Joe Pietaro
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The bodybuilding community received more bad news approximately two weeks ago when it was learned that Chris Dickerson was hospitalized for a broken hip and subsequently suffered a heart attack thereat. The 1982 Mr. Olympia is reportedly on a respirator in the Intensive Care Unit.
Bill Pearl, who is also a legendary bodybuilder and Dickerson's mentor in his early year, reported the information online after learning of it from their fellow acquaintance and bodybuilder Joe Distinti.
Dickerson, 80, has a long list of accomplishments on the bodybuilding stage that spanned three decades, beginning with winning the 1966 AAU Mr. Junior USA. A few more that jump off the page are the 1970, 1971 and 1973 NABBA Mr. Universe (short class winner), 1970 AAU Mr. America, 1973 WBBG Pro Mr. America, 1974 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe, 1980 IFBB Night of Champions, and the 50-plus division at the 1994 Masters Olympia.
The Alabama native was also lauded for his skill and preparation for the posing round, something that has become less an afterthought nowadays. "I watch these guys and they're huffing and puffing after two poses," Dickerson said in 2009. "We were in better shape; I think we made more of a sport of it."
Pearl became more than a mentor to the then-23-year-old Dickerson, whose parents divorced when he was young. "I'm one of triplets (with two sisters), so I never had an older brother," he continued. "Bill was like a father, older brother and coach to me."
That continues to this day, even as both parties have aged.
Bill Pearl, who is also a legendary bodybuilder and Dickerson's mentor in his early year, reported the information online after learning of it from their fellow acquaintance and bodybuilder Joe Distinti.
Dickerson, 80, has a long list of accomplishments on the bodybuilding stage that spanned three decades, beginning with winning the 1966 AAU Mr. Junior USA. A few more that jump off the page are the 1970, 1971 and 1973 NABBA Mr. Universe (short class winner), 1970 AAU Mr. America, 1973 WBBG Pro Mr. America, 1974 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe, 1980 IFBB Night of Champions, and the 50-plus division at the 1994 Masters Olympia.
The Alabama native was also lauded for his skill and preparation for the posing round, something that has become less an afterthought nowadays. "I watch these guys and they're huffing and puffing after two poses," Dickerson said in 2009. "We were in better shape; I think we made more of a sport of it."
Pearl became more than a mentor to the then-23-year-old Dickerson, whose parents divorced when he was young. "I'm one of triplets (with two sisters), so I never had an older brother," he continued. "Bill was like a father, older brother and coach to me."
That continues to this day, even as both parties have aged.
