Tag: Classic Bodybuilder

Armand Tanny

Posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2018 by John Wood
The great bodybuilder Armand Tanny as he looked when in top form. Like many strength athletes of the time, he got his start in Olympic lifting and fared pretty well before making the switch to bodybuilding. One of his favorite lifts was the one arm clean, which he could perform with over 300 pounds — an impressive feat. The Rochester, New York native won the Pro-Mr. America bodybuilding title in 1950 and the Mr. USA title in 1950. His brother was the Vic Tanny of Vic Tanny’s Gym fame.
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Author: John Wood. All contents, including images and text, copyright © 2005-2021 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. We will most likely grant permission but please contact us if you would like to repost. IMPORTANT: Equipment and books, courses etc. pictured in blog posts are generally not available for sale unless specifically noted.

Irvin ‘Zabo’ Koszewski

Posted on Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 by John Wood
After winning the “Mr. New Jersey” contest in 1948, “Mr. Middle Atlantic” in 1950 and placing high in a few other regional bodybuilding shows, Irvin ‘Zabo’ Koszewski relocated to California and stepped into history. Like every great bodybuilder on the west coast, he started training at Vic Tanny’s Gym and spent most of his days on the sands of Muscle Beach. He took up right where he left off in the contest department, winning the Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Los Angeles contests in 1953 and added the Mr. California title in 1954.

Zabo also did very well in the AAU Mr. America contests placing thirteenth in 1950, fourth in 1952, third in 1953 and third again in 1954. He also competed in the Junior Mr. America contest in 1951, 1952 and 1954, placing fourth, third and second, respectively. It’s not hard to see why Zabo won “Best Abs” in nearly every contest he entered.

Joe Abbenda

Posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 by John Wood
Joe Abbenda from Long Island, New York was a very popular and successful bodybuilder during the late 50’s and early 60’s. He began his bodybuilding career by winning the Teenage Mr. America title in 1959. The next year he finished fifth in the AAU Mr. America contest, followed that up with second place finish in 1961, and finally won the title in 1962. Abbenda also won the NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe that same year and the Pro Mr. Universe in 1963.