by RAY VAN CLEEF

Strongmen

the World Over

The long and short of body builders-7' Jim Bell and 4'9" Ron Gemette, both from San Jose. Very likely Jim Bell has the distinction of being the tallest barbell devotee. Has been using the weighs systematically for several years. As to be expected, this giant body builder excels in basketball and achieved prominence in collegiate circles. Ron Gemette uses his husky physique to advantage in wrestling and gymnastics.

"Mr. Holland" in the person of Otto van Inge recently migrated to this country with his family and settled in San Francisco. Progressive body building transformed this plucky athlete from a living skeleton who weighed less than 90 lbs. upon his release from the concentration camp at the end of World War II, to a prize winning superman of 190 lbs. Otto van Inge has scored many victories in bike racing and amateur wrestling.

CURRENT TOPICS:

Communist China could prove an asset to our lifters at the Melbourne Olympics in the rivalry with Russia for team honors. Press releases from reputable sources report that the People's Republic of China will be represented by a number of capable lifters at the '56 Games. If these athletes are of the calibre of Chen Tsin Kai, the bantamweight who was recently credited with a 293 C. & J. record, there's a possibility of the U.S.S.R. having some stiff competition in the lighter classes from their political ally. Following in the footsteps of their associate, Communist China has launched a large scale physical culture crusade embracing a variety of sports. . . Pete George made a stop-off visit at San Jose with his charming wife before going on to Honolulu. Is now serving as STRENGTH AND HEALTH

a dentist with a Lt. ranking in the Army. While stationed in Hawaii he expects to be frequently training with Tommy Kono. By October 27th when he competes in the Olympic Final Try-Out at San Jose, Pete expects to be back in championship form. Will need to be to outlift his old rival Frank Spellman for the '48 Olympic Middleweight Champ has been hoisting a total of better than 870 in recent workout sessions . . . Should be a good omen for the Olympic Try-Out meet getting the first entry from Paul "Dixie Derrick" Anderson . . . "Coffin-nail" addicts were humiliated by a group of nonsmokers in the challenge race up and down the 14,110 foot Pike's Peak in Colorado this August. The nicotine consumers were so badly outclassed in this test of endurance that they finished more than two hours behind the leaders, all non-smokers. Race was won in the remarkable time of five hours, 39 minutes and 58 seconds for the 24.6 miles by Monte Wolford, a 28-year-old superman of physique fame. August, '56 cover of S. & H. featured this Colorado Springs gym operator. 56-year-old Dr. Arne Suominen, a health physician from Delray Beach, Florida, gave physical culture an additional boost by finishing third in this gruel-

Reunion in Portland where (left to right) Owen T. Carr, Sam Loprinzi and Ray Van Cleef recently had an iron game social session. Owen T. Carr, a physical director and staff member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, first achieved fame back in 1915 for record breaking lifts. "America's Most Muscular Man" winner, Sam Loprinzi successfully operates one of the best equipped gyms in the nation at Portland.

By the time the 1972 Olympic Games roll around Greg Wiggins should be a prospect for our lifting team. This 5/2-year-old-lifter is off to a good start with his training at Robert's Gym in Memphis. Works out under the guidance of his dad, Bob Wiggins, a co-owner of this body building gym.

Home trained Peter Bilich is an impressive example that outstanding results can be achieved with just ordinary equipment. This herculean body builder from Farrell, Penna., tips the scales at 203 lbs. at a height of 5'10".

DECEMBER, 1956

ing marathon race. .. Using the "iron pills" aided Jim Bailey in scoring his upset victory over John Landy in under the once unconquerable four minute goal in their memorable race at Los Angeles a few months back. A write-up appeared in the sporting section of the Portland press telling of Bailey weight training regimen. Much of this exercising by the Univ. of Oregon's ace middle distance runner, a native of Australia, takes place in the body building section of the famed Multnomah A. C. . . . Parry O'Brien made the headlines with his prodigious shot putting in the Labor Day track & field classic at Eugene, Oregon. Used his 235 lbs. of barbell trained brawn to shatter his existing world record mark by more than a foot with a heave of 62' 63%". In fact, on this occasion he surpassed his own record in three of the attempts. This (Continued on page 54)