Bill Colonna Virginia State Strength and Power HoF inductee 2020 (Contributor)

By Strength and Power Hall of  Fame

William “Bill” Colonna. (Contributor).  Bill was attracted to physical culture and started weight training in 1946. And though primarily a bodybuilder, Bill contributed much time, effort and expense towards weightlifting. Bill organized the Colonna Picnic’s between 1953-1961. Bill held the picnic’s on

his property in Chesapeake Virginia. These picnic’s rivaled the Strength and Health Picnic’s by bringing together lifters from all over the east coast. World and Olympic Champion and world record holder Paul Anderson was “discovered” at the 1953 picnic. Paul squatted a world record 762 ¼ lbs at the 1953 picnic. In the process Paul bent the bar which Bill still has in his possession (2020). Two time Olympic Champion Chuck Vince also lifted at the 1955 picnic. Bob Hoffman, John Terpak and John Grimek of York would also attend. Jim Park and Steve klisanin both Mr. Universe also attended. Hundreds of people attended these picnic’s at no charge including food and beverages. Lifting, bodybuilding and aquatics as well as various foot races were held with awards for the placers. Bill primarily organized the bodybuilding and George Greenfield the lifting assisted by Bob and Yolanda Crist.

Bill also provided a gym called the “dungeon” for lifters and bodybuilders to train at no charge. Many of the members of the Colonna’s Gym weightlifting team trained there. In 1954 & 1955 the team won the team title at the All South Championships. The team was second in 1956 & 1957. The team won the Virginia State Team title in 1954, 1955 and 1956. Many top Virginia lifters lifted for Bill’s club including Bob Crist, George Greenfield, Bucky Harris, Robbie White, Dave Lawson, Frank Stevens and Nolly Simpson. White, Stevens and Simpson were national level competitors. Jr. World Record holder Tony Zattiero
 

also trained at Bill’s gym. Bill was Mr. Virginia 1957 and was a close friend of bodybuilding legend John Grimek. Bill continued to operate his gym well into the 1970’s. For more information on Bill’s contribution to weightlifting see Iron Game History Volume 9 Number 4. This volume is on line. Just type in Colonna’s Picnic’s for some great lifting history.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sun Sep 27 19:36:42 UTC 2020 | Last Updated: Thu Dec 21 16:35:18 UTC 2023