As
a teenager, the native Hawaiian witnessed Steve Reeves, Abbye
"Pudgy" Stockton and George Eiferman strolling the
beach in Waikiki circa 1947 and it triggered his interest in
body improvement. In 1950, Corney enlisted in the U.S. Coast
Guard and served in New York City, then moved to California
where Millard Williamson encouraged him to begin weight
training.
At
160 pounds and age 33, Corney entered and won his inaugural
contest, the Mr. Fremont (as in Fremont, California) in 1967.
He probably holds the record for most guest posings at this
event at about two dozen! Wins in 1968 include Mr. Heart of
California, Mr. Northern California and Mr. Golden West.
In
the movie Pumping Iron, as Corney flowed flawlessly from one
fluid movement to the next, Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Now
that's what I call posing." Corney's pioneering
transitions stamped him as unique at the time, and he is still
revered for his posing skill.
In
1994, when the Masters Olympia summoned champs out of
retirement, Corney rejoined the physique fray at age 60,
winning the over-60 category of the event in 1994 and 1995,
then placing 11th overall in 1996 and second in the over-60
group in 1997. In 1998, following a 10th-place finish at the
only Masters event ever held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger
Classic, Corney retired again. Recently, he suffered a stroke,
but he has fought back amazingly and is actively helping
others who are similarly afflicted.
