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March 11, 2010, 02:06:13 pm |
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V I S I T I R O N A G E . U S
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Topic: My friend: Anibal Lopez (Read 1348 times)
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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In bodybuilding, over the decades, we have all made many acquaintances and some friendships. It is rare to to find an individual who was a great bodybuilder and who is an even better human being. This is my friend, Anibal Lopez. Recently, Anibal and I met for lunch and I have some photos of that. I thought Iron Age members might like to see those photos and read a bit about a person whom I most admire.
I first met Anibal in 1968 through a mutual friend, Chris Dickerson. I genuinely liked this man who lived in New York City, was married, had children, worked for the Transit Authority and was an emerging great bodybuilder. I was only 17 years old when Anibal befriended me and even invited me to his birthday party with Chris and Dennis Tinnerino.
Here is a photo of me at a birthday party with Anibal, Chris and Dennis came by later. How young we looked.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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In April of 1969, Anibal and I met in competition for the first time. He won the Mr. Region I contest (New York State, New Jersey, New England). I was second and Steve Michalik was third. It was the beginning of a great friendship in which we competed against each other about a dozen times and we were always friends. Yes, each of us wanted to win but with each contest and as each year passed, our friendship grew.
Anibal could have been called the Giant Killer because he had a small, symetrical physique with great shape and outstanding size. He was always in top shape and always muscular. He was a great competitor.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Gender:
Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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About one month later, Anibal, Chris and I competed in the 1969 Junior Mr. America contest. It was my first time meeting Boyer Coe. Here is a photo outside of the hall in Islip, Long Island with Anibal, Chris, me and Ralph Ruiz (Mr. New York City).
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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We went on to compete in the 1970 Mr East Coast contest. Here is a photo of Carl Smith (winner), Anibal (3rd) and me (2nd).
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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The following year, we competed inthe 1971 Mr. East Coast and Anibal won the contest. I was third. Left to right is me, Jim Handley (2nd) and Anibal (winner).
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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In 1971, we competed in the Junior USA contest. Anibal was 3rd and I was 4th. Pete Grymkowski was the winner and Steve Michalik was 2nd.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Natural Born Ironager
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Here is a photo of the 1975 Mr USA contest. Anibal was third and I was 5th.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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here we are again at the 1975 Mr. USA contest.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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Natural Born Ironager
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Where I am headed with this thread? Anibal and I have a long history. These pictures are only a small portion of that history. We have taken many car rides together to get to contests. I have visited him at his home. We guest posed. We had mutual friends. He was a great friend during my competitive years (1968-1981). However, we lost touch with one another until I moved to Florida. Through Tom Ciola, Anibal and I renewed our friendship. He walked into a gym last year (2008) and as soon as I saw him, we hugged, shook hands and beamed smiles. It was as if we never lost touch. We could not stop talking for hours. It was great to see him. We went out to eat with friends and here is a photo of that.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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Here is another photo of Anibal, me and Cliff Armeduri in Dec of '08.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Natural Born Ironager
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At that breakfast in December, Tom Ciola presented Anibal with an article in Muscular Development which was written about him decades earlier (one of the first articles written about him). The magazine spelled his first name incorrectly and we all laughed over that!
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
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Natural Born Ironager
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A few weeks ago, Anibal organized a lunch with Warren Fredericks, me and Bo Diaz ( a retired Philadelphia policeman). The four of us had a great time. Here, we are doing the "Joe Weider" pose with Anibal as Joe Weider. All three of us talked and laughed for over 3 hours. It was a great time.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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Here we are again in the parking lot of the restaurant. It appears that we are having a good time. We were.
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Natural Born Ironager
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What makes Anibal such a wonderful person is that he was not only a great bodybuilder but he is an even better human being. As I discovered, Anibal performs many altruistic acts in his life to help other people. He recently organized a group of bodybuilders who supported and visited another bodybuilder in Florida. He never asks for anything in return. He is there to help, guide and assist. He is a true Christian and leads his life in an exemplary manner.
We are all a little older and a little grayer today. However my friend, Anibal Lopez is taller because he has positively affected the lives of many people in a positive manner. I am proud to call him "friend" for decades.
By the way, Anibal would not want me to write any of this. He does not seek publicity nor does he seek praise. However, through his example, I am hoping that more people will want to be like Anibal Lopez. In my opinion, he is a great man who should be emulated.
Bob Gallucci
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Bob Gallucci
Ironage Champion
Olympia Level
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Gender:
Posts: 242
Natural Born Ironager
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Finally, here is a photo of me, Warren and Bo Diaz. Bo is a fine man who met Anibal and who has been around bodybuilding for decades. Bo and I were talking and he stated that he saw me win the Mr. Eastern United States contest back in the early 1970's. bo fit right into our group that day. Of course, Anibal made me do my John Wayne impersonation which is one of the worst impersonations ever. However, it always made Anibal laugh and I enjoyed doing it again.
Bob
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Tom Ciola
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Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit!
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Bob,
Great post. I am glad I was instrumental in getting you and Anibal back together again. You are both top notch people and great bodybuilders. I see Anibal regularly and he is everything you describe here and more. When I saw him a week ago he told me he is now training quite regularly and with his former intensity. He smiled at me and then rolled up his pant leg to reveal an extremely muscular calf. I am convinced that if Anibal wants to, he can whip himself into phenomenal shape again. I am encouraging him to try some of my supplements and he has obliged. I will be posting an interview with him soon at our Hot Stuff web site
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Lord Vader
Olympia Level
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Posts: 329
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This is just fantastic and it's what I call the real PUMPING IRON! To see these legends hooking up and being real gentlemen with no BS! Such a pleasure and to me it's great to see these Champions still have the same passion for Fitness and Bodybuilding! Please continue with you're great stories! By the way, Warren looks lean and happy!
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Pages: [1] 2 
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birthday party 1970 2 cropped.jpg
