
Two-time NABBA Mr. Universe bodybuilding champion Chet Yorton has died at the age of 81. Word of his passing had been rumored over the last week, but Yorton’s daughter, Shannan, confirmed the news of his death as well as her mother’s, Vicky, on her Facebook page on December 4th.
“November 21st, 2020 I lost both of my parents 2 weeks ago, on the same day. I am an only child and they were all I had in this world…
My mama was 78. Autopsy still pending. My dad was 81. Heart attack. My mom died first. My dad died later when he found my mom… he must have suffered such shock and sadness in finding her.”
Yorton discovered training while recovering from a car accident when he was in high school. He was a competitive bodybuilder from 1960 to 1979. His most famous accolade came when he was victorious at the 1966 National Amateur Body Builders Association (NABBA) Mr. Universe amateur competition.
The reason is largely because of the man who placed second, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It would be the first of three times that Schwarzenegger was defeated in bodybuilding competition. Schwarzenegger took to Twitter to express his condolences:
“