Sunday afternoon, I received the news from Lonnie Teper that Irvin ‘Zabo’ Koszewski has passed away, at the age of 84.  While I didn’t know Irvin, I had heard his name a number of times from the past, as he was considered a great bodybuilder.

Here, from the ifbb.com website, is all about the Bodybuilder Hall of Famer. Irvin ‘Zabo’ Koszewski was born August 20, 1924 in Camden, New Jersey.

In the history of our sport, perhaps no one has been identified with – and applauded for – a particular Bodypart more than Irvin “Zabo” Koszewski; so much so that his nickname is better known and more used than his proper first name. Throw in the fact that he has been a Muscle Beach fixture for more than 50 years, and it is clear why he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

Zabo’s quest for a perfect midsection began at the age of seven, after seeing photographs of Eugen Sandow’s abdominal development. This early determination would serve him well later in life, when he would seldom fail to win best abs in the contests he entered.

While in high school, athletic Zabo lettered in track, swimming and wrestling, and he was also captain of the football team, for which he was selected as an all-state guard. He began weight training outdoors at Roberts Lake in Collingswood, New Jersey, and when the lake was closed for the winter, Zabo brought home the barbells and began a gym in his basement.

In 1943, Zabo enlisted in the army infantry, along with training partner Dino Mazzo; a photo of Zabo from that year appeared in Strength & Health magazine when he was stationed in Utica, New York. During his enlistment, Zabo served in New Zealand and Australia, and he fought in three combat landings. While in Japan, he was stationed near an iron foundry and was able to improvise his training by using odd pieces of iron. However, malaria and dengue fever reduced his 185 pounds to 135.

Zabo continued his training when he returned stateside; he won Mr. New Jersey in 1948, as well as the junior and senior Mr. Middle Atlantic titles in 1950. The following year, he stepped foot on Muscle Beach in California and knew he had found home. Between 1950 and 1954, he would win Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. California titles and enter the AAU Mr. America contest four times, achieving placings of 13th, 5th, and 3rd (two times) – while always winning best abs.

At the 1965 Mr. America, held in conjunction with the inaugural Mr. Olympia, Zabo placed third in the medium class, he won, of course, best abs. Two years later, he won the Mr. International medium class, as well as the unique title of World’s Best Abs. His bodybuilding successes led to mainstream notoriety, as he landed a part in the TV series Combat for five years, worked in movies and toured with the Mae West Show.

Evidence of Zabo’s longevity can be found in his participation in the 1970 Pro World event in Columbus, Ohio, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sergio Oliva faced off in the tall division, and Zabo landed fourth in the short class. By 1978, he was honored as the Venice Beach Bodybuilding Man of the Year. Zabo is still employed by World Gym in Venice.

I will heading down to the evening part of the 2009 NPC Max Muscle Natural competition this weekend, on Saturday, March 28th.   While last weeks NPC San Diego had over 130 competitors, this contest already has 100 competitors, which is a new record for this competition.  It is in Los Angeles, aka Culver City, at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. 

As for the emcee in the evening, it is none other than the best one in the business, Lonnie Teper himself, one of the ‘Experts’ at the mike!

See you there…

The NPC San Diego contest was the first NPC show in California to feature the new NPC Bikini division, and a lot of people were anticipating to see exactly what were they look for, and what the differences would be between Figure and Bikini.  This was a big local show, over 130 competitors, and there were some surprises, plus some promising competitors that will do quite well this year.  There was also a lot of novice competitors, and it was nice to see people go up on stage and feel good about themselves, through training, diet and discipline.

Here are some pics and the results from the event…

Results

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/results/6922

Men’s Bodybuilding Pics (Novice and Open)

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/6922/event/1/mode/will/

Women’s Bodybuilding Pics

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/6922/event/2/mode/will/

Figure Comeptitor Pics

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/6922/event/3/mode/will/

Bikini Competitor Pics

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/6922/event/6/mode/will/

Misc Pictures from the event

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/6922/mode/will/page/756

Thanks for making it a great show!

It was a sold out venue here in San Diego as promoter Jon Lindsay had another spectacular event with over 130 competitors, and a standing room only crowd that spilled into the expo area. Here is a picture of the overall competitors, including Rob Pyfer, Jennifer Nixon, Michelle Gullett, and Ron Sargeant with promoter Jon Lindsay. Diana Feather (women’s bb) is not pictured.

Here is a picture of Super Heavyweight Ron Sargeant, Heavyweight Jamie Grote, and Light Heavyweight Rob Pyfer at the final comparisons.

Here is a picture of Middleweight Craig Jones, Lightweight Enrique Ortiz, and Bantamweight Tyler Anderson in the final comparison round.

The first NPC California show of the season, and the competitor that brought out the biggest buzz from the audience was Ron Sargeant, a massive 280 pound guy who was competing in his FIRST show.  Ron won the overall novice, and when you look at the picture of the novices, he dwarfed them all, buy height and size.  Ron told me that he isnt even in shape yet, that he is preparing for the NPC Orange County Muscle Classic, where he will be ready, and just wanted to get on stage here in San Diego to see what it was like. Here are some pics of Ron.

Hidetada Yamagishi, Idrise Ward-El, Kris Dim, Brandon Curry and many others were in full force supporting and checking out the 2009 NPC San Diego bodybuilding, figure, fitness and bikini competition at the Scottish Rite Auditorum on Saturday, March 21st.  Hidetada told me that he currently is in better shape that he was at the 2009 Ironman, and will make the top three and qualify for the 2009 Mr. Olympia when he gets on stage in Orlando. Here are some pics.

FLEXONLINE.com reports that Moe El Moussawi joins a short list of IFBB Pros with publication contracts. Look for Moe on stage this Saturday where he looks to redeem himself from the IRONMAN Pro.

Mo Elmoussawi signs contract with Weider Publications
Weider Publications is proud to announce the signing of IFBB Pro League athlete Mo Elmoussawi. Elmoussawi, 34, recently placed second at the 2009 Ironman Pro and ninth at the 2008 Olympia.

“Being a Weider athlete mean’s I’m one of the top guys,” Elmoussawi said. “It gives me positive energy to go all the way to the top.”

Elmoussawi’s signing comes less than one week out from the Arnold Classic, which will be held this Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ohio. In Columbus, Elmoussawi will be looking to improve upon his performance at last year’s Arnold, when he placed 11th. Elmoussawi’s second-place finish at the Ironman was the highest finish of his five-year professional career.

El Moussawi joins a list of athletes that includes Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson, two-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Silvio Samuel, Melvin Anthony and Dennis James.

“As far as my career it’s more of a prize of what I’ve achieved lately,” El Moussawi said of signing with Weider.

Many people are talking like the Arnold Classic is between three people. Victor Martinez, Kai Green and Toney Freeman. Don’t forget about one dude who will likely be the most muscular guy on stage, Branch Warren. Branch was looking good three weeks out and in top condition. Can he bring it to the Arnold Classic Stage next weekend? He looks great from the front but his back has held him,well back. If he’s improved his back he could cause problems for others. We’ll see what Branch brings to Columbus in a few days.

Branch Warren back to the Arnold Classic.