Gary Strydom Picture

Recent sightings of 80s and 90's WBF bodybuilding juggernaut Gary Strydom have revealed a man who’s back in the game, preparing for a comeback at Shawn Ray’s Colorado Pro show May 13, and a week later at the New York Pro May 20.

“I’m making a comeback this year because I want to show the world that a bodybuilder of my size can look aesthetic without losing the flowing lines and control of the waistline,” he said. “We have to give the kids something to inspire them to bodybuild, because some of the physiques out there are so ugly it is doing quite the opposite.”

Strydom hopes to earn a placing high enough to qualify for the Olympia. In his only other Olympia appearance, in 1988, Strydom was fifth -- which actually was his lowest placing in any contest between 1984 and 1990. In his 17 other pro shows over that span, he won four times, came in second eight times, third three times, and fourth twice.

After a detour into the short-lived World Bodybuilding Federation, Strydom last took the IFBB stage in 1996 when he finished a very un-Strydom-like 12th at the Night of Champions. But, like fellow “old-timers” Vince Taylor and Francis Benfatto, who both crashed the top six at the Australian Pro March 19, don’t be surprised if Strydom makes a similar impact -- from the way he’s looking right now, the man is ready to rumble.

Good Luck Gary!