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". He is also occasionally referred to as "Quadzilla", though 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 for decades.

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

Books

Pro-style Bodybuilding by Tom Platz (Author), Bill Reynolds (Author)

Filmography

See also

References

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