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Brief Biography of Oscar Heidenstam 27th February 1911 - 21st March 1991 |
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World‑wide, he was simply known as OSCAR but acknowleged as 'The Father of British Bodybuilding'. Indeed, Oscar was the greatest ambassador of physical culture since Eugen Sandow. Oscar was richly gifted, multi talented, a fluent multi linguist and a man of great integrity and initiative. A unique man who dedicated his life to others, be they able‑bodied or disabled. He extended his hand of friendship to countless thousands, no matter their colour, race, creed, politics or interests. The following quote from Shakespear illustrates much about Oscar. Oscar was British but his family line began in Sweden which is recorded in the House of Nobles. He was in fact entitled to be known as the Hon. Oscar Heidenstam but he chose not, in fact he never mentioned it to anyone. He was 'a born leader' had a strong personality but paradoxically he had a gentle nature. Oscar, was detached from commercialism, personal praise and seemed almost unaware that his achievements and ideals was why so many people admired him. OSCAR'S PHYSICAL CULTURE (PC) & OTHER EXPLOITS During the 2nd World War, he served his country with distinction. He was the first ever PTI in the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) to be commissioned from the ranks, at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Oscar trained literally thousands of men and women, and saw action in Palestine (Israel), Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Yugoslavia and Turkey. By the time of his demob in 1948 he had risen to the rank of Major.
Afterwards and for 27yrs thoughout the UK and especially in London, he trained members of the public, world famous sportsmen and women, stars of stage, screen, TV and radio, highly qualified members of the medical profession, government ministers and peers of the realm. BODYBUILDING & MORE
Already a superb gymnast, hand balancer and swimmer, his outstanding career in bodybuilding began in 1934 when he was inspired by a physique photograph of the weightlifter, Ronald Walker. Oscar started weight training and won the first of his 64 Superman diplomas for physique posing. At his first attempt, Oscar won the 1937 Mr Britain; also 1937 he was the first ever British bodybuilder to compete in the 'Mr Europe' Plus Bel Athlete de Europe and in 1939 the first ever British bodybuilder to win it. Oscar received silver cups & trays, medals, diplomas, clocks, tankards other similar awards from all over the world this is a list of just some of Oscar's achievement & awards from the many individuals & sports associations.
HE GAVE MANY OF HIS AWARDS TO HIS FRIENDS & RELATIVES This memorabilia is displayed at our world famous annual Hall of Fame Memorial Dinner WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP US TO TRACE THE REST OF HIS AWARDS In the followship of physical culture and towards recording its history, we would at least love to know the whereabouts of all of his awards and if possible to have photographs or make arrangements to so that we could arrange to take photographs. eg: in particular his 1937 Mr Britain cup and the 1980 carriage clock which is inscribed and presented to him on 10th May 1980, at the Mr & Miss Britain, Golden Jubilee, Maxwell Hall, Manchester. We are also trying to trace 9 'silver' medals, 8 cups, 3 tankards, his 1973 inscribed tray, several plaques and a large Superman plaque for physique posing artistry. We do have many other items including ten of his metal medals, his 1939 Mr Europe diploma and the 1953 Mr Europe Silver Cup. We would also be most appreciative of more donated physical culture items which would be included in this perpetual memorabilia. I always acknowledge such kindnesses in writing. Your costs of P&P would of course be reimbursed. Many Thanks. EDITOR ‑ PUBLISHER ‑ ORGANISER The Health & Strength magazine founded the Mr & Miss Britain in 1930 and in 1948 staged the first Mr Universe contest in the UK. Oscar was consulted by H&S and when in 1950, it founded NABBA and staged its first Mr Universe contest. (Oscar also competed in both). After his army service, Oscar joined the staff of Health & Strength 'Link House Publishing Co Ltd' in 1953. During his long career he wrote hundreds of physical culture articles and editorials. In 1956 he was appointed by H&S as Secretary of NABBA, a position he held until he died in 1991. 1969 he was joint owner of Health & Strength magazine and 1974 the sole owner. In 1977, Oscar reluctantly accepted the role of President of WABBA (he relinquished this a year later) In 1984 he reluctantly accepted the role as President of NABBA International (he relinquished this in 1986) and in 1980, President of NABBA. It can be fairly said that it was Oscar, who was the first to really inspire, lead & enable others towards creating, what is today, the vast health & leisure industry. Up to 1960, there was only one main regularly published PC magazine in the UK (Health & Strength). Oscar's lead as its editor and later, also its publisher, encouraged, influenced and enabled many others in the UK, to the launch their own PC magazines. For years, those who followed a regime of weight training towards good health and in sport, were generally considered cranks. Oscar was interviewed on radio, and appeared on TV many times and taking into account his staggering amount of published material, the benefits are now universally accepted, not least by the medical profession. Indeed, the monumental publicity initiated by Oscar attracted the attention of entrepreneurs. His influence seemed to have no bounds. No man did more in helping his fellow man towards self‑improvement via sensible nutrition, regular physical activity and especially through weight‑training. His diversity of sporting interests, achievements and endeavours were inspirational as was his renowned kindness, generosity, organisational skills and unique ability to motivate others. Oscar was the originator of true international cross competition. You didn't have to be tied to contracts and no matter from which country you came from, everyone was made welcome. Many of his procedures were copied by virtually every international bodybuilding association. The volume and quality of his work was staggering. Almost single handedly he established the NABBA and its contests particularly the Mr & Miss Universe; which is now acknowledged as the most famous and the largest Amateur contest in the world. Although in sporting terms bodybuilding is perhaps a 'fringe sport', the term 'Mr Universe' became a household name and used universally to describe someone with a good physique. OSCAR'S GREATEST LEGACY Through his renowned abiity to motivate others, 3,000 amateurs, 500 professionals graced the Mr Universe stage during his lifetime. Plus over 1,000 ladies in the Miss Universe, which started in 1966. Among these international athletes and to name a few, were such glittering names as Grimek ‑ Reeves ‑ Park ‑ Pearl and Arnold Schwarzenegger. From 1950 to 1991, over 3,500 have competed for the Mr & Miss Britain titles and add over 35,000 who competed in the Area qualifiers. This gives some idea of the magnitude of Oscar's influence. The number of people who he helped to inspire just to take up weight‑training, is incalcuable. Through his extraordinary ability as an organiser, Oscar became synonymous for organising the annual NABBA Mr & Miss Britain contests & the Mr & Miss Universe. He compared many of these and numerous other contests throughout the UK for over four decades. He also judged over 2000 contests! AUTHOR 'Modern Bodybuilding' (1955) 'Modern Health & Figure Culture' (1960) 'Fit at 40 & After' (1961) 'Muscle Building for Beginners' (1981) 'Body Beautiful (1984) 'Modern Bodybuilding' (1989 updated) 'Beginners Guide to Muscle Building (1991) 'Body Building for women' (1985) 'Bodybuilding for men' (1985) OSCAR'S MAIN INTERESTS ACHIEVEMENTS IN ADVERSITY & INSPIRING OTHERS |
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