British Muscle Men Win Mr. Universe Titles
By George Greenwood
THE biggest event in the world bodybuilding calendar is, undoubtedly, the popular Amateur and Professional Mr. Universe Contests organized by the National Amateur Body Builders Association in London. The 1964 event attracted a magnificent entry of 71 top calibre physique stars from 23 countries. The accent was very much on "outsize" measurements, coupled with extreme muscularity. Eighteen inch upper arms were commonplace, with no less than four competitors displaying arms taping over 19 inches. Twenty-three 50" plus chest were recorded!
In past years the inevitable "superman" appeared in the lineup, outshining all others in spite of all-round high standards. Names that spring to mind are: Grimek, Reeves, Pearl and Park -- men whose names have become legends in the world of muscular development.
This year, things were different and, apart from Earl Maynard's undoubted superiority in the sparsely represented professional class, there did not appear to be any particularly outstanding competitor. Every man was in magnificent shape and this was obviously going to be a close tussle for the coveted title.
America's Vern Weaver, looking magnificent with his tremendous arms and back, was regarded as the most likely winner of the Amateur award, but he was edged out by Britain's John Hewlett, a new, lighter Hewlett, with quite fantastic muscularity. John is only 5'7½" tall, but displays a 50 inch chest, 18½ inch upper arms and 18 inch calves, with all other measurements to match. Hewlett is at his best when he goes into action on the posing plinth. He looks good from any angle when he is relaxed but, by golly! his muscles spring to life when he tenses up. He literally out-muscled Vern Weaver. It was a great win for Britain on this greatest of all body building occasions.
Vern Weaver, frankly, did not look in the best of shape - in fact, he admitted that he was not aware that he was to make the trip over to Britain until a short while before the contest, and was unable, therefore, to train to his peak. Vern's massive arms were greatly admired by all and his superb symmetry bore the stamp of the great champion he is. He was just a little too smooth, however, and was no real match for Hewlett on the day.
The professional class saw the long awaited clash between two of the best built coloured stars the world has ever seen, Serge Nubret of Guadeloupe, and Earl Maynard of Barbados. There was little to choose between them in the way of measurements, but side by side, Nubret's classical build lacked the impact of Maynard's rugged massiveness. Earl took the title and what a tremendous ovation he received from the 'capacity' audience of muscle connoisseurs! Even before the title winner was announced, the enthusiastic crowd was yelling for an encore of Maynard's smash hit posing routine. Looking back, I do not recall such wild enthusiasm since Grimek won the Amateur title in 1948.
Earl is no newcomer to the Universe events, this being his ninth attempt, but what sensational progress he has made. He is a six-footer with genuine 19¼ inch upper arms, 52 inch chest and 18¾ inch neck. As a professional wrestler, appearing quite regularly on television, he is as well known to the man-in-the-street as he is to body-builders, and there can be little doubt that his victory will do much to promote the cause of body-building in Britain.
I think Serge Nubret was feeling rather overawed by Earl's sensational display of muscle but, as I said before, he is built on classical lines which belie his herculean proportions. Only when you are standing next to Serge do you realise just how powerfully built he is. His upper arm, in fact, stretches the tape to 19½ inches and his pecs are unbelievably thick - but shapely to an extreme. His legs do not quite match the massive torso, but he is in true world class, and one of the best built men of our time. Perhaps you saw him when he starred in the film "The Titons".
AMATEUR RESULTS
Class 1 -- Over 5'9" - Vern Weaver (U.S.A.); Adrian Heryet (Britain); Paul Nash (Britain).
Class 2 -- Over 5'6", up to and including 5'9" - John Hewlett (Britain); Michael Hercules (Barbados); Abed Al Ayed Mawaz (Syria).
Class 3 -- Up to and including 5'6" - Eddie Silva (South Africa); John Citrone (Britain); Terry Parkinson (Britain).
OVERALL WINNER OF AMATEUR MR. UNIVERSE TITLE - JOHN HEWLETT
PROFESSIONAL RESULTS
Class 1 -- Over 5'8" - Earl Maynard (Barbados); Serge Nubret (Guadeloupe); Reinhardt Smolona (Germany).
Class 2 -- 5'8" and under - Leopold Marc (Belgium); Ray Harris (South Africa); Nincent Gilles (Guadeloupe).
OVERALL WINNER OF PROFESSIONAL MR. UNIVERSE TITLE - EARL MAYNARD
The complete show was organised by N.A.B.B.A's hard working secretary, Oscar Heidenstam, himself a former Mr. Britain, Mr. Europe and Universe class winner. he did a terrific job. All who come in contact with Oscar cannot but realise his absolute dedication to our sport. He deserves and, I understand, is to receive an "Oscar" from his army of followers.
"Universe" miscellany: Youngest competitor: Brian Eastman (England) 19; Oldest competitor: Tommy Williams (South Africa) 35; Tallest competitor: Helmut Cerncic (Austria) 6'2"; Shortest competitor: Nicolas Kemp (Belgium) 5'2"; Heaviest man: Earl Maynard (Barbados) 222 lbs.; Lightest man: M. S. Kasmayee (Iran) 148 lbs.; Biggest chest: Earl Maynard, Tommy Williams, 52"; Biggest arms: Serge Nubret (Guadeloupe) 19½"; Biggest calves: Pat Nugent (England) John Hewlett (England) Adrian Heryet (England) all 18".
Vern Weaver (U.S.A.) was a late entry and I have no accurate record of his measurements which I think are: wt. 220; chest 52; arm 19; thigh 27 and calf 18. He was certainly one of the biggest men in the contest with quite sensational arms.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- This amazing physique of Earl Maynard, 222 lbs. of herculean muscles won him the Professional Mr. Universe title after nine tries at the NABBA contest in London. Earl has been a frequent contributor to Iron Man. See his full story in a forthcoming issue. On the right we see the Amateur Mr. Universe winner, John Hewlett, congratulating Earl Maynard as they pose for George Greenwood, the author, with their trophies. This gives an excellent view of Maynard's arms, shoulders and chest in repose.
- Vern Weaver from the U.S.A. had very little time to train for the contest and so was not in his best shape, but looks good, on the left, as he poses with John Hewlett, who beat him out for the Amateur Mr. Universe title.
- On the left is the fine physique of Reinhardt Smolona of Germany who placed third in the Class 1, professional divisions. On the right is the herculean physique of Adrian Heryet who was second in Class 1 of the Amateur event. He is a former Mr. Britain. All photos by Greenwood.