1925 Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

MacMahon and Matysek’s Unique Lift

Posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 by John Wood

…a good one to put in the don’t-try-this-at-home file. Charles MacMahon and Anthony Matysek are shown here performing a rather unique lift, circa 1925. Better have a pair of gladiator boots if you plan on doing this one.

Ricardo Nelson at the Rialto

Posted on Sunday, June 30th, 2019 by John Wood

Here’s one from the deep archives, an advertisement from “The Swedish Lion” Ricardo Nelson’s engagement at the Rialto Theatre in Ironwood, Michigan on November 24 and 25, 1925.

“The Swedish Lion, the Samson of Modern Times, the strongest man living. Ricardo Nelson has been accepted and conceded to the the World’s Strongest Man by the largest moving picture corporation at Hollywood California, and was photographed in life motion photography in feats of strength. With his jaws alone, he twisted up large steel horseshoes, with his bare hands, he tears to pieces a 1-1/4 inch thick rope tested at 4000 pounds and many other unbelievable feats of strength.”

You can read more about Nelson HERE and HERE.

Charles Rigoulot’s One-Arm Snatch

Posted on Sunday, October 22nd, 2017 by John Wood

History’s greatest performer of the One-Arm Snatch was the French weightlifter Charles Rigoulot. His one-arm snatch of 261 pounds will likely never be surpassed. Here, Rigoulot prepares to one-arm snatch only 220-1/2 pounds in Paris in 1925 while still an amateur .

Hans Kavan: The Austrian Hercules

Posted on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 by John Wood

In March of 1925, Hans Kavan “The Austrian Hercules” noted wrestler and sometimes strongman performed this “human link” feat to win a wager. Kavan was thankfully not torn asunder with two horses on each arm, pulling in opposite directions. Kavan had a brother named Franz who was also a decent wrestler. (That’s right, Hans and Franz from Austria was a real thing!)

Arteondo The Stone Lifter

Posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2015 by John Wood

Even with all the impressive weight lifting numbers that we come across on a daily basis, Basque stone lifting feats are a continual source of amazement. Case in point, here we have Bittor Zabala, also known in stone lifting circles as Arteondo, lifting a stone into his lap of well over 400 pounds. This was taken in 1924. Arteondo’s stone lifting career lasted from 1910 through 1945 and he was instrumental in standardizing the weights and shapes of the stones and making stone lifting into more of a competitive sport.

Gust Lessis: A Smashing Feat

Posted on Saturday, August 20th, 2011 by John Wood

Around 1925 or so, the Greek Strongman and wrestler Gust Lessis, wanted a shot at the lightweight boxing crown (which was held by Paul “The Astoria Assassin” Berlenbach at the time.)

In order to show that he was worthy of such an opportunity he gave a demonstration of strength before his grappling matches: while supporting an 500-pound slab of concrete on his chest his manager smashed it to bits with a sledge hammer. Say what you will about supporting feats, but this one is still no walk in the park!