A Rich Gaspari Comeback Would Give Masters Bodybuilding a Boost

[big in vegas]

A trek to Venice Beach can inspire a wide variety of people to get in the best of shape. Even a retired bodybuilding champion whose name graces the top supplement line can get the bug again by spending some time there. That apparently is the case when Rich Gaspari attended the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame ceremony recently.

“Being back in Venice Beach after all these years, I was inspired to get back in shape,” Gaspari wrote in his blog on June 24th. ‘The Dragon Slayer’ then set up a cover photo shoot for Iron Man Magazine and another shoot with Hidetada Yamagishi (one of his Gaspari Nutrition athletes) for Muscular Development.

At 48, Gaspari is still young enough to get back on stage in some capacity. “Who knows how far I will take this?” he continued. “Featured Guest Poser Rich Gaspari? You never know.”

Guest posing is definitely something that would be a big attraction in the sport and Gaspari may even take it a step further. The Masters Division is something that has not garnered a lot of interest the past few years, but adding a name like Gaspari can give it a boost.

The IFBB Pro World Masters Championship is being held in Miami in December and some famous names have already committed. Ronnie Coleman, Samir Bannout, Dexter Jackson, Stan Frydrych, Andreas Cahling, Chris Cormier, Pavol Jablonicky, Roland Czuirlock, Toney Freeman, Troy Alves, Dennis James, Darrem Charles, Gary Strydom, Lee Apperson, Bill Wilmore and Lawrence Hunt are competing. An impressive line-up will be even bigger if Gaspari jumped on board.

Only time will tell if Gaspari takes this comeback all the way.

Competition history

1983 NPC Junior Nationals Overall Winner
1983 NPC Junior Nationals HeavyWeight, 1st
1983 NPC Nationals HeavyWeight, 5th
1984 NPC Nationals Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
1984 World IFBB Amateur Championships Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
1985 IFBB Night of Champions 2nd
1985 IFBB Mr. Olympia 3rd
1986 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Championships Winner
1986 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
1986 IFBB World Pro Championships Winner
1987 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany 2nd
1987 IFBB Grand Prix Germany (2) Winner
1987 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
1988 IFBB Grand Prix England 2nd
1988 IFBB Grand Prix France Winner
1988 IFBB Grand Prix Germany Winner
1988 IFBB Grand Prix Greece 2nd
1988 IFBB Grand Prix Italy Winner
1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain (2) 2nd
1988 IFBB Grand Prix Spain Winner
1988 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd
1989 IFBB Arnold Classic Winner
1989 IFBB Mr. Olympia 4th
1990 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th
1991 IFBB Arnold Classic 7th
1991 IFBB Mr. Olympia 10th
1992 IFBB Arnold Classic 13th
1994 IFBB Chicago Pro Invitational 16th
1994 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational 15th
1994 IFBBNight of Champions- Did not place
1995 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 5th
1995 IFBB Night of Champions 12th
1996 IFBB Canada Pro Cup 11th
1996 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational 12th
1996 IFBB San Jose Pro Invitational 16th

 

[Presser]

I think the big names all doing this masters show is awsome idea! I think the names who committed already is reason enough to want to see this, im not sure Rich's name makes it that much better or desirable but I wouldnt mind seeing what he could bring to the stage at his age

 

[Lightsout]

I would pay to see this !!!

 

[big in vegas]

I wanna see the big names like Lou and Arnold try this out although they probably have no reason to go back into it with the careers they have now