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About John
Born:
June 17, 1910
Died:
November 20, 1998
Birthplace:
Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA
Height:
5' 8" (175 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs
(89 kg)
Chest: 47"
Arms: 17,5"
Waist: 31"
Thighs: 25"
Calves: 17"
Mr. & Masters Olympia Results
Never competed
Titles
Won
1939
- York Perfect Man
1940
- Mr. America
1941
- Mr. America
1946
- Most Muscular Man In America
1948
- Mr. Universe Short & Overall
1949
- Mr. USA
John Carroll
Grimek is the only man ever to win the AAU Mr. America title
more than once. His wins in 1940 and 1941 were so overwhelming
that contest organizers from then on implemented the
single-victory rule.
Grimek exhibited a Herculean visage and
was as strong as he looked - evidenced when he represented the
United States as a weightlifter at the 1936 Olympic Games in
Berlin. In 1948, at 38 years of age, Grimek beat the young
sensation Steve Reeves at the NABBA Mr. Universe in London.
A
year later, in his last contest, the AAU Mr. USA, he beat
Reeves again - as well as Clarence Ross, George Eiferman and
Armand Tanny - and retired from bodybuilding competition
undefeated. Expert at controlling his muscles and agile in
acrobatic posing moves, he possessed extreme power; he was
still able to squat with over 400 pounds for reps well after
retirement age.
With
his combination of proportionate bodylines and raw power, John
Grimek served as the perfect hybrid between the pre-war "bodybuilder
as strongman" genre and the modern "one sport only"
bodybuilder.
John passed away on November 20, 1998, and will
forever be remembered for his philosophy of life - always keep
your focus on good health as the primary motivation for your
toil, and build muscle the old fashioned way - earn it by hard
work and dedication.
Hall of Fame 1999 IFBB: John Grimek - We are honored
to celebrate with you the enduring achievements of those who
truly made a memorable and lasting impact on our sport. By
Joe Weider.
The Classic Collection #1 - You’ll see Bob Hoffman one arm
lifting and Otto Arco performing his famous muscle control and
balancing act. Not to be missed, the muscle control and legendary
posing of John Grimek. Also muscle control by John Farbotnik.
The Grimek Award - This annual prize wich is named after the
great American champion of body- building and weightlifting was
founded by Biagio Filizola in 1996 with Grimek's authorization in
order to honor Italian and international individuals connected with
the iron game....
John Grimek, The Greatest Bodybuilder of All Time - A great
article by David Gentle, an internationally recognized Author and
Historian of Physical Culture. For several decades, he has been a
regular contributor of over 25 of the world's top muscle magazines.
