Reg Park Remembered

Reg Park  was born on June 7th of 1928 in West Yorkshire, England. Park's legendary physique would begin to grow from barbells, dumbbells and a simple chinning bar. Upon discharge from the military in 1948, he witnessed his first physique contest; the inaugural NABBA Mr. Universe contest, in which John Grimek edged out Steve Reeves in controversial fashion. It was this contest that inspired Park to compete himself. After one year of hard training, Park earned the title of Mr. Britain in 1949. He then subsequently spent six months in the United States (thanks to a gift from his parents). There, he met up with publisher Joe Weider, who began to feature the Englishman prominently in his magazines. After a second full year of training, Park broke what had been an American monopoly on bodybuilding titles by winning the 1951 National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA) Amateur Mr. Universe. Standing 6'1" and with a top weight of 250 pounds, Park was known for his muscular mass and was a forerunner to modern bodybuilding. Park was also renowned for his strength, which he often demonstrated in contests and strongman exhibitions. He is on record as the first bodybuilder to bench press 500 lbs.

Arnold Idolized Reg Park

Famous for his mass and strength, Reg Park was an early influence and lifelong mentor to champion bodybuilder and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bonus footage from the DVD release of the classic documentary film Pumping Iron (1977) features Park mentoring Schwarzenegger. Park can also be heard performing the Master of Ceremonies duties in the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia Contests featured in the film proper. 

Bodybuilding titles

• 1946 Mr Britain 4th
• 1949 Mr Britain 1st
• 1950 Best Developed Athlete in America - IFBB, Tall, 1st
• 1950 Best Developed Athlete in America - IFBB, Overall Winner
• 1950 Overall Winner Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
• 1951 Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 1st
• 1951 Mr Universe - NABBA, Overall Winner
• 1958 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 1st
• 1958 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Overall Winner
• 1965 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 1st
• 1965 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Overall Winner
• 1970 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
• 1971 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 3rd
• 1973 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd

Competitive stats
 Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 Contest weight: 225-250 lbs (102–114 kg)
 Off-season weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
 Arms: 20" (51 cm)

Death

With his wife Mareon of 55 years at home and Jon Jon by his side, Park died on 22 November 2007 in his home in South Africa, after an eight month battle with metastatic melanoma (a form of skin cancer).