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The History of Men's World Amateur Championships
   

1978

WORLD BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS and INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

Acapulco, Mexico


The Parade of Nations

Forty-two (42) countries attended the IFBB Congress.

Affiliated as new members were the following countries: El Salvador, USA (NPC), Bolivia, Jamaica, American Samoa, New Zealand, Libya, and Abu Dhabi.


The IFBB Executive Council


From left to right: Ben Weider, Winston Roberts, Malih Alaywan, and El Guindi

It was proposed that, commencing 1980 (the 1979 agenda had already been set), four (4) bodyweight categories be allowed and that the judging take place over a two-day period, with the prejudging the first day, and the congress and finals the second day.


Oscar State directing the Judges Meeting (is that Walter Van Den Branden on the far left?)

Elections were held with the following results:

President Ben Weider
Vice President North America Jim Manion
Vice President Middle East Malih Alaywan
Vice President Africa Abdel Hamid El Guindy
Vice President South America Steve Victory
Vice President Europe Julien Blommaert
Vice President Caribbean Victor Copra
Vice President Asia Paul Chua
General Secretary Winston Roberts
Assistant General Secretary Harris Kagan
Chairman Judges Committee Dennis Stallard
Chairman Technical Committee Jacques Blommaert
Chairman Medical Committee Prof. Dr. Ernst Jokl
Professional Judging Director Bill Pearl


Joe and Betty Weider


Top 3 in the Lightweight Class, from left to right: Renato Bertagna (Italy - 2nd), Carlos Rodriguez (USA - 1st), and Robert Dantlinger (Czechoslovakia - 2nd)


Top 3 in the Middleweight Class, from left to right: Petr Stach (Czechoslovakia - 2nd), Tom Platz (USA - 1st), and Darcy Beckles (Barbados - 3rd)

No photo available of the Heavy class. Mike Mentzer (USA - 1st), Jusup Wilkosz (Germany - 2nd), and Reid Schindle (Canada - 3rd).


Best National Team, a clean sweep by the USA, from left to right: Mike Mentzer (1st - Heavy), Tom Platz (1st - Middle), and Carlos Rodriguez (1st - Light)