John Grimek

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John Grimek on the cover of Muscular Development magazine

John Grimek (June 17, 1910 – November 20, 1998) was one of the earliest great bodybuilders, and the only man ever to win the AAU Mr. America title more than once (1940 and 1941).

Grimek was born on June 17, 1910 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Besides his bodybuilding exploits, he represented the United States in weightlifting at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. In 1948, at 38 years of age, Grimek defeated Steve Reeves at the NABBA Mr. Universe contest in London. The following year he won his last contest, the AAU Mr. USA, against a field that included Reeves, Clarence Ross, George Eiferman, and Armand Tanny. He retired from bodybuilding undefeated.

John has been featured in many bodybuilding articles and magazines, as well as being featured on the cover of Muscular Development magazine. Despite his retirement, Grimek continued serious training for many years, and was still able to squat with over 400 pounds for reps in his late 60s. Grimek died on November 20, 1998. He was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 1999.