Paul Grant (bodybuilder)

Paul Grant (1943–2003) was a Welsh body builder who won the "amateur tall" category of the Mr. Universe contest in 1973[1] and went on to become an ambassador for the sport.[2][3] Grant also won titles including Mr. Wales, Mr. Britain, Mr. Europe and Mr. World, and got 2nd in the World Championships two times.[3] Grant was 5 ft 11 and at his peak weighed 16 stones (224 pounds) with a 50-inch chest and 33-inch waist.[3]

Grant was born in Swansea[2] on 26 June 1943 (he was a twin).[3] He started lifting weights at the age of 16.[3] He married Christine (née Mason) in 1967 who went on to become Miss Universe Bikini.[3] Grant moved near Venice Beach, California in the early 1970s where he trained at Gold's Gym with Arnold Schwarzenegger.[3] Schwarzenegger became Grant's friend and they appeared in the 1976 documentary Pumping Iron together.[3] While in California Grant worked for Joe Weider.[3]

Grant moved back to Swansea where he ran a health food store and then a gym.[3] He was president of the Welsh Federation of Body-Builders for 25 years from 1978, in charge of staging the Mr. Wales and Mr. Britain competitions.[3]

Grant developed a kidney disease in his 30s, which led to a transplant operation in 1985. He died at the age of 60 on 23 November 2003.[2][3]