Strength & Health, Page 26, November 1948

John Grimek, "Mr. Universe", Comments

WINNING the recent "Mr. Universe" contest in London has been an ambition come through. It was, actually, the first time I ever had the opportunity to enter international competition. Several years before I made inquiries to compete in an international event but was not permitted. The London event, therefore, gave me the opportunity I was seeking.

In past years the title of "world's best developed man" was bestowed on me by many physical culture experts and writers, but as I never fully justified the winning of this title in international competition, there was much to be desired on my part. However, titles are of little concern to me and I personally never resort to their use if I can help it. Still there are some people who have, in recent months, tried everything to discredit me, but all that distorted ballyhoo gives me a laugh. This international London event was a test for me and how I would cope with the situation remained to be seen. I made no premature prophecies in spite of numerous people assuring me of certain victory. Naturally I was pleased by this great support but did not realize its magnitude until I appeared on the stage of the Scala Theatre in London. Very few places indeed ever contained a more enthusiastic audience. I recall when leaving the theatre after the afternoon session, the backstage manager, stranger to me, extended his hand and said: "You'll win this contest, if not those people out there will tear down this theatre!" This came as a surprise to me but I was pleased.

Let's go back a little when our own "Mr. America" contest made its first appearance in 1939, but it wasn't until 1940 when the A.A.U. undertook to sponsor this event annually. Now others seeking to cash in on this event are running their own phoney Mr. America contests. Good names for titles must be scarce for them!

Actually I was never officially entered in the 1940 contest but only in the lifting event. However I failed to make the 181 pound class because I was little over the limit. Most of the officials who staged this affair thought I should enter the Mr. America and after some discussion I agreed, appearing in the preliminaries that afternoon and winning the "best developed arms" trophy. This was the only subdivision I entered. At dinner that evening, genial Gregory George and I made some bets as to "who would beat who" were I to lift as heavy. By this decision Greg placed one man farther back in the runner-ups.

The Mr. America contest that year was one of the best and most successful ever held with contestants numbering in excess of 70. A publicity man handled this end of the job with world-wide publicity as a result, before and after the contest. Much credit must be given to the hard-working men of the Metropolitan area for doing such a grand job. But winning that year and the following one still did not justify the title of World's Best Built Man to me...I was still eager for international competition but found none available.

Bob Hoffman in bidding for the 1947 World's Weightlifting championships in Paris, 1946, also tried to sell the idea an international physique contest might prove an incentive to people. Permission was granted by the International Body to see how successful such an event might prove. In September 1947, therefore, the first Mr. Universe contest was staged in Philadelphia as part of the World's Weightlifting Championships.

When plans for the first Mr. Universe contest were being made I did not place my entry, feeling certain something would turn up to prevent my taking part. My premonition was verified. Several days before the contest I was informed of my suspension due to professional charges. Sounded silly, but rather than stir up ill feelings I was content to stay out. Stanko winning this event gave me just cause to be elated, just as anyone else who wins some special award justly. Winning some awards justifies the hours of hard training that so many do, but feel it's worth the effort.

Missing a chance to compete in this first international gathering was a blow, but because it was held in this country I didn't mind too much. abandoned all hopes of participation again.

I retired from physique competition after the "Most Muscular Physique" contest in Philadelphia, 1946, when I abdicated and presented trophy and title to runner-up, Steve Stanko. here again the "oppositionists" thought they could snag some cheap publicity by playing another man for a sucker, and because he proved gullible enough he allowed himself to become the target. Now "his friends" deserted him because they failed to reap the publicity they sought. At the moment they are using one or two others to derive publicity with their attacks. They themselves lack the necessary qualification so use others as their missiles.

Although I retired from physique contests, mainly because nothing legitimate was open to me. I was still somewhat active in lifting and looked for a chance to try-out for the Olympic team. This ambition was promptly squashed by former charges of professionalism, so hope for any competition was abandoned. Meanwhile, because of the Olympic Games, Health & Strength magazine of London was quick to seize the grand opportunity on hand to stage the second Mr. Universe competition, allowing amateurs and professionals alike to enter. Elaborate plans were made and the entire affair was exceedingly well put over although somewhat different from the manner we hold them. These events start in the morning with preliminaries and end only when the final winner is announced.

It must be admitted the English are a thorough people and no detail is too small nor too large for them to take into consideration when planning such an event. This contest was by far one of the best attempted even though the theatre in which it was held proved far inadequate for the number of people who came to see it. Sixteen different nations were represented in this contest, proving the organizers worked hard and long to make this event successful, and should be complimented for their excellent work.

London has always been a cradle for settling disputes or vying for supremacy. Many famous strongmen made their debut there and, to this day, London still boasts many famous strength celebrities. So the thought of going to London intrigued me. I felt it would be an honor to take part in an international contest and be judged by men whose athletic ability and vast experience would preside over any prejudice.

Six international qualified judges, men of high repute and athletic experience, were selected to officiate at this competition. Bob Hoffman was asked, months before the event took place, to serve as judge and accepted this honor. Later, however (while in London), when it was known that another American, Steve Reeves, was an entrant, Bob, to eliminate any criticism by the "oppositionists", withdrew his acceptance as judge. The organizers didn't feel this was right as they felt Bob was sufficiently qualified to serve in that capacity, but understood his predicament and accepted his resignation regretfully. Friends Van Cleef and Terpak were then asked to officiate in Bob's behalf, but each declined for similar reasons. I was pleased by this decision because I knew each of these men would be "put on the spot" in the event I was chosen winner, although one man certainly cannot influence five others! Yet there seem to be some who continually imply as much. Capable George Greenwood was elected to take Bob's place after considerable thought.

The thought of going to London was still just a thought. For some months I'd been plagued with hard luck and setbacks in one form or another which prevented me from carrying out any previous plans I had arranged. But another publication, who claims big things, seems to take great delight in issuing distorted statements. The true facts were known to them but they preferred to ignore them for their benefits. There isn't a prize big enough in this world to lure me away from my family in time of their need, and disparaging or distorted comments cannot replace actual facts!

Eventually much of this hard luck streak began to let up and my going to London seemed quite definite. Although my entry form made the deadline I made it known I did not wish my arrival be announced until I set foot on English soil I realized the organizers were anxious to publicize me as an entrant, but even at this date I wasn't definitely sure of going. No premature announcement regarding my entry was made until I actually arrived in London. This fact was appreciated more than I can express.

It wasn't until after the final Olympic tryouts in N.Y. my going was certain, but still did not make any reservations until after the Olympic athletes sailed for England. Once certain nothing would prevent my going, I set to work and reserved passage on the fasted available plane. With aid from various sources and our congressman, my passport and other details were speedily arranged. Less than a week later I boarded the plane and landed in that great city of London.

To represent America in this contest was my first ambition, but I had two other reasons besides. first, many people in England have been reading about me for numerous years but never had the opportunity to see me, thus placing me in the "myth" category. My second reason was that certain individuals were issuing disparaging statements that I was sorely out of physical conditions (?) and was too old (?) for such competition, implying this was the reason why I stayed away from the shows where I was scheduled to appear. They further tried to create the impression that all our men win titles only in New York and Philadelphia, where our organization dominates.

Consider these fact and you will know what I refer to. In 1940 the "muscle men" were concentrated in the east, consequently such events were held where they would prove more successful. As mentioned before, the 1940 contest had over 70 contestants. In 1941 there were still approximately 68 competing in Philadelphia...yet the following year, after I was barred from this competition, the total number of entries dropped to 13! In succeeding contests the entry list rarely exceeded 25 and often much less. What's more, in case these men are not informed, Jules Bacon won his title in Los Angeles the following year, 1943, and Stanko came through to to win the 1944 contest in Chattanooga, Tenn. So where do such phoney claims come in?

From the beginning, almost 17 years ago, we did everything to boost this game of weightlifting and bodybuilding. Every week most of us were driving thousands of miles to put on exhibitions to familiarize people with the benefits of weight training. What other organization does this? Even if they wanted to they haven't the men "on hand" to do this. In print, perhaps, but none available. The very men they claim have been associated with us at some time, but we cannot make everybody "associate editors" just so their name appears in print. These men need the publicity and therefor find no fault by having their names used. We don't either, except when distorted impressions are created with the real culprit hiding behind another's name. No one would travel year in and year out as we have done to acquaint people with this game unless he were sincere. We traveled because we wanted to make more people health and exercise conscious. Now many years later all of us have families and cannot afford to be away every week as we did before, but we still go away on trips. Sooner or later true facts will prevail and J.E.W. will reap the distorted stories he sowed!

The fact that I could make the trip to London to achieve my ambition was gratifying. Never at any time was I concerned about who would win or where I would be placed. That didn't interest me too much. I was concerned, however, whether I would come up to the expectation of the people. Correspondence coming in from that country now seems to indicate I did and this is more gratifying than any prizes or trophies I could win.

Before going I didn't know what to expect in England. I wondered just how I would fit into the picture. I was told that Britishers do not like heavily muscled physiques. There ideal was more along slender lines with prominent abdominals and other proportions very mediocre. This mad em curious and more anxious to enter this contest because one thing kept revolving in my mind; if they preferred this type of physique, why then was there such a demand to publish my pictures in that country? How come, last year when a questionnaire was submitted to the ten finalists in the annual British Men's Excellence contest sponsored by Health & Strength magazine there, one of the questions was: Who is your Physical Culture Ideal? 7 out of 10 men chose me! When D. G. Johnson, editor of this journal and organizer of this contest sent me this report, I was very flattered. I felt my acquaintances knew nothing of the advice given me and I was determined to find out myself. My chief concern was whether I could live up to all the great things previously said about me. The only way I could accomplish this, I thought, was to pull a "superman" and come on the stage flying. A few days in London, however, convinced me I was wrong about this and found the British public very appreciative.

During my sojourn there I came in contact with many people. Old timers who were still active and well preserved physically. Fine up-and-coming built men and numerous real dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts. Countless numbers asked me my "secret" for building muscle, and when I explained that hard work was the real secret, they expressed their thanks and vowed they would return to their task and work harder than ever. The Britisher is more thorough than we are in many ways. He may take longer to get started, but once he gets going there is little chance of his slowing up until he reaches his objective. Food conditions still exist there and we marvelled how well they do succeed in spite of this. This Olympic Games served as a great incentive to these people and they will be an improved nation by the time the net Games roll around.

Before flying to London I trained quite regularly with intentions of taking off bodyweight. Weighing well in excess of 200 pounds, I felt it wise not to exceed 195 for the Mr. Universe competition. While doing this I forgot to take into consideration the restricted diet available to visitors, consequently the day of the great event saw me weight much less than I expected. Fortunately I do not lose too rapidly in body fullness even when my bodyweight drops. however when I retain a "dehydrated" condition for several weeks, my whole physical structure shrinks.

Lack of food and sleep caused me to lose additional weight there. I couldn't sleep because I was too hungry. Being accustomed to enjoy a "snack" before retiring, I found most of the eating places in London "pull in their sidewalks" after a certain hour. Of course many newly founded friends were only too anxious to provide me with meals, but I knew if they would use their rations on me, they themselves will go hungry later. I refused and preferred to remain hungry. My hip bones seemed to grow more prominently each day. My mid-section grew thinner, I was afraid to perform a full vacuum for fear the abdominal wall would stick to my vertebrae. My stomach shrunk considerably. When I was lucky to get in the Olympic Village in time for meals, I would get overstuffed on a quantity which previously took two to three portions to satisfy me. For this reason I cancelled plan reservations and arranged to come back by boat with the other Olympic athletes as I knew I would get all the food I wanted and sleep to my heart's content. On board ship my bodyweight quickly increased by this additional food, but it took a little "practice" before I could consume large meals as some of the others at our table.

Those of you who read last month's report about this contest by George Walsh, chairman of the judges, may have noticed his remark how listless I appeared in my posing. This was done purposely. I didn't want to pose with any great vigor as I normally do which I thought my create unfavorable comment. I knew this would be an all-day session, consequently when my competitors were running out of poses I would still be able to continue without any difficultly. Each of us were limited to four poses and I tried to abide by these rules even though shouts from the audience for more poses had to be ignored at that time. In the finals, however, each contestant was allowed three minutes to do whatever poses or agility he cared to demonstrate. I did more posing and muscle control this time, finishing with a split, handstand and rollover to cover the time limit imposed. I also learned in last month's article that even before this finale took place the winner was already chosen...this demonstration was only an added exhibition to close one of the best contests ever staged. So this act didn't win the contest for me.

At the empress hall during the Olympic lifting many people kept asking whether I would do muscle control at this show. I felt a bit uneasy over this because England has produced and witnessed phenomenal muscle control by such athlete as Maxick, Monte Saldo, Allen Mead and others who were masters in this art. I couldn't hope to equal or surpass any of these men, but the audience cheered vociferously by this exhibition and I could feel a warm sensation tingling through my spine as I returned for an encore. I was grateful for this support as it proved I did not disappoint the people who expected great things. I managed to express part of my feelings over the sound system for this rousing welcome.

As soon as I was announced the winner, everybody seemed to extend warm congratulations and hand shaking became furious for a time. Each and every judge and many of the contestants shook hands with me with a warmth I shall always remember. Hackenschmidt, genial strongman and former world's wrestling champ, told me right after many pictures were taken - "Grimek, you have won the greatest honor you can ever win. Give up this competition and continue to inspire all the youth of the world with your marvelous physique and your great teachings." This statement coming from such a celebrated personality, one of my idols for many years, was indeed thrilling, and as I returned my thanks, I promised I would.

No greater honor can be bestowed on any man than this compliment by George Hackenschmidt, and that enthusiastical throng that packed the Scala Theatre on Friday, August 13th, will for ever live in my memory, a fitting climax for any man! Who wants anything more?

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