Ed Corney
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Ed Corney is widely regarded as the greatest poser that the sport of bodybuilding has ever known. Ed won the IFBB Mr. America, IFBB Universe , IFBB Masters Olympia 60+ (twice) and is a member of the IFBB Hall of Fame. As a classic bodybuilder of the Golden Age, he continues to serve as both a spokesman and ambassador for the sport.
Ed was born November 9, 1933 in Hawaii. In 1950, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and, after serving in New York City, moved out to California. It was there that he met bodybuilder Millard Williamson who encouraged him to begin weight training.
At 160 pounds and age 33, Corney entered and won his first contest in 1967, the Mr. Fremont, held in Northern California. His wins the following year included Mr. Heart of California, Mr. Northern California and Mr. Golden West.
Ed continued to climb the bodybuilding ladder with impressive wins at the 1970 Iron Man, the 1971 AAU Mr. California, the 1971 IFBB Mr. USA, the 1972 IFBB Mr. America and the 1972 IFBB Mr. Universe that was held in Baghdad, Iraq.
Corney achieved even broader public recognition as a result of his appearance in both the book and movie versions of Pumping Iron. He was pictured on the cover of the book and on the posters for the movie. In the film we see Ed not only training along side Arnold Schwarzenegger, with an absolutely mind-numbing intensity, but also flowing flawlessly from one of his classic and unique poses to the next as Arnold comments, "Now that's what I call posing".
Corney's pioneering posing transitions distinguished him from his peers at the time, and his incredible stage performances are still revered and imitated to this day.
In 1994 Corney returned to competition. He won the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia in both 1994 and 1995, placed 11th overall in 1996 and took second in the 60+ division in 1997. He also competed in 1998 in the only Masters event ever to be held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.
Corney remains very active in the sport to this day. In 1999 He suffered a debilitating stroke as the result of a medical "mistake" made while he was under anesthesia for routine surgery. After a short period in a coma and some time confined to a wheelchair, Corney fought his way back to health. The wheelchair is gone, donated to a worthy local charity, and Ed is back at the gym seven days a week. He is a fixture at various annual bodybuilding events like the Mr. Olympia Expo and the Arnold Classic Expo and he continues to counsel young athletes through personal training sessions near his Central California home, public lectures and correspondence on his website.
"Perhaps the most popular performance of the contest was by Ed Corney, 44, who received a standing ovation at both the prejudging and evening competition by virtue of what veteran observers claimed was the greatest posing routine in the history of the sport. Corney electrified the house with a most dramatic demonstration of grace and power". - Muscle Builder & Power Magazine - 1977 Mr. Olympia review
[edit] Contest History
1968
Mr California - AAU, 5th
Mr Northern California - AAU, Winner
1969
Mr Western America - AAU, Winner
1970
Mr America - AAU, 11th
Mr California - AAU, Most Muscular, 2nd
Mr California - AAU, Did not place
Iron Man, Winner
1971
Mr America - AAU, 4th
Mr America - IFBB, Short, 1st
Mr California - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
Mr California - AAU, Winner
Mr USA - IFBB, Short, 1st
Mr USA - IFBB, Overall Winner
Universe - IFBB, Medium, 3rd
1972
Mr America - IFBB, Short, 1st
Mr America - IFBB, Overall Winner
Mr International - IFBB, Short, 1st
Universe - IFBB, Medium, 1st
Universe - IFBB, Overall Winner
1973
Mr World - IFBB, Medium, 1st
1974
Mr International - IFBB, Short, 1st
Mr World - IFBB, Short, 1st
1975
Olympia - IFBB, LightWeight, 2nd
Universe - Pro - IFBB, 2nd
World Pro Championships - IFBB, LightWeight, 2nd
1976
Olympia - IFBB, LightWeight, 3rd
1977
Olympia - IFBB, LightWeight, 2nd
Olympia - IFBB, 3rd
1978
Night of Champions - IFBB, 4th
Olympia - IFBB, LightWeight, 4th
Olympia - IFBB, 7th
1979
Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, Did not place
Florida Pro Invitational - IFBB, 7th
Grand Prix Pennsylvania - IFBB, Did not place
Night of Champions - IFBB, 8th
Olympia - IFBB, LightWeight, 9th
Pittsburgh Pro Invitational - IFBB, 8th
Universe - Pro - IFBB, 5th
World Pro Championships - IFBB, 5th
1980
Grand Prix Miami - IFBB, 6th
Grand Prix Pennsylvania - IFBB, 6th
Night of Champions - IFBB, 4th
Olympia - IFBB, 11th
Pittsburgh Pro Invitational - IFBB, 6th
Universe - Pro - IFBB, Did not place
World Pro Championships - IFBB, Did not place
1981
Olympia - IFBB, 13th
1983
Olympia - IFBB, 14th
1989
Super Bowl of Bodybuilding - PBA, 4th
1994
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, Masters 60+, 1st
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, 10th
1995
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, Masters 60+, 1st
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, 11th
1996
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, 11th
1997
Olympia - Masters - IFBB, Masters 60+, 2nd
1998
Arnold Classic - IFBB, Masters, 10th
2004
IFBB Hall Of Fame
