Harold Poole: Uncrowned Mr. Olympia.

Harold Poole: Uncrowned Mr. Olympia

Born December 25, 1943

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

  

Poole arrived (without wrapping) as a 1943 Christmas day gift to his parents in Louisville, Kentucky. His athleticism was apparent after he became quarterback on the football team at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. He placed fourth in the state high-school wrestling championships, ran 440 yards in 50 seconds, and put the 12-pound shot 55 feet.

A speech problem caused Poole major concern, so he took off from school for a year to attend the Bogue Institute for Stammerers in Indianapolis.

In 1960, Poole entered the Mr. America and at age 16 took 18th place. His final AAU teen opportunity came in June 1963, where he won most muscular, but was the runner-up to Vern Weaver.

Three months later, Poole switched to the IFBB and, at age 19, he won the Mr. Universe. The next year, he became the first African-American to be named Mr. America (Chris Dickerson, in 1970, was the first African-American to win the AAU Mr. America). Poole then became the only man to compete in the first three Mr. Olympia contests.

He retired from IFBB competition following the 1982 Night of Champions when he placed out of the top 10.

Source: www.ifbbpro.com

Contest History

 1960

Mr America - AAU, 18th

Mr Mid-America - AAU, Most Muscular, 2nd

1961

Mr America - AAU, 4th

Junior Mr America - AAU, Central Overall Winner

1962

Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st

Mr America - AAU, 2nd

Mr North America - AAU, Winner

1963

Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st

Mr America - AAU, 2nd

Teen Mr America - AAU, 2nd

Universe - IFBB, Tall, 1st

Universe - IFBB, Overall Winner

1964

Mr America - IFBB, Tall, 1st

Mr America - IFBB, Overall Winner

1965

Olympia - IFBB, 2nd

1966

Olympia - IFBB, 2nd

1967

Pro Mr America - WBBG, Winner

Olympia - IFBB, 3rd

1968

Pro Mr America - WBBG, Winner

1971

Mr USA - IFBB, Tall, 1st

1972

Mr World - IFBB, Tall, 3rd

1979

Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, Did not place

1980

Night of Champions - IFBB, 11th

1981

Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, 9th

Grand Prix California - IFBB, Did not place

Grand Prix New England - IFBB, 9th

Night of Champions - IFBB, 6th

1982

World Pro Championships - IFBB, 9th

Source: www.musclememory.com