Abbenda Wins "Mr. America"

As Twenty-five Men Compete For Title

By The Editor

still to be typed in

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Joe Abbenda, at center of photo below, placed second last year, and this year won the title of Mr. America. Harold Poole, left, was second, as well as Most Muscular, while Hugo Labra, on the right, was in third place. On the opposite page we show Abbenda posing on the platform during the contest.

- The two photos below show the Most Muscular Man, Harold Poole, in a fine back pose as well as a dramatic front pose. This young 18 year old is a top athlete in school and will attend Purdue in the fall.

- Here is the fine, broad back of Joe Abbenda; massive and muscular in repose, finely defined when tensed.

- Hugo Labra, a peppy, bouncy, vivacious personality, certainly has a terrific physique. He is also a great athlete and was the Pan Am Games Hammer Throwing Champ, as well as a weightlifting champion. He has a very broad pair of shoulders.

- Vern Weaver was tremendously improved this year as shown by these photos. His back was outstanding as you can see. Compare these photos with the cover shots used in Vol. 20. No. 2 Iron Man. He should be tops in any competition.

- Mike Ferraro, a recent Iron Man cover man, looks better than ever. He has won many top titles and compared well with the best in this contest.

- Vic Siepke, back in a contest after over 6 years, looked better than he ever did before. We wish Vic would stay in there working and we believe he could win a title on of these days. he has everything and is a wonderful fellow too. At lower right we see Bill Stathes, heavier this year but looking great. He is one of the top physiques in the country and an outstanding Olympic lifter.

- Bill Seno, a top physique from Chicago, has a lot of bulk and definition and will climb higher with more experience and training.

- Billy Lemacks won the southern division of the Jr. Mr. America title, and looked great in the Sr. Mr. America, with outstanding development and definition, as you can see in this back pose.

- Joe Simon had about the most definition of any man there. His skin is thin and every fiber of his muscles seemed to stand out in bold relief, as you can see in the photo below.

- Ken Hall, at left, gave his usual fine posing exhibition, and his physique looked great. He has outstanding abdominals. Tuny Monday, at the right had just won the Midwest division of the Jr. Mr. America contest, and has very good definition, and with more bulk would really go places.

- We believe the photo at lower right is Joe LaPorte, who has a fine build, with a small waist, broad shoulders and very good shape. Gary Steuer, below, just entering the service, had the largest arms in the contest, as well as outstanding shoulders and chest. Too bad we don't have sub-divisions in the Mr. America contest anymore.