No, the international IFBB stopped using the Mr Universe title in 1978.
Muscle Builder, Vol 14, Num 2, Page 39, July 1973
REPORT OF IFBB MR. UNIVERSE AND WORLD BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
BAGHDAD
THE MECCA OF BODYBUILDING
By Ben Weider
President, International Federation of Bodybuilders
The dazzling city of Baghdad served as another cornerstone in elevating Bodybuilding to Olympic status by presenting one of the greatest physique contests of all time!
The contestants swarmed into Iraq's capitol city by boat, by bus, by train and by plane. Surging throughout this entire gathering was a unique spirit of warm friendship and genuine brotherhood through sports, efficiently organized by the IFBB. Men of good will from many different religious faiths, political leanings, and racial backgrounds met in the spirit of harmony and true amity.
Long known as a city of international mystery, fabulous Baghdad rolled out the red carpet for the IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships. Gone are the days when bodybuilders had to participate in poorly attended contests held in a smelly old arena. When the IFBB holds its annual Mr. Universe contest, the spectacle is on par with the Academy Awards Show. Lucky Ed Corney, who won the IFBB "Mr. Americas," and equally fortunate Mike Katz, IFBB Mr. World, were sent as representatives of the United States to participate in this great show. Ken Waller, the 3rd man of the 'USA team pulled a muscle and had to cancel his trip. They not only won the coveted team championship award, but were received as enthusiastically as the top movie stars are in America.
"Mr. Universe Party"
The Swiss Amateur Bodybuilding Federation President, Raymond Sauvet, organized a Special Charter Flight for the contestants going to Baghdad. Both delegates and bodybuilders arriving from allover the globe assembled in Geneva in preparation for the flight to the contest on board Iraqi Airlines. The clever Swiss organized a "Mr. Universe-in-Transit-Ball" to finance the cost of providing everyone with two nights room and board. The Ball was attended by over 800 people and they all had a wonderful time. It was the first opportunity for the enthusiastic Swiss bodybuilders to meet, watch and talk to the greatest physique stars from many other countries. More than 70 delegates and contestants boarded the exclusive Iraqi Airline Telestar jet, reserved only for the IFBB, that whisked everyone from Geneva to Baghdad in luxurious splendor.
1972 IFBB Mr. Universe
Short Class:
Kenichi Suemitsue Japan
Pierre Vandensteen Belgium
Mohamed Makkawi Egypt
Hubert Plumens Belgium
Talib Aldoory Iraq
Bras Antoni Danilva Brazil
Abdul Aleem Pakistan
Johnny Cox Maylasia
Padmanava Dass India
Medium Class:
Ed Corney U.S.A.
Janko Rudman Sweden
Annette Mederic France
Abbas Al-Hindawi Iraqi
Serge Jacobs Belgium
Faris Jahjan Lebanon
Khalid Birkadar Lebanon
Percha Sawann Thailand
Carlos Cardenas Venezuela
Koth Tat Khoon Malaysia
Rogero Tempalini Italy
Mistumaha Kawakami Japan
Hashim Bin Salim Singapore
Thil Paul Luxembourg
Mathey Claudet Switzerland
Saafquat Ali-Javed Italy
Georgio Soarani Italy
Malay Roy India
Tall Class:
Mike Katz U.S.A.
Baldo Lois Spain
Ali-Al Gayyar Iraq
Nadhir Kaaki Lebanon
Keijo Reiman Finland
Winston Roberts Canada
Solomon Esmanto Malaysia
Slavko Mujic Yugoslavia
Ismal Ibrahim Palestine
Aziz Ullah Pakistan
Jak Cousaris Cyprus
Paulo Alfonso Brazil
Asad Karlawi Palestine
Overall winners:
Ed Corney U.S.A.
Mike Katz U.S.A.
Kenichi Suemitaus Japan
Team Trophy Winners:
U.S.A. 14 Points
Belgium 10 Points
Iraqi 9 Points
Japan 7 Points
Sweden 5 Points
Spain 5 Points
1972 IFBB Mr. Asia
Short Class:
Kenichi Suemitsue Japan
Talib Al-Doory Iraq
Aziz Madhloom Iraq
Abdul Aleem Pakistan
Johnny Cox Malaysia
Tawfeek Saeed Lebanon
Middle Class:
Abbas Al-Hindawi Iraq
Khalid Birkadar Lebanon
Redha Moosa Iraq
Faris Jahjah Lebanon
Piracha Sawana Thailand
Mistumaha Kawakami Japan
Tall Class:
Ali Al-Gayyar Iraq
Khalid Al-Kaisi Iraq
Nadhir Kaaki Lebanon
Mohamed Mawla Lebanon
Solomon Esmanto Malaysia
Azizullah Pakistan
Team Points:
Iraq 32 Points
Lebanon 16 Points
Japan 8 Points
Pakistan 4 Points
Malaysia 4 Points
Thailand 2 Points
On my way to Baghdad, I stopped at London, England, to pick up Dennis Stallard, Acting Chairman of the IFBB Judges Committee, and his charming wife. Together, we flew to Baghdad several days prior to the arrival of the contestants for the Mr. Asia competition.
Awaiting us at Baghdad's Airport was a dramatic indication of what was to come. We were given a royal V.I.P. reception! Imagine. . . no passport or customs examination! Now I know how Henry Kissinger must feel in similar circumstances. After a brief Press Conference, we were quickly escorted to a first class hotel in a beautiful limousine. Naturally I assumed we were getting preferential treatment because of my position as International President of our Federation. But every delegate and contestant arriving later enjoyed the very same warm V.I.P. reception!
Enjoying their roles as international celebrities, Ed Corney, Mike Katz, and Tom Minichiello (Vice President of the IFBB for North America) had flown non-stop from New York to Geneva. Along with the other delegates and competitors from thirty-five nations, they stayed at a fabulous hotel overlooking beautiful Lake Geneva. They mingled with huge throngs at the Mr. Universe-in-Transit Ball and all the top competitors gave posing exhibitions that were covered by local TV and the press.
Nearly overwhelmed
