Phil Grippaldi

Phil Grippaldi competed at three Olympics Games (1968, 1972, 1976), just missing a medal in 1972 when he finished fourth as a middle-heavyweight. Grippaldi starred at the Pan American Games, winning eight medals, and five golds, while competing in 1967, 1971, and 1975. He was Pan Am middle-heavyweight overall champion all three years. He was a six-time US champion in 1967-68, 1970, and 1973-75. Grippaldi’s major international achievement came in 1970 with a silver medal at the World Championships. He was known for his very large upper arms. Grippaldi graduated from Montclair State University in 1973, and competed for the York Barbell Club.

In 2006 Grippaldi was trapped in a sting operation at a strip mall in Wayne, New Jersey. With a co-defendant he was found to be dealing drugs, and he later pleaded guilty in 2008 to conspiracy to sell drugs, and was sentenced to 10-years in prison for the crime.