REG PARKFormer Mr Universe Reg Park, who died on 22 November, 2007, aged 79, was the first ‘big’ bodybuilder and was listed in the top five bodybuilders of all time.
After winning his first title in 1949, Mr Park went on to inspire and mentor such champions as Arnold Schwarzenegger.With the help of his wife, an ex-ballerina, he established a new style of posing that brought a sense of artistry and grace into competitions.
Many believe he invented the modern ideal of combining physical strength with strength of character, becoming one of the sport’s first charismatic ‘personalities’. He gained a reputation for being one of the nicest, but most competitive bodybuilders of all time.
With a top weight of 250 pounds, he was renowned for his supreme strength. But if it weren’t for an injury early on in his football career, Mr Park may have never become the bodybuilding icon he did.
Reg Park was born in Yorkshire on 7 June, 1928, and dedicated his teenage years to football. He played for Leeds United until an injury forced him to take some time out from the game. During his recovery, Mr Park started reading the magazine ‘Strength and Health’ that inspired him to make the change from football to bodybuilding.
At the age of 20, he began his training rather humbly, often exercising in his parents’ garden in freezing temperatures. But his commitment and determination paid off when he won the Mr Britain title in 1949.
This early success took him to the US, where he formed an important friendship with Joe Weider, the man behind the "Master Blaster's" magazines. Mr Park frequently appeared in the publication and this publicity raised his profile in the international bodybuilding scene.
In 1950 he came second in the NABBA Amateur Mr Universe competition and went on to win it the following year aged only 23, breaking the US monopoly on titles. Moving into the professional category, he won the 1958 and 1965 NABBA Pro Mr Universe titles.
Mr Park was a significant influence on famous bodybuilder and personality Arnold Schwarzenegger, and went on to mentor him, coming a close second to his protegee in the 1970 NABBA Pro Universe contest.
He also broke into the film industry, starring in five Italian sword and sandal films including four as the hero Hercules.
He married his South African wife Mareon Isaacs in Johannesburg in 1952 and the couple moved to her home country in the early 1960s. He set up the Morningside Virgin Active Gym and continued performing all over the world, taking his wife and two children, Jon Jon and Jeunesse, with him.
Mr Park died following a battle with metastatic melanoma. He leaves behind his wife and two children.
His sporting discipline lives on in his son Jon Jon, an Olympic swimmer and personal trainer, who owns a popular gym facility in California, USA. His daughter Jeunesse runs the Reg Park Legacy Foundation which helps disadvantaged people access sport and fitness.
Mr Park's legacy will also continue to live on long after his death in the millions of bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts he inspires and motivates.
His family acknowledged how important his fans’ support was to him. A family member said: “Reg had such a huge heart, such great dignity and grace, and he was so humble. He continually expressed his most sincere thanks and love to all who supported and loved him throughout his life."
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