Anton Matysek

Anton Matysek

Anton Matysek is well-known for his Muscle Control skills but he was no slouch when it came to lifting heavy barbells and other weights. He won the "America's Strongest Man" contest put on in 1922 by Bernarr MacFadden. And here's a good reason why: This classic Milo Globe "Show" barbell that Matysek is holding is 7-1/2 feet long with 16 inch diameter globes, a 3 inch thick handle, and the entire affair weighs in at 231 pounds.

Shortly after this picture was taken, Matysek placed the bell on the floor, raised it to his shoulders, jerked it to arms length, lowered it behind his neck, jerked it overhead again and the set it down on the floor. -- An incredible display of grip and forearm strength.

Several of the athletes who witnessed this feat could not even lift this barbell off the ground.

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