RIP Harold Poole
Harold Poole (born December 25, 1943 died August 7, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a former AAU, IFBB and WBBG professional bodybuilder.
Poole's athleticism was apparent very early on. He was quarterback on his football team at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, placed fourth in the state high school wrestling championships, ran 440 yards in 50 seconds and put the 12 pound shot 55 feet.
In 1960, Poole entered the AAU Mr. America and, at the age of 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. In 1964, he became the first African-American to be named IFBB Mr. America. Starting in 1965, Poole became the only man to compete in the first three Mr. Olympia contests finishing runner-up to Larry Scott in the first two Olympias.
He retired from bodybuilding competition following the 1982 IFBB Night Of Champions, where he placed outside the top 10. He lived in Florida, where he continued to train with weights and practice martial arts until the end of 2010, when he moved to New York City. He was inducted to the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004 and the WBBG Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008, Poole was voted the Greatest Teenage Bodybuilder of All-Time.
CONTESTS & TITLES:
1960
Mr America - AAU, 18th
1961
Mr America - AAU, 4th
Junior Mr America - AAU, Central Overall Winner
1962
Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Mr North America - AAU, Winner
1963
Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Teen Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Universe - IFBB, Overall Winner
1964
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
1980
Night of Champions - IFBB, 11th
1981
Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, 9th
Grand Prix New England - IFBB, 9th
Night of Champions - IFBB, 6th
1982
World Pro Championships - IFBB, 9th
