Sponsored Content
These pioneers paved the way to success for future generations. Some are legends of history and others are legends in the making. There are literally hundreds of people who should be on this list, but that’s why man invented the encyclopedia. In honor of Black History Month, here are seven super-humans you need to know.
2 of 8
Jack Johnson
Sponsored Content
While many may confuse his name with the folksy, soft-rock, surf-guitar singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson was the first African American heavyweight boxing champion in the world. In 1903 Johnson became the “Colored Heavyweight Champion” and set his sights on the Heavyweight title. However, white boxers of the time refused to step into the ring with the champ. After five years, Johnson secured a bout with the current champ, Canadian Tommy Burns – besting him in a 14 round fight. Johnson had accomplished his goal to become the first African American heavyweight champion and maintained the title until 1915. Jack Johnson’s accomplishments paved the way for another boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, who credits Johnson with imbuing him with the flair and bravado synonymous with The People’s Champion, aka, The Louisville Lip.Interesting Fact: Jack Johnson all but invented smack-talk. His famous fight with Jim Jeffries came about after besting the boxer’s younger brother in the ring and publicly calling out Jeffries in front of a crowded house. Instead of facing Johnson, Jeffries retired, paving the way for the title match between Johnson and Tommy Burns.
3 of 8
Chris Dickerson
Sponsored Content
In 1970 Chris Dickerson made history by becoming the first black man to win the Mr. America competition. Over the course of his 30 year career he would earn 15 bodybuilding titles. Later in his career Dickerson became the oldest first openly gay winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest at age 43. Dickerson retired from bodybuilding in 1994 and was later inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2000.Interesting Fact: Along with bodybuilding, Chris Dickerson is an accomplished tenor opera singer.
4 of 8
Mike Rashid
Sponsored Content
Former professional boxer and jacked bodybuilding machine, Mike Rashid is a pioneer for the YouTube age. His accomplishments as a boxer led to two national golden glove awards, but Rashid wanted to switch focus and concentrate on bodybuilding. He paved the way by tackling a relatively untested market and creating a wildly successful social media presence to promote his efforts. Aside from numerous endorsements and fans, Mike Rashid has founded two companies, IMSOALPHA iX3 and Alpha Academy Apparel. He continues to expand his social presence with almost two million followers between YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. He’s one of the most influential bodybuilders on YouTube with nearly 400,000 subscribers.Interesting Fact: On his path to YouTube domination, Mike would devour at least a Quest Bar a day and his favorite flavor was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
5 of 8
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph is a beacon of hope for people of color and female athletes across the globe. She went on to be the first American to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic games in 1960. Rudolph broke the world record in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.3 seconds, the record for the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.2 seconds and was part of the team that beat the world record in the 4-by-100-meter relay with 44.4 seconds. All of this is made even more amazing by the fact below:Interesting fact: Wilma Rudolph suffered from polio as a child and was unable to walk! She taught herself to walk at age 9 after being told it was something she could never do.
6 of 8
Phil Heath (Duh)
Sponsored Content
This five-time Mr. Olympia champion didn’t have original ambitions to become the man known as “The Gift.” As a teenager, Phil Heath dreamed of a professional career in the NBA. In fact, he received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Denver, but scored only 86 points over four seasons. It wasn’t until 2002 that Heath switched gears and focused on his physique. He’s been competing (and dominating) for 13 years. Over his extensive career, he’s placed 1st in his category 16 times and is the first professional bodybuilder to form his own supplement company while still competing. On top of that, Phil is the owner of Gifted Athletics apparel. Interesting fact: During competition, Phil was asked to record his typical food intake in a single day. The results were six egg whites, 1 cup cream of wheat, 8oz top round steak, 2 cups white rice, broccoli, 8oz chicken breast, 2 cups brown rice, asparagus, 60g protein/150g carbohydrate shake, another 8 oz top round steak, 1 ½ cups white rice with spinach and a final helping of an 8oz tilapia filet with broccoli…Who’s hungry?
7 of 8
Arthur Ashe
Sponsored ContentWhere to begin with Arthur Ashe? Not only was he the first black player selected to the US Davis Cup team as well as the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, Ashe won three grand slam titles. Tragically, Ashe suffered a heart attack in 1979 due to a history of heart disease in his family and it’s believed he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion after surgery. During the final years of his life, Ashe dedicated his efforts to civil rights, penning “A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African-American Athlete,” joining a delegation of influencers in protesting apartheid in South Africa and founding the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. His incredible life achievements earned Ashe a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton.Interesting Fact: Arthur Ashe was arrested in 1985 for protesting apartheid rule outside the embassy of South Africa in Washington.
8 of 8
Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva is the only bodybuilder to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Mr. Olympia competition. His nickname was “The Myth” because of his unbelievable proportions. He was the only Mr. Olympia winner who possessed thighs larger than his waist with an incredible 32 inches of thighs compared to 28 inches of waist. Over the course of his career, Sergio won 20 first place bodybuilding titles. Even after his passing in 2012 Oliva remains a legend in the sport.Interesting Fact: Sergio Oliva worked as a TV repairman in the U.S. immediately after emigrating from Cuba.
This content was supplied by our sponsor and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of M&F’s editorial staff.
These pioneers paved the way to success for future generations. Some are legends of history and others are legends in the making. There are literally hundreds of people who should be on this list, but that’s why man invented the encyclopedia. In honor of Black History Month, here are seven super-humans you need to know.
Jack Johnson
Sponsored Content
While many may confuse his name with the folksy, soft-rock, surf-guitar singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson was the first African American heavyweight boxing champion in the world. In 1903 Johnson became the “Colored Heavyweight Champion” and set his sights on the Heavyweight title. However, white boxers of the time refused to step into the ring with the champ. After five years, Johnson secured a bout with the current champ, Canadian Tommy Burns – besting him in a 14 round fight. Johnson had accomplished his goal to become the first African American heavyweight champion and maintained the title until 1915. Jack Johnson’s accomplishments paved the way for another boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, who credits Johnson with imbuing him with the flair and bravado synonymous with The People’s Champion, aka, The Louisville Lip.
Interesting Fact: Jack Johnson all but invented smack-talk. His famous fight with Jim Jeffries came about after besting the boxer’s younger brother in the ring and publicly calling out Jeffries in front of a crowded house. Instead of facing Johnson, Jeffries retired, paving the way for the title match between Johnson and Tommy Burns.
Chris Dickerson
Sponsored Content
In 1970 Chris Dickerson made history by becoming the first black man to win the Mr. America competition. Over the course of his 30 year career he would earn 15 bodybuilding titles. Later in his career Dickerson became the oldest first openly gay winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest at age 43. Dickerson retired from bodybuilding in 1994 and was later inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2000.
Interesting Fact: Along with bodybuilding, Chris Dickerson is an accomplished tenor opera singer.
Mike Rashid
Sponsored Content
Former professional boxer and jacked bodybuilding machine, Mike Rashid is a pioneer for the YouTube age. His accomplishments as a boxer led to two national golden glove awards, but Rashid wanted to switch focus and concentrate on bodybuilding. He paved the way by tackling a relatively untested market and creating a wildly successful social media presence to promote his efforts. Aside from numerous endorsements and fans, Mike Rashid has founded two companies, IMSOALPHA iX3 and Alpha Academy Apparel. He continues to expand his social presence with almost two million followers between YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. He’s one of the most influential bodybuilders on YouTube with nearly 400,000 subscribers.
Interesting Fact: On his path to YouTube domination, Mike would devour at least a Quest Bar a day and his favorite flavor was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph is a beacon of hope for people of color and female athletes across the globe. She went on to be the first American to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic games in 1960. Rudolph broke the world record in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.3 seconds, the record for the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.2 seconds and was part of the team that beat the world record in the 4-by-100-meter relay with 44.4 seconds. All of this is made even more amazing by the fact below:
Interesting fact: Wilma Rudolph suffered from polio as a child and was unable to walk! She taught herself to walk at age 9 after being told it was something she could never do.
Phil Heath (Duh)
Sponsored Content
This five-time Mr. Olympia champion didn’t have original ambitions to become the man known as “The Gift.” As a teenager, Phil Heath dreamed of a professional career in the NBA. In fact, he received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Denver, but scored only 86 points over four seasons. It wasn’t until 2002 that Heath switched gears and focused on his physique. He’s been competing (and dominating) for 13 years. Over his extensive career, he’s placed 1st in his category 16 times and is the first professional bodybuilder to form his own supplement company while still competing. On top of that, Phil is the owner of Gifted Athletics apparel.
Interesting fact: During competition, Phil was asked to record his typical food intake in a single day. The results were six egg whites, 1 cup cream of wheat, 8oz top round steak, 2 cups white rice, broccoli, 8oz chicken breast, 2 cups brown rice, asparagus, 60g protein/150g carbohydrate shake, another 8 oz top round steak, 1 ½ cups white rice with spinach and a final helping of an 8oz tilapia filet with broccoli…Who’s hungry?
Arthur Ashe
Sponsored Content
Where to begin with Arthur Ashe? Not only was he the first black player selected to the US Davis Cup team as well as the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, Ashe won three grand slam titles. Tragically, Ashe suffered a heart attack in 1979 due to a history of heart disease in his family and it’s believed he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion after surgery. During the final years of his life, Ashe dedicated his efforts to civil rights, penning “A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African-American Athlete,” joining a delegation of influencers in protesting apartheid in South Africa and founding the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS. His incredible life achievements earned Ashe a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton.
Interesting Fact: Arthur Ashe was arrested in 1985 for protesting apartheid rule outside the embassy of South Africa in Washington.
Sergio Oliva
Sergio Oliva is the only bodybuilder to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Mr. Olympia competition. His nickname was “The Myth” because of his unbelievable proportions. He was the only Mr. Olympia winner who possessed thighs larger than his waist with an incredible 32 inches of thighs compared to 28 inches of waist. Over the course of his career, Sergio won 20 first place bodybuilding titles. Even after his passing in 2012 Oliva remains a legend in the sport.
Interesting Fact: Sergio Oliva worked as a TV repairman in the U.S. immediately after emigrating from Cuba.
This content was supplied by our sponsor and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of M&F’s editorial staff.
