GIANT IN MINIATURE..YAS KUZUHARA

By JIM MURRAY

RULY A GIANT in strength and development, Yas Kuzuhara's powerful development makes him a man of stature despite his height of 5'3". Yas became the first United States featherweight to total 700 pounds or more when he scored 710 early in 1955. By so doing he broke the long-standing mark of 698 established by Olympic Champion Tony Terlazzo in 1936.

A man of superior intelligence, it is not surprising that Yas Kuzhara is a "mental"-type athlete. The 700-pound barrier stopped him for some time, not because he wasn't strong enough to pass it, but because he thought he wasn't. Since making his first 700-plus tally, Yas has reached 700 or more in every 1955 contest (five times in all as this was written). His best mark, which will probably be surpassed by the time this magazine gets into print, is 720, composed of 225 press, 220 snatch, and 275 clean and jerk. This is, of course, a United States record.

It also ranks the symmetrically-proportioned 132pounder seventh in the world's list of all-time greats in the featherweight class. His 720 places him second only to Panama's phenomenal Carlos Chavez in the western hemisphere, and he is actually sixth among men still active today. Three of the six men who have surpassed his best lifting, incidentally, are Russians: Udodov, Chimishkyan and Saxonov. The best totals recorded by these three Soviet supermen are 782, 771 and 7432, respectively. The other featherweights having reached 700

are Chavez (74234), Fayad (732), Maung (727), Wilkes (716) and Anderson (705).

A son of Japanese immigrants (his father is a Christian minister), Yas developed an ardent interest in body development (and other sports activities) at the age of 11. Most of his early exercise ventures consisted of chinning and dipping, and he did not practice regular weight training until he was 15. At that time he was already a husky (for his height) 120 pounds and could press bodyweight, something many men cannot do after months or years of training.

Although his first experience with weights consisted of intensive bodybuilding exercises, Yas had his interest in competitive lifting roused when he entered a novice meet in 1941 and made 175-145-205 for 525 total. Then, as now, he competed as a featherweight. He had no knowledge of the quick lifts, however, and returned to bodybuilding until 1944-when he won the National Jr. A.A.U. title with 190-180-235 for 605. In that meet Yas defeated Bob Higgins, who was to become world champion in 1947. Yas made good progress in 1944 and 1945, training at and competing for the Duncan YMCA of Chicago. He lifted 195-185-240 at 132 and 205-195-235 in an overweight contest with Joe DePietro and Fred Curry.

That was in January, 1946, and shortly thereafter Yas injured his back. This caused him to drop out of lifting (Continued on page 18)

CRANTO INCA

These pictures give some indication why Yas Kuzuhara is ranked among the best-developed men of all sizes. His herculean muscularity makes him seem a giant despite his 5'3" height and 132pound weight. (Photos at left by Douglas, above by Bob Motter) JULY, 1955

STRENGTH AND HEALTH

The completion of the 275-pound clean and jerk at left brought Yas Kuzuhara's best total to 720-the present national record as this magazine went to press. He is the only U. S. featherweight to total 700 or more officially. The lifts making up his record score were 225 press, 220 snatch, and 275 clean and jerk. Above is another impressive display of the superlative Kuzuhara back, arm and leg muscles.

STRENGTH AND HEALTH JULY, 1955