YORTON's 1st NATURAL Physique Contest

By Bob Gallucci

The first "No Drug" physique contest was highly successful and may start a precedent of things to come. In the past, some physiquemen have appeared "high" on stage and this caused some talk. This contest was started to "clean up" this sort of thing in the physique world...and which others may follow. We hope so!

LAST NOVEMBER, when I learned that Chet Yorton was staging a new type of physique contest at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas where every contestant was required to pass a blood-steroid test in order to compete, I was back in heavy training within a week. Not since 1972 have I possessed such vigor and motivation. Finally, I felt I had a chance to compete on my own level; a level which did not include blown-out-of-proportion physiques, subcutaneous veins appearing everywhere and muscularity which no human can achieve naturally. In addition, Chet's contest offered cash awards to the professionals and trophies for the amateurs. In short, everything sounded great.

About this same time, critics of this contest also started their campaign. "A steroid test, ridiculous!" "Are you going to let them draw blood from you?" "Yorton will never pull it off."

It was then that I did some serious soul-searching. I had retired from physique competition in 1974 because I was tired of competing against those who took drugs. I have seen competitors who were of the same caliber as myself one year gain 25 or more pounds of rippling muscularity within the following year. When one sees this occur year after year, he becomes disgusted. Soon he comes to the realization that he has one of three paths to follow:

• Take the drugs and suffer the consequences.
• Stay a "natural", drug-free competitor.
• Drop out of competition.

Fortunately, I loved bodybuilding too much to drop out completely. I still competed when I had the inclination and time permitted. However, the old frustrations returned when I encountered the "steroid set" in a contest.

This is why this non-steroid contest appealed to me so much. Of course, I also knew that I would have an opportunity to meet old friends like Dennis Tinerino, Bill Pearl and Mike Dayton.

As the curtain rose for the prejudging, which was conducted in the Tropicana's spectacular showroom, small fountains sprayed water into the air and a grayish mist surrounded the 22 (13 amateurs, nine professionals) "natural" contestants. Of this group, Anibal Lopez, Scott Wilson, Ty Youngs and Ralph Kroger were definite favorites with the crowd.

When all the competitors were introduced, Chet Yorton came to the microphone and announced, "You see, you don't need drugs. These are the true champions." At that moment, I realized how glad I was that I had always taken such a strong stand against steroids.

As the song We Are The Champions filled our ears, satisfied, happy tears came to my eyes. Most people who read muscle magazines don't realize the effort that is required for a bodybuilder to reach national caliber competition. He must put his entire body, mind and soul into the competition - not to mention his pocketbook for traveling expenses. I had struggled for a fair contest for such a long time and now here I was part of it.

In the amateurs class, Ty Youngs was first and I finished in the runner-up spot. He looked great and deserved to win. To be perfectly honest, I don't mind losing to a man who proved that he did not take steroids to achieve his development.

Such quality competitors as Dennis Tinerino, Scott Wilson and Ralph Kroger made judging the pro event a difficult task. As it turned out, Dennis took the $3000 first prize.

After the contest, competitors and spectators were treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner in an adjacent room.

My experiences with this non-steroid contest have left me with some very definite feelings. Although I feel that it's a shame that an athlete like myself must have his integrity questioned as to the use of drugs, I know that it's very necessary for the improvement of bodybuilding.

Also, people who criticize the steroid test should examine the facts. A nurse simply draws blood where it's marked and ships it to a laboratory for immediate testing. Results can be obtained in a matter of hours.

Incidentally, I'm probably the worst person in the world to draw blood from. In fact, four years ago I nearly fainted when taking a blood test to obtain a marriage license. So if blood can be taken from me, it can be taken from anybody.

My only regret is that this type of contest was not instituted at least eight to 10 years ago. I know of many accomplished competitors who dropped out of the bodybuilding game because they refused to compete against the "druggies."

This non-steroid contest offers a breath of fresh air to the suffocating bodybuilding field. I, along with thousands of bodybuilders across this country, appeal to all bodybuilding organizations to analyze the happenings in Las Vegas and attempt to devise a means of implementing such tests at all national level contests.

Anyone interested in discussing the various facets of a non-steroid contest is invited to write me at the following address: [not included]

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Dennis Tinerino, with Miss Las Vegas, was the winner (Pro Division) and waves his gleaming trophy in victory. He also got a handsome cash award besides.

- Husky Ty Youngs won the amateur category.

- The non-drug contestants line up on stage for the audience. Everything was well planned and well received.

- Two of the men who judged - Leo Stern (left) and Bill Pearl.

- Bob Gallucci placed 2nd and expressed his views here about the contest. Rates it tops!

- Ray Beaulleu, Canada, finished 4th.

- George Wisialowski, was super-defined.

- Two of the entries posing on stage - Ralph Kroger (left) and Anibal Lopez...both outstanding specimens.

- Bob Gallucci, the author (standing), discusses the test of contestants for steroids with two other entries, Steve Lombardi (left) and George Wisialowski. All the entries in this contest favored more non-drug competition.