RIP - IFBB Pro Paul Poloczek (Dead At 37)

[Primemuscle]

German Pro (super nice and low key guy, that's why most of you probably don't even know him)

Heart attack at 37, leaves behind his wife, his 3-year-old daughter, and his gym.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/05/31/bodybuilder-paul-poloczek-dead-37/

Where did you read he had a heart attack? Everything I've read in the media says the cause of death is unknown.

[Matt]

Where did you read he had a heart attack? Everything I've read in the media says the cause of death is unknown.

You were also afraid of Covid, despite it having a survival rate well above 99.9% for healthy people, because the press told you to be scared of it.

[Primemuscle]

You were also afraid of Covid, despite it having a survival rate well above 99.9% for healthy people, because the press told you to be scared of it.

Get over yourself.

[youandme]

Frank Hillebrand 45, Mike Matarazzo 48, Art Atwood 37, George Peterson 37, all died of heart attacks too

Art was 37? Thought he was much older.

[AbrahamG]

Where did you read he had a heart attack? Everything I've read in the media says the cause of death is unknown.

I read that he was fucking his wife up the ass when an undetected blood clot in his cock burst.  Died instantly.

[Royalty]

Art was 37? Thought he was much older.

[Royalty]

Also a heart attack at age 47

[Matt]

Art was 37? Thought he was much older.

Yep - three months shy of his 38th birthday. Some on here said he had a recreational drug problem in addition to gear, but he had not competed since 2006. He was still huge though.

RIP Art Atwood.
1973-2011.

RIP - Art Ratwood

LOL.

[Bevo]

Yep - three months shy of his 38th birthday. Some on here said he had a recreational drug problem in addition to gear, but he had not competed since 2006. He was still huge though.

RIP Art Atwood.
1973-2011.



LOL.

I used to see Art all the time, he was very approachable and nice guy. Trained at that same gym and this was when Quincy Taylor was there as well. Both of them were on the taller side Art was 5’11 and Quincy was 6’3

Art was a drug dealer, and was also on rec drugs and partied a lot, loved Exctasy and was walking around easily 300 pounds, no surprise he died young

[wes]

Tuefel benched close to five bills as a teen.

Got robbed by Tony Pearson at the Mr. A back in the day......serious alcoholic...RIP


Muscular Development, Vol 15, No 6, Page 30, December 1978

1978 MR. AMERICA CONTEST
Cincinati, Ohio
September 2, 1978
Reported by Jan Dellinger
ON SATURDAY evening, September the 2nd, bodybuilding aficionados from across the United States jammed into the majestic Cincinnati Music Hall auditorium to witness the main event in the realm of muscledom...the crowning of a new Mr. America.

As usual, this prestigious happening provided plenty of excitement and a few surprises. According to pre-contest gossip, most of those in attendance felt that it would be basically a one, or possibly, two-man competition. However, one of the most enticing features about bodybuilding is its unpredictability and it was evident on this occasion.

Placings in
Each Height Category
Results by Dave Sauer

Short Group

Ron Teufel
Tom Platz
Carlos Rodriguez
Tony Pandolfo
John Iacobelli
James Seitzer
Dave Mastorakis
Sammie Willis
Mike Arnold
Robert Jodkiewicz
Lionel Gaubert
James Gaubert
John Ruehlman
Ron Barrett
Medium Group

Tony Pearson
Larry Jackson
Richard Baldwin
Larry Gordon
Robert Reis
Ray Mentzer
Ron Mangum
Ron McBeath
Eddie Love
C. F. Smith
Don Ausmus
Doug Beaver
Fred Shandor
Sam Sanchez
Charles Thomas
Robert Klez
Keith Kephart
Gary Goss
James Nelson
Ron Buchanan
Tall Group

Manuel Perry
Clinton Beyerle
Gary Leonard
Rod Koontz
Frank Wainwright
William Nuckols
John Aldrich
Lou Perrotta
Subdivisions

Mr. America
Tony Pearson
Most Muscular Man
Tony Pearson
Best Abdominals
Ron Teufel
Best Arms
Manuel Perry
Best Back
Larry Jackson
Best Chest
Larry Jackson
Best Legs
Tom Platz
Best Poser
Tony Pearson
Mr. America
Pose-down Results

Tony Pearson
Four 1st place votes
(Graham, Kuehn,
Miller & Wulff)
Ron Teufel
Two 1st place votes
(Manion & Mese)
Manuel Perry
One 1st place vote
(Hudson)
Judges:
Mike Graham,
Byron Hudson, Kent
Kuehn, Jim Manion,
John Mese, Rod
Miller, Harry Wulff
The proceedings got underway with a resounding bang as the legendary Bill Pearl commemorated the 25th anniversary of his 1953 Mr. America victory by staging an absolutely phenomenal posing display. This was a rare treat, indeed, for it afforded comparative newcomers-like this reporter-and long-time followers of the bodybuilding game an opportunity to watch the famed Pearl physique in action...and believe me, at the age of 48, he's still got it.

Needless to say, the crowd was definitely responsive to Pearl's efforts. In fact, each new pose generated more enthusiasm than the one before it. When he concluded, the audience showed its appreciation with a thunderous standing ovation.

Being the "class guy" that he is, Pearl reciprocated by addressing the zealous throng, expressing his fondness for bodybuilding and thanking fans everywhere for their loyal support.

The festivities' upbeat tempo heightened even more as the short class competitors for the Mr. America diadem filed out on stage. As one scrutinized this fine group of athletes, it was obvious that the judges had their work cut out for them. Naturally, the "smart money" was on Ron Teufel because he won this class and finished third overall at last year's Mr. A contest. Plus he had quite a streak going for himself this year, taking such highly regarded titles as Mr. USA and Mr. California. The latter award is a particularly good omen, for in recent years winners of this contest have used it as a stepping stone to the Mr. America crown. However, as we shall soon see, it was not to be in Ron's case.

Keeping the pressure on Teufel in the short division were such men as Tom "Mr. Legs" Platz, Sammie Willis, the fast-rising Gaubert brothers, Lionel and James, the current Jr. Mr. California, Robert Jodkiewicz, Tony Pandolfo and Dave Mastorakis.

When it was all said and done, Ron Teufel prevailed, with Platz coming second and Carlos Rodriguez, a newcomer to AAU Mr. America competition, taking third.

Talk about a star-studded lineup...get a load of some of the big names that vied for the top spot in the medium height division...C. F. Smith, Ray Mentzer, Florida physique sensation, Richard Baldwin, Doug "the Bear" Beaver-who was third in this class last year- Larry Jackson, winner of the tall class at the Mr. California contest, Tony Pearson, current Jr. Mr. America and Jr. Mr. USA, Robert Reis and Eddie Love.

Here again, the panel of judges had some tough choices to make. But, after considerable deliberation, they had Pearson in first, Jackson second and Baldwin in third.

For the second year in a row, two Californians, Manuel Perry and Clint Beyerle, finished one-two in the tall man competition. After watching these men pose, many observers thought Beyerle may have a chance of upsetting Perry, due to the fact that the latter appeared a bit too smooth. However, the judges did not concur with their opinion.

Third place went to another fast-rising physique-man who was making his first bid for the Mr. A title, Gary Leonard. Rounding out the field in this class was Rod Koontz, a bodybuilder / powerlifter who possesses a rugged build, John Aldrich, 1978 Mr. Iowa, Frank Wainwright, current Mr. PA, Bill Nuckols and Lou Perrotta.

After the tall class had been decided, the moment of truth had arrived. The individual height class winners Teufel, Pearson and Perry were summoned to the stage to give everyone one last look before the final decision was made.

Then everything quieted down and the announcer asked for the envelope containing the name of the winner. As the entire auditorium sat with bated breath, the suspense mounted rapidly. Finally, the announcer declared Tony Pearson 1978 Mr. America.

For some unknown reason, no mention was made as to who was the runner-up and third-place man overall. While there may be a logical explanation for neglecting these awards, it seems to me that the bodybuilding fans who shelled out their hard-earned dollars to see this event were shortchanged to a degree.

Nevertheless, as is often the case, the verdict created quite a bit of controversy among the spectators. Many of the Teufel and Perry rooters reacted vehemently against the decision, claiming that the winner's incomplete calf development impaired his symmetry.

Looking at it objectively, though, many of the experts felt that Teufel appeared slightly overtrained. Reportedly, Ron had reduced his food intake drastically the last couple of days prior to the contest so as to shed a little unwanted bulk and enhance his muscularity which he did. However, he may have overdone it a bit and therefore, their criticism may have been valid.

As far as Manuel Perry is concerned, I have already covered the reason which more than likely led to his downfall. However, in all fairness, I should add that his physique exhibited a great deal of massiveness, particularly his arms.

On the other hand, Pearson partisans maintained that their man had a good combination of size and exceptional muscularity and also had a hot streak of his own, copping the Jr. Mr. America and Jr. Mr. USA titles this year. This, in their mind, made him more than deserving.

Bear in mind too that four of the seven judges gave Pearson first-place votes while Teufel and Perry only got two and one first-place votes respectively.

In addition to winning the Mr. America title, Tony Pearson also corralled two of the sought-after subdivision awards: Most Muscular Man and Best Poser. Other subdivision winners were:

Best Abdominals-Ron Teufel
Best Arms-Manuel Perry
Best Back-Larry Jackson
Best Chest-Larry Jackson
Best Legs-Tom Platz
In closing, I'd like to extend my congratulations to the organizers of the contest in Cincinnati and to those men whose task it was to select this year's Mr. America. * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Three fine muscular poses of Tony Pearson, Mr. America of 1978

- Some of the men in the shorter division line up on stage. From left: John Ruehlman, Jim Gaubert, Ron Barrett, Tom Platz, and Tony Pandolfo.

- More of the men in the shorter division line up. From left: Mike Arnold, Sammy Willis, Robert Jodkiewicz, Ron Teufel and John Iacobelli.

- Coming out on stage are Gary Leonard (left) and Frank Wainwright who completed in the tall class.

- Winners in the medium height group are from left: Larry Jackson, 2nd; Tony Pearson, the class victor and the eventual overall winner, and Richard Baldwin, 3rd.

- Some of the men in the medium height class. From left: C. F. Smith, Eddie Love, Fred Shandor, Robert Klez, Keith Kephart, Sam Sanchez, Larry Jackson and Robert Reis.

- Winners in the tall division were, from left: Gary Leonard, 3rd; Manuel Perry, the winner, and Clint Beyerle, 2nd.

- The final posedown competition was chiefly between Tony Pearson and Ron Teufel.

- The short class was won by Ron Teufel, who also received a kiss from the trophy girl (who was not identified). The winners are, from left: Carlos Rodriguez, 3rd; Ron Teufel, the winner, and Tom Platz, who got 2nd.

[Matt]

I used to see Art all the time, he was very approachable and nice guy. Trained at that same gym and this was when Quincy Taylor was there as well. Both of them were on the taller side Art was 5’11 and Quincy was 6’3

Art was a drug dealer, and was also on rec drugs and partied a lot, loved Exctasy and was walking around easily 300 pounds, no surprise he died young

Art was a drug dealer...as in, rec drugs? It was public knowledge that he was a PED dealer, but did he deal actual rec drugs too?

I guess his early death makes sense in the context of both being massive and using rec drugs. I have read before - you can be fat or you can use/abuse drugs...but you can't do both.

I guess literally every heartbeat you have is that much more work for your heart and body.

[Matt]

Tuefel benched close to five bills as a teen.

Got robbed by Tony Pearson at the Mr. A back in the day......serious alcoholic...RIP

He was robbed by Pearson? Was that the consensus at the time? I can't recall seeing photos of Pearson at that show...though I can't imagine he looked better than Tuefel.

And that was amazing that he benched 500 as a teen. Howard once saw Ron do that at a seminar in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

- The short class was won by Ron Teufel, who also received a kiss from the trophy girl (who was not identified). The winners are, from left: Carlos Rodriguez, 3rd; Ron Teufel, the winner, and Tom Platz, who got 2nd.

And 25 years later, he was dead before the age of 45.

Such an incredible prime at a young age, then an early death.

[wes]

He was robbed by Pearson? Was that the consensus at the time? I can't recall seeing photos of Pearson at that show...though I can't imagine he looked better than Tuefel.

And that was amazing that he benched 500 as a teen. Howard once saw Ron do that at a seminar in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

And 25 years later, he was dead before the age of 45.

Such an incredible prime at a young age, then an early death.

Pearson was very light with no legs compartively but ripped to shreds.....general concensus of opinion was that the huge Manny Perry or Tueful should have won.

Another guy who died from booze who was also in this contet and ended up homeless was Rod Koontz.

Frank Wainwright shot and killed during an argument at a car wash.

My buddy Dave "Mass" Mastorakis placing just out of the top five in the short class.....who had revenge on some of the guys who beat him later on. Dave was the youngest IFBB Mr. America competitor ever at fifteen years old when Dave Draper took the title.....he met Mike Menzer at sixteen and trained with the Mentzer brothers for years.....big proponent of the then new Nautilus machines as well as the one set to failure method later to be known as HIT by Mentzer although Dave was right in the thick of things with him from jump street.

Dave i a very good personal friend of mine and told me I was ay four percent bodyfat for the Masters Nats.....wont mention anymore cuz the tory sux due to IFBB then big wig Sandy Ranalli....who on that day had the personality of wet shit.

I had first met Manny Perry a few year before this at my first power meet competition in Boston  I got third place and had the highest bench in my class my first trophy ever.....Manny was a freak but was beaten by his then training partner Len Archambault,who had a Zanelike build .....perfect proportions.







^^^ Top three..short class.



^^^^A disgusted Ron Tueful as Pearson was announced the winner.

[wes]

Ron Teufel when he won the 1978 AAU Mr. USA contest

[Humble Narcissist]

It seems pros are dropping like flies. Is it partially because there are so many with pro cards today?

[wes]

It seems pros are dropping like flies. Is it partially because there are so many with pro cards today?

They rely way too much on drugs all year long if not all of their competitive careers,you have to give the body a rest sometime and refresh the receptors....plus GH OVERUSE and insulin in copious amounts and God knows what else these nitwits will take or do for that hunk of plastic cuz compared to other pro sports they make chump change....and they eat a shit ton of food and instead of eating to come in ripped,they eat to come in at over three hundred pounds looking like pregnant hammered shit....I`d much rather watch classic or amatuer national level or even decent regional contests....the shit got out of hand....didn`t something like thirty two bodybuilders all die in the span on two and a half year or some shit like that and mot were unuder fifty year old  and even in their  twentie and thirties.

Soon I think they will outlaw the sport and go strictly to classic IMO if these cats keep dropping like flies and you know they will cuz that plastic trophy means a lot............NOT.

Walking/Waddling heart attacks just waiting impatiently to happen.....totally nuts.

[affeman]

Where did you read he had a heart attack? Everything I've read in the media says the cause of death is unknown.

Noted journalists Nick Trigili and Vince Goodrum both confirmed it was a heart attack.

[ChristopherA]

HEART FAILURE

https://barbend.com/luke-sandoe-cause-of-death/


I remember hearing that suicide was a “rumor”, but that was not the real cause

His close friends all say it was suicide. Luke's family was pushing some other narrative

[Royalty]

His close friends all say it was suicide. Luke's family was pushing some other narrative

His friends are probably all like Dave Palumbo, place the blame on ANYTHING other than years of steroid abuse

Blame: suicide, car crash, “genetics”, Covid vaccine, AIDS, monkey pox, rickets, quick sand drowning, bear attack, “old age”, slipped on a banana peel, scurvy, polio, found stuck in chimney, sniper

[GymnJuice]

Just FYI Non bodybuilders also have heart attacks this dude isn't 300lbs either

If only his nutrition cocoon had been large enough to keep his heart disease in remission. Then he would have been over 300 lbs.

[IroNat]

Died of a broken heart.

[Spike]

Yep - three months shy of his 38th birthday. Some on here said he had a recreational drug problem in addition to gear, but he had not competed since 2006. He was still huge though.

Atrwood was arrested was working with the feds as an informant
everyone talks about a rape charge helping contribute to shawn Rhodens passing - think about a federal indictment and then having to rat on everyone you know so you don't rot in fed prison

"There have been unsubstantiated rumors of a steroid bust involving Art Atwood for several months. David Jacobs, known by bodybuilding fans as Branch Warren’s training partner, was rumored to be a steroid dealer turned police informant who sold 100 vials of counterfeit steroids to Art Atwood in early May 2007. However, court documents revealed that Art Atwood was never arrested, charged or convicted of any type of anabolic steroid possession, steroid distribution or steroid conspiracy charge(s). Technically, Art Atwood was never “busted” for buying/selling steroids.

Today, the New York Times confirmed that IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Art Atwood bought 100 vials of counterfeit anabolic steroids from an unnamed police informant back on May 7, 2007. Atwood was arrested moments later, not on a steroids violation, but for a minor traffic violation. Clearly, police could have arrested and charged Art Atwood on a felony steroid possession or distribution charge, but they did not. We now know why…

Three days later on May 10, 2007, a grand jury indicted David Jacobs on three counts of “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids” and and one count of “unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.”

In November 2007, it was publicly revealed that David Jacobs would only receive probation as part of a plea agreement; in exchange, he told the media he would fully cooperate with federal authorities and release the names of professional athletes to which he sold anabolic steroids.

Today, the New York Times revealed that Art Atwood also made a deal with Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Cantrell in which he would completely avoid jail time; in exchange the feds have his full cooperation. The feds enlisted both Art Atwood and David Jacobs to help them with Operation Raw Deal. But the New York Times was unable to uncover the final target of the multi-state investigation.

It is unclear whether or not Art Atwood will ever be charged with a crime. But Art Atwood and David Jacobs are still cooperating in an ongoing federal investigation meaning customers who bought anabolic steroids from them could still face criminal prosecution.

The New York Times articles provides an interesting insight into “steroid prosecution methods and goals.”

[mphgrove]

Here is a former getbig tribute to Art right after his death. Bay, of course, gives full tribute to Art’s “muclebreasts” with an associated photo or two.

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=394645.100

[Bevo]

His close friends all say it was suicide. Luke's family was pushing some other narrative

Luke died by trying to commit suicide but ended up having a heart attack in the process

[joswift]

potassium overdose?