A 270 lb Ray Mentzer in the 80's?

[sikboy]

I heard Ray reached 270 lbs on the 80's on Ironage, if any one has any pics of him at this weight, post them for reps.

[mudbug45]

[sikboy]

LOL, that was in the 90's.

[mudbug45]

LOL, that was in the 90's.

well he looks like he's heavy there !







I tried but just couldn't find a picture!

[steezemcgreazee]

I heard Ray reached 270 lbs on the 80's on Ironage, if any one has any pics of him at this weight, post them for reps.

this who your looking for?

[sikboy]

this who your looking for?

Ya but i dont think he is 270 there though.

[steezemcgreazee]

Ya but i dont think he is 270 there though.

i would really like to see a to-scale picture of one of these pics and a 270lb ronnie or jay to see where Ray stacks up

edit: ill look some more

[mudbug45]

???Sorry I can't find a bigger picture???

[steezemcgreazee]

Ray Mentzer Info
Born: 8/2/53 Died: 6/12/01
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 220 lbs.

Titles Won:
? 1976 Jr. Mr. America (Tall)
? 1978 IFBB Mr. USA
? 1979 AAU Mr. America
Monday morning, June 11, 2001, was a sad day for bodybuilding, Mike Mentzer has passed away June 9th. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him.

To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease.

Both brothers lived in Redondo Beach, and they shared an apartment together. Both brothers had a history of health problems, including heart problems. Mike was 49, Ray was 47.

Although Ray was often thought of as Mike's younger bodybuilder he was a formidable bodybuilder in his own right. His 1979 Mr. America win made him and Mike the only brothers to have won the title. Although he stopped competing in 1982 he continued to train as hard as ever and eventually surpassed Mike in size reaching a then-unheard-of 270 lbs. in the mid-80's!"

i think the 270 was offseason not contest, still huge tho

[mudbug45]

i think the 270 was offseason not contest, still huge tho

he was no longer competing when he reached 270 lbs.... I believe. Still cool to find a pic.

[John Doe X]

I had a brief look at ironage, very few pictures of that time are available let alone posted. The 270 wasn't contest ready. Apparently, Ray was able to do 2 reps with 925 pounds in the squat, and Arthur Jones measured Ray's arm at over 20 inches. Mixed reports about his personality. He was said to be a bit of a loner, some said that he was a gentle and quiet person, others who encountered him said that he was very arrogant and rude. If I come across any I will let you know.

[lina_velez]

I had a brief look at ironage, very few pictures of that time are available let alone posted. The 270 wasn't contest ready. Apparently, Ray was able to do 2 reps with 925 pounds in the squat, and Arthur Jones measured Ray's arm at over 20 inches. Mixed reports about his personality. He was said to be a bit of a loner, some said that he was a gentle and quiet person, others who encountered him said that he was very arrogant and rude. If I come across any I will let you know.

being 'quiet' can often be misinterpreted as being arrogant.

[first_second]

this who your looking for?

???Sorry I can't find a bigger picture???

Come on, he obviously was not 270lbs with low body fat...

[sikboy]

I had a brief look at ironage, very few pictures of that time are available let alone posted. The 270 wasn't contest ready. Apparently, Ray was able to do 2 reps with 925 pounds in the squat, and Arthur Jones measured Ray's arm at over 20 inches. Mixed reports about his personality. He was said to be a bit of a loner, some said that he was a gentle and quiet person, others who encountered him said that he was very arrogant and rude. If I come across any I will let you know.

Im aware that 270 lbs wasnt contest shape, but for the 80's DAMN!

When someone doesnt like a person, or doesnt understand why they are not one of the 'boys' or why they behave differently, certain ppl have been known to make up BS about them.

[u5711]

lol...


another funny thing about that picture is that it's not PHd, but PhD.

[SSK1903]

Im aware that 270 lbs wasnt contest shape, but for the 80's DAMN!

When someone doesnt like a person, or doesnt understand why they are not one of the 'boys' or why they behave differently, certain ppl have been known to make up BS about them.

I remember reading the IA stuff too. He was 270 lbs but with quite a gut as I remember it...

[sikboy]

I remember reading the IA stuff too. He was 270 lbs but with quite a gut as I remember it...

Ya i didnt think he was ripped at that weight but i would like to see him at that weight.

[curt_james]

???Sorry I can't find a bigger picture???

Is that Cory Everson in that pic with Ray?

(adjusts glasses)

No pic of Ray but some trivia for any who might be interested.

I'm from Ray's and Mike's hometown. Our high school had a framed picture of Mike in the lobby. Mike was 1976 IFBB Mr. America and his brother Ray was 1979 AAU Mr. America. When Mike scored the perfect 300 in Acapulco the local paper had a big article with photos. How often do you see bodybuilding in the newspaper?

Ray was a member of the 30-pin club for Ephrata's wrestling team.

Had the pleasure of meeting him at the Ephrata Recreation Center when he visited for the day. I'm an art teacher and have always drawn as a kid. I drew an 11x14 or so picture of Ray with a felt tip marker. Made a hundred copies and asked him to autograph the original. He was gracious and signed it with his name and "Mr. USA". I gave him the photocopies to autograph for his fans. Pretty cool for a teenager to meet a local hero like that.

I probably have his name spelled wrong but I trained at the Ephrata Rec with a man who trained with Mike as a kid. He was an Olympic style lifter and an Ephrata legend as well, Russell Hertzog. He would tell stories of training with Mike and other locals back in the day. HA! Google works.

http://www.ironage.us/guest_edit/mcgough.html

I'm still shocked that they're both gone.

[wala]

Is that Cory Everson in that pic with Ray?

(adjusts glasses)

No pic of Ray but some trivia for any who might be interested.

I'm from Ray's and Mike's hometown. Our high school had a framed picture of Mike in the lobby. Mike was 1976 IFBB Mr. America and his brother Ray was 1979 AAU Mr. America. When Mike scored the perfect 300 in Acapulco the local paper had a big article with photos. How often do you see bodybuilding in the newspaper?

Ray was a member of the 30-pin club for Ephrata's wrestling team.

Had the pleasure of meeting him at the Ephrata Recreation Center when he visited for the day. I'm an art teacher and have always drawn as a kid. I drew an 11x14 or so picture of Ray with a felt tip marker. Made a hundred copies and asked him to autograph the original. He was gracious and signed it with his name and "Mr. USA". I gave him the photocopies to autograph for his fans. Pretty cool for a teenager to meet a local hero like that.

I probably have his name spelled wrong but I trained at the Ephrata Rec with a man who trained with Mike as a kid. He was an Olympic style lifter and an Ephrata legend as well, Russell Hertzog. He would tell stories of training with Mike and other locals back in the day. HA! Google works.

http://www.ironage.us/guest_edit/mcgough.html

I'm still shocked that they're both gone.

Good stuff dude

[sikboy]

Is that Cory Everson in that pic with Ray?

(adjusts glasses)

No pic of Ray but some trivia for any who might be interested.

I'm from Ray's and Mike's hometown. Our high school had a framed picture of Mike in the lobby. Mike was 1976 IFBB Mr. America and his brother Ray was 1979 AAU Mr. America. When Mike scored the perfect 300 in Acapulco the local paper had a big article with photos. How often do you see bodybuilding in the newspaper?

Ray was a member of the 30-pin club for Ephrata's wrestling team.

Had the pleasure of meeting him at the Ephrata Recreation Center when he visited for the day. I'm an art teacher and have always drawn as a kid. I drew an 11x14 or so picture of Ray with a felt tip marker. Made a hundred copies and asked him to autograph the original. He was gracious and signed it with his name and "Mr. USA". I gave him the photocopies to autograph for his fans. Pretty cool for a teenager to meet a local hero like that.

I probably have his name spelled wrong but I trained at the Ephrata Rec with a man who trained with Mike as a kid. He was an Olympic style lifter and an Ephrata legend as well, Russell Hertzog. He would tell stories of training with Mike and other locals back in the day. HA! Google works.

http://www.ironage.us/guest_edit/mcgough.html

I'm still shocked that they're both gone.

Thanks for the link, interesting info regarding the 1980 Mr O especially:

WHO TERMINATED WHOM! That strain and tension came to an electrifying climax at the competitors meeting held the morning of the contest. Fifteen of the 16 athletes had signed a petition asking that the two weight classes be abolished and that the Olympia should henceforth be contested as one open class. The one athlete not in agreement was Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, facts and misconceptions, theories and myths that surrounded the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest, in the interests of this narrative, it's important to understand that Mike Mentzer felt he was cheated in Sydney, and that sinister machinations were afoot. His belief is that certain forces, fueled by ignorance and sycophancy, combined to thrust an undeserving Arnold to first place and relegate him - perceived as owning the best physique in the contest - to a "ridiculous" fifth place.

This is how Mike recalls that fateful day. "There were maybe 50 people at the competitors meeting and, as usual, Arnold wanted to be the center of attention. In every situation, he tries to be the standout, and on this occasion, he was the only athlete of the 16 in the contest who wanted to keep the two weight classes.

"He said something to denigrate Samir Bannout that I thought was uncalled for. I passed on that, feeling Samir should have defended himself. As the debate progressed, there was a lot of arguing between Arnold and some of the guys. I wasn't really concerned one way or the other - I thought I could win anyway. Then Boyer Coe stood up and, as the gentleman he is, said, 'Why don't we let Arnold explain to us right here and now his exact reasons for wanting to have two weight classes?'

"Arnold barked, 'Boyer, let's talk like adults here.' That really irked me, because Boyer made his plea with no hint of malice. In addition, this was the IFBB's event, but here was this big Prussian son of a bitch standing there and trying to walk all over us. I interjected and asked Arnold why he was so reluctant to see the open class introduced.

"For some reason, that question pissed him off. He seemed like a guy out of control as he turned to face me, his upper lip curled around like a snarling animal. We were debating the issue of weight classes, but Arnold chose to snap at me, 'Mike Mentzer, we all know Zane beat you last year because you have a big stomach!'

"I was seated 20 feet away from Arnold, who was standing holding court, and I perhaps allowed that comment to irritate me too much, as on impulse, I bolted toward him. As I approached him, I decided I wouldn't hit him, but nevertheless I was surprised when Arnold sat down: I scared him! He sat as I continued to berate him. Wagging my finger at him, I told him, 'Look, Arnold, Boyer Coe said what he did as a gentleman - he didn't deserve that response. You're the one who's acting like a baby, literally! Arnold couldn't look me in the eye. He went from being a frantic hysterical adolescent to shrinking away like an injured child."

Not for the first time in the history of bodybuilding, Joe Weider stepped in and defused the situation. He advised Arnold to accept the voices of the other 15. The debate ended as Arnold proclaimed, "I withdraw my objection."

DECISION DOWN UNDER "Throughout that meeting, Arnold had on a tight-knit sweater that made him look skinny. I was curious to see what he looked like once he stripped down. When he did, I remember looking at him and thinking, Not only am I going to win this contest, but I'm going to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger as well!

"When I was called fifth, I was totally shocked. It was just a ridiculous placing, made more ridiculous by an out-of-shape Arnold winning. As for the others who finished ahead of me, I knew Frank Zane [third], due to an accident he had sustained four months earlier, wasn't as good as he had been the previous year. I must say that Chris Dickerson [second] and Boyer Coe [fourth] were in phenomenal shape, particularly Chris. I felt he and I were the ones in absolute peak condition, and we should have been the top two.

"The majority of observers at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, with the exception of the judging panel, didn't have Arnold in the top five. The crowd booed Arnold at the contest's conclusion, and there were a number of things that took place during the prejudging that perhaps should have provided an indication that all was not as it should have been.

"Several of the judges were close friends of Arnold. Boyer Coe told me afterwards that he saw Reg Park, one of the judges, actually coaching Arnold from the officials' table. In contrast, Bill Pearl had honorably removed himself from the judging panel, as he had spent time training with Chris Dickerson.

"At times, the contest was like a circus. We had Franco Columbu - one of Arnold's weak-willed nambypamby lackeys - coming onstage with a towel, a comb and oil, to go through a little act with Arnold at the expense of everybody else. I could quote other anomalies, but possibly the most pertinent is that CBS Sports flew halfway around the world to tape the event and then never televised it. The word was that they were convinced it was a fix.

"The record may show Arnold Schwarzenegger as the 1980 Mr. Olympia champion, but he wasn't the best bodybuilder onstage that day - not by a mile."

In the immediate aftermath of the contest, several top names stated they would never compete again. They would later reverse their decisions and return to the contest dais. But even as he was announced fifth, Mike knew he would never compete again: "There was no way I was going to put myself through the same torturous process again for a similar reward. At no point since 1980 have I been even slightly tempted to consider the possibility of competing. I don't miss it."

Of all of its repercussions, it is difficult not to nominate Mike's premature retirement at 29 as being the major consequence of the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest. It effectively denied the sport a view of the physique he could have built in future years.

[iForce Dave]

Thanks for the link, interesting info regarding the 1980 Mr O especially:

WHO TERMINATED WHOM! That strain and tension came to an electrifying climax at the competitors meeting held the morning of the contest. Fifteen of the 16 athletes had signed a petition asking that the two weight classes be abolished and that the Olympia should henceforth be contested as one open class. The one athlete not in agreement was Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, facts and misconceptions, theories and myths that surrounded the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest, in the interests of this narrative, it's important to understand that Mike Mentzer felt he was cheated in Sydney, and that sinister machinations were afoot. His belief is that certain forces, fueled by ignorance and sycophancy, combined to thrust an undeserving Arnold to first place and relegate him - perceived as owning the best physique in the contest - to a "ridiculous" fifth place.

This is how Mike recalls that fateful day. "There were maybe 50 people at the competitors meeting and, as usual, Arnold wanted to be the center of attention. In every situation, he tries to be the standout, and on this occasion, he was the only athlete of the 16 in the contest who wanted to keep the two weight classes.

"He said something to denigrate Samir Bannout that I thought was uncalled for. I passed on that, feeling Samir should have defended himself. As the debate progressed, there was a lot of arguing between Arnold and some of the guys. I wasn't really concerned one way or the other - I thought I could win anyway. Then Boyer Coe stood up and, as the gentleman he is, said, 'Why don't we let Arnold explain to us right here and now his exact reasons for wanting to have two weight classes?'

"Arnold barked, 'Boyer, let's talk like adults here.' That really irked me, because Boyer made his plea with no hint of malice. In addition, this was the IFBB's event, but here was this big Prussian son of a bitch standing there and trying to walk all over us. I interjected and asked Arnold why he was so reluctant to see the open class introduced.

"For some reason, that question pissed him off. He seemed like a guy out of control as he turned to face me, his upper lip curled around like a snarling animal. We were debating the issue of weight classes, but Arnold chose to snap at me, 'Mike Mentzer, we all know Zane beat you last year because you have a big stomach!'

"I was seated 20 feet away from Arnold, who was standing holding court, and I perhaps allowed that comment to irritate me too much, as on impulse, I bolted toward him. As I approached him, I decided I wouldn't hit him, but nevertheless I was surprised when Arnold sat down: I scared him! He sat as I continued to berate him. Wagging my finger at him, I told him, 'Look, Arnold, Boyer Coe said what he did as a gentleman - he didn't deserve that response. You're the one who's acting like a baby, literally! Arnold couldn't look me in the eye. He went from being a frantic hysterical adolescent to shrinking away like an injured child."

Not for the first time in the history of bodybuilding, Joe Weider stepped in and defused the situation. He advised Arnold to accept the voices of the other 15. The debate ended as Arnold proclaimed, "I withdraw my objection."

DECISION DOWN UNDER "Throughout that meeting, Arnold had on a tight-knit sweater that made him look skinny. I was curious to see what he looked like once he stripped down. When he did, I remember looking at him and thinking, Not only am I going to win this contest, but I'm going to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger as well!

"When I was called fifth, I was totally shocked. It was just a ridiculous placing, made more ridiculous by an out-of-shape Arnold winning. As for the others who finished ahead of me, I knew Frank Zane [third], due to an accident he had sustained four months earlier, wasn't as good as he had been the previous year. I must say that Chris Dickerson [second] and Boyer Coe [fourth] were in phenomenal shape, particularly Chris. I felt he and I were the ones in absolute peak condition, and we should have been the top two.

"The majority of observers at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, with the exception of the judging panel, didn't have Arnold in the top five. The crowd booed Arnold at the contest's conclusion, and there were a number of things that took place during the prejudging that perhaps should have provided an indication that all was not as it should have been.

"Several of the judges were close friends of Arnold. Boyer Coe told me afterwards that he saw Reg Park, one of the judges, actually coaching Arnold from the officials' table. In contrast, Bill Pearl had honorably removed himself from the judging panel, as he had spent time training with Chris Dickerson.

"At times, the contest was like a circus. We had Franco Columbu - one of Arnold's weak-willed nambypamby lackeys - coming onstage with a towel, a comb and oil, to go through a little act with Arnold at the expense of everybody else. I could quote other anomalies, but possibly the most pertinent is that CBS Sports flew halfway around the world to tape the event and then never televised it. The word was that they were convinced it was a fix.

"The record may show Arnold Schwarzenegger as the 1980 Mr. Olympia champion, but he wasn't the best bodybuilder onstage that day - not by a mile."

In the immediate aftermath of the contest, several top names stated they would never compete again. They would later reverse their decisions and return to the contest dais. But even as he was announced fifth, Mike knew he would never compete again: "There was no way I was going to put myself through the same torturous process again for a similar reward. At no point since 1980 have I been even slightly tempted to consider the possibility of competing. I don't miss it."

Of all of its repercussions, it is difficult not to nominate Mike's premature retirement at 29 as being the major consequence of the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest. It effectively denied the sport a view of the physique he could have built in future years.

damn that was quite a story thanks for that!

[John Doe X]

Thanks for the link, interesting info regarding the 1980 Mr O especially:

WHO TERMINATED WHOM! That strain and tension came to an electrifying climax at the competitors meeting held the morning of the contest. Fifteen of the 16 athletes had signed a petition asking that the two weight classes be abolished and that the Olympia should henceforth be contested as one open class. The one athlete not in agreement was Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, facts and misconceptions, theories and myths that surrounded the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest, in the interests of this narrative, it's important to understand that Mike Mentzer felt he was cheated in Sydney, and that sinister machinations were afoot. His belief is that certain forces, fueled by ignorance and sycophancy, combined to thrust an undeserving Arnold to first place and relegate him - perceived as owning the best physique in the contest - to a "ridiculous" fifth place.

This is how Mike recalls that fateful day. "There were maybe 50 people at the competitors meeting and, as usual, Arnold wanted to be the center of attention. In every situation, he tries to be the standout, and on this occasion, he was the only athlete of the 16 in the contest who wanted to keep the two weight classes.

"He said something to denigrate Samir Bannout that I thought was uncalled for. I passed on that, feeling Samir should have defended himself. As the debate progressed, there was a lot of arguing between Arnold and some of the guys. I wasn't really concerned one way or the other - I thought I could win anyway. Then Boyer Coe stood up and, as the gentleman he is, said, 'Why don't we let Arnold explain to us right here and now his exact reasons for wanting to have two weight classes?'

"Arnold barked, 'Boyer, let's talk like adults here.' That really irked me, because Boyer made his plea with no hint of malice. In addition, this was the IFBB's event, but here was this big Prussian son of a bitch standing there and trying to walk all over us. I interjected and asked Arnold why he was so reluctant to see the open class introduced.

"For some reason, that question pissed him off. He seemed like a guy out of control as he turned to face me, his upper lip curled around like a snarling animal. We were debating the issue of weight classes, but Arnold chose to snap at me, 'Mike Mentzer, we all know Zane beat you last year because you have a big stomach!'

"I was seated 20 feet away from Arnold, who was standing holding court, and I perhaps allowed that comment to irritate me too much, as on impulse, I bolted toward him. As I approached him, I decided I wouldn't hit him, but nevertheless I was surprised when Arnold sat down: I scared him! He sat as I continued to berate him. Wagging my finger at him, I told him, 'Look, Arnold, Boyer Coe said what he did as a gentleman - he didn't deserve that response. You're the one who's acting like a baby, literally! Arnold couldn't look me in the eye. He went from being a frantic hysterical adolescent to shrinking away like an injured child."

Not for the first time in the history of bodybuilding, Joe Weider stepped in and defused the situation. He advised Arnold to accept the voices of the other 15. The debate ended as Arnold proclaimed, "I withdraw my objection."

DECISION DOWN UNDER "Throughout that meeting, Arnold had on a tight-knit sweater that made him look skinny. I was curious to see what he looked like once he stripped down. When he did, I remember looking at him and thinking, Not only am I going to win this contest, but I'm going to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger as well!

"When I was called fifth, I was totally shocked. It was just a ridiculous placing, made more ridiculous by an out-of-shape Arnold winning. As for the others who finished ahead of me, I knew Frank Zane [third], due to an accident he had sustained four months earlier, wasn't as good as he had been the previous year. I must say that Chris Dickerson [second] and Boyer Coe [fourth] were in phenomenal shape, particularly Chris. I felt he and I were the ones in absolute peak condition, and we should have been the top two.

"The majority of observers at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, with the exception of the judging panel, didn't have Arnold in the top five. The crowd booed Arnold at the contest's conclusion, and there were a number of things that took place during the prejudging that perhaps should have provided an indication that all was not as it should have been.

"Several of the judges were close friends of Arnold. Boyer Coe told me afterwards that he saw Reg Park, one of the judges, actually coaching Arnold from the officials' table. In contrast, Bill Pearl had honorably removed himself from the judging panel, as he had spent time training with Chris Dickerson.

"At times, the contest was like a circus. We had Franco Columbu - one of Arnold's weak-willed nambypamby lackeys - coming onstage with a towel, a comb and oil, to go through a little act with Arnold at the expense of everybody else. I could quote other anomalies, but possibly the most pertinent is that CBS Sports flew halfway around the world to tape the event and then never televised it. The word was that they were convinced it was a fix.

"The record may show Arnold Schwarzenegger as the 1980 Mr. Olympia champion, but he wasn't the best bodybuilder onstage that day - not by a mile."

In the immediate aftermath of the contest, several top names stated they would never compete again. They would later reverse their decisions and return to the contest dais. But even as he was announced fifth, Mike knew he would never compete again: "There was no way I was going to put myself through the same torturous process again for a similar reward. At no point since 1980 have I been even slightly tempted to consider the possibility of competing. I don't miss it."

Of all of its repercussions, it is difficult not to nominate Mike's premature retirement at 29 as being the major consequence of the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest. It effectively denied the sport a view of the physique he could have built in future years.

Here is a perspective from Vince Basile, Mr Canada 1970, it's from one of his posts over at ironage

"Everyone is an expert and authority in the Irongame. One of the interesting things about it. The 80 Olympia still gets discussed and I keep hearing that so and so should have won, etc. Well, opinions vary for sure and I guess there will never be any consensus about many controversial contests.

I was looking for my gym members in the first photo because we sold 200 tickets and all were in the rows in the middle. My seat was in the very center at waist height to the competitors, so I am behind Arnold! I had a tripod set up for both the judging and finals. I invited John Balik to swap seats with a young fellow who jumped at the chance to sit at the front. John used a 180 mm lens and got some great shots of the finals. Unbelieveably my camera jammed just before Arnold posed so I missed his routine and the presentations. Talk about frustration.

I took 360 images at the judging and many slides at the evening show. I am still amazed that some pick Mentzer as the winner. Nope, not that day. Zane was quite small and even red at the finals. He dropped his trophy and left it behind according to an interview recently. Several trophies were smashed that night and that was the last time trophies were awarded for places at the Olympia. For some unknown reason, no one has ripped up a cheque that I know of!

I will have to get hold of the photos I took. I sold the negatives and slides to Robert Nailon in 1980 but I have the right to get copies of all photos. When I have done that I will see if I can make a presentation with the photos such that everyone can judge for themselves who was the best. If you examine the judges' scores you will see it was very close. Many judges awarded too many 20 out of 20 scores in rounds and that effectively eliminated them from dividing the men. The few who separated the men counted for more.

Most of the people who I talked to had Chris Dickerson first. After looking at all the images and slides I had to give Arnold the nod. His upper body dwarfed Dickerson and Zane. End of story. I will say that Padilla was totally overlooked and wasn't compared to the top guys. He was probably the biggest there size for size. His shape was superb, too.

The best poser was Boyer Coe who was flawless in the posing round. I mean best in the sense of showing his physique to advantage while hiding his weak points. He lost points in the compulsory poses because he lacked abdominal separation. Chris Dickerson gave a superb display that had the audience cheering wildly. He combined grace with beauty and looked like a champion.

Dennis Tinerino was also overlooked. He probably had the best conditioning of the top placers. He was wide, big, and cut.

An argument can be made that any of perhaps 8 guys could have won that night. I think we all know how political Arnold is and in those days he networked with people who could advance his career. Need I say more?.......All the judges were down at the front looking up at the contestants who were on a raised platform. Not the best angle to judge physiques because everyone looks narrow from down there. I was at waist height to the competitors and in the middle of the hall. I chose that position on purpose because I was there for a Mr Universe contest in 1979 in the same hall that Roy Callendar won.

I took photos during the judging of the top guys. Standing relaxed, then posing and then in groups. I got to print up lots of those photos and compare them side by side. Padilla was the biggest and perhaps had the best physique there. He was short and a nice guy so easy to overlook. The guys with reputations all placed near the top. Arnold, Zane, Mentzer, Coe, and Dickerson.

Those who claim Mentzer was best just were not there. I sure wasn't an Arnold fan because that guy put me last at the 1975 Mr Australia contest and I still get annoyed when I think of what Paul Graham and he did. Neither should have anything to do with bodybuilding contests since that crap. However, Mike seemed to have a gut and just didn't impress during the judging or finals. Frank was way too small. His shape wasn't enough on the day. Coe had weird abs. Tinerino had a good package so not sure what happened there. Dickerson shone on the night show. He really got a lot of support and his posing was beautiful to watch. The guy looked like the champion that day. Arnold was a hero in Sydney because he had been there many times in the past. He visited a few gyms and those who saw him up close were amazed at his size. That chest and arms were still huge in 80. When he stood beside Frank and Chris his upper body dwarfed the other guys. Arnold had good calves so only his thighs let him down. His condition was excellent and he was one of the most defined on stage. When he posed in the evening he received a lot of applause.

The judges's scores reveal how close the contest was. Arnold by the smallest margin. There was an irregularity in the judging because they used Brendan Ryan from Australia as a judge instead of Peter McCarthy. Brendan won a Junior Mr Australia while Peter won the senior title more than once and other big contests. Peter 'missed' the judges meeting so Brendan was an official judge. Brendan was a personal friend of Arnold S. If Peter's scores are used and not Brendan's then Chris would have been ahead of Arnold going into the posedown. I have the original judges papers somewhere in my archives."


Just throwing another perspective out there!

[Zeneth]

In addition, this was the IFBB's event, but here was this big Prussian son of a bitch standing there

More bitter than his weight in lemons.

[Androgen]

Doubt thats it, but think thats from the 80's

[curt_james]

Here is a perspective from Vince Basile, Mr Canada 1970, it's from one of his posts over at ironage

"Everyone is an expert and authority in the Irongame. One of the interesting things about it. The 80 Olympia still gets discussed and I keep hearing that so and so should have won, etc. Well, opinions vary for sure and I guess there will never be any consensus about many controversial contests.

That's a tremendous find.

I wasn't there and have never seen the DVD, so what I base my opinion on is the reports that I've read and heard courtesy of the magazines and PBW interviews. I'll certainly add Vince Basile's story to that collection of input.

Thank you!

Still, I find it monumentally unfair that Arnold even entered. Or if you believe Mentzer's quote (again, I do), that he was allowed to enter after the deadline for entering had passed.

[curt_james]

Doubt thats it, but think thats from the 80's

That's Mike.

Great image, though!

I was 99% certain I recognized that pic. It's from the March 1979 cover of Muscle Builder Power:

Edit! Here's a benefit to these threads. I never noticed before (and it's been almost 30 years) but Weider flipped the negative for the cover. Mentzer's left arm has the characteristic or unique vein pattern (hey, who's a bodybuilding nerd to notice THAT?) - see the attachments. The cover image is a flipped or reversed negative. I guess whoever was doing the cover liked that better for the layout. Interesting (well, to me anyway ).

I'm guessing it was reversed so Mike was "looking" towards or facing the inset of Betty Weider. Cool!

[Androgen]

That's Mike.

Great image, though!

LOL damn, they look the same

[curt_james]

And since this is a RAY Mentzer thread...

Ray Mentzer, January 1980 Cover Shot

[curt_james]

LOL damn, they look the same

You have "Paint" on your computer? There's a function or tool that allows you to reverse the image. They are the same - only reversed digitally. Or back in the day they'd flip the negative.

[curt_james]

Good stuff dude

Cool. Thanks, wala.

Here's some additional trivia:

Question: What small town can boast having both a Miss America and a Mr. America?

Answer: Ephrata, Pennsylvania, USA.

1954's Miss America was Evelyn Margaret Ay of Ephrata, PA while
1976's Mr. America (IFBB) was Mike Mentzer.

And, of course, his brother Ray Mentzer won the 1979 AAU Mr. America. I wonder if they're the only brothers who have both won the Mr. America title (although different organization's versions).