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Ray Mentzer Bodybuilder Then And Now

By Cornell Scott / March 11, 2024

Ray Mentzer Then

Born on May 23, 1944, in rural Pennsylvania, Ray Mentzer was a sickly child who suffered from polio. However, he discovered bodybuilding at a young age and quickly became obsessed with the sport. By the time he was 20, Mentzer had already won several local bodybuilding competitions.

In 1968, Mentzer made his national debut at the Mr. America competition. He placed 10th that year, but he returned the following year and won the overall title. Mentzer went on to win the Mr. America title again in 1970 and 1971. He also won the Mr. Universe title in 1978 and 1979.

Mentzer’s bodybuilding career was cut short in 1980 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer eventually returned. Mentzer died on June 11, 1997, at the age of 53.

Ray Mentzer Now

Ray Mentzer is no longer alive, but his legacy as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time lives on. He is remembered for his incredible physique, his dedication to the sport, and his pioneering training methods. Mentzer’s philosophy of “heavy duty” training has been adopted by countless bodybuilders around the world.

Today, Mentzer’s memory is kept alive by his fans and followers. There is a Ray Mentzer Museum in his hometown of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and a number of websites and social media pages dedicated to his life and career.