Tag: Mr. America Contest

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.

John Grimek’s Bodybuilding Contest History

Posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015 by John Wood

Here’s John Grimek showing his winning form and hardware after taking first in the 1948 Mr. Universe contest (defeating Steve Reeves in the process!) Most bodybuilders are lucky to win one contest in their careers but Grimek finished first in EVERY contest he ever entered. Here’s a look at the full list:

1939 – York Perfect Man
1940 – AAU Mr. America
1941 – AAU Mr. America
1946 – Most Muscular Man in America
1948 – NABBA – Mr. Universe
1949 – Mr. USA

After winning the AAU Mr. America contest for the second year in a row, they passed a rule that one could not enter it again once they won – the powers that be figured that if they didn’t take this step, Grimek would just keep on winning them.

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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.

1960 AAU Mr. America Contest Results

Posted on Sunday, February 16th, 2014 by John Wood

1960 AAU Mr. America Contest Results, Final Placings:

1. Red Lerille
2. Ray Routledge
3. Joe Lazzaro
4. William Stathes
5. Joe Abbenda
6. Bill Golumbick
7. Frank Quinn
8. Elmo Santiago
9. Mike Ferraro
10. John Gourgott
11. Leroy Saba
12. Don Van Fleteren
13. Kenny Hall
14. Pete Ganios
15. Steve Sakoulos
16. Bill March
17. Buddy Basil
18. Harold Poole
19. Paul Mintal
20. James Piesrante
21. Raymond Huecke
22. Bill Galewood
23. Michael Majoris
24. Henry Efland
25. Nick Spano

Most Muscular Subdivision:

1. Red Lerille
2. Leroy Saba
3. Kenny Hall

The 1960 AAU Mr. America contest took place in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 11, 1960, and was won by Lloyd “Red” Lerille of Harvey, Louisiana, who is shown here on the cover of the August, 1960 issue of Ironman Magazine.

The full lineup and final placings were as follows: