Winston Roberts was a significant staple in the pages of bodybuilding history. Winston began his bodybuilding journey as many do, as a competitor. With accomplishments such as winning the Mr. Canada title twice over and participating in Mr. Universe posedowns in the IFBB amateur ranks, his commitment to bodybuilding while in its infancy should speak for itself. However, Winston was heavily involved as a pioneer of bodybuilding, working alongside many of the golden-era greats. Ben Weider, recognizing Winston’s ambition, delegated the task of writing the constitution of the IFBB. Winston took that assignment one step further and wrote the initial IFBB rulebook for judging, which is still used today. He was elected General Secretary of the IFBB in 1972 used his IFBB credentials to begin the Canadian Federation of Bodybuilding (now known as the CBBF). He is also responsible for two extremely significant moments in bodybuilding history; one which revolutionized bodybuilding competition was the suggestion to open prejudging to the public, the other Winston used bodybuilding to help end an era of oppression and segregation in South Africa by allowing the president of the country to host 1975 Mr. Olympia and World Championships (Mr. Universe) competitions only if the audience was denied its common practice of limiting seating sections according to race. This proposal was accepted and was documented in the 1975 bodybuilding hit Pumping Iron, which catapulted bodybuilding’s status into the mainstream.
Winston was born on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, relocated to Montreal, and ultimately ended up in Whitby, Ontario. It is with the sadness that we share news of his passing.
Rest In Peace Winston Roberts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Roberts family and friends.
