Flash Report: "Mr. World & "Most Muscular Man" Contest

by Jim Murray

(weightlifting report excluded)

Jim Park, the 1952 "Mr. America" shaded Roy Hilligenn, "Mr. America" of 1951, by one-half point to win the 1952 "Mr. World" contest before an audience of more than 2,000 which witnessed one of the greatest strength and physique shows ever held. Thundering ovations were accorded Norbert Schemanski for his record-smashing clean and jerk of 408 pounds and John Grimek for his unmatched posing display.

In an open international physique contest held at the Met in Philadelphia October 25, Yas Kuzuhara was adjudged "Mr. World" winner in class C, Roy Hilligenn scored over Jack Delinger ("Mr. America 1949") in class B, and Jim Park was chosen for first place in class A. The overall contest found Park totaling 99 points out of a possible 105 with Hilligenn's 98 1/2 second. Delinger was a close third with 94 1/2, while the amazing miniature hercules, Kuzuhara, was fourth with 91 3/4 - a great achievement in a contest with larger men, four of whom had won "Mr. Ameirca" or "Jr. Mr. America" titles.

An indication of the quality of the competition is given in the fact that sensationally-muscular George Paine placed fifth with an excellent 87 1/2 points.

Hilligenn added to his fame as an all-time great in muscular development by being chosen "The World's Most Muscular Man". Kuzuhara, powerful and symmetrical featherweight lifter, was second in the "Most Muscular" portion of the contest, with Park third.

[weightlifting competition description not typed in]

As a special attraction, Frank Stranahan gave a strength exhibition and delighted the audience when he showed his perfect golfing form by driving light, hollow practice balls out over the audience. The world's leading amateur golfer also showed the power in his impressive, weight-trained physique by performing a perfect full squat with 405 pounds and a dead lift with 510. Stranahan, who weighs 175, has won medals in three-lift competition. Expressing his pleasure at being present to witness such an outstanding contest and exhibition, he told the audience, "I've been following Strength & Health and weightlifting since I was 16."

A new strength phenomenon was introduced to Iron Game fans in the person of 5'10", 275-pound Paul Anderson, of Tennessee. This natural powerhouse had been training alone on the squat and on this occasion he worked up to 605 pounds, going below the parallel position. This was more than the 600 handled by Doug Hepburn in New York last November. Anderson is reported by Bob Peoples, dead lift record holder, as having squatted with 635 in training, so plans to boost his record higher at a future date.

A number of outstanding variety acts were presented. George Eiferman, popular 1948 "Mr. America", amused the audience with his banter, coming on-stage in 6'6", 250-pound Art Walge's robe, which, he said, had been a project of Omar, the tent-maker. George did a Cossack dance while playing appropriate music on a rented tuba. George was lively, to say the least, but it seemed the horn was a little tired. Holding up the twisted, involved instrument, George said it was "a trumpet gone wrong" that he had obtained from a plumber.

An impressive posing display completed the Eiferman repertoire. Other acts included Mary Terry, balancing and contortion; the young strength act of the Oudinots; hand to hand balancing, and tumbling, by Taffy 'n' Terry and Trio; gymnastics and balancing by Fran Monti; balancing by Martin and Greenfield, of Norfolk, Va.

Climax of the special events was the sensational posing and muscle control act of the incomparable John Grimek. Still unmatched after more than two decades of fame for his superhuman development, Grimek held the crowd almost spellbound throughout his performance, with only scattered applause. But as he turned to leave the stage thunderous applause and a roar of approval filled the building. Returning to center stage this hercules with apollo-like grace astounded the audience by easily sinking into a full split, then pressing up into a handstand from which he dropped with a backbend before taking a final bow.

Final scoring in the overall "Mr. World" contest was as follows (with points for development, symmetry, posing, athletic ability, and general appearance):

The "World's Most Muscular Man" contest, scored separately, found the leaders placing as follows:

For finalists in the "Most Muscular" contest, Kuzuhara, Leonard and Manfre were chosen in class C; Hilligenn, Delinger and Carvalho in class B; Park, Paine and Hargitay in class A.

"Mr. World" Winners by classes were as follows:

Judges were Jorge Macedo, Jack Ayars, Clarence Johnson, Mark Berry, Rudy Sablo, Larry Barnholth, Jack Lipsky, Willie Clark and Wilbur Smith.

Masters-of-ceremonies were Bob Hoffman and Jack Libertore, of the Apollo Health Studio. Committe of arrangements included John Terpak, John Grimek, Dave Mayor, Bob Jones, John Frtishe, Mike Dietz, Al Berger, Jack Ayars, Steve Stanko, Jules Bacon, Steve Stoyan, Dan Leone and Jim Messer.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Jim Park, the 1952 "Mr. America" added to his laurels by winning the "Mr. World" contest over Roy Hilligenn ("Mr. America, 1951") and Jack Delinger ("Mr. Ameirca, 1949"). Hilligen won the "Most Muscular Man" title.

- Here is a linup of some of the impressive entries in the "Mr. World" and "World's Most Muscular Man" contest. Left to right are Tom Manfre, Jim Park, Mickey Hargitay, George Paine, Nelson Dias Carvalho, Roy Hilligenn, Jack Delinger, Felix Zabensky, Yas Kuzuhara and John Leonard. (Photo by Bob Jones)