Georg Lurich Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Oldtime Wrestlers

Posted on Friday, March 11th, 2022 by John Wood

A group of oldtime wrestlers, circa 1904. At the time they were competing in a tournament at the Palast Theatre in Berlin, Germany in April of 1904. Pictured from left to right: Nikola Petroff, Georg Lurich, Ivan Romanoff, Laurent le Beaucairois, Ferdinand Dieckmann, and John Pohl. BTW, Petroff defeated John Pohl in the finals to win the tournament. Laurent le Beaucairois finished third and Lurich fourth.

Lurich’s Ringweight

Posted on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 by John Wood

Weights which once belonged to strength legends are always interesting. Here is a great example: this ring weight (or maybe you could call it a kettlebell) was once owned by the great Estonian strongman and wrestler Georg Lurich. In case you are wondering, it weighs 34 kg, or about 75 pounds.

Lurich’s Bridge

Posted on Thursday, September 25th, 2014 by John Wood

A look at the great Estonian strongman/wrestler Georg Lurich giving a few friends “a lift” in the wrestler’s bridge, sometime around 1910. As someone who has a little experience with bridging with additional (human) weight, I can tell you that this feat is as impressive as they come.

Gustav Fristensky ~ The Bohemian Hercules

Posted on Monday, April 9th, 2012 by John Wood

Czechoslovakian-born Gustav Fristensky was known professionally as “The Bohemian Hercules” — and he was aptly named. Fristensky once ran the 100 meter dash in 14 seconds, which isn’t bad, but consider that it was also while carrying an extra 90 kg in his hands. Fristensky was also very good at repetition lifting, having been able to jerk 176 pounds 26 times and 220 pounds 18 times.

Like many strongmen of the day he was also an exceptional wrestler (amateur and later pro). Fristensky’s coach was none other than the great Estonian strength athlete Georg Lurich.