Bodybuilding Legend Albert Beckles, “The Ageless One,” Dies at 95

[beakdoctor]

He had quite the resume of professional competition.  Truly amazing! Bay approved!

Over the years I have heard of him fudging about his age… any thoughts on why he might do it if it’s true?  I never thought of BB as a venue where competitors suffered age discrimination—especially now.  Older physiques are celebrated even if it’s with a word of caution.  Perhaps that wasn’t true in earlier years.

May he rest in peace.

Id guess, his face 'type' and premature balding gave him an older look than he really was and - if he was lying about it- it probably evolved as a joke. Just a guess but He was probably asked about his age because of his looks and he just started playing into it. After awhile it became the thing he was known for.

[BB]

Beckles age is a weird one. For years, he claimed 1930. Joe Roark, the IFBB historian for a lot of years, claims Beckles told John Hansen he was born in 1936, and Roark believes 1938 more likely.

Roark on tracking down Beckles age in various threads -

https://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=101196.msg1461551#msg1461551 .

https://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=68895.msg1023096#msg1023096 .

The Hansen claim in this thread -https://www.facebook.com/100044496156930/posts/albert-beckles-the-british-gentleman-albert-al-beckles-born-in-1930-is-a-former-/329429291883607/ .

[Stephano]

Roark believes 1938 more likely.

This is based on really flimsy evidence, though, like:

"he didn't compete in Master's shows when he was eligible!"

"The magazines didn't say that he was especially old!"   

"his passport said DoB 1930, but it looked more like 193o, so I think he tampered with it!"

There's really no solid proof for a 1938 DoB, and we should probably just take Beckles at his word, especially as he did produce a passport that documented a 1930 DoB.

[Grenache]

1985 profile:

Mr. Olympia 1988:

1989 Grand Prix Finland:

[NarcissisticDeity]

 

[honest]

Absolute legend, so glad he made a full recovery after his diuretic episode on the tour. lived a full long life RIP.

 

[NarcissisticDeity]

 

[WrongAdvices]

It vwas lasix at the German Grand Prix, he borrowed what he thought werre 5mg tabs from another competitor and they turned out to be 20mgs

He said anywhere other than Germany where the medical treatment is top notch he would likley have died.

Are the Germans really so good or was he used to British doctors?

[WrongAdvices]

Absolutely incredible genetics including age and ability to withstand gear. He must’ve been on for 30+ yrs.

His chicken breast count must be off the charts.

[Rambone]

Absolutely incredible genetics including age and ability to withstand gear. He must’ve been on for 30+ yrs.

His chicken breast count must be off the charts.

He added 60 years to his life by not eating all of the good chicken.






This was a Shotgun Sally reference…..

[NarcissisticDeity]

 

[Never1AShow]

He added 60 years to his life by not eating all of the good chicken.






This was a Shotgun Sally reference…..

I thought that was good steak?

[Rambone]

I thought that was good steak?

I was always under the impression that she was cooking and he ate up all of the “good chicken”! Instead he was buying overpriced chicken

[beakdoctor]

For sure.....one of my favorites, bodybuilders.       

NO HOMO

So true.

He was really well proportioned. Had the freakiest biceps, was always in condition, always looked like he was chiseled out of stone and extremely dense with a great back.

Even when his placings dropped off, it wasn't like he was out of shape, the younger pros were just getting bigger and bigger. He was one of the most consistent bodybuilders for 20 years. The only other bodybuilder who comes close is Dexter in terms of consistency and longevity.

[wes]

So true.

He was really well proportioned. Had the freakiest biceps, was always in condition, always looked like he was chiseled out of stone and extremely dense with a great back.

Even when his placings dropped off, it wasn't like he was out of shape, the younger pros were just getting bigger and bigger. He was one of the most consistent bodybuilders for 20 years. The only other bodybuilder who comes close is Dexter in terms of consistency and longevity.

I concur, and I also believe that his birth certificate was probably wrong to begin with..........he may not have known his actual birthdate......but who knows or really cares......the guy was awesome!!

RIP