Paul Grant

Who was Paul Grant?

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

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

Grant moved back to Swansea where he ran a health food store and then a gym. 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.

Grant developed a kidney disease in his 30's, which led to a transplant operation in 1985.