Born: July 14, 1930 in Barbados
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 218 lbs.



First mistakenly introduced to British readers of Health & Strength in January 1957 as “Al Bickers”, it is now his age that causes a little confusion: Al asserts he was born in 1930, but some early reports suggested 1938 as his birth year. Whatever his age, Beckles has been in phenomenal shape for five decades.

Born in Barbados, he emigrated to London, where in the mid-‘60s he began winning regional British titles, before taking the 1969 and 1970 NABBA Mr. Britain titles (which were awarded in 1970 and ’71). Later in ’71, he joined the IFBB, earning the overall at that year’s IFBB Mr. Universe. His high-peaked biceps and crisp overall appearance have been his trademark throughout his career.

Al has been one of the most active participants ever – suiting up to pose down in more than 100 different contests. In 1982, he took the Big Apple’s big enchilada, winning the Night of Champions. Beckles’ record-setting 13 forays into the IFBB Mr. Olympia (Shawn Ray is nearest with 12) have yielded six placings among the top five, including coming second in 1985 to Lee Haney at twice Haney’s age.

Beckles’ most recent win was a decade ago when he sent the other competitors at the 1991 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational tumbling to the rocks below. His retirement following the Chicago Pro Invitational on May 9, 1992, ended a competitive career spanning five decades. Never known as one who bickers, Beckles is forever the British gentleman.



Titles
1970 NABBA Mr Britain
1970 IFBB Mr Europe
1971 NABBA Mr Britain
1971 AAU Mr World
1971 IFBB Universe
1973 IFBB Mr Europe
1981 IFBB Grand Prix New England
1982 IFBB Night of Champions
1982 IFBB World Pro Championships
1984 IFBB Canada Pro Cup
1984 IFBB World Grand Prix
1984 IFBB World Pro Championships
1985 IFBB Night of Champions
1991 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro Invitational

Magazine Covers
1967 Peak Muscle Maker
1967 October Health and Strength
1968 September Health and Strength
1969 June Health and Strength
1970 June Health and Strength
1970 July Health and Strength
1970 August Health and Strength
1971 May Health and Strength
1971 July Health and Strength
1974 September IronMan
1982 June Muscle Digest
1982 August Muscle Up
1982 November Muscle Mag International
1986 March Flex
1987 November Flex

(courtesy of ifbb.com & musclememory.com)