Anybody who's been lifting since they were a kid probably remembers how someone around their way was revered as an awesome up and coming bodybuilder that you and all your friends wanted to look like.
When I was a kid in Queens there were 3 guys. Paul Grafas was hailed as the next Arnold by MD and then disappeared from competition. I never met Paul but heard about him everywhere from everyone.
John Kowalski I had the pleasure of knowing. He was one intense kid, benching in the 400s when everyone else was struggling with 225. He was also a black belt in Judo and definitely one of those larger than life characters in the 'hood. He died.
Mike Palazzo (?) was another teenage competitor I never met but heard he was awesome. Hear he's a cop now and though he still trains, don't know if he competes.
Anybody else have stories of guys or gals in their neighborhood when they were coming up and whatever became of them?
