IronMan, Vol 25, No 2, Page 18, February 1966
The night of Saturday, September 19th, saw easily the largest crowd for a bodybuilding contest in this country in the past 10-15 years, and surely one of the greatest collections of physiques ever. A standing room only crowd of almost 2500 squeezed into the Brooklyn Academy of Music, while several hundred more were turned away at the door.
The IFBB extravaganza, under the complete and able directorship of Bud Parker, included more contests than ever before, each in its own turn exciting and well worth the price of admission. These included the International Federation of Bodybuilders MR. AMERICA, MR. UNIVERSE, MISS AMERICANA titles, and a new addition, the MR. OLYMPIA contest, specifically open to the great champions only and a title that can be won and defended every year. The winner of this title is expected to be recognized as the best bodybuilder in the world today, and end all the controversary and conflicting claims in this area.
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Because there were so many contests to view, the evening got underway with a short address of the President of the IFBB, Ben Weider of Canada, a rock and roll group, and then swung directly into the first competition, the MISS AMERICANA show. There was a larger entry than ever before, and all the girls were evenly matched with the exception of Miss Vera Ann Schultz, who was the outstanding winner of both the Most Shapely award and the overall MISS AMERICANA title. At awards last year's winner, beautiful Beverly Hebert, presented her with her trophy and Jack Meinero, IFBB Director and ace photographer, made a further presentation of several dozen long-stemmed American Beauty Roses.
Next on the program was the MR. AMERICA contest, and all 40-odd contestants looked excellent. From 16-year-old David Mastorakis up to 41-year-old Wally Farrell, the current IFBB MR. NEW ENGLAND, and 43-year-old Zabo Koszewski, all looked tops. The usual large contingent of ex-AAU bodybuilders were for the first time entering an IFBB show; this included Mike Ferraro, Ken Hall, Julian Jackson and Richard Giofu, along with Bill McArdle in the MR. UNIVERSE show. McArdle, by the way, had the dubious honor of being the first Californian not to place in the IFBB Mr. America - Mr. Universe shows since their inception in 1959.
But from this group it was apparent that two men stood out. The first was Chet Yorton, more rugged and Herculean in appearance than ever, weighing over 220 pounds with a 50 + chest and 191/2 arms. As he went through his posing routine the fans gave him a tremendous ovation.
Even as great as the ovation was, it was apparent from the moment Dave Draper first put his foot on the stage who the number one favorite of the crowd was. From a huge and bulky 250-pound behemoth, Dave had reduced to 230 pounds of razor-sharp muscle, as cut-up as any contestant in the show. His huge arms, amazing wide shoulders and golden tan made him a standout, and he took in a close decision over Yorton the overall MR. AMERlCA title. Pictures do not do this huge and sensational bodybuilder justice. . . you must see him ill person to fully appreciate his massive physique.
Dave also took the Best Arms trophy, and Chet picked up Most Muscular and Best Legs, as was a surprise decision Best Back award.
After a short intermission and some more music the Mr. Universe contest was on, over 30 of the world's best. In fact, this competition was for the first time this year superior overall to the Mr. America, and left many hopefuls, such as McArdle, disappointed.
The international flavor was evidenced by, in addition to the usual American and Canadian contingents, a full half dozen top men entered from Trinidad and Tobago, others from Grenada, several each from Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico and, of course, England. Additionally, national authorities sent representatives from Israel, the Philippines and Argentina.
With so many great international men, the various awards were closely contested all the way. In the Short Class, Rick Wayne of England, massive and rock-hard, and a greatly improved Rock Stonewall were very closely matched. In the tall class yard-wide Chris Forde of Trinidad and Earl Maynard of England were also a hair's-breadth apart. Anyone of these 4 could have been a worthy winner, and altogether they garnered a total of 9 trophies. In the end it was the superior, professional posing routine of Maynard that spelled the difference and gave him the overall title.
Speaking of posing, the only disappointing point in the show was the overly long posing routines of some of the West Indies bodybuilders, but time and more international competition will surely remedy this. With the great competition and the sensational physiques it was a very minor factor.
After the awards were made for the first three contests, the final event and crowning touch to the entire evening was the MR. OLYMPIA event. With the finals down to three men, the judging was conducted as they posed on the stage. After a coin flip, Harold Poole went first, looking heavier and more massive than ever. Second was Earl Maynard with his sensational cuts and great posing. Finally, came Larry Scott.
Any words to describe the ovation he received would be inadequate. People attending the IFBB show for the first time claim it was the greatest ovation given anyone, anywhere, that they had ever heard. Description of his physique fails also. Every year he seems to improve, and this year his chest, and shoulders appeared thicker and more rugged, and his waist trimmer and better shaped than before. Anyone who saw him has no doubt that he could defeat Pearl, Park and all the rest on the same stage any time he wished. In fact, the MR. OLYMPIA contest idea went over so well that plans are being formulated already for next year's show, offering substantial cash prizes, and inviting personally all the top men in the field today. More than an invitation, it will be a CHALLENGE . . . show up and contest with Scott, or shut up.
Altogether it was the greatest IFBB show ever, even with the absence of such noteables as Freddy Ortiz, Don Howorth, Larry Powers and Hugo Labra, for various reasons. All will be back next year, better than ever, as will this year's entrants and even more top physiques. If this year's show is any indication, next season's IFBB extravaganza under the directorship of Bud Parker should be the greatest physique show held anytime, anywhere!
- The fabulous physique of Larry Scott is almost unbelievable as he is shown here winning the IFBB Mr. Olympia title. Look at those shoulders, arms, chest, and abdominals, yes, you can even see some of his massive back.
- Dave Draper shed a lot of pounds and came up with this finely chiseled physique and a win in the IFBB Mr. America.
- Here is a partial lineup of the IFBB Mr. America contest. Note the huge muscularity of Dave Draper on the right end.
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