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First
mistakenly introduced to British readers of Health &
Strength in January 1957 as “Al Bickers”, it is now his
age that causes a little confusion: Al asserts he was born in
1930, but some early reports suggested 1938 as his birth year.
Whatever his age, Beckles has been in phenomenal shape for
five decades.
Born
in Barbados, he emigrated to London, where in the mid-‘60s
he began winning regional British titles, before taking the
1969 and 1970 NABBA Mr. Britain titles (which were awarded in
1970 and ’71). Later in ’71, he joined the IFBB, earning
the overall at that year’s IFBB Mr. Universe. His
high-peaked biceps and crisp overall appearance have been his
trademark throughout his career.
Al
has been one of the most active participants ever suiting
up to pose down in more than 100 different contests. In 1982,
he took the Big Apple’s big enchilada, winning the Night of
Champions. Beckles’ record-setting 13 forays into the IFBB
Mr. Olympia (Shawn Ray is nearest with 12) have yielded six
placings among the top five, including coming second in 1985
to Lee Haney at twice Haney’s age.
Beckles’
most recent win was a decade ago when he sent the other
competitors at the 1991 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational
tumbling to the rocks below. His retirement following the
Chicago Pro Invitational on May 9, 1992, ended a competitive
career spanning five decades. Never known as one who bickers,
Beckles is forever the British gentleman.
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