Tom Platz
Thomas Steven Platz (born June 26, 1955 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma) is an American retired professional bodybuilder. His nicknames are "The Golden Eagle" and "The Quadfather:". Despite claims that Platz is nicknamed "Quadzilla", this moniker is most widely associated with deceased pro bodybuilder, Paul Demayo.
| Competition record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Tom Platz | |||
| Bodybuilder | |||
| IFBB Mr. Olympia | |||
| 8th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1979 | ||
| 8th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1980 | ||
| 3rd | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1981 | ||
| 6th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1982 | ||
| 9th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1984 | ||
| 7th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1985 | ||
| 11th | IFBB Mr. Olympia 1986 | ||
| World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships | |||
| 3rd | IFBB Mr. Universe 1978 | ||
| World Pro Bodybuilding Championships | |||
| 1st | IFBB Mr. Universe 1980 | ||
| AAU Teen Mr. America | |||
| 2nd | AAU Teen Mr. America 1974 | ||
| AAU Mr. Southeastern USA | |||
| 1st | AAU Mr. Southeastern USA 1977 | ||
| AAU Mr. Ironman | |||
| 1st | AAU Mr. Ironman 1973 | ||
| AAU Mr. Adonis | |||
| 1st | AAU Mr. Adonis 1973 | ||
| AAU Mr. Michigan | |||
| 1st | AAU Mr. Michigan 1975 | ||
| Junior & Senior State Powerlifting Championships | |||
| 1st | AAU 220 Class Champ 1974 | ||
| IFBB Night of Champions | |||
| 12th | IFBB Night of Champions 1980 | ||
| IFBB Detroit Pro Invitational | |||
| 6th | Detroit Pro Invitational 1987 | ||
Biography
Tom Platz began his competitive bodybuilding career in the 1973 Mr. Adonis competition. He competed as an amateur until he won the 1978 World Amateur Championships middleweight division. In 1978 and after completing his degree at Wayne State University, he moved to California. He arrived there with $50 and a dream to win Mr. Olympia. For the following nine years Platz competed as a professional, aiming for Mr. Olympia. Though Platz never took first at the Olympia competition, he had a string of top ten finishes, with a third position in 1981 being his best.
Platz became famous for his remarkable leg development. He developed a high intensity, high volume method of leg training, which led to his unparalleled size and definition for his time. Regardless of what was found lacking elsewhere, it is still widely claimed in bodybuilding circles that Platz holds the mark for the best legs in bodybuilding of his time and some of the best legs in bodybuilding ever. Flex readers agree: In a "best bodyparts of the 20th century" poll, Platz was deemed to have the best quads and hamstrings of all time.
Tom Platz retired from professional bodybuilding competition in 1987 and did a 'Comeback' in 1995 when he was awarded Honorary Mr. America. He still promotes the sport wholeheartedly. Tom says, "I just want to give back to the sport I love which has been really great to me." He played the part of "Body Builder" in the 1990 film Book of Love. His character portrayed the Charles Atlas-like character from those "tired of bullies kicking sand in your face and stealing your girlfriend"-type of advertisements that were in a lot of comic books during the 50's and 60's.
Tom Platz was and is one of the most sought-after guest speakers in the world of bodybuilding, nutrition and general fitness. He was a Professor and the Director of Bodybuilding Sciences at ISSA for 14 years. Tom has a Masters in Fitness Science, Bachelors in Science Physiology and Nutrition from Wayne State University and Michigan State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California.
Pro contest history
- 1978 World Amateur Championships - IFBB Mr. Universe
- 1978 Mr. America - AAU, Short, 2nd
- 1977 Mr. Southeastern USA - AAU
- 1977 Mr. America - AAU, Short, 2nd
- 1976 Mr. America - AAU, Short, 3rd
- 1975 Mr. Michigan - AAU
- 1974 Junior & Senior State Powerlifting Championships - AAU, 220 Class Champ
- 1974 Teen Mr. America - AAU, 2nd
- 1973 Mr. Adonis - AAU
- 1973 Mr. Ironman – AAU
- 1979 Mr. Olympia 8th (under 200 pounds)
- 1980 Grand Prix: Lafayette, Louisiana 9th
- 1980 Grand Prix: Pittsburgh 10th
- 1980 Night Of Champions 14th
- 1980 Mr. Olympia 9th
- 1980 Pro Mr. Universe 2nd
- 1981 Mr. Olympia 3rd
- 1982 Mr. Olympia 6th
- 1984 Mr. Olympia 10th
- 1985 Mr. Olympia 7th
- 1986 Mr. Olympia 11th
- 1987 Grand Prix: Detroit 6th
- 1995 Honorary Mr. America - AAU
Books
Pro-style Bodybuilding by Tom Platz (Author), Bill Reynolds (Author)
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Sterling (20 May 1985)
- Language English
- ISBN 0806979100
- ISBN 978-0806979106
Filmography
- Who Killed Johnny Love? (1998) .... Emcee
- 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997) .... Head of Hugo
- Book of Love (1990) .... Body Builder
- Twins (1988) .... Granger Son #1
- The Comeback (1980) .... Himself
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - Total Rebuild to Mr. Olympia 1980 (Himself)
- Flex...Body Love (1991)....Tom Steel, body builder
See also
References
External links
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