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.

Ironman Magazine April, 1952: Cover Man Zabo Koszewski

Posted on Wednesday, February 15th, 2017 by John Wood
Irvin ‘Zabo’ Koszewski on the cover of the April, 1952 issue of Ironman Magazine. He finished 5th at the 1952 Mr. America Contest although to no ones’s surprise, took home the ‘Best Abs’ subdivision. Zabo was a safe bet for an Abs trophy, in fact he won “Best Abs” in every bodybuilding contest he ever entered, including four times in the AAU Mr. America contest and three times in the Junior Mr. America Contest.
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
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 Friday, November 6th, 2015 by John Wood
Here’s Irvin “Zabo” Koszewski (and his famous abs) on the cover of the March, 1966 issue of Mr. America Magazine. Zabo started competing in bodybuilding contests in 1948 and was still going strong when this magazine came out, in fact, he went on to finish second (to Frank Zane) in the Medium class at the 1967 IFBB Mr. America.
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
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.