Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Yoshinobu MiyakeThe great japanese lifter Yoshinobu Miyake is shown here at "the moment of truth" during the 1961 World championships where he won the Bronze Medal. It is not as evident in this picture but Miyake pioneered a unique technique known as "frog style" (or the Miyake pull), which involves a wide grip and where the legs are splayed to the side at the beginning of the lift.
His focus on this technique payed off as he took home Olympic Gold in the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 1968 Games in Mexico City, and set 29 World Records over the course of his career.
Labels: 1964 Olympics, 1968 Olympics, Gold Medal, Olympic Weightlifting, World Record, Yoshinobu Miyake
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The 1938 World Weightlifting TeamThe 1938 World Weightlifting team that lifted in Vienna, Austria. From left to right: Steve Stanko, John Davis, John Terry, Tony Terlazzo, John Terpak and John Grimek. Davis and Terlazzo won their respective classes with the others placing second to fourth.
Labels: 1938 World Weightlifting Team, John Davis, John Grimek, John Terpak, John Terry, Olympic Weightlifting, Steve Stanko, Tony Terlazzo, York Lifters
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Young Steve StankoSteve Stanko is shown here snatching 260 pounds on his way to winning the 1938 Junior Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio. Just 20 years old at the time, it was clear that big things were in store for Steve Stanko... Five years later he became the first man to break the 1000-pound barrier in the three Olympic Lifts, eight years later he became Mr. America and eleven years later, the first Mr. Universe.
John Davis looks on from the right. Just 17 years old Davis had just won the light-heavyweight class with an 810 lb total, showing more than a little promise himself...
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, 1944 Mr. America, 1947 Mr. Universe, John Davis, Junior Nationals, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Snatch, Steve Stanko
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Tommy Kono: '59 WorldsTommy Kono's winning clean & jerk at the 1959 World Weightlifting Championships held in Warsaw, Poland. Tommy totaled 425 kg that day (132.5 + 130 + 162.5) in the middleweight class. This one marked his 6th World Championship win.
Labels: 1959 World Championships, Barbell, Clean and Jerk, Olympic Weightlifting, Poland, Tommy Kono, World Champion
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Bringing Home the Gold: Melbourne 1956The date of this photo is November 26th, 1956 and it shows the results of the Men's Light-Heavyweight weightlifting event at the '56 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. On his way to the Gold Medal, Tommy Kono set Olympic records in the Press and Snatch and a World Record in the Clean & Jerk and overall total (447.5 kg).
The other American lifter Jim George, from Akron, Ohio, won the Bronze with a 417.5 kg total. Vasīlijs Stepanovs of the Soviet Union took the Silver Medal with a 427.5 total.
Labels: 100 Pound Total, 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Jim George, Melbourne Australia, Olympic Record, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Snatch, Tommy Kono, Vasīlijs Stepanovs, World Record
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Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The 1947 U.S. World Weightlifting TeamThe 1947 U.S. World Weightlifting Team:
Back Row: John Davis, Norb Schemansky, Stan Stanczyk and Harold Sakata.
Center Row: Tony Terlazzo, Frank Spellman, Pete george and John Terpak
Front row: Emerick Ishikawa, Bobby Higgins, Joe DiPietro and Richard Tom
The 1947 World Weightlifting Championships were held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and were the first such competition ever held on U.S. soil. This team of American lifters scored 27-3 victory over everyone else and equalled or exceeded 12 World records. This event was also held in conjunction with the very first Mr. Universe contest where Steve Stanko took home the crown.
Labels: Emerick Ishikawa, Harold Sakata, Joe DiPietro, John Davis, John Terpak, Norb Schemansky, Olympic Weightlifting, Richard Tom, Stan Stanczyk, The 1947 U.S. World Weightlifting Team, Tony Terlazzo
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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
The Wrist RollerWho uses the wrist roller to build forearm strength? Chinese Olympic weightlifters are one pretty good example (among many). This picture comes from an old training course. Despite its simplicity, the wrist roller is one of the most effective grip exercises there is.
Labels: Forearm Strength, Forearm Training, Grip Training, Grip Training Equipment, Olympic Weightlifting, wrist roller, Wrist Roller Training
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Two-Arm SnatchThe Two-Arm Snatch as demonstrated by Johnny Terpak. At the time that this sequence of photos was taken Terpak was the holder of the middleweight and light heavyweight American records, having snatched 260 lbs. at a bodyweight of only 160 lbs. Terpak was an eleven-time Senior National Weightlifting champion, a record in itself.
Labels: John Terpak, Olympic Lifting, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympic Weightlifting Exercise, Snatch, Two Arm Snatch
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sergio Oliva Olympic LiftingLike many bodybuilders in the 60's, Sergio Oliva got his start in Olympic Weightlifting. In fact, he did well enough to compete for his native Cuba at the 1962 Pan-Am games. Though he was very strong, his Olympic lifting ability was actually hampered by his thin waist.
The foundation built by Olympic lifting served Sergio well in his bodybuilding career though. Oliva went on to win the Mr. Olympia Contest in 1967, 1968 and 1969.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Mr. Olympia, Olympic Weightlifting, Pan-Am Games, Sergio Oliva
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Yuri Vlasov - Russian KettlebellsAs young trainees, many Russian weightlifters were introduced to physical training in the form of Kettlebells. Many of them maintained this practice even in later years as they became great champions. Among them is the great Soviet lifter Yuri Vlasov, who was a Gold Medal winner at the 1960 Rome Olympics, a four-time Senior World Champion (1959, 1961-1963) and Six-time Consecutive Senior European Champion (1959-1964). Vlasov set 34 World records over his career. You may not be able to make it out but the kettlebell at his feet is marked "32" i.e. 32 kilograms or just over 70 pounds.
Labels: 1960 Olympics, Kettlebell, Olympic Weightlifting, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Weightlifter, Yuri Vlasov
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tendon and Ligament Training: Chuck VinciA "secret weapon" of many strength athletes is specific training for tendons and ligaments using very heavy supports. Here Olympic Champion weight lifter Chuck Vinci does heavy supports in the rack position with 500 pounds. Chuck Vinci set twelve world records in his career so he knew a thing or two about getting strong.
Labels: Chuck Vinci, Olympic Weightlifting, Supporting Feat, Tendon and Ligament Training, Tendon Strength
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Wednesday, October 29, 2008
 Steve Stanko - Hand Grippers | Steve Stanko was strong everywhere, he would have to be to become the first man to break the 1000 pound barrier in Olympic weightlifting. He was no slouch in the grip strength department either, having easily performed feats like this and yes, he trained with hand grippers too. Wonder what he could have done on the #3? |
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, Hand Grippers, Olympic Weightlifting, Steve Stanko
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Saturday, October 04, 2008
Pudgy StocktonPudgy Stockton was about 50 years ahead of her time... Today "fitness models" are a common thing. Pudgy was a consumate "iron lady" back in the 40's. She was adept at hand balancing, olympic weight lifting and even had her own column for years in Strength and Health Magazine. She obviously had no trouble lifting this great Milo Dumbbell down on the sands of Muscle Beach.
Labels: Hand Balancing, Muscle Beach, Olympic Weightlifting, Pudgy Stockton, Strength and Health
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Sunday, September 07, 2008
Norb SchemanskyChampion Olympic Weightlifter Norb Schemansky as he looked pressing 160 kg at the 1960 Rome Olympics (where he won Bronze) and on the cover of the September, 1962 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Over his career Schemansky was an Olympic Champion in 1952 (Helsinki), Three time World Champion (1947, 1962, 1963) and set 26 World Records.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, Cover, Gold Medal, Norb Schemansky, Olympic lifter, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Strength and Health Magazine
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Pete GeorgeAkron, Ohio's Pete George on the cover of the March, 1956 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Over his career, George won five World Championships (1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955) and three Olmpic Medals (Silver: 1948 games London, England; Gold: 1952 Games, Helsinki, Finland; Silver: 1956 games Melbourne, Australia).
He set three world records and his best lifts were as follows:
Press: 122.5 kg Snatch: 127.5 kg Clean and Jerk: 164.5 kg
Labels: 1948 Olympics, 1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Olympic Champion, Olympic Weightlifting, Pete George, Press, Snatch, Strength and Health Magazine, World Champion
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Saturday, August 09, 2008
 Clyde Emrich | Another one of the great U.S. weightlifters is Clyde Emrich, who was a 4-time National Champion (1952, 1956, 1967, and 1959), Pan-Am Games Champion (1959) and competed in the 1952 Olympic games in Helskini. |
Labels: 1952 Olympics, Chicago Bears, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk Record, Clyde Emrich, National Champion Weightlifter, Olympic Weightlifting, Pan-Am Champion Weightlifter, Strength Coach
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Thursday, August 07, 2008
Fred LoweMichigan native and MSU grad Fred Lowe is one of America's greatest Olympic Weightlifters who won the first of his 8 National Championships in 1969.
He went on to compete in the Olypics Games three times(1968 - Mexico City, Mexico, 1972 Munich, Germany (pictured above), 1976 - Montreal, Canada)
At a bodyweight of 165 pounds, Fred Lowe is the lightest lifter to ever Clean & Jerk over 400 -- a record that still stands over 20 years after it was set.
Labels: 1968 Olympics, 1972 Olympics, 1976 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk Record, Fred Lowe, Michigan State, Munich Germany, Olympic Weightlifting
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Friday, August 01, 2008
Doug Hepburn - 1953 Heavyweight World ChampionDoug Hepburn's final lift to win the 1953 Heavyweight World Weightlifting Championship held in Stockholm, Sweden. (defeating John Davis) The lift pictured here was a 363-pound clean and jerk -- the highest of the contest. Doug's other lifts of the day were a 371-pound press and a 297-pound snatch for a total of 1031 pounds.
Labels: 1953 World Championships, Barbell, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Jerk, Doug Hepburn, John Davis, Olympic Lifting, Olympic Weightlifing Exercise, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Snatch, Sweden, Total
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Steve Stanko Cleans 370 PoundsThe Mighty Steve Stanko showing the form that allowed him to become the first man to officially total over 1000 pounds in the three Olympic Lifts and the first American to snatch 300 pounds.
The shot was taken during a workout in 1940. A year later Stanko went on to break the 1000 pound barrier. (His bodyweight at the time was only 220 pounds.)
Labels: 100 Pound Total, 300 Pounds Snatch, Clean, Olympic Weightlifting, Steve Stanko
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Friday, May 02, 2008
Elwood Holbrook - Master of the Bent PressElwood Holbrook took 4th at the 1941 AAU Mr. America Contest AND took home the "Best Arms" award (He had also competed in the afternoon's weightlifting contest where he finished 6th with a 715-pound total in the 165-pound class.)
While Holbrook was a very talented strength athlete and equally good at bodybuilding as well as weightlifting, his real gift was the bent press -- he won the national Bent-Press Championship in a contest held by Sig Klein.
Holbrook was also one of the few men to bent press the famous Rolandow Dumbbell - a feat which he did on his first try and without a warmup.
Here's a shot of a 48-year old Elwood Holbrook bent-pressing 240 pounds -- 75 pounds above his bodyweight. That unique dumbbell belonged to Paul Anderson.
Labels: 1941 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bent Press Arthur Saxon, Best Arms, Bodybuilding, Elwood Holbrook, Olympic Weightlifting, Paul Anderson, Rolandow Dumbbell, Sig Kleins Gym, Total
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Sunday, April 06, 2008
Dick Bachtell - Weightlifting ChampionThe great weightlifting Champion Dick Bachtell as he appeared on the cover of the January, 1936 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Dick Bachtell was a seven-time National Champion (1929-1931, 1934-1935, 1937, and 1943) and competed in the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles, Claifornia.
For his last National Title, he totaled 630 pounds in the 60-Kg class.
In addition to his Olympic Weightlifting exploits, Dick Bachtell could also one-arm snatch 154 pounds, squat 350-pounds, deadlift 425-pounds, one-arm press 92-pounds, pullover 100-pounds, swing 137-pounds and bent-press 180-pounds.
Labels: 1932 Olympics, Cover, Dick Bachtell, National Champion Weightlifter, Olympic Weightlifting, one arm snatch, Press, Pullover, Senior Nationals, Strength and Health Magazine, weightlifter
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Saturday, April 05, 2008
Walter GoodWalter Good, one of the Good Brothers as he appeared in the early 1930s. Like his brother Bill, Walter Good was also an Olympian, competing in the 75-Kilo Class at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin.
Walter also appeared on the cover of several early bodybuilding magazines.
Labels: 1936 Olympics, Bodybuilding, Good Brothers, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Walter Good
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Friday, March 21, 2008
Paul Anderson "A Wonder of Nature"The great Paul Anderson warms up before a weightlifting exhibition at Dynamo Stadium in Russia, circa 1955 (at the height of the Cold War), as Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and other members of the York Gang look on.
At the time, the World record in the Olympic press was 330-1/2 pounds, set by the Russian champion, Medvedev. In front of a crowd of 15,000 people on a rainy day, Paul Anderson pressed 402-1/2 pounds.
The Russian crowd gave Anderson a standing ovation and rightfully began calling him "Chudo Prirody," which means "a wonder of nature."
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Dynamo Stadium, Medvedev, Olympic Weightlifting, Paul Anderson, Press, Russia, Tommy Kono
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Friday, February 15, 2008
The York Barbell Broad Street Gym One of the great training halls was the old York Barbell gym, located on Broad Street on York PA. It was an old factory converted to a gym, with nothing but a couple lifting platforms, a climbing rope, a few old dumbbells and plenty of iron.
It was hot, dark and cramped (just like a great gym should be)and the equipment was old, but solid and it produced an untold number of strength Champions in bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting.
That's Ike Berger on the platform working on his press while Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and others look on.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Broad Street Gym, Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Ike Berger, Olympic Weightlifting, Tommy Kono, York Barbell Company
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Thursday, February 14, 2008
Chuck VinciChuck Vinci was another great olympic weightlifter from York, Pennsylvania. Though he stood only 4'11" and weighed 123 pounds, he could clean & jerk well over 300 pounds and snatch 220+.
Vinci was a Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1956 and 1960), Seven-time world Senior National Champion (1954-1956,1958-1961) and set Twelve World Records during his career.
Labels: 1956 Olympics, 1960 Olympics, Chuck Vinci, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Olympic Weightlifting, Snatch, weightlifter, weightlifting, York Pennsylvania
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Isaac "Ike" BergerIke Berger is one of America's most successful Olympic Weightlifters -- he was the first featherweight in history to lift more than 800 pounds and the first to press double body weight.
Over his career he was the owner of 23 world weightlifting records, a 12-time United States national titleholder, 2-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist at the 1956 Games in Melbourne Australia (along with two more Silver medals at the next two Olympic Games.)
At the 1964 Olympic games, he estabilished a record of 152.5 kg (336 lb) in the jerk, at a bodyweight of only 130 pounds (59 kg). This lift made him pound-for-pound the strongest man in the world, a record that stood for nine years.
Ike Berger was elected to the United States Weightlifter's Hall of Fame in 1965.
Labels: 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Ike Berger, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, weightlifter, weightlifting, World Champion
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Friday, February 08, 2008
Vasily Alexeev's Unusual TrainingThe Russian Champion Vasily Alexeev is one of the greatest weightlifters who ever lived.
One of Alexeyeev's most unusual training techniques was to practice his cleans in waist-deep water. This famous shot was taken of Alexeev as he trained in the Don River in Mother Russia.
Unconventional... but certainly effective:
Alexeev set the first of his 80 world records in 1970 and was undefeated for the remainder of his career which also included two Olympic Gold medal winning performances (1972, Munich and 1976, Montreal)
Labels: Barbell, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Mother Russia, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Russian Strongman, Unusual Training Equipment, Vasily Alexeev
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Norb Schemansky A true Champion in every sense of the word - the Great Norb Schemansky lifting at the 1954 World Championships in Vienna. At this meet, Schemansky totaled 1074 pounds.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Norb Schemansky, Olympic Weightlifting
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Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dave's Gym - South Bend, IndianaDave Bjoraas, (pictured far right) the legendary "Dave" of Dave's Gym and Dave's Barbell Club of South Bend, Indiana... for many years the center of strength activity in the Mid-Western United States.
Dave's Gym in South Bend, Indiana produced many Iron Game champions: 1956 Mr. America Ray Schaefer trained there. So did Jr. Mr. America Doug Lindzy (pro-wrestling's original "Doug Gilbert").
Dave's Barbell Club Weight-lifting team produced champions like Winston Binney and Mike Burgener. And, most importantly, many of the top football players on Notre Dame's great Irish teams trained with Dave.
Dave's Gym... one of the top gyms ever... Dave Bjoraas, a fine man and a giant in the world of weights.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Classic Strongman Gyms, Daves Gym, Heavyweight Lifting Championships, Jr. Mr. America, Mr. America, Notre Dame, Olympic Weightlifting, weightlifting
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 Roy Hilligenn 1951 Mr. America | Roy Hilligen was a great all-around "iron athlete." As a bodybuilder, he won the Mr. South Africa title in 1943, 1944, 1946 and 1976 as well as the AAU Mr. America Title in 1951. As an Olympic lifter, Hilligenn was the first South African to Clean and Jerk double body weight. His lifts in 1946 were Press: 245 pounds, Snatch: 255 Pounds and Clean & Jerk: 321 pounds. In the early 1950's, and weighing just 173 pounds, Hilligen unofficially equaled the world record in the Clean & Jerk with a lift of 375 pounds. |
Interestingly, he was also a life-long vegetarian.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilder, Clean and Jerk, Ed Yarick's Gym, Mr. America, Olympic Weightlifting, Roy Hilligenn, South African
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Saturday, December 15, 2007
Globe Barbells at the 1924 Olympic GamesHere's a look at the Globe Barbells that were lined up and ready to be used at the 1924 Olympic Games held in Paris France.
This was the last year that lifters were given the choice between lifting with shot-loaded globe barbells or barbells loaded with the iron disc plates that we use today.
The only lifters to choose the shot-loaded globes at the 1924 Olympic Games were the French Weightlifting team, of which great strongman Charles Rigoulot won the gold medal in the heavyweight class and his teammate Edmond Decottignies took home the gold in the light-weight Class.
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, Globe Barbell, Gold Medal, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Paris France, Shot Loaded Barbells, Strongman Equipment, weightlifting
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Good BrothersThe Good Brothers, Harry, Walter and Bill, were a trio of weightlifters and Strongmen from Eastern Pennsylvania. Bill was the strongest of the three, winning seven Senior National Weightlifting Titles (1930-1937) and competing in two Olympic Games (1932 Los Angeles, 1936 - Berlin). Bill Good was the first American to Clean & Jerk 350 Pounds.
Walter Good competed in the 1936 Olympics as well.
Harry was the U.S. Professional Champion in 1933 in addition to writing training articles for a number of different strength publications and training courses. Harry Good went on to establish the "Good Barbell Company" in the late 1930s.
Mark Berry also used the Good Brothers to demonstrate several of the exercises in his book Physical Training Simplified (1930).
Labels: Bill Good, Equipment, Good Brothers, Harry Good, Olympic Weightlifting, Walter Good
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Sunday, December 02, 2007
| In addition to publishing "THE IRON MASTER" John "Osmo" Kiiha is a former World-Class Olympic Lifter who competed in the 1968 Senior Nationals in the 198 pound class. His bests lifts were: Total: 985, Press: 333, Clean & Jerk: 418, Snatch: 286. Here he is getting ready to incline press a pair of 150 pound dumbbells. |  Osmo Kiiha |
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Dumbbell Benchpress, Iron Master Magazine, Olympic Weightlifting, Osmo Kiiha, Press, Senior Nationals, Snatch, Strength Author, Total
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007
David ProwseBefore he was Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies, David Prowse was the British Heavyweight lifting Champion in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
At 6' 7 and 265 pounds, he deadlifted 678-1/4 pounds, jerked 335 pound behind the neck as well as competed in bodybuilding, Olympic Weightlifting and tossed the caber in the Highland Games.
He also was the first man other that Donald Dinnie to lift the Dinnie Stones (which he did in 1964.) Prowse also once owned the Inch Dumbbell.
Labels: British Champion, Caber Tossing, David Prowse, Deadlift, Highland Games, Inch Dumbbell, Jerk, Oldtime Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting
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Monday, November 19, 2007
John Terpak - Eleven Time Senior National Weightlifting ChampionJohn Terpak was a member of the "York Gang" and one of America's best Olympic-style weightlifters, winning eleven Senior National Weightlifting Titles (1936-1945 & 1947).
Over his career he lifted in three different weight classes (148, 165 and 181.) His best performance occurred winning the 1947 Worlds as a light-heavyweight:
Press - 253-1/2 pounds
Snatch - 264-1/2 pounds
Clean & Jerk - 336-1/4 pounds
Total = 854-1/2 pounds
He also one-hand snatched 154 pounds and one-hand jerked 170-1/2 pounds in some early weightlifting contests when those lifts were still contested.
Terpak was a three-time Olympic Team Member (1936, 1940, & 1948) and a part of nine total Olympic teams and sixty consecutive National Championships as a lifter, judge or coach. He eventually served as an executive for the York Barbell Company.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, John Terpak, Olympic Weightlifting, one arm snatch, Press, Total, weightlifter, weightlifting, York Barbell Company
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Sunday, November 11, 2007
Tommy Kono: Weightlifting and Bodybuilding ChampionWith thirteen Senior Nationals titles, eight consecutive World Championships (1952-1959) and two Olympic gold medals (1952, 1956), Tommy Kono is arguably America's greatest Olympic Weightlifter.
In addition to his weightlifting exploits, he was also a very successful bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Universe bodybuilding title in `1954, 1955, 1957 and 1961.
It is unlikely that the World will never see another champion Weightlifter and Bodybuilder who are one in the same.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Gold Medal, Olympic Weightlifting, Tommy Kono, weightlifting
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Friday, November 09, 2007
 Weightlifting ChampionJohn Davis | John Davis was one of America's greatest Olympic weightlifting champions. Throughout his career he won two gold medals: 1948(London) and 1952(Helsinki) He was also a Senior World Champion in 1938, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, and 1951. His best Olympic lifts were: |
Labels: Apollon's Wheels, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Gold Medal, John Davis, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, Snatch, Squat, Weaver Stick
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Doug Hepburn was born in Vancouver B.C. on September 16th, 1927. He was of average height and build and took up weight lifting to bulk up.
Soon it became apparent that Doug wasn't so average after all --- he began to progress very quickly in his training.
Although he had a slight handicap (a club foot) that did not stop him from becoming one of the most powerful men in history. He became a Senior World Champion in 1953 and set eight World Records during his career.
Soon it became apparent that Doug wasn't so average after all --- he began to progress very quickly in his training.
Although he had a slight handicap (a club foot) that did not stop him from becoming one of the most powerful men in history. He became a Senior World Champion in 1953 and set eight World Records during his career.
| Here's a look at some of his best lifts: Right Hand Military Press - 175 Pounds Two Hands Press (Off Rack) - 440 Pounds Behind Neck Press - 350 Pounds Two Hands Curl - 260 Pounds Bench Press - 580 Pounds Jerk-Press (Off Rack) 500 Pounds Two Hands Snatch - 297-1/2 Pounds Two Hands Clean & Press - 381 Pounds Squat - 760 Pounds Two Hands Deadlift - 705 Pounds |  Doug Hepburn |
Labels: Bench Press, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Doug Hepburn, Jerk, Military Press, Oldtime Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Overhead Press, Snatch, Squat, Strongman Feat
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Monday, October 29, 2007
On April 19, 1941 Steve Stanko made history as he the first man to break the mythic 1000-pound total in an official weightlifting contest.
Through his specialized upper-body training program he was able to build himself into a bodybuilding champion, winning the 1944 AAU Mr. America and Junior Mr. America, the 1945 Most Muscular Man in America and the 1947 Mr. Universe.
| Unfortunately Stanko also suffered from painful blood clots in his legs and five weeks later found himself in the hospital. By mid-1942 he regained enough health to begin light upper-body training again. He was told to stay off his legs and could only train while sitting or lying on a bench. |  Steve Stanko |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Steve Stanko
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Monday, October 15, 2007
Tommy Kono and Classic Globe BarbellTommy Kono was one of the United States' greatest Olympic weightlifters and overall strength athletes.
He not only won two Gold Medals and a Silver over the course of three Olympic games, he also won the Mr. Universe title in Bodybuilding several times.
I'll cover that in more detail on another occasion.
Check out this classic shot from the early 1950's where Tommy Kono narrowly misses completing a jerk with this huge 374 pound globe barbell at Robert Cayeaux's gym in Lille, France. -- Kono had the barbell at arm's length but couldn't quite hold it.
(N.B. This was the same gym where Norb Schemansky lifted the famous Apollon Wheels in 1954.)
...I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that Charles Rigoulot lifted with the very same globe barbell. - Rigoulot favored globe barbells long after they went out of style.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Charles Rigoulot, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Gold Medal, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Tommy Kono
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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, September 30, 2007
Schemansky Stalks the Bar...From the late 1940s to mid-1960s, Norb Schemansky was America's most successful Olympic Weightlifter and the first weightlifter to medal in four Olympic Games, (despite missing the 1956 games.)
Do you think he means business in the shot above?
Here's a look at Norb Schemansky's achievements over the course of his career:
And best career marks:Olympic Champion - 1952 Olympic Games, Helsinki Silver Medal - 1948 Olympic Games, London Bronze Medal - 1960, Rome, 1964, Tokyo World Champion (1951, 1953, and 1954) 1955 Pan American Games Heavyweight Champion Silver Medal - Senior World Championships (1947, 1962, 1963) Bronze Medal - Senior World Championships (1964)
Press - 415 lbs.
Snatch - 363 3/4 lbs.
Clean and Jerk - 445 lbs.
Total - 1200 lbs. (400-335-445)
In addition to his weightlifting exploits, he also famously cleaned, then thrice jerked the Apollon Wheels.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, 1960 Olympics, 1964 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Norb Schemansky, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, Snatch, The 1947 U.S. World Weightlifting Team, weightlifting
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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