Ferd Tihista

Ferd Tihista was born on Christmas day 1927, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he unwrapped a set of dumbbells the same day. Even though he didn’t start his body building career until 1942, it was before the Joe Weider – credited with being the creator of the bodybuilding empire – influence set it. A graduate of Salinas High, Tihista and his wife started Apollo Studios bodybuilding chain up and down the West Coast that prided itself on natural bodybuilding without any muscle enhancement. He’s won the Mr. World, Mr. Apollo and just about every other bodybuilding event held in the 1950s and 60s. A world-class judo and bodybuilder, Tihista was still working out and teaching judo into his 90s. He competed in the World Masters Heavyweight Judo Championships until he was 82 years old. He was a regular in the Senior Masters Judo Championships and was a USA national judo champion.