Bruce Wilhelm

Bruce Wilhelm (born July 13, 1945) is a weightlifter and strongman from the United States. He is a two-time winner of the World's Strongest Man competition in 1977 and 1978 and the author of numerous strength-related articles and books. He was a member of the executive board of the United States Olympic Committee. He was also on the Athletes Advisory Council for 8 years as well as the Substance and Drug Abuse Committee, the Sports Medicine Committee, and the Games Preparation Committee.

Athletics

Wilhelm was a high school track and field star, and was the 1963 California State shot put champion as well as runner up in the discus competition. He continued his athletic development at Stanford University, competing in shot, discus and wrestling. He was the 1965 Pacific-10 Conference Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and finished the season undefeated with 21 victories. He finished 4th in the 1966 AAU National Freestyle Wrestling and Greco Roman Championships (unlimited weight class).

He placed in the top 10 US Men's Shot rankings for 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973, and still holds #251 on the All-time World Shotput Records, with a mark of 20.12m (66'-1/4") set on July 8, 1972 during the Olympic Trials.

Weightlifting

Wilhelm became a weightlifter, and was the US National AAU Super Heavyweight Weightlifting Champion for both 1975 and 1976. He won a silver medal for the United States at the 1975 Pan-American Games in Mexico City in the +110 kg division, and placed 5th at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, QC, Canada. He also won the silver medal in the snatch competition.

World's Strongest Man

Wilhelm won the inaugural World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, and returned to win again in 1978. He then spent several years helping to organize and officiate further contests.