Rochester Bodybuilding & Weightlifting Hall of Fame

BOB CICHERILLO -2008 Inductee - As a teenager Bob Cicherillo competed in more NPC bodybuilding competitions than any bodybuilder in the history of the NPC having won 21 Teenage titles. His teen years spent training at "Samson's Gym" alongside bodybuilding legends Pete Grymzkowski and Danny Padilla instilled in him a desire to train and achieve that ultimate prize, an IFBB Pro Card. In 1987 Bob won the NPC Junior Nationals and became the first bodybuilder to grace the cover of the NPC News. Following this victory at the national level, it took Bob 13 years to finally achieve his goal of an IFBB Pro Card by winning the overall at the 2000 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships. Spending 6 years on the IFBB Pro Stage he ended his bodybuilding career by winning the 2006 IFBB Masters Pro World title. Bob has continued to be involved with bodybuilding as the IFBB Athlete Representative, co-host of the popular radio show Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, and as the Master of Ceremonies of the annual Mr. Olympia Competition. This year we honor Bob as we induct him into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weigtlifting Hall of Fame. Presented June 14, 2008 at the 54th Annual Rochester Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships, Rochester, New York. - Jim Rockell -NPC Vice President and General Secretary

JOHN WENSICH - 2005 Inductee into the Rochester Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. Power lifting and bodybuilding in the 1970s were synonymous with the Central YMCA on Gibbs Street in Rochester. It was here where all the early bodybuilding shows were held following a long day of power lifting. John Wensich is the man who deserves the credit for taking the first step in elevating local bodybuilding from just something to do after a power lifting meet, to the stand alone sport it has become. He took bodybuilding to new levels by holding shows in auditoriums, instead of on a gym floor, where the only light available was from a single incandescent bulb hung from a basketball hoop. John’s resume in the sports of power lifting and bodybuilding spans an impressive 10 year period of time. John won nearly every major power lifting title in New York State in the 198 pound class. He won the Niagara District Championships 5 years running and achieved his AAU Masters Patch Award in 1972. Following his successful career in power lifting, John became a competitive bodybuilder. In a 2 year span he won the Western New York title in 1975 and captured the Niagara District and Lake Ontario titles in 1976. I met John when I joined the Y during his bodybuilding years. He was an imposing figure with one of the most developed backs and set of legs I had ever seen. I soon learned that those body parts were a direct result of the years in put in as a power lifter, and the heavy training he continued while bodybuilding. I am proud to say John s career strikes me close to home. We were both teachers, competitors turned promoters, and eventually we both found a passion in the martial arts. Still training today after nearly 40 years in the iron game, John is an inspiration to me and I look forward to seeing him each year at these NPC Rochester Championships and the NPC Masters Nationals. John is the first recipient of this honor who has made his mark in bodybuilding, not only as a competitor, but also as the first promoter who foresaw the future of our sport. His vision and his passion for bodybuilding make him a most worthy candidate as 2005’s lone entry into the Rochester Bodybuilding hall of Fame. - Jim Rockell

VINCE PETERSON - 2007 Inductee - Nick named VIP, Vince Peterson has been competing in powerlifting for five decades. That started his weightlifting career as a bodybuilder having one second-place finishes in both the Mr. Rochester and the Mr. New York State contests in 1967. His first powerlifting meet was in April of that year at the old central YMCA where he lifted in the AAU Niagara district meet. Over the course of his powerlifting career that has been an elite lifter in three weight classes, 165, 181 and 198. He has also held national and world records in the squat and has competed in over 60 meets having compiled 50 first place finishes. It is a great honor for me to recognize VIP, Vince Peterson, a member of Rochester's powerlifting community, with his induction into Rochester's bodybuilding and weightlifting hall of fame. Presented June 9, 2007 at the 53rd annual Rochester bodybuilding fitness and figure championships, Rochester, New York. - Jim Rockell- NPC Vice President and General Secretary

FRANK SIRACUSE - 2007 Inductee Frank Siracuse was one of Rochester's foremost powerlifters in the decade of the 70s, going so far as to achieve alternate status for the USA team in the Pan American games in 1979. Beginning his career in 1971, Frank won his first meet, the Niagara District, in the old Central YMCA. Routinely benching 500 pounds and squatting with 800 pounds, Frank would amaze me with his strength. When I opened Samson's gym In 1977, when he asked me to spot him, I never worried about the weight, because I knew he was going to make the left. Yet, Frank was more than just a strong man, he was a true friend who would always lend a hand when I needed it in the gym. It was a sad day when he left for California to pursue his powerlifting dreams. It was an even sadder day when I heard of his death there in 1979. Rochester lost a mountain of a man that year, and I personally lost a great friend. I honor my friend each year, when the men's winner of the Rochester Bodybuilding Competition has his name engraved on Frank's memorial plaque, which hangs in my gym. But this year I honor him in a special way by making him the first powerlifter inducted into the Rochester Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Hall of Fame. Presented June 9, 2007 at the 53rd annual Rochester Championships, Rochester, New York.
Jim Rockell

PETE GRYMKOWSKI - Mr. Rochester 1968

Pete was one of the largest bodybuilders of his era competing at over 240 pounds. After winning the Rochester title in 1968 Pete went on to win the 1972 AAU Junior Mr. USA. In 1977, as a Pro, Pete won the Pro Mr. World title. After retiring from competition Pete bought and transformed Gold's Gym into a Worldwide Empire. His vision took bodybuilding into the mainstream of American Culture.