Underrated "Mass Monster":World Bodybuilding Federation Champion, Gary Strydom

[MCWAY]

Now that Getbig is back, it's back to posting more classic videos. While Dorian Yates (circa 1993) is deemed to have officially ushered in the era of the "mass monster", there were a few guys in the early 90s who helped paved the way.

Among them, I would suggest, is none other than World Bodybuilding Federation Champion, Gary Stardom.

Here he is, guest-posing at FIBO shortly before or after winning his first championship.

[Brenda Steunbeer]

Strydom looked better than Yates. Better arms, smaller waist, taller, more personality and Gary smiled a lot. Dorain never did, he always looked like a zombie on stage.

[Humble Narcissist]

Strydom looked better than Yates. Better arms, smaller waist, taller, more personality and Gary smiled a lot. Dorain never did, he always looked like a zombie on stage.

Strydom looked great from the front but became The Invisible Man when he turned around.

[oldschoolfan]

gary strydom had a great look he was smart he took the wbf money, he made more in three years from the wbf than yates did his entire olympia run with the weiders

[illuminati]

Now that Getbig is back, it's back to posting more classic videos. While Dorian Yates (circa 1993) is deemed to have officially ushered in the era of the "mass monster", there were a few guys in the early 90s who helped paved the way.

Among them, I would suggest, is none other than World Bodybuilding Federation Champion, Gary Stardom.

Here he is, guest-posing at FIBO shortly before or after winning his first championship.

Gary Like Paul Dillett was a potential Mr O winner from the front
& a also ran finisher from the back.

Better Than Dorian Ha, ha ha      Nope.

[wes]

Crazee Wear Of Peace   

[galain]

Strydom was really really good. I think he brought his back up a lot toward the end of his career.

[Donny]

Gary Like Paul Dillett was a potential Mr O winner from the front
& a also ran finisher from the back.

Better Than Dorian Ha, ha ha      Nope.

yes his back was nothing like Dorian´s  Dorian was the King !

[IroNat]

"Gee Dad, he's big..."

[MCWAY]

Gary Like Paul Dillett was a potential Mr O winner from the front
& a also ran finisher from the back.

Better Than Dorian Ha, ha ha      Nope.

I made no such claim. I said that he was one of the "mass monsters" that precedes Yates. His 1991 physique was gigantic.

[oldschoolfan]

had the best chest delt combo  i have seen

[njflex]

had the best chest delt combo  i have seen

Add traps and quads as well insane,and had good arms.

[oldschoolfan]

Add traps and quads as well insane,and had good arms.

i liked his look myself one of my favorites. 

[njflex]

i liked his look myself one of my favorites.

If he had stayed in the IFB be, he would’ve won a lot of small shows easily and I think once the Olympia hit the 92, 9394 seasons, if he didn’t come in super sharp, he probably would’ve been a top five at the best, he had the kind of genes his muscle was just round and ffull on top and quads he didn’t need to diet himself to death to look good the size of him alone carry him. I just think Haney and Yates had to much combination of everything that would’ve kept him back but otherwise the guy was outstanding

[oldschoolfan]

If he had stayed in the IFB be, he would’ve won a lot of small shows easily and I think once the Olympia hit the 92, 9394 seasons, if he didn’t come in super sharp, he probably would’ve been a top five at the best, he had the kind of genes his muscle was just round and ffull on top and quads he didn’t need to diet himself to death to look good the size of him alone carry him. I just think Haney and Yates had to much combination of everything that would’ve kept him back but otherwise the guy was outstanding

totally agree,  he would have had to come in better condition in that era he definately had the structure to win. a buddy of mine who was in the industry at that time told me between his wbf contract and crazee wear money he was the highest earning guy  in the industry.

i remember shawn mooney who worked for the wwf  at that time said on his podcast gary was getting 400k per year  from the wbf  that was way more than any other pro was making in the ifbb at that time.

[Irongrip400]

Strydom looked great from the front but became The Invisible Man when he turned around.

I’m not sure why the back trumps the other muscle groups, when it’s the only weak part. Dorian looked bad by the end, and because of his back he kept winning.

[MCWAY]

totally agree,  he would have had to come in better condition in that era he definately had the structure to win. a buddy of mine who was in the industry at that time told me between his wbf contract and crazee wear money he was the highest earning guy  in the industry.

i remember shawn mooney who worked for the wwf  at that time said on his podcast gary was getting 400k per year  from the wbf  that was way more than any other pro was making in the ifbb at that time.

$400K per year in salary plus $100K for winning the WBF title means Strydom was making at least $500K per year way back in 1991.

Haney won $60K for winning the 1990 Olympia and $80K for his victory in 1991. His Twinlab contract sure wasn't paying him $400K and neither did his previous Weider contract.

[MCWAY]

gary strydom had a great look he was smart he took the wbf money, he made more in three years from the wbf than yates did his entire olympia run with the weiders

Shawn Ray said he seriously considered jumping ship, until he learned that his training partner (Troy Zuccolotto, 1989 NPC Nationals Champion, who had yet to compete as a pro) was offered $275K per year; while Ray was only offered $225K a year, coming off his 3rd-place finish at the 1990 Olympia.

[jude2]

Strydom looked great from the front but became The Invisible Man when he turned around.

He was  badass from the front.

[BayGBM]

totally agree,  he would have had to come in better condition in that era he definately had the structure to win. a buddy of mine who was in the industry at that time told me between his wbf contract and crazee wear money he was the highest earning guy  in the industry.

i remember shawn mooney who worked for the wwf  at that time said on his podcast gary was getting 400k per year  from the wbf  that was way more than any other pro was making in the ifbb at that time.

Good for him.  At least he is not on gofundme begging the community for donations.

[AbrahamG]

Good for him.  At least he is not on gofundme begging the community for donations.

It's been widely reported that Gary was quite friendly with the cock.  Not his own.

[Humble Narcissist]

I’m not sure why the back trumps the other muscle groups, when it’s the only weak part. Dorian looked bad by the end, and because of his back he kept winning.

It is the one body part that seems to separate Olympia winners from contenders.

[MCWAY]

I’m not sure why the back trumps the other muscle groups, when it’s the only weak part. Dorian looked bad by the end, and because of his back he kept winning.

Strydom beat a number of guys in the WBF who had better backs (Mike Quinn, Mike Christian, and especially Tony "the Jetman" Pearson). Pearson had the best back of all the WBF bunch but never made the top 5 there (though some made the case that he should have done so in 1992).

[beakdoctor]

Strydom looked great from the front but became The Invisible Man when he turned around.

That's always been the knock against him. Like Nasser or Dillet, weak back. But Dorian was more than just a better back. It was his size and density. Even in 1994 and 1997, when he was off and injured, his size and density gave him a certain look the others didn't have.

Personally, I'd rather have a Mr.Olympia who looks like the winner from the front. A great back is impressive, it seems to emphasize the difference in size and conditioning moreso than other body parts but who would you rather look like Gary 1992? Or Dorian, any year?

Unfortunately all those WBF guys relegated themselves to sideshow status. Their careers were over the minute they signed with the WBF. The smart ones used their WBF money wisely and seemingly did well in life.

[beakdoctor]

Strydom beat a number of guys in the WBF who had better backs (Mike Quinn, Mike Christian, and especially Tony "the Jetman" Pearson). Pearson had the best back of all the WBF bunch but never made the top 5 there (though some made the case that he should have done so in 1992).

Christian and Strydom were very close competitively.  Always splitting those Grand Prix shows. Christian probably looked his absolute best at the drug tested Mr Olympia and got shafted in the final placing. Strydom was wider but Mike had the better back. Mike's legs were always a bit too small as well.

The WBF only had 2 shows but it changed bodybuilding forever,  for better and for worse.