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