Muscle Builder, Vol 17, Num 4, Page 42, June 1976

Part 1

WORLD BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PRETORIA, S. AFRICA, MR. UNIVERSE MR. OLYMPIA

AS REPORTED BY ARMAND TANNY WHO TRAVELED WITH THE U.S. TEAMS

South Africa hosts the biggest and best bodybuilding meet of all time. Thirty-seven nations of the international federation of bodybuilders share a worldwide sport with dignity and friendship.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

- In the dapper sportscoat at the right is the distinguished Mr. America of 1939 who was on hand to send-off the departing party of Armand Tanny (left), Artie Zeller, Paul and Christine Grant.

- The flight from Paris to Johannesburg was by South African Airways jetliners.

- Arnold entertains Frank and Christine Zane.

- Mark Hankard of Belgium, is an IFBB Patron and is also the French Editor for Muscle Builder. His daughter Diane is by the window, and she is his secretary. Between them is Annaliese Leyk, Joe Weider's lovely private secretary.

- During the first layover in Paris, Armand Tanny contemplated the excitement of the remaining journey to South Africa.

- Some familiar American tourists enjoy a splendorous autum afternoon in the incredibly beautiful city of Paris, France.

- The Executive Council of the South African Bodybuilding Union and the Organizing Committee for the Mr. Universe Championships were at the airport to greet all the new arrivals. There was also a press conference in a reception hall at the airport with a full battery of news and TV reporters on hand to cover the biggest event in bodybuilding history.

- In the bottom photo, Ben Weider and Dr. Piet Koornhof, the South African Minister of Sport and Recreation personally greeted everyone arriving.

- The plushest "45-seater" Armand Tanny has ever seen, drove the guests from the airport to the luxurious Burgers Park Hotel. The bottom right photo shows Armand Tanny being greeted by the remarkable 53-year-old athlete "Roy Hilligen. He won the "Mr. America" contest of 1951, and in these World Championships, he was a competing member of the South African team.

- Two former West Indieans, Serge Nubret of France, and Winston Roberts (Secretary of the IFBB), a resident of Canada.

- The beautiful high-rise hotel where everyone stayed, is the finest in Pretoria. It overlooks a lovely mid-city park full of palms, exotic floral landscaping, freshwater ponds and spweing foutains. The festive atmosphere, sumptuous surroundings and friendliness of the hosts had the international entourage feeling as though they were vacationing on the Riviera.

- Tanny worked full-time at interviewing and gathering copious notes for this series of articles on the World Bodybuilding Championships.

- No expense was spared by the South African Federation and the South African Government. The IFBB bodybuilders, delegates and friends lived it up like visiting royalty. Lazing around a magnificent Olympic-sized pool, sunbathign, outdoor barbecues gigantic enough to make a Texan blush, and gourmet style banquet dining made everyone "Happy to be aboard."

- Collector item identification tags for competitors.

- Some evenings were spent in relaxing soirees like this lavish banquet where contestants, delegates and friends from the thirty-seven different countries homogeneously flowed together into a massive brotherhood of kindred spirits.

- The sojourn in Pretoria also occasioned the convening of the International Congress of IFBB officials.

- The Honorable Oscar State and Ted Steickel (on right), Executive Producer of ABC-TV's Wild World of Sports discuss when the network will broadcast the '75 Champinoships on American and Canadian televions. It will be shown before summer of this year.

- No other sport has a warm-up period which is so essential to the performance of the athlete as it is in bodybuilding. The "pumping" adds dimension and clarity to a muscleman's body, but while he works at it before contests, it is also a vivid and dramatic performance by itself. This ritual rivals the enthralling and intriguing action in the pits at a major auto race as the mechanics work frantically preparing their fantastic machiens for an all-out run.

- A trika of musuclar Goliaths - Arnold, Ferrigno and Nubret - the Over 200 lb. Class Mr. Olympia combatants are ready to battle for the most sought after title in bodybuilding.

- Frank Zane heads a powerhouse phalanx of Under 200 lb. Class contenders who are scant moments away from the colossal clash for trophies and prestige.

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