MAIL FROM MUSCLESDOM

For those who missed or overlooked Yorton's letter in the May/June MD, we are reusing it, and also the reply from Organizer and NABBA President, Oscar Heidenstam.

We expected this response earlier but it was delayed, and this is the first chance we have to present both sides to end this confusion. In any case, the reader can be the judge and form his own opinion. Read on... Ed.

THE YORTON LETTER...

Dear John:

I am sending you a list of complaints that I have compiled regarding the NABBA Mr. Universe contest in which I won the tall man's division Class I professional. It was conducted in a very non-professional manner which I feel hurts the bodybuilding sport. My love for the sport, rather than my loss, is the reason I would like these complaints made public.

Oil was allowed to be used. Many competitors looked as though they were dipped in a vat of oil. If the use of oil cannot be controlled, it should not be allowed at all.

No posing light was used at any time during the prejudging or the show. Flat yellow stage lights were used thus giving no shadows or highlights to the competitor's muscles. Because of this poor lighting, none of the bodybuilders looked their best. This was pointed out to the officials by Dan Lurie but to no avail.

There were 21 judges for the contest. The judges sat spread out from one of the stage to the other. Because contestants pose towards the front of an audience, the ones towards each end could not see the contestants to their full advantage.

There were no comparisons made between the different height classes in the professional contest. No comparisons were made between Coe, Duval, Emmett and myself or any other competitors in my class. The winners of a contest cannot be picked fairly without ever comparing the competitors. The top men in the two height classes never stood and posed side by side.

How can anyone end up in fourth place after winning his height class? Always in the past the height class winners took first and second respectively. Even the amateurs this year finished in this manner, Ian Lawrence, (short class and first overall); Kozo Sudo (medium class and second overall); Steve Michalik, (tall class and third overall). What happened to the professional contest this year?

Of the 21 judges only three were former bodybuilders. Bodybuilders should be judged by bodybuilders, not presidents of bodybuilding organizations or publishers and editors of magazines as was done at this contest and many others.

Also, for some unknown reason to me, only one photographer (Greenwood) was allowed to photograph the contest.

Last, I am very disappointed and sad to see how steroids and other drugs have taken over bodybuilding in the past few years. I remember in years past when symmetry and proportion were the criteria for winning a physique title. All that most bodybuilders are interested today is gargantuan size and extreme vascularity by means of drugs for the end result. Don't these fellows realize what the long term effects may be in the years to come? Is it really worth taking that chance? No! Also, what is wrong with the judges who pick these drug-monsters as title-winners?

Let's all get together and return bodybuilding to the way it should be. Let's emphasize symmetry and proportions, beauty and most of all, HEALTH. That is what it is all about.

Chet Yorton
Las Vegas, NV

Mr. John Grimek,
Editor of Muscular Development

Gentlemen,

I have made several attempts to reply to your letter regarding the outburst from Chester Yorton, and to prepare a reply to him. But I find it hard and an utter waste of time because, what we have here, in my opinion, is a case of a poor loser. Chester, as you may know, has written the same letter to other magazines in our field, almost demanding they print it. He obviously is trying to discredit NABBA and our contest - four months after the event.

Chester Yorton won this same contest in 1966, and was then eager to return to what he called the "greatest contest in the world." This contest (last year) was run on exactly the same format as the one in 1966, except for better lighting, better judges and better organization. We have learned a lot in 10 years. The only other aspect to change is the caliber of the competition. In recent years men such as Coe, Oliva, Park, Zane, and Tinerino all have been beaten in this contest, but none ever complained as Yorton has.

First, I'd like to raise a point before answering these inaccuracies. Chester Yorton arrived with his wife, although on his entry form where there is a space for such details, no mention was made of her. At the last minute I had to find accommodations for her, and secure an extra show ticket. Furthermore, several other contestants paid for their wives' accommodations, but Chester never paid for his.

As to the charge that this show wasn't conducted in a professional way, let me say I've attended over 750 contests, and run 27 Mr. Universe shows, and I have seen none better.

As far as the oil is concerned, I agree that this is a thorny topic. However, didn't he read the page that was handed to all contestants dealing with this subject? I am positive Chester had oil on, as did the rest. I always warn those in any of my contests to use oil sparingly - most ignore my suggestions, however.

The contest was held in the second largest theater in London, which has recently installed a new lighting system costing 120,000 dollars. The lighting was worked on for hours prior to the contest by electricians and bodybuilders who tried to get the right effect for every aspect of the show. With respect to proper lighting consider this too, the whole audience paid to see these men, not just the first three rows. By the way, this is the third year we used the same theater and this is the first time we had any complaints.

The 13 judges for the professional contest (instead of the 21 as Yorton claims) are free to move about during the judging, even go up on stage if they feel they need a better look at the contestant. If Chester thinks he was judged by non-physical culturists, he should take a look at the qualifications of our panel: Len Sell, was a double Mr Universe winner; Roy Perrott, competed in eight Universe contests; John Bubb, competed in six Universe contests, and Hibbert Wrigley, Williams, Stoos, and Fagot, all have 25 or more years of physical culture under their belt, both as contestants and as judges. If Chester feels he was on the receiving end of a prejudiced panel he should consider that an American won the Pro class, and Chris Dickerson won the year before.

There were 14 contestants in the 1975 NABBA Professional Contest. After judging the two height classes individually, all were brought on stage for a final overall decision. They stood in a line, some of them moving about. The judges were asked if they wanted to make further comparisons. None accepted. Can one do any more?

He claims some of the men there had extreme size and vascularity; I'd like to know whom? Coe weighed in at 200 pounds, Duval at 178, Emmott was 180, and all are about 5 feet 8 inches. Are these extreme sizes?

Of course we know some take steroids, but how does one prove it? We can only accept their word that they don't.

As far as pictures go, Chester again has no foundation for complaint. Yes, George Greenwood is our official photographer, but Mark Lurie, Wayne Gallasch, and several others also had permission to take pictures - as did several newspapers and a TV crew.

I feel sure most people will agree, Chester Yorton is just a lousy loser who is trying to discredit us.

Yours Sincerly,
Oscar Heidenstam
London, Eng.