World Bodybuilding Champion Josef Grolmus Has Passed Away at 59

Another bodybuilding veteran has passed away.

The bodybuilding world is reeling from the news that former World Champion Bodybuilder Josef Grolmus has passed away at 59. Currently his cause of death is unknown.

Josef Grolmus made a name for himself in the the amateur ranks. He built up an incredible physique over the years. In his thirteen years of competition, Grolmus dominated the bodybuilding scene in Slovakia and Czechoslovokia from 1977-1982.

Looking to take his physique to the world stage, Josef Grolmus went on to compete in the 1982 World Amateur Championships. He would place thirteenth in this show. He’d go on to take first place at the 1984 IFBB European Championships Light-Heavyweight division and placed second behind the great Rich Gaspari when he tackled the World Championships again.

In 1985 Grolmus would once again compete at the World Championships and take first place in the Light-Heavyweight division. The victory earned Grolmus his pro card and he competed at the 1986 Olympia the following year placing tenth.

The Generation Iron team sends condolences to the family and friends of Josef Grolmus.

Below is Josef Grolmus’ competition history.

Contest History

1982
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, Light-HeavyWeight, 13th

1984
European Amateur Championships – IFBB, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, Light-HeavyWeight, 2nd

1985
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st

1986
Olympia – IFBB, 10th

1987
Olympia – IFBB, 15th
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 7th

1989
Grand Prix France – IFBB, 15th
Grand Prix Sweden – IFBB, 13th

1990
European Amateur Championships – IFBB, BantamWeight, 1st

1986 Mr. Olympia
1. Lee Haney
2. Rich Gaspari
3. Mike Christian
4. Albert Beckles
5. Berry DeMey
6. Peter Hensel
7. Bertil Fox
8. Ron Love
9. John Terilli
10. Josef Grolmus
11. Tom Platz
12. Jusup Wilkosz
13. Edouard Kawak
14. Frank Richard
15. Gary Leonard

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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.