THE "MR. UNIVERSE" CONTEST

A contest to select the best developed man, symmetrically and proportionately balanced

by John Grimek

This is the first time an international contest of this nature is being attempted to select a representative for the title of "Mr. Universe" based on balanced physical development and good proportions. While similar contests, mainly our Mr. America, have been going on for years in this country and have stirred up considerable interest here and abroad. France always sponsored a similar contest to find the "best built man in Europe," but this is the first time an international event is going to take place on our shores. Many Americans are keen about such events and seem to agree that such a contest would prove highly interesting and give some of our "title holders" a chance to be matched against the world's best if all can be prompted to take part. Most of us realized that our Mr. America contest creates unusual insterest, so this event should provide some international flavor.

For years now "best built physique" contest have taken place in various parts of this country with skyrocketing successes. These events seem to be growing in interest not only among our own group, those interested in health, strength and exercise, but the public in general seems more than mildly interested in this line of endeavor proven by the publicity given it in past months. This latter class, however, knows very little how such contests are conducted and feel such winners are selected on the same merits as the famed annual Miss America events. Fortunately they are not, which gives more men a chance and winning the title is more an an achievement than winners of the Miss America title. A Mr. America winner is selected not for handsomeness, but for his physical development; a combination of balanced proportions and muscularity. Handsomeness is a favorable asset to any man or woman, but does not count too heavily in contests of this nature or at least it shouldn't, because it is something over which none of us have any control, but our physical development and symmetry of body can be controlled by most of us with proper application of diet and exercise. Thus, those who have succeeded in their efforts to develop their bodies should be given some consideration and this is the prime reason for contests of this nature...to stir up interest in one's self.

The first Mr. America contest had its inception in 1939 and during that year several other contests were held to select the "best built man" with the same title. Consequently some confusion was caused in some circles. In the following year, 1940, the A.A.U. undertook to sponsor this event and combined it with the National A.A.U. Weightlifting championships. There appears to be more interest in this event, the Mr. America contest, than in the actual lifting, although both of these events work hand in hand as far as body development is concerned.

That year, 1940, the largest group of contestants participated in this first A.A.U. recognized event; approximately 70 contestants posed on the dramatic lighted pedestal in Madison Square Garden. The following year an excess of 60 odd contestants competed for honors at the Arena in Philadelphia, but in 1942 the entry list fell away to a handful of competing athletes, approximately 13 in all. This slump was due not to the lack of interest in this event, but primarily because many of the former competing men were drafted into service and were temporarily eliminated out of circulation as far as Mr. America contests were concerned Thereafter a steady increase of contestants participated until our most recent one had little more than 30 entries.

Sometime during 1941 a few A.A.U. officials held a conference to set a new ruling to eliminate any previous winners of this contest thereby allowing a man to win this title but once. This ruling to some extent was justified as it gave each man a chance at the title without competing against a previous winner. Consequently we have a NEW Mr. America each year representing the title, and each year a new one will be crowned.

Some people inquire as to why such men, previous winners, be eliminated, but I feel sure that almost every winner to date wouldn't care to participate again. Not because they are afraid of being beaten, for that would reflect bad sportsmanship and after all there can be but one man who can be chosen as winner. But winning the title once is a satisfying reaction - it is an objective reached and each is willing to abdicate and make room for another. What's in a title anyway ? For some publicity and momentary gains; to others a personal satisfaction of physical achievement. The important thing is the interest it creates for our sport and it does influence others to take some pride in developing their bodies and to enjoy the best of health. There is, however, an oversight in these contests which should be rectified. I firmly believe that these contests should be judged in several height-divisions thus giving every individual of various heights utmost consideration. The little man in these events is simply "overlooked" because of some other muscular giant. By placing men in their respective height classes, even a smallest man will be considered and given an equal chance to win his height-division, and from this group, which can include two or three in each height division, a worthy man be chosen. I think this would be fair play for everyone.

The matter of title has come up again and again for debate and some will argue that a Mr. America title will confuse the casual reader who may chance to see such a picture in the papers. The general public as mentioned previously, does not know how these contests are conducted, and when they see a muscular specimen chosen to represent this title, they sneer with prejudice because the bulk of the nation are prejudiced against will developed muscles anyway. Therefore the title should bear some significance on what basis such men are awarded their merits. This would eliminate to some extent the prejudice if it were known the winner was judged to have the best proportioned and symmetrical muscular physique in that contest. Any title emphasizing muscular development would prove far more appropriate to the average reader than the present title for it conflicts too strongly with the Miss America beauty events, but perhaps the publicity angle would not be as favorable, which is something to consider also. But whatever the title the prime reason of such contests is the stimulating effect it has on our younger generation and therefore contests such as these should be continued if they are not carried to the point of being a farce.

Young men who become interested in developing their bodies or participate in other sports have a clean interest at heart. They have little time for destructive thoughts and delinquency which only takes place when youngsters have too much time on their hands. If every young man, and women, too, were taught that care and development of the body was important they would pursue this objective. Such young people would have less time for destruction and would work zealously to achieve their objective: a better developed body and perfect health. Once a person becomes interested in developing his or her body, they look to achievements in this field; the objective to win some beauty contest for girls, or some best built physique contest for men holds additional incentive for physical perfection. They live a more wholesome life, are clean minded and all their efforts are towards constructive work. When one has such a program to follow there just isn't time for delinquency or bad company but efforts are directed for attaining a Clean Mind in a Clean Body ! Our best built physique contests do just that and each title holder should not only be a title holder but an inspiration to others who have such ideals.

So this first Mr. Universe contest should be just as big or bigger than our Mr. America event and should serve to inspire other nations to conduct such affairs instead of laying plans for wars to annihilate people. England and France have conducted such events, but there is no reason why other nations should not take an active role. We feel sure that whoever wins this title will serve as a splendid example of manhood...and since America boasts more World's Best Developed Men than any other nation, let us hope that one of our American competitors will prove victorious. But even if some foreigner should prove our superior, let us accept and pay him due respects. Regardless whether the title will be won by an American or some other international representative, the objective will be the same...to sever as a worthy example for others to achieve, to preach the gospel of good living, retain perfect health, physical development and a capable mind.

Normally contest of international scope are limited to certain participants, but since this happens to be the first event of this sort and much of the foreign element bay be lacking, America will be strongly represented; not limited to two men, but perhaps a half a dozen or more will be participating. As contests of this nature gain recognition and many more foreigners will enter, the limited number a nation may be allowed to enter may be two or three, similar to the weightlifting - two men in each class.

Now let us salute the winner...a new title holder - Mr. Universe. Long may he enjoy his crown but more important his life and health. Good luck to him always.

Photo Captions

- Five "Mr. Americas." Left to right: Bert Goodrich, Clarence Ross, John Grimek (twice winner) Alan Stephans and Steve Stanko.

- The current "Most Muscular Man in America" is ERIC PEDERSEN of Goodrich's gym in Hollywood, California. This photo of Eric's impressive physique was taken while he was posing at the 1947 "Mr. America" contest in Chicago. Photo by Mason Pawlak of Detroit.

- This trio of body builders are nationally famous. The "barbelle" in the center is EDNA RIVERS, noted gymnast and lifter. At her left is JULES BACON, the "Mr. America" of 1943, and at the right is JOE LAURIANO, the "Jr. Mr. America" of 1945 and winner of the best abdominals award in the 1946 and 1947 "Mr. America" events. Photo by Cecil Charles of Los Angeles, Calif.

- RENE LEGER, the recent winner of the "Mr. Canada" title, will be one of the leading contestants for the "Mr. Universe" title. At a height of 5 feet 8 1/2 inches he normally weighs 182 pounds.

- The "Mr. Universe" contest will present to the American public for the first time an athlete who ranks as a champion among European body builders. This athlete, FERRERO a Spaniard who resides in France, has won awards and international fame through his outstanding physique. Photo by L. Horme of Bordeaux, France.

- FRANK LEIGHT of New York City, winner of the "Mr. America" in 1942.