Strength & Health, Page 30, February 1956
"Mr. America" for 1955 is Steve D Klisanin of 728 Shaw Avenue, McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Steve is a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps at the present time and is stationed in the Far Pacific with the 3rd Marine Division. As the Marine Corps' representative, he traveled over 8,000 miles to Cleveland, Ohio to compete in this year's Mr. America Contest.
Winning his first physique title in 1949, Steve, combining bodybuilding with weightlifting, went on to win 10 other "Mr." titles before reaching the top this past June. In 1949, he was "Mr. Pittsburgh", "Mr. Allegheny", and "Mr. Pennsylvania". In 1951 he added "Mr. Albuquerque", "Mr. New Mexico", and "Mr. Southwest" to his list of physique titles. In 1953, Steve won the "Jr. Mr. America" and "Mr. Health" titles, and was "Mr. Virginia" and "Mr. Delaware Valley" in 1954. This year he won the coveted "Mr. America" title.
Almost ever contest in which he competed as a physique contestant, Steve also competed as a lifter, and his lifting record is as impressive as his "Mr." record. He has won lifting championships in the Allegheny Mountain Association from 1947 to 1951, in the New Mexico Association from 1951 to 1954, the Rocky Mountain Association in 1951, the Virginia State Association, the D. C. Association, Delaware Valley Association, and was the Jr. National middle heavyweight champion in 1954 with a total of 850 lbs. His best official lifts are 270 lbs. Press, 262 1/2 lbs. Snatch, and 342 1/2 lbs. Clean & Jerk - making an impressive total of 875 lbs. Steve has been named to Bob Hoffman's All-American lifting team in 1951, 1953, and 1954. Steve Usually lifts in either the 181 or 198 lb. class.
Starting his weight training 8 years ago at the McKeesport Y.M.C.A. Barbell Club, he developed muscles that were put to use on the gridiron later on, and the lad who was termed "too small for high school football" went on to compile an enviable record in this sport also. In the fall of 1948, Steve played center on the Kiski Prep football team and had as a teammate, Bob Mathias, the Olympic Decathlon Champion; one of several outstanding athletes attending the school. Steve captained this team and was awarded the Coaches Award as the Outstanding Athlete of the Year. In 1949, he accepted a scholarship to Duke University where he captained and quarterbacked an undefeated freshman squad. Steve then transferred to the University of New Mexico where he felt he could better concentrate on geology - his major field of study.
In 1950, Steve entered the "Jr. Mr. America" Contest in Baltimore and placed 3rd to Farbotnik and Hilligenn and won the "Best Back" award. He entered the "Mr. America" Contest a few weeks later and tied with Jim Park for 7th place. Steve was recalled into the Marines in 1951 and did not enter any athletic competition until 1953.
During 1952, Steve had an emergency appendectomy and also a slight hernia repaired. He was told his athletic career was over and left the hospital weighing 150 lbs. - 35 lbs. less than when he entered. He returned to the University of New Mexico and his studies. After being advised by a local orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Clark, who was also a weight advocate, that there was no reason why he couldn't do upper body exercises on benches, Steve started back into training and in three months time, his body weight went up to 200 lbs. - his arms measuring over 18" - chest 50". His incisions had healed sufficiently for him to start on abdominal exercises. He concentrated on leg raises and a few weeks later started back on the Olympic lifts and squats. In his first meet thereafter, he totaled 830 lbs. - 50 lbs. more than he ever totaled before - amazing and surprising everyone who told him he was through after his recent operation.
Trimming his body weight to 180 lbs., Steve went to the Jr. Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio and won the "Jr. Mr. America" title - taking the Best Chest and Best Arms award. he then entered the "Mr. America" contest and placed 4th. In January of 1954, he returned to active duty with the Marine Corps and while stationed at Quantico, Virginia, competed in several East Coast Championships, adding several titles and lifting championships to his record. he entered and won the 198 lbs. class in the Jr. Nationals, which is quite an achievement.
Steve was sent overseas in July of 1954 and had very little opportunity to train because of lack of equipment, time, and other factors. He started serious training for this year's "Mr. America" in March of '55 and must have really put some effort into training as he was trim, muscular, and impressive in winning "Mr. America of 1955".
Steve's body is symmetrically proportioned - his measurements being - arms 17 1/2", chest 49", waist 31", thighs 25", calves 17". His favorite exercises are the three Olympic lifts. He likes the Flying Motion exercise with dumbells for upper body development, prefers leg raises to sit-ups, and feels that squats are a necessity for size and power.
Truly, Steve Klisanin, Mr. America for 1955, is a credit to the weight game, athletics, and his country - a shinning example to the future young men of America.
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