Swedish Strongman Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Axle Öfverstén

Posted on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 by John Wood

Another look at the great Swedish strongman Axle Öfversténlifting an excellent globe barbell. Of note is the extremely thick handle on the other globe barbell pictured. This picture dates to 1889.

Hjalmar Lundin

Posted on Friday, March 11th, 2016 by John Wood

A look at the great Hjalmar Lundin, who was a tremendous strongman as well as wrestler. Lundin was the heavyweight champion in his native land of Sweden and eventually made his way to American shores by performing as a strongman in the Ringling Brother’s Circus. Lundin’s signature feat was The Tomb of Hercules” with 20 men see-sawing on his chest.

On the wrestling mat, Lundin tussled with the best of them: George Bothner, George Hackenschmidt, Frank Gotch, Tom Jenkins, “Yankee” Joe Rogers, Stanislaus Zbyzko and Youssof “The Terrible Turk” Ismael. It was Lundin who gave George Hackenschmidt his first wrestling lessons and actually defeated Frank Gotch (albeit in a Graeco-Roman-style bout.)

Axle Öfverstén

Posted on Sunday, January 10th, 2016 by John Wood

Axle Öfverstén was a Swedish strongman who performed with the Carl Busch and Mosebacke Circuses. His signature feat was to lift a horse, and as you can see, he also had excellent taste in equipment. Öfverstén’s protégé, Oscar Wahlund also went on to become a famous strongman.

Ricardo Nelson, Acclaimed “The World’s Strongest Man” Postcard

Posted on Monday, August 25th, 2014 by John Wood

Ricardo “The Swedish Lion” makes his second appearance in our blog, on this occasion, we have an extremely rare postcard showcasing a few of his unique feats of strength: bending a horseshoe in his teeth, scrolling a long steel bar around his leg and breaking a thick rope with leg power alone.

“Starke” Arvid Andersson

Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2014 by John Wood

Arvid Andersson was a Champion Swedish strongman who put up some very impressive numbers at the turn of the century. He got his start lifting horses in the circus and once he moves on to more conventional weights, quickly set the world record in the Clean & Jerk with a lift of 328 lbs on November 7th, 1906.

Professor Desbonnet, was the judge, and was highly impressed with the lift. Andersson’s nickname soon became “Starke Arvid” or Strong Arvid.
Like many strongmen of the time he was also a wrestler, and held the Swedish Heavyweight Championship for many years. After he retired from wrestling and lifting contests, “Starke Arvid” moved back to Stockholm and opened a café.

Oscar Wahlund, The Strongest Man in Sweden

Posted on Thursday, December 19th, 2013 by John Wood

Who IS the strongest man in Sweden? Hard to say these days but a hundred years ago it was Oscar Wahlund. He is credited with a harness lift of well over 4600 pounds and could clean and jerk 225 pounds for 10 repetitions.

Karl Norberg ~ The Mighty Norseman

Posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2012 by John Wood

Karl Norberg ~ The Mighty Norseman

Here’s one you can try at home: do a front hold out with an Olympic barbell, then, by wrist power alone twist it from horizontal to vertical and back again. At 70 years of age, “The Mighty Norseman,” Karl Norberg could do this with ease.

Ricardo ‘Hardtack’ Nelson, The Swedish Lion

Posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 by John Wood

Ricardo Nelson, The Swedish Lion

Bending a horse shoe isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world to do, but Ricardo ‘Hardtack’ Nelson bent one every morning, in his teeth, no less.

Nelson was a national hero in his home country where he was known as “The Swedish Lion” but was not as well known in the U.S. Nelson was famous for his steel bending feats: scrolling, spike bending, bending steel in his teeth, he was said to even be able to bend a coin with his fingers.