Art Atwood RIP - September 11, 2011.

Courtesy of and written by Aaron Singerman.

Arthur Dale Atwood died in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, September 11th. He was 37 years old. The circumstances of his death are still unclear. Although, there have been several sources that have said that Art was at a pool party and fell or jumped in. When he was pulled out by fellow party-goers he was already blue and wasn't able to be resuscitated. Until the autopsy is performed, we can't know if any substances or alcohol was involved.

Art won his IFBB pro card at the 2001 NPC Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia. His professional bodybuilding debut was the 2001 Toronto Pro where he took 1st place, joining an elite club of pro bodybuilders who won their first pro show. His first IFBB Mr. Olympia came in 2002, where he placed a respectable 12th. During the span of his career, Art competed in 19 shows as a pro bodybuilder, and retired from the stage in 2006.

Atwood was arrested in 2008 in connection with Operation Raw Deal. His arrest was also tied in with the arrest of David Jacobs, who later killed IFBB Fitness Pro Amanda Savell and then turned the gun on himself. Since his arrest Art started Professional Supplements (http://www.professionalsupplements.net/) and was responsible for bringing Vitargo to the United States. Professional Supplements and Atwood’s main product, Karbolyn, have become very popular and the growth of his company and his reputation as a businessman had recently surged. He was also highly regarded as a contest prep coach, helping IFBB Pros Steve Kuclo, Jason Huh, and many others. Art also ran and owned a nutrition store and tanning salon called, Results Dallas.

Art Atwood was one of the first IFBB Pro bodybuilders I was fortunate enough to have an extended conversation with. When we met, I was surprised by his modesty, honesty, and the friendly manner in which he spoke to me... A regular fan. Since our first meeting, Art reinforced those initial impressions every time we had a chance to interact. Art’s death is a horrible loss for his family, friends, and the bodybuilding world as a whole. He will be missed.

Wayne Gallasch remembers Art Atwood.

From our own perspective at GMV we first met Art in the Pump Room at the 2002 Mr. Olympia (A-1065DVD). See our GMV-500DVD, GMV-501DVD and GMV-502DVD for more on Art. We shot backstage footage with him at this time when he impressed us greatly with his size and shape. We also shot Art on a number of other occasions.

A week or so after the 2002 Olympia, we recorded Art finishing 7th at the 2002 English Grand Prix, GMV-510DVD.  We next saw Art in the 2003 Olympia (A-1072DVDSP), then shot more of him in the 2003 Olympia Pump Room, GMV-559DVD and GMV-560DVD.
Then we recorded Art in the 2003 English Grand Prix and Dutch Grand Prix where he placed 7th and 8th. See GMV-551DVD and GMV-553DVD, both won by JAY CUTLER.


To see Art working out, you will find him in Battle for the Olympia 2002, A-1104DVD and Battle for the Olympia 2003, A-1086DVD.
The last time we shot footage of Art was in the 2005 San Francisco Grand Prix, GMV-607DVD, where he placed 10th.

From all of us at GMV, our deepest sympathy to the Atwood family. We have lost a great bodybuilder and a wonderful person.

Art Atwood, RIP.

Art Atwood Contest History

Height 5'11", Weight 245

Born 1974, Died Sept 11, 2011
 
2000
Junior USA - NPC, Super-HeavyWeight, 1st
Junior USA - NPC, Overall Winner
Nationals - NPC, Super-HeavyWeight, 14th
USA Championships - NPC, Super-HeavyWeight, 7th

2001
Nationals - NPC, Super-HeavyWeight, 1st
USA Championships - NPC, Super-HeavyWeight, 3rd

2002
Grand Prix England - IFBB, 7th
Olympia - IFBB, 12th
Show of Strength Pro Championships - IFBB, 12th
Toronto Pro Invitational - IFBB, Winner

2003
Grand Prix England - IFBB, 7th
Grand Prix Holland - IFBB, 8th
Grand Prix Hungary - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Russia - IFBB, 6th
Night of Champions - IFBB, 7th
Olympia - IFBB, 13th

2004
Florida Pro Xtreme Challenge - IFBB, 5th
Hungarian Pro Invitational - IFBB, 8th
Night of Champions - IFBB, 9th
Toronto Pro Invitational - IFBB, 5th

2005
Arnold Classic - IFBB, 14th
San Francisco Pro Invitational - IFBB, 10th

2006
Atlantic City Pro - IFBB, 10th
Europa Supershow - IFBB, 5th
Montreal Pro Championships - IFBB, 7th