Ron Mangum, if I remember correctly was the big dude who went toe to toe with Steve O' Brien for the Natural Mr. California in 1980 (??).MooseBoy-did Ron do the Natural CA. in 80 or 81... I am ALMOST positive he was the guy-a very very close contest that could have gone either way.Let me know....... I might have to call Steve O' Brien up and ask him.
I remember the first time I went into Gold's Venice-81 or 82-Hampton Drive location-Sunday afternoon, pretty empty-except for Mike Christian and his workout partner, both repping out 405# on the incline, then on to flat benches for 500# reps............Never saw that shit in my local gym!
Squad...serious, man...he did 6-8...clear in my mind because it was so shocking...I remember it very clearly
i don't know man maybe your memory is fuzzy, 6-8 with 315 i'd give him but 405? i'd have to see it in person.
Mike Christian hit 405# for at least 8 on incline in 1981/82, saw it with my own eyes. Even better he went right to flat benches after that and hit 5 plates for reps......I have never even seen anyone incline rep 315, then here was Mike doing 405 inclines after he won the Cal.....If Christian could do it, Kal most likely could too.
I will get around to asking my friend, Cheach, who awned the gym and was good friend with kal and used to train with Roger Callard...Callard used to Make Cheach and his friends call him "Uncle Roger"...and Cheach told me this was because he was pissed that Arnold used to make Callard call HIM "Uncle Arnold"Cheach will recall the poundages for sure...I may be off
Well, Ron won the Natural America held in Cali in 1980, I think he MAY have also gone in the Cal, but I am not too sure of that...Won most of the East Coast shows in late 70's...at very young age..
i don't know man, put it this way, on Cost of Redemption an offseason 305 pound Ronnie Coleman did 7 reps on the incline with 405 and 2 more with fingers on the bar, you're telling me Kal Szkalak did the same?
BOOM! That seals the deal, that was Ron at the 1980 Natural Mr. California.Steve O'Brien was tall AND big, while Ron was shorter but had more muscle, and killer abs......I knew that name Ron Mangum rang a bell, and after the pics I knew that was him.Perosnally I though Ron had Steve beat-but Steve looked very good-plus Steve was the local guy and was also buddies with the promoter of that show- BBer/Strongman Mike Dayton. Steve O'Brien with then Girl Friend Julie Strain-future Penthouse Pet of the year (94?) and soft core porn star (and flat as a pancake back then).Mike Dayton;Ron Magnum link;http://www.magnumpowerforcegym.bm/champion.html
even if he recalls 405, 495, 585, whatever, i'm not believeing it unless i see it with Kal, Christian i'd believe maybe a heavily assisted single or double with 405 on incline but that's it, nobody gets to come on here and claim world class weights with no proof while i'm here, sorry.
Hey Natural O...I knew I recalled his heavy incliunes for a reason...I went to Cali in 1980 when I was 16 to stay with relatives and check out the gyms...stayed in Torrance and trained at a gym called Barlow's...anyone recall that place?Anyone recall ABC sports coverage of the O the year Kal took 5th to Zane?They had a capsule on him showing himn doing standing calf raises...and the commentator was saying something like, "Here's Kal S...largest upper body in the world...but will his weak lower body hold him from annexing the big title...?
Which show you mean? You mean Joe's Olympia? Probably not...
Yeah...Ct...I will probably go to that...usually do...last year, they were actually SOLD OUT...and I went expecting to get tix at the door...went to see a friend in the show...and they wouldn't let me in....but I think you know this....Joe P???I did just drop $500 on 5 tix for the NY pro today...
Yeah...I called Steve's gym first today...and said I wanted the best tix they had...as close to front center as possible...and the kid didn't have much of a clue...so I bought the most expensive ones (And I am not usually a spendthrift)...and must hope for the best. Yes...its kinda helter skelter, usually....
Hell...I remember they put the crucifix pose on the cover of Bob Kennedy's MM Annual, and it was VERY controversial....my dad and I were supposed to go to the 1978 or 79 Olympia...but he could not get time off so I didn't go...always regretted that...
Kal still has the guns Does anyone know how old this pic is ?
I was there in 78 and I remember the moment well. When they called out Kal's placing, the look on his face was intense. He didn't grimace or anything, but you could tell he was hurt. He really thought he deserved better. Then he put his arms out in that crucifiction pose and tilted his head to the side..totally spontaneous. I remember getting so caught up in the moment, at 16 years of age, that I actually shed a tear. It was that dramatic. And no.. I'm not gay! Kal believed his attempt to form a bodybuilding union had resulted in the "Powers that Be" crucifying him.
