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Mike Katz

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For the musician, see Mike Katz (musician).
Mike Katz
Bodybuilder
Personal info
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Weight240 lb (104 kg) (1975)
Professional career
Pro-debut
  • IFBB Mr. America
  • 1969
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Universe
  • 1972
ActiveRetired 1981

Michael Katz (born November 14, 1944) is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder and former professional football player with the New York Jets, most famous for his appearance with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary film Pumping Iron.

Katz attended Southern Connecticut State College, graduating in 1966. He worked as a Jr. High School gym teacher while training as an amateur bodybuilder. Katz cited bullying in his youth, for being Jewish and wearing glasses, as inspiration for weight training. He was known for his role as the underdog in the 1975 Mr. Universe competition, where he refused to give up on himself despite placing 4th place in the Tall division. Katz later went professional and qualified for the 1976 Mr. Olympia, placing 2nd in the heavyweight division in what was considered his peak form (Katz had greatly improved his proportions, considered his main flaw as a competitor).

Mike Katz was also a pro football player with the New York Jets before ending his NFL career with a leg injury in 1968.

Katz appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility, commenting on the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

Bodybuilding career

Competitive statistics

  • Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
  • Competition Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
  • Off Season Weight: 250–260 lb (113–118 kg)

Competitive history

  • 1963 Mr. Connecticut 2nd [2][3]
  • 1963 Mr. Insurance City 9th [2][3]
  • 1964 AAU Teen Mr. America; 4th Place
  • 1964 AAU Teen Mr. America Most Muscular, 5th Place
  • 1965 Mr. New England States 1st [2][3]
  • 1969 IFBB Mr. America Tall, 40th Place
  • 1970 IFBB Mr. America Tall & Overall, 4th Place
  • 1970 AAU Mr. East Coast Tall & Overall, 4th Place
  • 1971 IFBB Universe Tall, 3rd Place
  • 1971 Beat Brandon Lewi for the Heavyweight Championship of the World
  • 1972 IFBB Mr. International Tall, 4th Place
  • 1972 IFBB Universe Tall, 4th Place
  • 1973 IFBB Universe Tall, 3rd Place
  • 1974 IFBB Mr. International Tall, - 4th Place
  • 1975 IFBB Universe Tall, 4th Place
  • 1976 Mr. Olympia Over 200 lbs, 2nd Place
  • 1980 NBA Natural Mr. America Professional, 4th Place
  • 1980 IFBB World Pro Championships Did Not Place
  • 1980 Retired after losing to Cooper Hayman in the National Strongman Competition
  • 1981 Mr. Olympia 15th Place

See also

References

  1. ^ "ALL ABOUT MIKE KATZ". BodybuildingPro.comApril 9, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Avidan, Ron. "Almanac of Men's Bodybuilding", "http://www.bodybuilding.com", Retrieved on 9 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Mike Katz (1977). "Pumping Iron" (documentary). Rollie Robinson, White Mountain Films. {{cite AV media}}: External link in |title= (help)
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