Tony Vega Indiana Strength and Power HoF inductee 2022

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Antoine “Tony” Vega

7/4/1918

 

Tony began lifting weights when he was 15 in East Chicago, Indiana. Born in Texas, Tony moved to East Chicago when he was only a few years old. Later, he lived in Chicago, York, and Pa. California and Oregon. In high school, Tony was an accomplished wrestler and ball player. Tony worked as a barber and later as a welder while living in York. While Tony never won a Junior or Senior Nationals, he was a medalist several times. When Tony was eight years old he lost all the fingers on his left hand in a freak accident. Tony competed at the highest national level with only a thumb on his left hand. Tony could bench 325 lbs and squat over 400 lbs.

 

3^rd 132lb class 1937 German American Club Contest Chicago

3^rd 132lb class 1938 4^th Annual Chicago District Weightlifting Contest

1^st 126lb class 1939 9^th Annual Central AAU Senior Weightlifting Championships

2^nd 126lb class 1939 Senior Nationals

3^rd 132lb class 1940 Junior Nationals

6^th 132lb class 1941 Junior Nationals 

2^nd 123lb class 1946 Senior Nationals

2^nd 132lb class 1947 Middle Atlantic Championships

2^nd 123lb class 1947 Junior Nationals

3^rd 123lb class 1947 Senior Nationals

 

Due to his work as a welder, Tony could not train and compete during WW2. He worked 7 days a week supporting the war effort.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sat Jun 18 15:37:02 UTC 2022 | Last Updated: Wed Dec 27 14:13:17 UTC 2023