Friday, February 26, 2010
Samson: The Strongest Man on EarthA rare look at an advertising poster from Charles Sampson's stint at the Royal Aquarium in London, circa 1899. It was here that he was famously challenged -- and defeated -- by Eugen Sandow. Regardless of the circumstances, you have to admit that this poster still looks pretty sharp.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Challenge Match, Charles Sampson, Eugen Sandow, Poster, Strongman Poster
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, February 07, 2010
John Robinson's $25,000 Challenge FeatureIt was during the season of 1898 that Louis Cyr traveled and performed with The John Robinson Circus. According to records, Cyr's measurements at the time were as follows:
John Robinson's challenge was whether any man could equal or better any one of Cyr's feats... needless to say, the money was very safe.Width across shoulders: 27 inches Neck: 23 inches Forearm: 19 inches Bicep: 21.5 inches Waist: 52 inches Thigh: 29-3/4 inches Calf: 24 inches Chest: 59.5 inches
Labels: Challenge Match, Circus Poster, Circus Strongman, John Robinson Circus, Louis Cyr, Performing Strongman
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Hector DecarieHector Decarie first achieved notoriety around 1904 when he Bent Pressed 317 pounds. A few years later he met Louis Cyr in a famous challenge match. Despite the fact that they tied in the contest, Cyr passed on his title of "World's Strongest Man" to his young challenger. It was a fitting mantle, Decarie surpassed several of Cyr's feats. Interestingly, Decarie is not as big as you would think based on the pictures of him. He stood 5'7" and weighed only around 191 lbs.
Labels: Bent Press, Canadian Strongman, Challenge Match, Hector Decarie, Louis Cyr
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, May 01, 2008
The Brothers McCannThe Brothers McCann, Henry and Louis, were known as Hercules and Samson when they became professional strongmen in the late 1800s. In 1890, they challenged Eugen Sandow to a match - and Won!
... although they were defeated by Louis Cyr in a similar contest a few years later.
Labels: Amazing Samson, Challenge Match, Eugen Sandow, Hercules, Louis Cyr, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Oldtime Strongmen, The Brothers McCann
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Charles SampsonCharles Sampson was a turn-of-the-century strongman who, unlike any of his contemporaries, claimed his great strength was not from physical training but a result of having been struck by lightning as a small child!
As noted in Physical Training Simplified by Mark Berry, Sampson did perform a Harness Lift with 4008 pounds and frequently collaborated with the famous coin breaker Franz "Cyclops" Bienkowski.
Sampson and Cyclops were both handily defeated by Eugen Sandow in a famous challenge match in 1889.
Labels: Challenge Match, Charles Sampson, Cyclops, Eugen Sandow, Franz Bienkowski, Harness Lift, Oldtime Strongman
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Louis Cyr vs. Hector Decarie: 102 Years Ago TodayIt was 102 years ago today that Louis Cyr met Hector Decarie in their famous challenge match.
At the end of the night each man had won four events apeice but despite the "tie" Cyr passed on the mantle of "World's Strongest Man" to his young challenger.
Labels: Challenge Match, Hector Decarie, Louis Cyr, Oldtime Strongman Exercises, Oldtime Strongmen
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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