[1] As a boy, Anibal was fascinated with men of great muscular power who could perform amazing feats of strength.
He read about Tarzan’s adventures in the comic books and watched former Olympic swimmerJohnny Weissmuller play the hero in the popular movie series.
[2] Another early motivation for Anibal was seeing a guest posing exhibition by IFBB Hall of Fame bodybuilder Leroy Colbert, yet another childhood hero that decades later would become a personal friend.
Lopez served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division; He found that he loved the challenge of jumping out of an aircraft in flight.
He began to train at home with a barbell, a pair of dumbbells that he ordered from a Joe Weider magazine for $19.95 and a homemade wood bench.