1972 USA Olympic Team

Strength and Power Hall Of Fame

2024

1972 Olympic Team

 

The 1972 Olympics were held in Munich Germany from 8/26-9/11/1972. Weightlifting consisted of 9 weight classes. 52kg, 56kg, 60kg, 67.5kg, 75kg, 82.5kg, 90kg, 110kg and +110. Munich was the first Olympics for the 52kg and the 110kg classes. 1972 was the last Olympics to include the Clean and Press. The competition for all weight classes was held on 8/27-9/6/1972 at the Messegelande Hall 7. The Team Coach was John Terpak and the Team Manager was Rudy Sablo.

 

The Athletes

 

Ken Patera

 

Ken started lifting in high school to get stronger for football, track and field and wrestling. Ken concentrated on the shot in college and became a world class athlete in the shot. In 1968 Ken decided to concentrate on lifting and became the best Superheavyweight in the US and one of the best in the world. Ken was the first man to officially clean 500lbs on 12/6/1969. Ken was the first American to clean and jerk 500lbs and the only American to clean and press 500lbs. Ken held all the American records in the Superheavyweight class and had the second highest Superheavyweight  total in the world 1397.5lbs set on 7/23/1972. Ken retired from lifting after the 1972 Olympics and became a professional wrestler. For the details concerning Ken’s lifting I recommend Bruce Wilhem’s book The Ken Patera Story.

 

1st Superheavyweight 1969 Junior Nationals

1st Superheavyweight 1969 Senior Nationals

1st Superheavyweight 1970 Senior Nationals

1st Superheavyweight 1971 Senior Nationals

1st Superheavyweight 1971 Pan American Games

1st Superheavyweight 1972 Senior Nationals

     Superheavyweight 1972 Olympic Games

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Ball

 

Alan is from New York and state lifting in the early 1960’s and stated competing in 1963. In 1967 Alan moved to Chicago and joined the Duncan YMCA Weightlifting Team. The Duncan Y Team was world class with several National Champions and future Olympians competing for the team. In this environment Alan’s lifting took off. Alan would later lift for the Sayre Park Weightlifting Team also out of Chicago. Alan was an Olympian and a Junior National Champion. In 1970 lifting as a Superheavyweight at the Senior Nationals he won the snatch with 345lbs beating both Ken Patera and Joe Dube in the snatch. Both Ken and Joe were world class Superheavies.

 

2nd 242lb class 1968 National Collegiates

2nd 242lb class 1969 Junior Nationals

9th 242lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

1st Superheavyweight 1970 Junior Nationals

3rd Superheavyweight 1970 Senior Nationals

2nd 242lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

11th 242lb class 1972 Olympic Games

3rd Superheavyweight 1974 Senior Nationals

 

Frank Capsouras

 

Frank started lifting in the early 1960’s and was a 2X Teenage National Champion. Frank went on to win several Senior National Championships and was on the 1972 Olympic Team. Frank was also on several World Championships Teams. Frank set a World Record in the C&J for the 198lb class with  439.5lbs on 4/12/1969.

 

6th 181lb class 1964 Jr Nationals

2nd 181lb class 1964 Olympic Tryouts

1st 181lb class 1964 North American Championships

1st 181lb class 1964 Teenage Nationals

1st 181lb class 1965 Teenage Nationals

1st 198lb class 1966 National Collegiates

3rd 198lb class 1966 North American Championships

1st 198lb class 1967 Philadelphia Open

4th 198lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

1st 198b class 1967 National Collegiates

2nd 198lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

3rd 198lb class 1968 Olympic Trials

1st 198lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

6th 198lb class 1969 World Championships

1st 242lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

10th 242lb class 1972 Olympic Games

2nd 242lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

      198lb class 1973 World Championships

4th 198lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

3rd 198lb class 1975 Pan American Games

7th 242lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

 

Phillip “Phil” Grippaldi

 

Phil began training in the early 1960’s and was coached by Butch Toth and later Mike Huszka. Phil is a 3X Olympian, 3X Pan American Gold Medalist, 6X Senior National Champion and a World Championships Silver Medalist.

 

1st 198lb class 1965 Teenage Nationals

4th 198lb class 1965 Junior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1966 Teenage Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1966 Junior Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1966 Senior Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1966 North American Championships

1st 198lb class 1967 Junior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1967 Philadelphia Open

4th 198lb class 1967 Little Olympics

1st Heavyweight 1967 YMCA Nationals

1st 198lb class 1967 Pan American Games

1st 198lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1968 Olympic Tryouts

7th 198lb class 1968 Olympic Games

5th 198lb class 1969 World Championships

2nd 198lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1970 World Championships

1st 198lb class 1971 Philadelphia Open

2nd 198lb class 1971 Senior Nationals

5th 198lb class 1971 World Championships

1st 198lb class 1971 Pan American Games

2nd 198lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

3rd 198lb class 1972 Pre-Olympic Tournament

4th 198lb class 1972 Olympic Games

1st 198lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

9th 198lb class 1973 World Championships

1st 198lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

5th 198lb class 1974 World Championships

6th 198lb class 1974 Friendship Cup

1st 198lb class 1975 Philadelphia Open

      198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

10th 198lb class 1975 World Championships

2nd 198lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

4th 198lb class 1976 Olympics

 

1970 & 1974 Strength and Health Weightlifter of the Year

USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame

Set 3 Teen-Age World Records in the Press

Only US 198lb lifter to officially Clean and Press 400lbs 4/1972

Set several teen-age and senior American Records

 

Patrick “Rick” Holbrook Jr.

5/22/1948-12/21/2007

 

Rick was from Chicago and started lifting in the early 1960’s. He lifted for the Duncan Y Team in Chicago and later for York Barbell. Rick established a Jr. World record in the C&J in the 181lb class, set several national records and was an Olympian. Rick totaled enough to win the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics but placed 5th on bodyweight. Rick also made the highest C&J in his class at the 1972 Olympics.

 

1st 181lb class 1967 Teen Age Nationals

1st 181lb class 1968 Junior Nationals

2nd 181lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

3rd 181lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

1st 181lb class 1969 Tournament of the America’s

3rd 181lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1970 World Championships Team Tryouts

      198lb class 1970 World Championships

1st 198lb class 1971 Senior Nationals

2nd 198lb class 1971 Pan American Games

11th 198lb class 1971 World Championships

1st 198lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

5th 198lb class 1972 Olympic Games

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael “Mike” Karchut

 

Mike started lifting at 17 in Ohio. He trained at the Duncan Y and later Sayre Park both in Chicago. Mike was self-coached during most of his long career. Mike lifted in 21 consecutive Senior Nationals winning 8 of them. He is a 2 time Olympian (1972 & 1980) and a Pan American Games Gold Medalist. Mike set at least 10 National Records and was twice a member of the Strength and Health Team of the Decade. Mike was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1973. Mike competed from 1961-1989. Mike continues to coach lifters in Montana.

 

1st 148lb class 1963 Teenage Nationals

1st 165lb class 1965 Junior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1966 YMCA Nationals

2nd 181lb class 1967 YMCA Nationals

4th 165lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1968 Philadelphia Open

2nd 165lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

5th 165lb class 1968 Olympic Tryouts

1st 181lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1969 World Championships (Injured)

1st 181lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

4th 181lb class 1970 World Championships

1st 181lb class 1971 Senior Nationals

1st 181lb class 1971 Pan American Games

4th 181lb class 1971 World Championships

1st 181lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1972 Olympics (Injured)

1st 181lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

8th 181lb class 1973 World Championships

1st 181lb class 1973 Pan American Championships

2nd 198lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

1st 198lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1976 Senior Nationals (Injured)

1st 181lb class 1976 Mid-American Championships

1st 198lb class 1977 Mid-American Championships

1st 181lb class 1978 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1978 World & Pan American Championships

2nd 181lb class 1979 Senior Nationals

1st 181lb class 1979 Sports Festival

1st 181lb class 1980 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1980 Olympic Team (USA Boycott)

      181lb class 1981 Senior Nationals (Injured)

      181lb class 1982 Senior Nationals (Injured)

4th 198lb class 1983 senior Nationals

      198lb class 1984 Senior Nationals (Injured)

2nd 181lb class 1985 Senior Nationals

1st 181lb class 1985 Mid-American Championships

6th 181lb class 1986 Senior Nationals

 

Fred Lowe

 

Fred began lifting in 1965. Fred was an international class athlete as a young lifter and as a master lifter. Fred is a 3X Olympian, 3X World Championships team member,  8X Senior National Champion and a 9X World Masters Champion. Fred has coached lifters for years and continues to do so.

 

2nd 165lb class 1966 class Teenage Nationals

1st 165lb class 1967 Teenage Nationals

1st 165lb class 1967 Junior Nationals

8th 165lb class 1968 Olympics

1st 165lb class 1968 YMCA Nationals

1st 165lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

      165lb class 1969 World Championships

1st 165lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

      165lb class 1970 World Championships

1st 165lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

9th 165lb class 1972 Olympics

1st 165lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

      165lb class 1973 World Championships

1st 165lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

11th 165lb class 1976 Olympics

1st 165lb class 1981 Senior Nationals

     

USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame

1st US 165lb lifter to C&J 400lbs 1981

IWF Category 1 Technical Official

Set several National senior and masters records

Set several Masters World Records

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell “Russ” Knipp

5/21/1942-4/9/2006

 

 

Russ started lifting in the late 1950’s. Russ was an international class middleweight who always performed his best lifts in major competitions. Russ was drafted in 1964 and served for 2 years.  Russ is a 2X Olympian, 2X Pan American Champion, 3X Senior National Champion and established several Jr & Sr World Records and several National Records.

 

1st 132lb class 1962 Philadelphia Open

2nd 132lb class 1962 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1963 Junior Nationals

2nd 165lb class 1963 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1965 Senior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1966 North American Championships

2nd 165lb class 1966 Senior Nationals

4th 165lb class 1966 World Championships

3rd 165lb class 1967 Little Olympics

1st 165lb class 1967 Pan American Championships

1st 165lb class 1967 YMCA Nationals

1st 165lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

1st 165lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

4th 165lb class 1968 Olympics

6th 181lb class 1969 World Championships

4th 181lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

4th 165lb class 1971 world Championships

1st 165lb class 1971 Pan American Championships

2nd 165lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

5th 165lb class 1972 Pre-Olympics

8th 165lb class 1972 Olympics

3rd 181lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

7th 181lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

 

Jr World Record Holder in the press 1962

4X Senior World Record Holder in the press 1967

34 American Records

1967 Weightlifter of the year, Strength and Health Magazine

 

 

 

 

Dan Cantore

 

Dan started lifting in 1964 when Bob Hise III invited Dan and his brother Jim to train at the downtown Los Angeles YMCA.  Dan had excellent coaching and quickly learned the 3 lifts. Dan competed in his first contest in October of 1964. Dan lifted for the L.A. YMCA and later for the Sports Palace Team in San Francisco. Dan was one of the best 148lb lifters of all time. Dan was a 5X Senior National Champion, 2X Olympian, Pan American silver medalist, set American Records and was 1973 Strength and Health Weightlifter of the year

 

1st 123lb class 1966 Junior Nationals

3rd 132lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

2nd 132lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1969 Tournament of the Americas

2nd 148lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

9th 148lb class 1972 Olympic Games

1st 148lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

7th 148lb class 1973 World Championships

1st 148lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

6th 148lb class 1974 World Championships

9th 148lb class 1974 Friendship Cup

1st 148lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1975 Pan American Games

16th 148lb class 1975 World Championships

1st 148lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

11th 148lb class 1976 Olympic Games

3rd 165lb class 1977 Senior Nationals

 

 

Special thanks to Osmo Kiiha the Iron Master & Dennis Reno

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternates

 

Tom “Pete” Hirtz

 

Tom started lifting in the early 1960’s and was an outstanding wrestler and football player in high school. Tom lifted for the US Air Force Team and later the Sports Palace Team. Tom is a 2X Senior National Champion (1974 & 1979), a World Championships Team member (1979), a Pan American silver medalist (1979) and established Jr, Senior and American Records during his long career. In 1982 Tom Snatched 155.5kg for an American Record. Currently, Tom coaches lifters at his gym in Oregon.

 

2nd 181lb class 1966 Junior National Powerlifting Championships

4th 181lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

3rd 181lb class 1968 Junior Nationals

4th 181lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

5th 181lb class 1969 Senior Nationals

3rd 181lb class 1969 Chesapeake Bay Open

      181lb class 1971 Senior Nationals (Made highest Snatch 314lbs)

2nd 181lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1972 Olympic Team Alternate

4th 181lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

4th 181lb class 1973 Jean Dame Memorial Paris France

1st 181lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

3rd 181lb class 1975 Senior Nationals

      181lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

5th 181lb class 1977 Senior Nationals

5th 181lb class 1978 Senior Nationals

1st 181lb class 1979 Senior Nationals

2nd 181lb class 1979 Pan American Games

11th 181lb class 1979 World Championships

3rd 181lb class 1980 Senior Nationals

3rd 198lb class 1982 Senior Nationals

8th 198lb class 1983 Senior Nationals

 

 

 

 

 

 

James “Jim” Benjamin

 

Jim started lifting about 1963 in Columbus Ohio. In 1965 he was coached by Fraysher Ferguson while training at the Columbus Athletic Club. Jim was a 3X Senior National Champion, a Pan Am silver medalist and an alternate on the 1972 Olympic Team. Jim was a nationally ranked athlete for 15 years.

 

2nd 123lb class 1965 Junior Nationals

1st 132lb class 1966 Junior Nationals

5th 132lb class 1966 Senior Nationals

1st 132lb class 1967 Teenage Nationals

2nd 132lb class 1967 Senior Nationals

4th 148lb class 1968 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1970 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1971 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1971 Pan American Games

2nd 148lb class 1972 Senior Nationals

       148lb class 1972 Olympic Team Alternate

2nd 148lb class 1973 Senior Nationals

      148lb class 1973 World Championships

2nd 148lb class 1974 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1976 Senior Nationals

1st 148lb class 1977 Senior Nationals

2nd 148lb class 1980 Senior Nationals

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sat Jan 18 14:48:01 UTC 2025 | Last Updated: Sat Jan 18 15:05:24 UTC 2025