In Memory of Mike Mentzer

Mike Mentzer (November 15, 1951 -- June 10, 2001) was an legendary bodybuilder. In 1978, Mentzer won the Mr. Universe in Acapulco, Mexico with the first and only perfect 300 score. He became a professional bodybuilder after that 1978 Universe win. In late 1979, Mentzer won the heavyweight class of the Mr. Olympia, again with a perfect 300 score, but he lost in the overall to Frank Zane who was awarded the title for a third time that year. In the 1980 Mr. Olympia he placed fourth (in a tie with Boyer Coe) behind Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Dickerson and Frank Zane. He retired from competitive bodybuilding after that show at the age of 29. He maintained that the contest was rigged until the day he died, and never said he thought that he should have won, but that Arnold shouldn't have, though he eventually got on good terms with Schwarzenegger.
Mentzer was an Objectivist and he insisted that philosophy and bodybuilding are one and the same. He said "Man, is an indivisible entity, an integrated unit of mind and body."
Mentzer took the bodybuilding concepts developed by Arthur Jones and attempted to perfect them.He founded the HEAVY DUTY Training System.

Mentzer died at the age of 49 on June 10, 2001 in Rolling Hills, California. He was found dead in his apartment, due to heart complications, by his younger brother and fellow bodybuilder Ray Mentzer. Two days later, his brother Ray also died in his sleep after complications from his long battle with Berger's disease.

• Category

  • Sports

• License

  • Standard YouTube License