million in the end.
During the intense bidding competition, it was noticeable that Solomos was positioned right beside Portelli, sparking rumors that he might take over as the bidder since the latter seems to be leaving.
As a seasoned lifestyle advisor, I’m proud to share my journey as the founder of the dynamic family enterprise, Derrimut 24:7 gyms. Spanning numerous locations across Victoria and South Australia, our gym network is more than just a fitness hub – it’s a community that thrives on wellness and vitality. At the ripe age of 41, I’ve had the privilege to guide this family-run business towards success, fostering healthier lifestyles for countless individuals along the way.
By the year 2030, this determined business owner aims to expand his gym network to include approximately 300 locations, both within Australia and across international borders. Currently, he already manages a impressive 27 gyms right here in Australia.
Nonetheless, it’s widely recognized that his expansive fitness empire gained significant notoriety through partnerships, particularly with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Terminator star, who traveled to Australia to support the enterprise’s promotion.
In 2013, Arnold Schwarzenegger made a memorable appearance at the Ravenhall gym’s branch, where he interacted with around 1,400 enthusiastic bodybuilding admirers during a fan event, which was one stop on his speaking tour.
Besides building a thriving fitness empire, Solomos was also featured prominently in news outlets in June 2015 due to his survival of an assassination attempt.
As I recall, an individual wearing a balaclava approached me in my driveway, and moments later, two gunshots pierced my car window, as reported at that time.
In a close call, the shots barely hit their mark as he was able to evade serious harm, only sustaining minor wounds from the broken fragments of glass after that.
Speaking at a recent press conference regarding an ongoing investigation, I made it clear that I do not hold any known adversaries nor do I carry any outstanding debts – ensuring everyone present that my lifestyle is free of such complications.
In an instant, the event unfolded. Before I could even spot the individual wearing a ski mask, it had already passed the point of intervention – the gunshots had already been discharged, as he recounted to the Herald Sun later on.
A few weeks following the shooting incident, the bomb disposal team was summoned to the residence of the gym owner in Burnside, due to a suspicious device found on his vehicle.
Law enforcement officials responded to the location, and nearby residences were emptied following the discovery of an object under his vehicle. This item turned out to be non-explosive and believed to function as a tracking device.
In the subsequent year, during June 2016, the individual was indicted for the attempted assassination, stalking, and installing a tracking system in his Chrysler 300C.
Last October 2021, his fitness empire found itself back in the news after a man armed with a hammer inflicted approximately $500,000 worth of destruction at three gyms located in the northwestern part of Melbourne.
The man arrived at Derrimut 24:7 gym at around 1am on October 20 on a motorbike before breaking into the gym while wearing the business’ branded merchandise.
Back in the day, I couldn’t contain my fervor any longer; I found myself wielding a hammer with unbridled passion, systematically reducing the gym’s cardio equipment to rubble and shattering an astounding 220 mirrors adorning the walls, as per contemporary accounts.
In that moment, Solomos referred to the destruction as a “Category Five Tornado.” He further expressed his astonishment, stating: ” Frankly, I didn’t believe it was within human capacity to cause such extensive damage to this location.
The vandal went on to break into another two gyms in Derrimut and Coolaroo, smashing 700 mirrors and causing more than $500,000 worth of damage.
Since the unfortunate incident of vandalism, the branch has bounced back vigorously. Solomos regularly showcases his flourishing enterprise on both his personal and professional Instagram accounts.
Beyond managing his thriving fitness business, Solomos is personally passionate about fitness too. He boasts a rich history in both football and bodybuilding.
Lately, he’s delved into boxing too, participating in the professional and star-studded fight night event titled “Only Hands” on October 23, 2022, held at Melbourne Pavilion.
It seems he’s shifting his professional path towards real estate, following his appearance as a secret buyer on The Block. This has sparked curiosity about his potential future role in the series.
Despite Portelli acquiring all five properties, leaving Solomos without any, there’s been a lot of discussion about who might take over as the new top contender.
According to Portelli, he will not be back for another season on The Block after his remarkable purchases during the final auction on Sunday evening.
He informed 9Entertainment that he believes this is his last year, or perhaps the very last one, implying he intends to retire from whatever activity he’s been engaged in after this.
It seems that Solomos hasn’t shared anything about his quick stint on The Block across his social media platforms, suggesting that this might be something he’s keeping under wraps as a private matter.
In the finale on Sunday, Maddy and Charlotte Harry clinched the title as the youngest champions ever in The Block auction.
In the 2024 series, the newcomer sisters managed to secure a staggering $1.65 million in earnings. This substantial profit was achieved when their home was purchased by Portelli at a price of $3.5 million.
Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also took home an extra $100,000 for their monumental victory.
As a devoted admirer, I too made an addition to my collection that very night, acquiring all four more Philip Island properties at a grand total cost of $15,030,000.
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2024-11-11 03:55