Harold Poole (b. December 25, 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a former AAU, IFBB and WBBG professional bodybuilder.
Poole's athleticism was apparent very early on. He was quarterback on his footballl team at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, placed fourth in the state high school wrestling championships, ran 440 yards in 50 seconds and put the 12 pound shot 55 feet.
In 1960, Poole entered the AAU Mr. America and, at the age of 16, took 18th place. His final AAU teen opportunity came in June 1963, where he won most muscular, but was the runner-up to Vern Weaver.
Three months later, Poole switched to the IFBB and, at age 19, he won the Mr. Universe. The next year, he became the first African-American to be named IFBB Mr. America. Starting in 1965, Poole became the only man to compete in the first three Mr. Olympia contests.
He retired from bodybuilding competition following the 1982 IFBB Night Of Champions where he placed out of the top 10.
Today he currently lives in New York where he continues to train with weights and practice Martial Arts. He was inducted to the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004 and the WBBG Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008 Harold was voted the Greatest Teenage Bodybuilder of All-Time.
Contents |
1960
Mr America - AAU, 18th
Mr Mid-America - AAU, Most Muscular, 2nd
1961
Mr America - AAU, 4th
Junior Mr America - AAU, Overall Winner
1962
Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Mr North America - AAU, Winner
1963
Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Teen Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Universe - IFBB, Tall, 1st
Universe - IFBB, Overall Winner
1964
Mr America - IFBB, Tall, 1st
Mr America - IFBB, Overall Winner
1965
Olympia - IFBB, 2nd
1966
Olympia - IFBB, 2nd
1967
Pro Mr America - WBBG, Winner
Olympia - IFBB, 2nd
1968
Pro Mr America - WBBG, Winner
1971
Mr USA - IFBB, Tall, 1st
1972
Mr World - IFBB, Tall, 3rd
1980
Night of Champions - IFBB, 12th
1981
Grand Prix California - IFBB, 7th
Grand Prix New England - IFBB, 9th
Night of Champions - IFBB, 6th
Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, 8th
1982
World Pro Championships - IFBB, 9th
2004
IFBB Hall of Fame
2007
WBBG Hall of Fame