Karl Moerke Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Moerke’s Squat

Posted on Friday, October 19th, 2018 by John Wood

Karl Moerke is shown here squatting 418 pounds for a double at the 1920 German National Heavyweight Lifting Championships. He finished second to Milo Steinborn who raised 533 pounds with one effort.

George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein, and Mark H. Berry

Posted on Sunday, April 8th, 2018 by John Wood

Once in a great while several different legends will be in the same place at the same time. In this case, a strength show at Bryant Hall in New York City circa 1922. From left to right George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein and Mark H. Berry. (Klein made a record press at the show.)

Paul Trappen

Posted on Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 by John Wood

The German strongman and weightlifter Paul Trappen’s name isn’t mentioned very often but it certainly should be. At the 1913 German weightlifting Championships, Trappen defeated both Karl Moerke and Hermann Goerner to win the heavyweight title. Some of Trappen’s best lifts were a 320 pound Clean and Jerk, 215 pounds in the one hand clean and jerk and 183 pounds in the one arm press.

All impressive marks but the lift which he should be remembered best for is his harness lift of a pair of oxen totaling 5225 pounds – that would make his performance the greatest ever recorded in that particular lift.

Trappen also performed for the Barnum and Bailey Circus and did some wrestling in addition to feats of strength.

Heinrich Schneidereit in 1912

Posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2015 by John Wood

How about this shot of the great German lifter Heinrich Schneidereit and this awesome globe barbell? We believe this shot is from the 1912 German weightlifting championships where Schneidereit finished seconds to Heinrich Rondi. Karl Moerke finished third.

Karl Moerke Lifts a Firetruck

Posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2015 by John Wood

A look at the great German strongman Karl Moerke lifting a firetruck said to weigh four thousand pounds. As we have been exploring, there is a great deal more to heavy supporting lifts than many have thought…

German Strongman Karl Moerke

Posted on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 by John Wood

Germn Strongman Karl Moerke

Karl Moerke was a German Strongman in the early 1900’s. At a bodyweight around 250 pounds at a height of only 5’2 Moerke was quite the powerhouse. He could deadlift 650 pounds, jerk 375 pounds (shown here), and had a 19-inch neck. Moerke is thought to be the first man to squat 600 pounds.